Political science senior Austin Stumpf worked as the campaign manager for Lauren Kuby, who ran successfully for Tempe City Council in August. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)Political science senior Austin Stumpf helped secure an election during one of the biggest and most painful moments of his life.
Stumpf worked as the newly elected Tempe City Council member Lauren Kuby’s campaign manager. Stumpf suffers from Crohn's disease, a debilitating disease caused by chronic inflammation of the intestines, which caused him to have surgery and be away from the campaign for May and June.
“I had to do something,” Stumpf said. “I wouldn’t have felt right staying away if I knew I had made a commitment to people and not following through.”
Stumpf was diagnosed about eight years ago, and for the most part, his disease was well taken care of until about a year ago.
“I could have it a lot worse,” Stumpf said. “I’m not one to complain or feel sorry for myself.”
Stumpf said that he was more stressed that he couldn’t be back in Arizona helping with Kuby’s election. So that’s what he did. Stumpf said even though it was tough, he managed to help out despite the miles of separation.
Kuby, who is also a program manager at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, said he's very smart and calculated with his decisions.
“My daughters joke with me all the time and call him my ginger son,” Kuby said.
Stumpf, who was was born in southern Illinois, grew up watching the St. Louis Cardinals and he was involved in many activities like playing the trombone in the band or performing in plays on stage but always came back to just one of his passions.
“I’ve never thought of a better way to use my talents other than to talk to people about the system and to get people to participate,” Stumpf said. “Participation is the only way you can inflict change.”
Stumpf said when he visited ASU he was instantly hooked and knew he wanted to go there.
Stumpf got involved on campus and quickly rose through the ranks of the Young Democrats, a political organization at the University.
After earning the presidential nod of the Young Democrats, Stumpf met John Fetherston where they worked with David Schapira, who was also elected for Tempe City Council in August. Fetherston is now the policy advisor for the Democratic caucus in the Arizona senate and an ASU alumnus.
Fetherston said he desperately wanted to help out with the campaign despite his health.
“It was really hard for him,” Fetherston said. “He would have liked to have been here (in Arizona for the election).”
Law student Danny Inglese, a close friend of Stumpf’s and his old roommate, said Stumpf always works hard.
“If he’s got something on his plate, he finds a way to do it,” Inglese said.
Reach the reporter at jwilli62@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @JonWilliams_23
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