I think the work you are doing is awesome. You're out there in direct contact with the general public, the very people that need to be informed. I don't think the referral system will pay for the work you are doing, that's for users that get friends, friends of friends and family and their friends yet not exclusive to that, and it requires a level of trust to be effective! The work you do, I feel is worth 1 of the 101 positions.
You're audience should be on voters minds more so than the focus on you... If you do misbehave you'll be fired (voted out of position).
Can anyone else reach the same audience as directly as you, my guess is no. Working the streets, or in a privileged position, should not matter. It is this type of mind-set that makes a great community
I say give him a chance