The DNC: Up & Coming Democratic Leaders

One of the things I didn't expect with the Democratic National Convention was the large youth contingent.  I don't know why, really, because it's not like I haven't been somewhat tapped into what they've been doing; I just didn't realize how major a force they were becoming.  When I was in college, the people I knew who were involved in politics seemed to be doing it for the wrong reasons, so I was turned off to the idea.

Somehow 13 years out, I'm still technically a youth at 35.  In February, I can no longer claim that title.  But what it means to the rest of us is that the Democratic Party is working hard to engage and mobilize people ages 18-35 and they are even working on younger people trying to get them involved before they can vote.  The youth vote is imperative for the Democratic party, especially with a presidential candidate that energizes younger people so actively.

In terms of candidates and new leaders, it's amazing to think that Joe Biden ran his first campaign for Senate at age 29 and was sworn in as a 30 year-old.  (As LawyerMama says - what have we been doing with our time?)  There was a celebration at the DNCC for 40 under 40 who are emerging leaders in the party and there are some incredible people running for office in that category.  One who has received the most buzz at the convention is Scott Kleeb, running for Senate from Nebraska.

Kleeb seems the picture-perfect Senator - he's from a military family, has a Masters in International Relations, and a Ph.D. that focused on agricultural economic history - something the Senate could use right about now.  His wife, Jane Fleming Kleeb, is Co-Chair of the DNC Youth Council and an accomplished grassroots organizer.  They have two young children and I might add that the whole family is beautiful.  (Hey, it never hurts in politics.)  I didn't have the opportunity to catch-up with Scott Kleeb at the DNCC - not yet anyway - but I did see Jane Fleming Kleeb at the Youth Press Avail and clearly they are in this fight to win.

On the youth vote, Fleming Kleeb says "it's because of the work of YDA, Rock the Vote, Mtv that target young people" in respect to the increased youth vote over the past four years.  The web site targets voters of all ages, honed specifically for people of Nebraska, and it works.  But beyond the new media outreach, the substance is there.  This is a power couple to watch over the next ten years.  Let's see what they do next.

Another young leader, A'shanti Fayshel Gholar, DNC Youth Council Director, is also Secretary of the Nevada State Democratic Party and Vice President of the Young Democrats of America. She has her finger on the pulse of the young Democrats and is eloquent as well. It's inspiring to see all of the new young leaders in the Democratic party that were at the DNCC this week participating in a wide range of events; these are just a few examples, but there are countless others who have worked tirelessly on campaigns and convention activities that will hopefully stay involved and help focus the direction of the party and the nation in the future.

Comments

[Lawyer Mama]

I was so excited to meet Scott Kleeb and his wife Jane. They certainly are a power couple. I can't wait to see what they do in the future and if they ask for help, I'm there!