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Rachel Hoff works for the the National Republican Congressional Committee where she conducts research/communications for the NRCC's Independent Expenditure unit -- a small office that takes the polling and research and decides what messages should be communicated in the NRCC TV ads, mailers, and phone scripts in the top 25-30 House races. Prior to her post at the NRCC, Rachel served as a writer, researcher, and legislative assistant for Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), focusing on foreign affairs and national security issues. Rachel was a 2004-2005 Dutko Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she later spent an additional year as a foreign policy research assistant.
In the fall of 2004, Rachel served as statewide youth coordinator for the South Dakota Republican Party, mobilizing the college vote to help elect John Thune to the U.S. Senate. For the 2006 and 2007 election cycles, Rachel was field director for the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), coordinating nationwide grassroots campaigns to elect and re-elect Republican candidates at all levels of government. In 2008 Rachel will serve as chairman of the YRNF Campaign Committee, developing and implementing a national strategy to increase young voter turnout in key presidential and congressional states. For her efforts to encourage youth involvement in GOP politics, she was named National Young Republican Woman of the Year in 2006.
At Tufts, Rachel studied Political Science and Philosophy and was president of the College Republicans.
As a young person interested in politics, it always seemed the path to political involvement was clear. First run for student council, next volunteer on local campaigns, then major in Political Science. But as a Senior in college, I found myself confused about how I should translate all of that into an actual career in politics. The idea of an unpaid DC internship and words like “networking” made the task even more daunting. When I heard about the opportunity to apply for the Dutko Fellowship, I knew that this was the perfect transition from the study of politics to the practice of public service.
The substance of my work as a Dutko Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute was stimulating, challenging, and inspiring. As a foreign policy research assistant, I focused on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa, democracy, Islamist extremism, terrorism, and weapons proliferation. I also had the opportunity to help manage several of AEI’s projects, including the Arab Democracy Project and NGO Watch. I developed a skill set that bridged policy research and project management, which has continued to serve me in my career.
The Dutko Fellowship’s emphasis on pursuing the goal of positive social change spurred me to action in the political arena as well. By encouraging my involvement with campaigns and partisan political organizations, the Fellowship mentors taught me that public service and active citizenship requires a more holistic approach than just a 9-to-5 day job. The Dutko Fellowship captures the idealism of youth and puts it to work to achieve real change in politics – this is what continues to inspire fellows and mentors alike.
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