Jake Brooke
Hello, my name is Jake Brooke and It would be my honor to serve as your freshman Rep. As a middle-class second-generation Anglo-Mexican American, whom has lived across this great nation, from Los Angeles to New York City; I have seen the struggles of ordinary Americans first hand, and am committed from day one in our fight for candidates and policies that safeguard the principles of the New Deal. As your freshman rep, I will help us lead the charge as we continue to march forward be it for economic opportunity, for universal healthcare, a just immigration system,to end climate change, and the fight for equal rights for the LGBT community. So on election night, please consider me for your freshman representative, thank you and best regards.
Hannah Corn
What’s the point of representation? It’s to act as a proxy for a multitude of interests that can only be described as diverse. If there’s one thing I’ve embodied my whole life, it’s diversity. When I was 8 months old, I was adopted from Yichun, China. My Father is Jewish, my Mother is Methodist, and my little sister is gay. We all come from different parts of the United States, even different parts of the world with different views, opinions, and inquiries, but the beauty of it all is that we are all united by a commonalty – – we stand proud under the name “Democrat.”
I will act as your liaison, your personal voice at the General Body meetings, to ensure that your time in the GW Democrats is well-spent. A leader needs to be both passionate and accountable. As the former President of my high school’s Chinese Honors Society and Global Outreach Association, Human Services Chair of my YMCA Youth and Government Program, and 15-hour a week dancer, accountability is my nature. I believe in complete transparency. I will be devoted to advocating for each and every GW Democrat of the Class of 2018, and you can be confident that I will voice those opinions during our meetings.
So Raise High Colonials and join the conversation, the conversation of “not what we can do, but what we will do. Together.
Justine Dougherty
Home is where the heart is. If this is true, my home is politics and the Democratic Party. My name is Justine Dougherty and I have had a passion and hunger for news and politics my entire life. A few years ago, I discovered what I wanted to do in life; I want to do this. I want to organize, campaign, and influence change that demonstrates the core values of my moral and ethical standards. That would be why I want to become your Freshman Representative of the GW College Democrats.
Just being a part of the largest College Dems chapter in the country is exciting enough. But what excites me the most, is to be able to support all of you. There is no doubt in my mind that we have future politicians, ambassadors, community leaders, and public servants in this freshman class of GW College Democrats. I want to foster this in all of you and be one of the many reasons you guys succeed here at GW and in the greater political landscape. We live in the heart of American politics and the world is always watching. With all of you, I want to show the best of the Democratic Party and the best that GW has to offer. (Hint: We are the best that GW has to offer.) I can’t wait to have the best year yet and to hopefully be your next Foggy Bottom Freshman Representative!
Robbie Dornbush
I am absolutely excited to run for the position of Freshman Representative of Foggy Bottom and to volunteer with the GW College Democrats. Coming from the south, I have learned to be an ardent Democrat in the face of extremism, so it is nice to be around like-minded individuals. United, we as College Democrats can pull together and combine our voices and energy to really affect positive change. That is a thrilling prospect that I want to be an integral part of. The energy and passion that I see in this organization is amazing. It is the type of energy that I have seen from volunteering with campaigns and from being around Democratic veterans talking of historic races and administrations. I have experience with listening and learning from a body of students from my time in student government in high school, and I have experience working on organizing political events and volunteers because of a fellowship I did with the Michelle Nunn Campaign in Georgia. Due to my experience and my enthusiasm, I want to run for the position of Freshman Representative.
Juan Pablo Rivera Garza
My name is Juan Pablo Rivera Garza and I would like to run for Freshman Representative of the College Democrats.
I am convinced that we live in one of the most pivotal times in this country’s history. Few generations in history have witnessed a culmination of events as stark and monumental as we have. For that reason I believe firmly that we have an incredible opportunity to use the experience of living through the harrowing events of the last two decades as catalysts for positive change. However, for this to happen we as a country have to learn to work together and stand united. With that in mind, the Democratic Party far and away is the only political party that can effectively lead during these trying times.
Now, I’m sure what I’m saying to you is probably not at all different from what you already think, but I think it is important that a Freshman representative recognizes the importances of energizing the most important demographic—our generation.
I want to run for Freshman representative because I truly believe I have the vision and the energy needed to ensure the continued success of the GWU College Democrats. It is vital that a Freshman Representative is willing to not only go out to the their fellow Freshman and convince of the importance of supporting Democratic policies, but also of being engaged participants in elevating the causes of the party (hopefully by joining college democrats). With the right energy and enthusiasm the Freshman class can end up being a worthy contributor to the College Democrats.
Daniel Kaseff
Hello, my name is Daniel Kaseff. I am from Westport, Connecticut, am majoring in Political Science, and have an unhealthy obsession with elections. In my past few years as a Nutmegger, I have worked on Mayoral, Congressional, Senatorial, and Gubernatorial campaigns. I have seen successful victories like Senator Chris Murphy’s 2012 election, and incredibly competitive elections like the one Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy is in right now. I hope to bring this experience to the Executive Board of the GW College Democrats. As President of my high school’s Young Democrats club, I fought to advance progressive causes within my community. As Foggy Bottom’s Freshman Representative, I hope to continue that fight with all of my fellow Democrats.
Cian Pallasch
I’d like to put my name on the ballot for the GW College Democrats Foggy Bottom Representative. I’ve been supporting Democrats since I was 12, canvassing in Iowa for Obama. Having campaigning in every election cycle since then, I’ve worked with a range of local democratic parties and have seen the campaign tactics of the national Democratic Party progress in the past four years.
One of the primary responsibilities of the representative is to organize the freshmen of Foggy Bottom: to mobilize students in support of Democrats and to give students influence in US politics. In the two years before coming to DC, I was active in Chicago politics, working with various community groups and co-founding an entirely student-run interest group. The difficulties and advantages of student organizing are not new to me.
Perhaps the most important responsibility of the Freshman Representative is to accurately represent the views of the freshmen. I believe that the students at GW are well-versed enough in politics to make educated decisions regarding agenda-setting. I view at my responsibility to push the beliefs of the students I represent. If GW Democrats work on the issues most prevalent to students they not only allow students their due influence in politics, but also ensure that GW students will participate in events with their greatest enthusiasm.
I’d feel comfortable accepting all the responsibilities of becoming Freshman Representative, and dedicating as much time as necessary to ensure that every students voice can be heard and that these students may, while working with GW Democrats, may make a difference in the world.
Jesus Martinez
A lot of people apply to GW because they want to be in the political science program. I didn’t. I wanted to become a doctor save lives, serve the community. I soon learned that for me the best way to serve the community was not through medicinal means, but through the Democratic Party. Being a Democrat to me means fighting for the rights of women. Ensuring women are given equal rights, and breaking the gender barrier in the political system as I hope to work for Hillary’s presidential campaign in 2016 (if she runs of course). It means the rights of my people. As a Latino immigration reform has become a hot issue in the past few months. This is why I chose to intern at the Joe Garcia for Congress campaign over the summer to ensure that Hispanic voters were well represented in Congress. Being a Democrat to me means the rights of the LGBT community, so that all people can have the equal rights they deserve. Being a Democrat to me, means everyone having a voice. It means fair and equal representation for everyone. If I were freshman representative I would want to match up to these standards. I would want GW Dems to feel inclusive to the whole student body. I would ensure the freshman class felt a place in Dems, that these opportunities; through phone banks, and local campaigns would be easily accessible to them. Everyone is welcome to the Democratic Party and everyone is given a chance to stand up for their rights, and the rights of others.
Anna LaRocco Masi
My name is Anna LaRocco Masi. I am from Pittsboro North Carolina. My major is political science, and I really love Stephen Colbert. I am really excited for a chance to be part of the GW Democrats, because there wasn’t really anything like this at my high school, and of course now I can actually vote!
When I was in high school, I served in various leadership positions, from honors societies to president of clubs to even being founder of a couple of clubs. Now I want to start again on my journey of being very involved in the clubs I enjoy the most.
I am sure I share a lot of leadership qualities with other candidates, and am just as driven as them. The item that makes me stand out is I am very dedicated to what I believe in and don’t change my views, even when they are unpopular. The best way I can show this is the fact that I am from North Carolina, which being a state of the south, has a lot of Republicans.
Being a good leader involves constructive criticism of every aspect of the club, including the freshman representative. If that were me, I’d say my weaknesses are that I won’t be one of the smartest or fastest members, as one can note from my SAT scores. However, I work twice as hard just to keep up with them and I am very passionate about being an active member of D.C. Politics.
I also love to make politics extra fun, so if you want me to tell a joke I will. I even made a facebook account for my friend Abraham Lincoln. Thank you for taking the time to read my candidacy statement. This is a political party after all.
Arian Rubio
My name is Arian Rubio, and I intend to run for Foggy Bottom Freshman Representative. I am a proud New Jerseyan living in Potomac House this year, and I plan on studying political science (with a public policy focus) and economics here at GW. I am currently in the University Honors Program and I currently have an internship with U.S. Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) on Capitol Hill for my first semester. I have previous experience interning for Rep. Holt’s district office in New Jersey and working for a congressional campaign for Rep. Holt’s successor as a member of the campaign’s debate preparation and outreach teams. On another note, for the past two years, I have never left home without my leather-bound copy of the U.S. Constitution, which I often have signed by various public officials.
I feel passionate about the values for which the College Democrats have been outstanding advocates, and I feel as though it is my responsibility as a proud Democrat and a proud American to promote those values to better the lives of working Americans. I believe that the position of Freshman Representative would help me do so. I can offer my skills such as initiative, responsibility, and the ability to connect easily with others, which are essential qualities for a representative. My overwhelming interest in public service and the ideals of our nation would translate easily as a Freshman Representative. A love for political and policy involvement, as well as a deep passion to better the lives of the American people, is deeply essential in our society, and I believe that I can bring this to the College Democrats at GW. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Spirtos
I’d like to put my name on the ballot for the GW College Democrats Foggy Bottom Representative. I’ve been supporting Democrats since I was 12, canvassing in Iowa for Obama. Having campaigning in every election cycle since then, I’ve worked with a range of local democratic parties and have seen the campaign tactics of the national Democratic Party progress in the past four years.
One of the primary responsibilities of the representative is to organize the freshmen of Foggy Bottom: to mobilize students in support of Democrats and to give students influence in US politics. In the two years before coming to DC, I was active in Chicago politics, working with various community groups and co-founding an entirely student-run interest group. The difficulties and advantages of student organizing are not new to me.
Perhaps the most important responsibility of the Freshman Representative is to accurately represent the views of the freshmen. I believe that the students at GW are well-versed enough in politics to make educated decisions regarding agenda- setting. I view at my responsibility to push the beliefs of the students I represent. If GW Democrats work on the issues most prevalent to students they not only allow students their due influence in politics, but also ensure that GW students will participate in events with their greatest enthusiasm.
I’d feel comfortable accepting all the responsibilities of becoming Freshman Representative, and dedicating as much time as necessary to ensure that every students voice can be heard and that these students may, while working with GW Democrats, may make a difference in the world.
Lande Watson
My name is Lande Watson and I’m running for Foggy Bottom Freshman Representative to the George Washington College Democrats. I’m originally from Northern California, home of all your Apple products, and I’m majoring in Political Science and Women’s Studies in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. From being a founding member of my high school’s first Democrats club to interning for my local Democratic Assemblymember, working toward the goals of the Democratic party has always been a central part of my life. Now, as I take on my new identity as a debt-ridden college student subsisting mainly on quesadillas from Carvings, I hope to work with all of you to support the fight for important issues like ensuring all Americans have access to affordable health care, guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, and protectingreproductive rights. President Obama said, “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” Freshmen Democrats, let’s start walking.
Sebastian Weinmann
Hello fellow Democrats! My name is Sebastian Weinmann and I would like to be your 2018 Freshman Representative. First, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I am from suburban Philadelphia, I’m an Eagle Scout, and I have a huge, probably unhealthy, obsession with The West Wing.
One reason I know I will be successful in this position is my leadership experience from both Boy Scouts and high school. I will use this experience to not only listen to your ideas, but also make your ideas a reality. Another reason I know I am the right person for the job is that I am passionate about everything I do. I am passionate about giving back to the community. I am passionate about fighting for equal rights, whether it is equality for the LGBTQ community, or equal pay for women. I am passionate about protecting the environment, and making sure the wealthiest Americans are paying their fair share. I am passionate about protecting the 47%. And overall, I am passionate about making sure our elected leaders are not only passionate about these issues, but are also willing to act on these issues.
So I promise you, if you elect me your Freshman Representative, I will put everything I have into making this year a great year for all us here at GW, while at the same time making a difference for others in our community.
President Obama once said, “If you are walking down the right path, and you are willing to keep on walking, eventually you will make progress”. Well GW, College Dems is my path, and you better believe that no matter what I will keep on walking, and I guarantee you that together we will make progress. Thank You!