Katrina Seifert

Katrina SeifertBlack Hawk College and University of IowaMoline , IL and Iowa City , Iowa

Katrina attends Black Hawk College and the University of Iowa.She is a junior majoring in political science with a career aim of Labor Law.She is involved in Model Illinois Government--currently Governor ; past Lt.Governor , Chief of Staff to the Attorney General College Democrats--currently VP of Legislative Affairs for ICD ; past Black Hawk College Democrats President , Secretary Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Her work experience includes being a Staff Assistant for U.S..

"Illinois is such a political state," said Katrina Seifert."It is dominated by the two parties, and they are not necessarily ready to hand that (power) over to a woman."

Seifert has an idea of what it would be like to serve as governor: She played the role for four days last year through Model Illinois Government.The program is an annual state government simulation for college students at the Capitol.

Reaching the state's top office for real has proved elusive so far.Only one woman has won a major political party's nomination for governor in Illinois.

Dawn Clark Netsch of Chicago won a three-way Democratic primary in 1994 with about 44 percent of the vote, but she lost to Republican incumbent Jim Edgar of Charleston in the general election.
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Although her term was brief, Seifert offered an idea as to why more women haven't vied for the opportunity to become the state's chief executive officer: "I think the only thing stopping them is that they don't think they can win."

RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR

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But like any good politician, Seifert is keeping her options open.

"At this point in my life, that's not something I could even consider," she said."But in the future, if I were called to do it, if I were the best candidate, I would consider it."

Contact Katherine Schott at katherine.schott@lee.net .

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Katrina Seifert, a recent political science graduate from Knox College, got a taste of politics last year when she served as Illinois governor for four days.She was elected by fellow participants of the Model Illinois Government program, an annual state government simulation for college students at the Capitol.

Seifert felt the pressure and left the experience knowing just how difficult it is, especially for women.

"Illinois is such a political state," she said."It is dominated by the two parties, and they are not necessarily ready to hand that (power) over to a woman."

She hasn't let her experience deter her from her chosen profession.Seifert moved to Washington, D.C., after graduation, where she hopes to find a job in politics.

She's not sure if she would ever run for governor for real in Illinois.But like any good politician, Seifert is keeping her options open.

"At this point in my life, that's not something I could even consider," she said."But in the future, if I were called to do it, if I were the best candidate, I would consider it."

katherine.schott@lee.net / 217-782-4043

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