In my time here, I’ve seen how great this organization can be. It starts with you, the members, and if elected, that’s where my focus will always be. A huge part of my freshman year (and beyond!) was being an active member in this organization: going on campaign trips, coming to “West Wing Shoot the Shit” nights, going on adventures around the city, and seeing some of the most influential voices and minds – from Debbie Wasserman-Schultz to Jim Messina – come to campus. With your support, I’m ready to continue that tradition of excellence and make this upcoming year our best one yet! Thanks for your time, and I can’t wait to see you come out to cast your vote in Funger 108 on Monday, April 8th from 7-9PM!

My name is Omeed Firouzi, I’m a sophomore, from the Scranton, Pennsylvania area (Joe Biden’s hometown!), majoring in political science and minoring in history in the Columbian College. I am asking for your vote for GW College Democrats President because I want to continue, with enthusiasm, the organization’s great tradition of campaigning for and defending progressive causes and candidates, bringing top notch speakers to campus, and engaging with our broader DC community. In the last two years, I’ve done my part to contribute to these goals. In my freshman year, I represented College Dems in two student debates, attended campaign and canvassing trips, and participated in numerous events. In my sophomore year, as Political Affairs Director, I’ve organized five successful student debates with great debaters and worked with Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the Obama campaign, and the Progressive Student Union to advance the Democratic agenda. I hope to serve as President because I want to see the College Democrats continue to grow as our party leads the country and captures the imagination of millions of college students. We can claim an important role to play as young Americans in shaping our nation’s future as a positive one if we work together to promote social and economic justice. As an SA Senator, Sigma Nu brother, and current College Dems e-board member, I’ve gotten to know many friends here and I want to engage as many of them as possible in the great work of continually perfecting this organization and the country. That’s why I am running. I hope I have your vote!

I’m Corinne, a sophomore from Glenmoore, PA, more widely recognized as the middle of nowhere.  I’m majoring in political science with minors in peace studies and criminal justice.  I’m running for Vice President of next year’s College Democrats E-board because I believe my passion for and commitment to this organization will help to continue to lead it in a positive direction.  Since the moment I became involved in College Dems at the very beginning of my freshman year, this organization has become my life and my favorite part of college thus far.  I’ve been some of the greatest people imaginable and had some of the coolest experiences.  As the Membership Director this past year I’ve absolutely loved serving this organization.  From planning BBQs to the Election Night Watch Party to the annual Winter Gala, I’ve learned so much about the way this organization works and how everything we do happens and I’ve had a total blast doing it (and I hope you guys did to!)  It’s been a fun year of planning events and recruiting members and I want to be a part of the leadership of this organization again, as Vice President.  I have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to continue to improve this great org, and I hope I have your vote!

 My name is is Anna O’Neil. I am a freshman double majoring in International Affairs and Economics, and pursuing honorary majors in political science and Facebook posting. I am running to be your Communications Director. What skills should a fantastic communications Director possess? I bet you just thought “communication skills!” (You may have also thought “reading a candidacy statement is not supposed to be this participatory.” Either way you would be correct.)I have been practicing my communication skills since a young age (i.e. since I was born and learned that crying attracted food-givers). More recently I have applied these skills in academic, professional, and political settings.  In high school I was President of three clubs, and these positions involved keeping members up-to-date with frequent emails, Facebook messages, and school announcements. As Government Club President, I also formed relationships with state legislators to arrange interviews on local television. Last year, as a Summer Fellow with Organizing for America, I did my part to elect the President by talking to voters and volunteers, writing letters to the editor, and sharing memes about Big Bird and bayonets. Currently, I am the Communications Director for the D.C. Shadow Representative. I wrote a communications plan for the recently-elected representative, created an email database, updated a press list, and designed a newsletter template.  On a regular basis I operate the office’s Facebook page, write newsletter articles, and design flyers for events.

I would bring these experiences to the job of Communications Director, in which I would keep members appraised to the happenings of the GW College Democrats while presenting our progressive message to the wider community.

My name is Edward Rickford and I am a freshman in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. I am running for the Director of Communications because I am confident my unique set of skills will help me succeed in this job. As a history and philosophy major, my studies are extremely writing intensive and writing, whether it be an essay or an email, has practically become second nature to me as a result. In addition to this, I have been doing debate ever since high school. As a result of this experience, I learned firsthand the importance of presentation along with the value of being able to communicate with a large audience effectively and succinctly. I have even continued to pursue debate into college and I am a part of Colonial Cadets and Parliamentary Debate. Perhaps most important of all, I can bring passion to the Communications Director position. I have done multiple events for College Dems in a wide variety of outlets. I have participated in the phone banks for College Dems, I have travelled with College Dems on an 8 hour bus trip to Ohio just to campaign, I have attended numerous events for College Dems, and I have even debated for College Dems. I look forward to the opportunity to take an even more active role in College Dems and I hope that you will give me this chance. If you have any questions, comments, or advice please contact me at emrthe2@gwmail or my regular email of [email protected]. I promise to reply quickly and consistently. Granted, my emails may not have the same spunk as Juliana’s but give it some time, and I will be able to churn out messages with all the same partisan ribbing and inspirational mojo. I know firsthand how much it sucks to not be on the email list and miss out on those colorful emails. Should I win the position, I will do everything I can to make sure this does not happen to anybody else. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Connor Schmidt and I am running to be the next Communications Director for the College Democrats. Currently I serve as the Executive Assistant and last semester I was the Freshman Representative from Foggy Bottom. I’m from Hamilton, MA and I’m currently studying Political Science.As Executive Assistant I’ve come to know the inner workings of the organization; learning to book space for events, coordinate between the different board members, manage outreach through the email account, and generally make sure everything is running smoothly. I want to be Communications Director because I am always excited to tell people about our great events and I love getting them out and involved. Staying in contact with our huge membership base is one of the most important parts of the CDs because without you guys we wouldn’t be nearly as effective as we are and we wouldn’t be able to do half as much as we do. I already have experience with the listserv, email account, and member outreach from my time as Executive Assistant which also requires me to be organized and proactive. I worked on Elizabeth Warren’s campaign last summer and currently do tech support for the Columbian College so I can manage social media, take pictures, make videos, manage the website and be very close with the Technology Director which is the appointed position under Communications.I’ve had an amazing time working on this E-Board and I’ve made a lot of great friends. From going to Ohio for the President to rallying outside the Supreme Court, the College Democrats have made GW everything I wanted and more. With your vote I’d like to continue making this organization, GW, and our country a better place. So please vote Connor Schmidt for College Democrats Communications Director.

Community Service

Brooks Boron

My fellow Americans, my name is Brooks W. Boron and I humbly ask for your vote as the next Community Service Director for our great organization. I have two passions in my life: politics and service. This is the reason why I chose to attend this incredible institution, why I am a member of College Democrats, why I am a brother of the service fraternity on campus, Alpha Phi Omega, and why I am running for this position within the College Democrats. When I take up a cause I am one hundred percent committed to it. I can pledge my full attention to this position and I believe that I bring some unique opportunities that others cannot. As a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, I have contacts with a multitude of service organizations on and off campus in the D.C. area. As a Democrat and as an American I believe that it is our duty to give back to our campus, our community, and our country. We have a unique opportunity as students to serve, especially in this great city! If you give me the chance to help serve as your Community Service Director, I know that together we will be able to achieve great things through service. Public service and Community service go hand in hand. I would like to help be the link between the great work we do politically with the service that we are able to do as one of GW’s most vocal groups. I thank you for your time and I thank you for the opportunity to lead, but more importantly serve.

My name is Alex Teplyakov and I am running for Political Affairs Director because I am passionate about the Democratic Party, and believe that the College Dems can continue to be a force for change. After being an NTL in Pennsylvania for part of the 2012 election, I came here and joined the Dems in keeping Virginia blue, which we did. Since then, I’ve been active in the Real Food, Real Jobs campaign for justice on campus, and I’ve helped canvass with the CDs for solid progressives like Terry McAuliffe and Elissa Silverman. If elected, I’d be honored to lead the College Democrats forward, and continue the fight for justice and the Democratic cause.

My name is Eric Wolfert and I am running to be the Director of Political Affairs for the GW College Democrats in the 2013-14 academic year. In the past year, I have interned for Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY,) as well as for Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the organization that successfully fought to defend the state’s new marriage equality law before a public referendum. Through these opportunities, I have both made connections in various offices as well as learned effective communication skills with politicians, voters, and constituents that I believe will serve the position well. I am also very engaged on various social media outlets, and in this position would always be seeking to reach out to those both on and off campus. I am extremely passionate about liberal and progressive issues, such as climate change, jobs/income inequality, reproductive and LGBT rights, and I believe there are even more opportunities to be involved with such issues than we currently are. I am always open-minded to new ideas and want all who have them to come to me. I believe that good ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. My “door is always open”- that is to say, my phone is always on and I am always ready to talk! One of the first items I would propose in August 2013 is to have the entire dues-paying membership of the GW College Democrats vote on a platform for the organization (e.g., “The GW College Democrats believe that as a matter of public safety, every gun sale taking place in the United States must be accompanied by a detailed background check of the purchaser.”) Polls have consistently shown that students of college age strongly favor the liberal position on contemporary political views, and staking our claim as the party that holds them will encourage new membership. I hope my friends and peers in GW College Democrats will select me to be their next Director of Political Affairs. I believe that my passion and knowledge will serve the position well, and my hard-working attitude ensures that the group will always come first. Living in Washington D.C., there are so many opportunities to be involved in issues that will shape the future of our country- and I know our organization and our party as a whole can accomplish great things.

My name is Kevin Palermo, and I’m excited to declare my candidacy for Political Affairs Director. From a young age, I’ve always enjoyed the visceral thrill of politics. When I was 10, I used to lean out of the window of my parents’ Toyota Camry and yell, “Vote for Kerry!” at random people on the street. Say what you will, but Kerry carried New Jersey. Nine years later, some things have changed—for one, I no longer lean out of car windows, because that’s dangerous. I don’t know why my parents didn’t lock the windows—but that enthusiasm for politics has stayed the same. This past year, I served on the board as the Freshman Representative for the Mount Vernon Campus. In that position, I have gained an understanding for how the board functions. I have also had the opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t work with our political functions and events.The biggest challenge is increasing turnout. While the organization of phone banks and canvasses falls under the purview of the Campaign Director, I’d like to take a more active role in the promotion of such events.One way we can increase turnout is to work more closely with other student organizations. College Democrats is a huge organization, which means that it’s harder to get individual members involved in our events. But if we get smaller political organizations involved with our phone banks and canvasses, we will see a much larger turnout, both from their members and from ours.

As for the planning of political debates and such events, I have a number of ideas that I’ll go over in my speech, but I’ll list a few here:

• A GW Mock Congress—In a basic sense, members from the CDs and CRs would propose topical legislation and debate it using the Congressional Rules of debate
• A Mock Election—The CDs and the CRs would run fictional candidates for President of the United States
• A Comedian Debate—The CRs would bring in a conservative comedian (e.g., Dennis Miller, Greg Gutfield), and we’d bring in a liberal comedian (e.g., Lewis Black, John Oliver)

I’m ready and excited to take on this challenge. I’ve already had experience on the board, and I have some solid ideas that will advance this organization and benefit political life at GW.  For these reasons, I ask for your vote.

Finance

Fellow Democrats, My name is Atticus Francken, and I am excited to have the opportunity to run for the position of Finance Director for one of the most active College Democrats chapters in the country. As someone who has worked on over half a dozen campaigns at the staffing level, I know I can bring the skills set necessary to have a financially successful chapter. I currently serve on the College Democrats of America Finance Committee, as well as the Finance Committee of the Young Democrats of America.Although I am a Freshman, I have had experience in compliance with the Federal Elections Commission, and with other various regulatory entities. I have worked with budgets ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few hundred-thousand, so I am aware of how to stretch money to its fullest potential. I currently work at a financial services company called ULLICO.Before attending George Washington University, I was employed as an organizer in Colorado for President Obama’s campaign. I also have work experience with the Governor’s office of my home state of Illinois. I served as the National Committee Chair of the High School Democrats while I was a Junior and Senior.Even with the involvement in the party during high school, I do not want to stop there. Our party is desperately in need of young leaders to step up and help make the party more relevant as the world around us continues to modernize. As your next Finance Director, I intend to make sure interested Democrats at The George Washington University have the resources to do so.I hope to earn your vote between now and April 8th.

Jesus Rodrigues

   My name is Jesus Rodriguez and I’m looking forward to run for Finance Director for the College Democrats. Just as a small synopsis about myself, I was raised in Queens New York, but I hail from the great state of New Jersey; if that’s too bland for you, I might add I’m also Mexican! I grew up in cities all my life, surrounded by beautiful diversity and progressive ideas, but I decided to become a progressive Democrat by my own philosophies and interpretation of life, mostly that everyone deserves an equal chance in America to succeed and that in the greatest country in the world we should be able to take care of our own, no matter how poor or tight our situation. Before I get too philosophical, I will state my qualifications. My qualification can be divided in two axioms: leadership and experience. I understand that being part of an E-board is tough and time-consuming. It’s more than a position, it’s like a job that never pays, but leaves rewards. And nothing is more rewarding than serving the community and people who believe in our cause, our principles, and our leadership. In my own city, I help co-found an organization to help low-income and determined students who needed guidance, advice, and support. As a result, it became one of the largest youth organizations in my city and key in creating a community center for children and teens to become successful. Additionally, I worked at the DNC as an OFA fellow, and helped recruit new constituents to our base, many of them Latinos who helped elect our President, Barack Obama. Moreover, besides being a leader in my own community, I have experience in being part of a large organization at GW. I’m currently a sophomore representative for Class Council, and this year I helped organize I-Day, the biggest event at GW yet, as part of the committee that steer headed this event.  Our event secured over 10,000 is co-sponsorships. As Finance Director, this is an important duty, to reach out to the SA and other organizations for co-sponsorships and be able to raise money when needed. In sum, I believe that my leadership and experience qualifies me to become the next Finance Director of the CD’s.

Membership