GW Deli Documentary
Election 2020: Passion, Politics, and a Pandemic
As the 2020 election gripped the nation, it was especially compelling for students living and learning on one of the most famously politically active campuses in the nation. “Election 2020: Passion, Politics, and a Pandemic” captures the hopes and fears of four GW students as they participated in national and campus politics that year, navigating a pandemic, the partisan divide and more.
”My Dad always told me this story of me seeing the White House on TV and saying, ‘I want to live there one day,’ and he said I’d have to marry the president. And I was like, ‘Why can’t I be the president?’”
Alexandra Brandis, '23
Meet The 2020 Hopefuls
Alejandro Arango, ’21
Alejandro Arango graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs. During his time at GW, he founded GW Students For Bernie and served as Vice President of Membership for GW College Democrats. As a first-generation Colombian American, Alejandro advocates for equitable representation and lifting the voices of marginalized communities. He continues to champion progressive political participation and structural change.
Alexandra Brandis, ’23
Alexandra Brandis ’23, joined the GW College Republicans as a freshman, serving as its Director of Political Affairs before being elected Vice Chairwoman. She is pursuing a degree in Political Science and History with a minor in Economics. Coming from a family who owns a car dealership, Alex is passionate about preserving the rights of small business owners and promoting conservative values. She also actively participates in her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.
Maddie Goldstein, ’23
Maddie Goldstein ’23, is studying Criminal Justice and Political Science. As an active participant of GW Students with Warren (now Persist GW), she supports candidates and causes that reflect her progressive values. Maddie has served as the Vice President of Political Affairs for GW College Democrats and has volunteered for local elections in her home state of Kentucky.
Josh Kutner, ’21
Josh Kutner graduated in 2021 with a degree in Political Science and minors in Criminology and Law & Society. While at GW, he served as Director of Political Affairs and Chairman of the GW College Republicans. Josh now works on the campaign of New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and is focused on electing changemakers who will improve his home state of New Jersey.
”Working with all of those organizations throughout the past year and a half really showed me that the fight is never over in the best way. Always showing up and caring and always wanting to fight is just such an important thing.”
Maddie Goldstein, ’23
