This KC native has a huge role on VP Kamala Harris’ campaign trail. How he got there
As the nation prepares itself for one of the most pivotal elections in recent history, Kansas City native Jesse Reyes-Lopez, who is Hispanic and was raised surrounded by family and Latino culture in the city’s iconic Westside, is proud to be on the campaign team for Vice President Kamala Harris. While his unwavering support for Harris can sometimes clash with positions on abortion held by some of his Catholic friends and relatives, Reyes- Lopez said he separates the two and refuses to let anything erode his love for family or community.
Reyes-Lopez, who is the deputy director of advance and the trips director for the presidential candidate, is responsible for coordinating trips, rallies and speaking engagements for Harris. On the campaign trail he meets with people from around the country and said he is happy to be a part of this historic moment for the country.
Recently, Reyes-Lopez sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, to talk about how he got involved with politics, working on the Harris campaign and the importance of the Hispanic vote.
Banks: Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?
Reyes-Lopez: I grew up on the Westside of Kansas City. We have a pretty close Mexican American family and a lot of my family came from Mexico. A lot of my family have migrated here from Mexico between the 30s and the 60s and so I’ve grown up on the Westside. That’s my area and it’s home to me. In high school my mom moved us and I finished up my high school at Blue Valley (in Johnson County, Kansas) and after that moved to Atlanta for college.
Can you tell me about your work?
So as deputy director of events we handle all of the campaign, the vice president’s campaign rallies, events, fundraisers. So anywhere she goes I plan that out with my team. We have teams in all battleground states. So, when there’s a rally or event happening, we have to find a venue, we have to go through Secret Service and make sure the venue is vetted and protected. We round up our volunteers, get our signage and get stuff like that set up.
When we get to the event that’s being held we just make sure that everything’s in place, everything’s ready for the vice president and all the speakers. Then afterwards we make sure that, all the volunteers done are done with the process and making sure that you know all the stage, and venues, and stuff is taken down properly and that we get things out of the way.
What made you want to go into those particular areas for a career?
I previously worked for Vice President Harris when she was a presidential candidate back in 2019. So I worked for her on her campaign when she ran as the running mate and so after that I kind of kept in touch with some core people in DC and campaign-wise. I had initially reached out to a good friend of mine that’s on the campaign and coming on back when Biden was still head of the ticket. So when I started he dropped out. She took his place, so it was kind of like I wasn’t for sure if I would still have my job. It was up in the air. But she (Harris) just made sure that we’re all going to have our same positions. It is all about keeping in contact with good connections.
What has it been like being able to work so closely with the Vice President?
It’s been amazing. We have an amazing team and we have a lot of great staff. It is just amazing to be able to do these events for her and make sure her trips are planned out and everything. She’s always just a joy, even if you’re just around her for a couple of minutes. Usually at these events she always makes it a habit to thank all of her volunteers and staff after each event or rally. She’s always on a tight schedule, but she always makes sure she thanks everyone and that’s just a special moment that she shares with everyone.
What are the challenges that you face in your career?
Not the job as much as just politics in general. I come from like a very Catholic Mexican family, so I try not to mix politics and family together just because Catholics really have a hard stance on abortion. Family, I’m going to love them regardless of who they vote for. So that’s always a little challenging.
At what point in life did you decide you wanted to work in politics?
I first started politics, it was probably around 2016 for that presidential election. Just seeing how a lot of folks were just disinterested in politics, thinking that their vote doesn’t matter, kind of encourage me to get more involved because I had, during that time, just finished college. I had gotten my bachelor’s in political science. Then Trump was elected and I felt like what do we do now, like in a standstill. I didn’t expect the results of that election and so that made me feel like I need to do more to get folks involved. Get more young folks to learn about politics and branches of government.
With this being Hispanic Heritage Month how important is it to get those Hispanic voters?
I find that it’s a little hard at times because like I said, a lot of Hispanics, not all Hispanics, but the majority are Catholic and they have that stance on abortion, which is hard line. But I always tell them look at her views, look at what she stands for. If she’s who you believe in, you might not have to agree on her with everything but look at everything else that she stands for.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work.
Honestly, traveling the country and meeting people has always been one of my top joys. Seeing people actually coming out for Vice President Harris, just seeing those people rally behind her. Meeting new voters, first-time voters who are actually excited to vote, that just brings me joy. So that just makes me want to keep going more. Winning this election is very important to me.
Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?
Never give up, even when you don’t know where things are taking you or feel discouraged. I always told myself to never give up.
Do you have a memorable achievement in your personal journey thus far that stands out?
Just being able to work for the vice president. This is pretty big for me, being on her presidential campaign. Just being on her vice president campaign was a big achievement but working with her right now and hopefully when she becomes president I will be able to keep working with her. This is a glass shattering moment and to be a part of history,
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as yourself?
I would tell them just, you know, start off volunteering. That’s where I started off. Knocking on doors, passing out flyers and phone banking. Just keep going and keep applying yourself, meeting people and knowing the right people to connect with. That will get you far in this field.
