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In one of America’s fiercest battleground districts, where partisan divides run deep and voices grow ever louder, a sophomore found purpose, perspective and a front-row seat to democracy in action. 

Internship Offers Frontline Look at Political Division 

In January 2024, narrowly won the election to represent Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, claiming victory by less than a percentage point. The seat quickly became one of the most closely watched in the country.   

Grace Olivia Eddy, a sophomore who is majoring in history from Denver, Colorado, spent her summer as a congressional intern in Evans’ district office, gaining firsthand insight into the mechanics — and tensions — of American politics. Eddy hopes to attend law school and pursue a career as a constitutional attorney. 

“We had a lot of people that really disliked us,” said Eddy. “It was hard to stay composed while talking to people who very clearly didn’t want information and just wanted to vent. I sought to support them and explain to them why Gabe supported what he did. It grew my communication skills, patience and composure tremendously.”    

Serving Constituents, Building Trust 

Throughout the internship, Eddy assisted constituents in navigating federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services. Eddy also contributed to launching two major initiatives: mobile offices and district advisory groups.  

Face-to-Face Advocacy in Local Communities 

The mobile offices, hosted in libraries and community centers, allowed residents to meet with congressional field representatives without needing to travel to the main office or navigate online systems.  

“We would set up a three- to four-hour office so that people who weren’t able to come into the office or access our online services could still get help with casework and voice their concerns,” said Eddy. “That was really fun. I loved getting the face-to-face time with our constituents so that I could support, love, and advocate for vulnerable and hurting people in my community.”   

Bridging Policy and Public Input 

Eddy also helped organize advisory groups that brought together local experts in health care, public safety, housing, education, agriculture and water management. These groups provided data-driven recommendations to the U.S. representative.  

Faith in the Midst of Political Tensions 

Eddy’s experience was not without its challenges. She encountered protests, death threats and fear-filled anger from constituents, all of which pushed her to rely on her biblical worldview.  

“There was a lot of uncertainty,” said Eddy. “Especially with some of the bills that were coming through. The attack on the Iranian nuclear sites happened when I was working there. A lot of people were terrified that we had just started a war. But in the uncertainty and chaos, we must trust that the Lord has a plan and that whatever happens, he will ultimately use it for his good.” 

About Cedarville University 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.