Your Choices for YDA in 2007
As a candidate for president of the Young Democrats of America, I’ve had a great time visiting YD chapters in cities and states across our nation. There’s amazing energy and a positive vision for America’s future to be found wherever Young Democrats meet. We have the skills and the drive to meet the challenges that lie before us, and it will be an honor to serve as your president.
It is also my honor to welcome four candidates into this discussion about YDA’s future. As members of my slate, these candidates share my vision for a more involved, more accessible Young Democrats of America. Each is more than qualified for the positions they seek, and I am proud to have their support.
Chris Anderson of Tennessee for Executive Vice President. Chris has worked within the Young Democrats of America for the past six years. He has served as local Chapter President, State President, Platform Chair, Rules Chair, SPA Chair, and Vice President for Programs. He founded Young Democrats chapters at his High School and College. Chris then went on and helped to build the Hamilton County Young Democrats into a political force in his county as well as develop the Tennessee Young Democrats into an effective political organization. Since becoming Vice President for Programs Chris ensured trainings at every national meeting and helped to produce the first ever national training event in Chicago this past summer. Visit Chris's website!
A'shanti Fayshel Gholar of Nevada for Vice President. A'shanti Fayshel Gholar has served as Vice President of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Young Democrats, the President of the Young Democrats of Nevada, and the Vice President of the College Democrats of America. She currently co-chairs the Youth Council of the Democratic National Committee. A'shanti is running for Vice President of YDA because she is interested in developing training and outreach programs that will improve the ability of our local and state chapters to register, educate, and mobilize young people around the nation. Visit A'shanti's website!
Omar Khan of Florida for Vice President. Omar has worked for the Florida Democratic Party on multiple campaigns including that of Senator Kerry. As President of the Florida Young Democrats, Omar continues to engage young people in the political process. As Vice President, Omar will work to build and retain membership among our local chapters.
Josh Blevings of Arkansas for Vice President. Josh is the immediate past President of the Young Democrats of Arkansas and the current Chair of the YDA Chapter Building Committee. If elected YDA Vice President of Programs, Josh will work to expand chapter building programs by making them more accessible and effective.
Crystal Strait of California for Democratic National Committeewoman. Ten years ago, Crystal Strait began her career in politics as a young Democrat at UC Santa Barbara and later President of the Sacramento Young Democrats. She served for 2 years as President. Crystal is committed to using her experience with state and local chapters to ensure more states receive resources from YDA and that YDA offers rescources that meet the diverse needs of YDA's membership. Crystal will be a leader on the DNC for YDA by making sure the success of our state and local organizations are recognized through inclusion of young people on the DNC and in state party delegation, as well as making sure national leaders have a better understanding about the importance of the youth vote.Visit Crystal's website!
Francisco Domenech of Puerto Rico for Democratic National Committeeman. Francisco J. Domenech has been political leader since his college days. He was the founding President of the Puerto Rico Young Democrats and is currently YDA's Vice President for Development. One thing he is known for is making good on his word. Francisco, as our next Democratic National Committeeman, will work with both the DNC, and the state party chairs, so that there is more youth inclusion within the DNC membership and the state delegations to the National Democratic Convention in 08. Visit Domenech's website!
Stephanie Hausner of New York for Secretary. Stephanie is currently the Downstate Vice President to the New York Young Democrats, Vice Chair for Jewish Outreach for the YDA Jewish Caucus, and Secretary of the YDA College Caucus. Stephanie is running for YDA Secretary because s he is interested in evaluating and improving YDA's communication system to better serve the organization.
Amy Lewis of Virginia for Treasurer. Amy currently serves as Secretary for the YDA Budget Committee, National Committeewoman for the VA Young Democrats and Vice President of Arlington Young Democrats. Recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region and as Finance Director of Arlington Young Democrats. Amy is running for Treasurer because she believes that careful management of YDA's resources is vital to making YDA a stronger and more efficient organization.
Over the coming weeks, members of my slate and I will continue to criss cross our country, meeting with young progressives and discussing the great future that lies ahead for YDA. I hope that we’ll get a chance to meet you during this campaign, and that you’ll join us in Dallas in July.
If you haven’t already done so, please join me in this campaign by adding your name my to my public list of supporters or joining me on MySpace. I appreciate everyone who has endorsed me during this race — you are the ones who are making this campaign possible. Together, we will help bring about Democratic victory in 2008. Together, we will mobilize young voters as never before. Together, the future is ours to win.
