AP Environmental teacher and now Delegate Elect Cheryl Turpin is on her way up the ranks of the Democratic Party after a loss in a special election against opponent Rep. Rocky Holcomb.

Q: So now that all the numbers are in, how does it feel to have won your election?

A: “It’s probably the most incredible experience of my life. It’s just outstanding to sit here as delegate elect.”

Q: How would you describe the campaign?

A: “It is grueling and it’s extensive! I made 23,000 phone calls, I personally knocked on more than 12,000 doors, so it’s hard to win a campaign.”

Q: Who were the most influential people that helped you get through the process?

A: “That would be my daughters, one time I was laying on the floor and my daughter came home from California and kicked me and said “mom put your big girl panties on and figure this out”.   Apparently I figured it out and that’s why i’m on the win column this time.”

Q: Going in as a underdog and coming out victorious, how has that shaped you?

A: “It gave me the strength to realize I need to change my approach to campaigning, which I did.  It gave me the persistence to continue moving forward.”

Q: From teacher to State Delegate, do you feel that it is ever to late to try something new?

A: “Absolutely not, I would never.  If someone asked me if I would be sitting here as delegate elect I would have never said no then.  The opportunities came into play and low and behold I am a delegate elect, so it’s never to late to try something new.”

Q: What was it like on election day?

A: “We had put a plan in place, we just needed to make sure that we didn’t get creamed in certain districts.  Then when the numbers came in we closed the gaps on those districts that we thought were different.”

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for the students at Cox?

A: “You sometimes are faced with failure and that was my special election.  You just need to sit down and regroup and preserver forward to follow your dreams.”

Q: What was the most important trait of yours that helped you during your campaign?

A: “I think since I’ve been a teacher for so long I can speak to lots of different people. Rather it be on the doors or when people open the doors and they say “OHHH, you taught my child, I remember you!,” it’s an extraordinary moment.”

Q: How have students responded to your victory?

A: “They have been excited and supportive. They want to know what kind of ‘swag’ I get and I can’t answer that question yet because I don’t know what swag is.”

Q: What do you think the future had in store for you?

A: “I think it’s going to be exciting. I have a lot of meeting ahead and i’m looking forward to it.”