Brigham Young University-Idaho students have taken an interest in helping lead Jeff Aldridge's mayoral campaign in Idaho Falls.

Devon Romero, a recent BYUI graduate, took the lead in recruiting BYUI students to the campaign. Romero and his young family moved to Idaho Falls one year ago.

“My two most favorite topics to talk about have always been religion and politics," said Romero. "Because you can get some of the most raw answers and really get to know people on a deeper level.”

Juggling a young family and a new job left Romero feeling like he had little time for activism. The death of Charlie Kirk served as a wake-up call for Romero to prioritize his civic service now instead of later.

That’s when he came across Jeff Aldridge, a candidate in Idaho Falls' upcoming mayoral election. After meticulous discussion and conversation, he decided that Aldridge is a man he wanted to support. Aldridge's initiative is to inform the public of what's happening locally in a more effective, more timely way.

“I don’t care if you're Christian or Atheist, up, down, left or right: I want to stand up for you, and I hope that you’d do the same for me,” Romero said.

Romero decided after much consideration that he would help out on Aldridge's marketing team. Although Romero had no previous experience, he was assigned to work in the Rexburg area. It became his way to stand not just for Idaho, but for his whole country.

“Sometimes you have to do something that isn’t ideal, but it still makes a difference,” Romero said.

As part of his marketing efforts in Rexburg, Romero invited many BYUI students to attend a training seminar at the Leadership Institute in Idaho Falls, including Olivia Chambers, a senior studying Political Science.

Chambers met Jeff Aldridge, a candidate for the upcoming Idaho Falls mayoral election, at the event. Aldridge moved to Idaho from Washington five years ago, and although he loves the area, he is tired of not seeing problems solved.

Idaho Falls' recent growth has led to new developments (apartments and condensed housing) being built near already established neighborhoods and homes, causing traffic issues, depreciation of property values, etc.

The more pressing issue, in Aldridge's opinion, was clear communication with the public.

“If people know about it, people talk about it,” Romero said.

The message Aldridge shared at the leadership event was to find where you could do your part to serve your country.

His campaign also emphasizes making public news more convenient.

“So many people watch YouTube, why don’t we post the news on a community channel?” Romero said.

Chambers, after being shown what problems were developing, also decided to get involved.

Chamber's efforts have taken form in vocalizing her views, emphasizing that it isn’t fair to ask everyone to be a leader, but it is everyone’s obligation to at least be aware and involved.

"It's the little things, like being involved locally, that makes all the difference," said Chambers. “I think so many people get caught up in the national news, they forget that the community has some too."

Romero and Chambers can agree that their message to their fellow students can be summed up in the words of John F. Kennedy:

“Ask not what your country can do for you-- ask what you can do for your country.”