Edward Ableser's students encouraged him to take his message out of the classroom.
So Ableser, a counseling graduate student, is running for state representative in Legislative District 17, which includes most areas of Tempe, in the general election this fall.
He decided to run for the Legislature when some of his students said he would make a good policymaker, Ableser said.
Ableser was first interested in public office as an ASU undergraduate. He narrowly lost a student government vice presidential election to a friend in 1998, but worked as a chief of staff in student government for two years.
After receiving bachelor's degrees in Chinese and political science in 2000, Ableser spent a year running homeless ministries and interfaith outreach programs at the Exchange Tempe Community Church.
In 2001, Ableser returned to ASU to begin work on a master's of counseling degree. He is preparing to defend his thesis this spring, he said.
Ableser tried again for a public service position in 2002, when he was a finalist for the student regent position at the Arizona Board of Regents. He lost to friend and ASU law student, Danelle Kelling.
"I seem to be friends with the people I lose things out to," he said.
Ableser has taught undergraduate students for two-and-a-half years. This semester, he is teaching a class called understanding the multicultural child.
"I get so energized by my students," he said.
Many of his students said they feel the same way about him.
Elementary education sophomore Bernadette Vasquez said Ableser opens his students' minds to different social issues.
"I want everybody to take this class," she said.
While elementary education junior Tammy Richey said she does not agree with many of Ableser's political views, she appreciates his reason for entering politics.
"He didn't go to school to become a legislator," Richey said. "He's responding to students saying, 'You might be good at this.' "
If elected to the legislative position, Ableser said he would like to address educational issues.
"I base my whole philosophical premise on education," he said.
Education should advance every student to a certain standard, but good intentions are useless without funding, Ableser said.
Ableser also said that he would like to address the rising costs of health care and the importance of student involvement in politics.
"Every one of these students can register [to vote] where they're living right now and make a direct impact on the policies and the issues that they're presented with," Ableser said.
"I don't let my students off the hook," he added. "I will not let them complain without taking some action."
Ableser said he plans to talk to a variety of student groups to encourage participation.
But Ableser hopes he will continue to be more involved at ASU than the average legislator. He has applied to the public administration doctoral program, which would allow him to stay in the classroom.
"I love teaching, and to get your Ph.D., you can teach at the university level," Ableser said.
For more information about Ableser's campaign, visit www.eza2004.com.
Reach the reporter at amanda.keim@asu.edu.
