Nail tech Alayna Josz in New London, N.H., is new to the trade. She recently finished her apprenticeship and earned her license only a couple of weeks ago. But Josz has a new passion she’s equally excited about: She is one of Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders’ biggest supporters.

“I am new to politics. I've never felt this way before; I’ve only voted once in my life. I never really learned about government in school and now I spend all my free time (and some salon time) volunteering for Bernie and creatively spreading his name and ideas,” says Josz. Her volunteer duties include canvassing, running phone banks, tabling events, attending weekly meetings, running her regional Bernie Facebook page, and doing free Bernie nail art for supporters. She even sends any tips she makes from these nail services to the Sanders campaign in the form of a donation.   

Josz’s Sanders-inspired nail art has even garnered her national recognition. “My highlight so far was being included in TIME Magazine as being a manicurist for Bernie!” Josz says. She was mentioned in the September 28th issue of the magazine, which featured the Senator on the cover. A quote from a separate online article reads, “Alayna Josz, a manicurist in a nail salon, paints Bernie themes for free on customers’ nails and volunteers when she’s not at work. ‘He has started a conversation with all of us that we are not going to be quiet about,’ Josz says." (You can read the Time article here if you have a time.com account.)

Josz wore her first set of Bernie-themed nails for the Fourth of July. “They lasted four weeks because I let them grow out, and didn't want to get rid of them,” she says. Josz describes her political mani as making her feel “positive, proud, and powerful.” You can follow Josz for more nail art on Instagram @ladyalayna.

As the election draws closer, NAILS welcomes photos of any presidential nail art you may be doing on your nails or on your clients. Email photos along with contact info to editor@nailsmag.com.