The Minot man has spent much of his life in and around the world of politics.
By Emily Tuttle
Special to the Sun Journal

MINOT – Most teenagers want to travel, participate in sports, or be with their friends during school vacations. Not many beg their mothers to let them watch the state legislature in session.

Randy Bumps of Minot remembers growing up in China and making the 25-minute drive to Augusta just so he could sit in the State House gallery. He loved getting campaign signs from his grandparents, lifelong Democrats. On numerous occasions, he served as a page in the state legislature. This was Bumps’ idea of fun.

Now at age 31, Bumps has already spent a third of his life in professional politics and currently serves as the executive director of Maine for the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign.

His current position gained him an invitation to a Christmas party at the U.S. Naval Observatory, which serves as the Washington, D.C., home for Vice President Dick Cheney.

“That’s really a great invitation,” said Steve Abbott, chief of staff for Sen. Susan Collins. “Lots of events go on at the White House. But to be in the vice president’s home is really a rare opportunity.”

Abbott has worked closely with Bumps because of their association with the Maine junior senator. Bumps managed Collins’ six field offices and most recently served as deputy campaign manager for the 2002 election.

“A lot of people here in Washington have dealt with Randy by phone or by e-mail,” said Abbot. “And when they first meet him, they’re often surprised by how young he is. But then, we’re struck by his knowledge and insights on government.”

Bumps started his political career immediately after graduating from Bates College by working for former Sen. Bill Cohen. He got first-hand experience at campaigning when he successfully ran for Maine’s House District 106 for three terms.

“I really learned a lot going door to door,” said Bumps. “That’s still what I love the most. You’re just constantly meeting new people and getting new perspectives.”

Even in high school, Bumps had the political bug. During his freshman year, Bumps ran for class president, an office he held each successive year.

However, Bumps said he didn’t get his party leanings until his later years. The partisanship became more intense for Bumps with Collins’ last election.

“It was unlike anything else I had ever experienced,” said Bumps. “Just the campaigning consumed me. I’d spend every minute of every day thinking about what I could do to further our cause.”

Bumps said his philosophy then, as it is now, was to just stick to the evidence and stay away from rhetoric. He paused for a long time without answering when asked where he got his party leanings. He reflected that party politics never found its way to the family dinner conversations. Bumps finally shared that he found the notion of local control a more compelling philosophy.

“Randy is really passionate and sincere in what he does,” said Abbott. “His passion isn’t really for politics, but more for public service. I really hope that when this campaign is over, he’ll come back to our office.”

Bumps said he spends most of his time now on the road and quietly organizing volunteers and gathering data.

“We’re not as visible as the Democrats right now,” said Bumps. “But it’s a very deliberate process. And we’ll continue to ramp up as we get closer to November.”

Dianne Bumps recently came across a picture of her son receiving an autographed campaign poster from his grandmother for his birthday one year. She also recalled how excited Bumps was when he won a poster contest in middle school and received a visit from the then Gov. John McKernan.

“He’s always been an overachiever,” said Bumps’ mother. “Whatever he does, he has to do it with all of his energy. He used to always say, ‘How can I not do that?’ “