It’s already been a decade since I was a Truman Scholar.  In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that I was in at the Summer Institute in Washington, DC for the program, where my eyes were opened to many new things.  And that was just in the George Washington University dorm.  In other ways, it seems like I’ve traveled a long road from the 21 year old college student I was then to the 32 year old San Diego City Councilmember I am now.

I have known since middle school that I had an interest in government and public service.  At that young age, I didn’t know all that much about government or what it could mean for my future.  A youth leadership program in San Diego helped provide a foundation of knowledge, and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program gave me the incredible gift of experiential learning throughout the program and as an intern at the White House for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

As Truman Scholars, we all know about the program and took away something a little different from it.  For me, the biggest takeaway was a renewed sense that I was on the right path.  I studied history and political science and worked as an intern in the local office of California State Assemblymember Susan Davis.  The year I graduated from college, Susan unseated an incumbent to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I was proud to serve in her San Diego office as a Community Representative for her first term and as her District Director for her next three terms. 

Through my work as a congressional staffer, community activist and a City Housing Commissioner, I had the opportunity to meet hundreds of exemplary San Diego neighbors, and many of them suggested that I run for a City Council seat that was going to be open due to term limits.  After a lot of soul-searching, days worth of discussions with family and friends (including some fellow Truman Scholars), and a fair amount of MTV to distract me, I decided to go for it.  I recall one of the first doors I knocked on when canvassing for myself was an older man who informed me that he is a very conservative Republican.  He asked me only one question: “Who is your favorite President?”  My answer was the only one a Truman Scholar could give: Harry Truman.  The man jumped for joy, hugged me and let me place one of my signs in his yard.  The Truman Scholarship was still paying off all these years later!

Thankfully, the folks who suggested I run for office weren’t the only ones who thought I was qualified, and I won my race and was inaugurated at the end of 2008.  Naturally, I quickly placed a portrait of President Truman in my office.

While serving in public office during the worst economic climate in 70 years is not ideal, I can say without hesitation that I love my job.  In the short 20 months I have been in office, I have worked with my colleagues to advance my goals of improving public safety, increase infrastructure funding and build more affordable housing for San Diego families.  My daily objective is to help people and to make San Diego a better place. 

Certainly the work is not without its downsides.  It is impossible to adequately address the needs of the eighth largest city in the United States.  No matter how I vote on an issue, there is always some individual or group that is disappointed.  Most of all, I have been surprised by the lack of anonymity that comes with this kind of public service.  I thought only wonks like Truman Scholars knew who their local elected officials were!  Turns out, most people closely track the actions of their City Councilmembers and are not shy to give their two cents whether it is at the grocery store, the dry cleaner, or the gym locker room.   It’s led me to explain to folks that this is not a job but a lifestyle.

On the most difficult of days, I often think back to my experiences with the 1999 Truman Scholars at William Jewell College.  I recall the optimism and sincerity of purpose all of us share for professions in public service.   It renews my commitment to this lifestyle to think of the great work that my fellow Trumans are doing around the world.  I remain grateful for the opportunities the Truman Scholarship provided for me and the chance to live out my dream of a career in public service.

Todd Gloria (CA ‘99) is a San Diego City Councilmember.