By Krystal Baker
krystal@newsroom.byu.edu
Former BYU student Paul Boehm of Roy, Weber County, is the communications director for senate-hopeful Scott Howell.
As Howell's right-hand man in the campaign's advertising and press department, Boehm arranges Howell's media exposure.
Boehm says Howell is going to run a competitive campaign, and he is confident in Howell's abilities.
'Where people know Scott Howell, Scott Howell is leading this race,' Boehm said.
Boehm graduated from Ricks College and then from BYU in April 2000 with a degree in International Studies. He describes himself as a 'political buff.' This spring while working at Novell he was referred to Howell by a friend.
Boehm said he plans to be constantly involved in some level of politics because he believes that it is something that he should do as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Latter-day Saints, Boehm said, have a responsibility to be involved.
'Civic duties,' Boehm said, 'lends itself to helping others in dramatic ways.'
Also helping Scott Howell along the campaign trail are the BYU Democrats. The club's first meeting was last Thursday in the Wilkinson Student Center. BYU students signed up for election committees, and announced that their primary focus for the semester will be the campaigns.
In addition to the Democrats, students who want to be involved in the political campaigns can join the BYU College Republicans. Their first meeting will be tonight, Sept. 12, at 7:30 in 230 TNRB.
College Republican Chairman Brandon Minster said if students want to help with a campaign there will be a chairman over campaigns who will serve as the contact person for volunteers.
The BYU Republicans are directly involved in door-to-door canvassing.
The College Republicans will be working on several campaigns.
'Not every Republican is going to be on board with each candidate,' Minister said.