Josh Dolby is not a believer in self-promotion. Instead, he is interested in people’s involvement in politics. He likes to hear what everybody has to say and he likes to read as much as he possibly can. Dolby is a candidate in District 32 for the Maine House of Representatives and a USM student. The district is the City of Portland, and he is running as a Green independent in the general election.
“See what other people have to say,” is his advice. “Ask as many questions as you can and make as many contacts. It is important to listen to people.”
This approach spurred Dolby’s interest in politics at a very young age. He continues to have a thirst for knowledge on how things work, and not only in a political realm. Dolby is one of several students that takes part in the USM Senate, and is a mentor at Nathan Clifford Elementary School in Portland. He also waits tables in Kennebunkport and recently worked for a few months as a distributor for Auto Hunter magazine.
His interest in technology eventually landed him a job with Hewlett-Packard and Polaroid in the year 2000. It was a corporate tour in which he saw much of the continental United States. On this trip he visited many political arenas throughout the country, and his concern for change grew. This inspired him more to join the political branch.
Today, Dolby is engaged in several political bodies, including a subcommittee of students that reviews the Portland Police Department. Dolby was one of seven appointed to this committee and is glad he was given the chance to take part.
“It is more educational than any class I have ever taken,” Dolby said.
They meet about once a month and review certain cases that may have been disputed.
Dolby emphasizes that this is just another forum for grasping more concepts and ideas. “I want to better understand how government works,” he said. “And it’s so complicated, but it is so very important.”
It is also important that politicians voice their position on each and every issue.
“We need to reconsider how our society is working,” Dolby said. “They are keeping this paradigm alive, and it is no longer feasible.”
Dolby illustrated the U.S.’s problem with losing trust and allegiance from other countries.
“We can maintain our society, [but] we could just do it in a much more thoughtful way.”
Dolby also hopes to clear the avenue for more third party candidates who hope to eventually run for a public office. His major concern remains to be the lack of citizen interest in the political process.
Throughout all of these political lineups and occupations, Dolby has continued his studies at the University of Southern Maine. He is a Philosophy major and currently finishing up his senior year. He has no idea what is going to happen in the future, he would just like to make a difference and do more with his life.
“There is just so much we can do to impact the community in a positive way.”