Home » Political Affairs
Category Archives: Political Affairs
Freshman Rep Candidacy Statements!
Candidates from Foggy Bottom
Bryan Doherty
Foggy Bottom
Hey everyone! I’m Bryan Doherty and I’m running as the Foggy Bottom Freshman Representative for the College Democrats. I’m from just outside of Baltimore, Maryland and I’m majoring in Political Communication. I’m running for Freshman rep because I want to help the Class of 2017 become the most active and enthusiastic part of our chapter of College Dems. From phone-banking for Obama to being on student government, I want use my experience to work with you so that we can affect the most change possible and get the Democratic issues we’re all passionate about the attention and support they deserve.
Taylor Mott
Foggy Bottom
Hi my name is Taylor Mott and I’m freshman in the Elliott School planning on majoring in Economics and the Middle East. I’m from Chicago and I became interested in politics during the 2008 presidential campaign when it was hard to ignore the democratic fever that ran through my community. When the 2012 campaign started, I eagerly jumped at a chance to volunteer. I started canvassing in swing states near Chicago like Ohio an Iowa and eventually became a part time intern during the fall. I helped organize phone banks and canvases across the country as well as tracked polling data. I’ve had real experience organizing events for campaigns and helping run activities to get high school kids involved in politics in Chicago. I’d love to continue to help do that here at GW as well. I hope you vote for me!
Spencer William Legred
Foggy Bottom
I, Spencer William Legred, declare my candidacy for Foggy Bottom Representative to The George Washington University College Democrats. I want to help this University and Democrats all over the country. We are far stronger together. Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to meeting all in the year to come.
Best, Spencer Legred
“Together for a Brighter GW”
Hassan Haider
Foggy Bottom
I am excited to announce my candidacy for Freshman Representative of Foggy Bottom for the GW College Democrats. Supporting and furthering the Democratic cause has been one of my strongest passions throughout my high school career. I have worked on local, state, and federal campaigns to help Democrats win seats in various levels of government. I have also served on the Executive Board of the High School Democrats of America since the summer of 2011 as Programs Director and National Chairman. During my term as National Chairman over the past year, I coordinated our national strategy with Obama for America. Through events like nationwide phone banks, we were able to have an effect from the grassroots level on local and federal races in various swing states. As Freshman Representative, I will work hard to make sure that GW Dems continue to work towards helping the Democratic cause. For freshmen in particular, I will help coordinate events to create connections and opportunities to get involved while down in DC. Most importantly, I will have an open dialogue with my fellow freshmen to implement their ideas and make GW Dems more accessible for everyone. I look forward to speaking with all of you and discussing the ideas, issues, and opinions you have for the GW College Democrats. I’m excited for the opportunities we will have for the next four years while living in the nation’s capital, and I know that we can all work together in helping the Democratic cause and making a better tomorrow. I hope you will support me for Freshman Representative of Foggy Bottom!
Molly Ingalls
Foggy Bottom
My name is Molly Ingalls and I’m from Boca Raton, Florida, majoring in political communication, and politics is my lifelong passion. I was an Organizing Fellow with Organizing for America, later Organizing for Action, and organized phone banks in Boca Raton for President Obama’s campaign. I also worked as a field organizer for a local ballot initiative in Miami and interned for the Presidential Inaugural Committee and Congresswoman Lois Frankel. Obama won, but our work isn’t done! I’m excited to get back to work organizing the freshman class to make sure Democrats win. I’m fired up and ready to go!
Spencer Perry
Foggy Bottom
Hello, my name is Spencer Perry. I grew up in Albany, California and am now living in Thurston Hall, Room 302 and studying Political Science, Economics and Computer Science. Back home, whether it was serving as the Youth Governor of California, representing students on the Albany Board of Education, orresearching and writing for legislation to end higher education harassment in Senator Gillibrand’s office, I have made it my mission to serve the members of my community and the members of my party. I will continue to do just that as Foggy Bottom’s Freshman Representative.
Griffin Barzune Goetzmann
Foggy Bottom
I, Griffin Barzune Goetzmann, am running for Freshmen Representative from Foggy Bottom of College Democrats at the George Washington University. The work that George Washington University’s chapter of College Democrats has done and continues to do is vital to moving the school, the district, and ultimately the nation forward. In order to continue and build upon the success of past years, the Freshmen Representative must work diligently to foster a new class of dedicated volunteers and passionate activists. This task is not a light one, but one that must be taken and thought of with considerable gravity. I am running because I am up for that challenge and am devoted to seeing the growth of life long liberalism not only here on campus, but throughout the country. During my high school career I served as Student Government President, leading various community service projects with a focus on serving the disadvantaged and providing a relevant education to those who needed it most. I founded my high school’s chapter of Young Democrats and served as President for two years. In that time we raised money for local candidates, volunteered at fundraisers, and funded a bus that drove folks to and from election sites for the 2012 Presidential Election. All of that aside, what it takes in order to be successful in those positions is to have an acute ability to communicate and empathize. If you are a poor communicator, then even the best made plans remain just that –plans. If elected, I will work to ensure that freshmen are heard from and advocated for. Many in the class of 2017 are already in for the long haul and will work tirelessly for the ideals of the Democratic Party, yet many are not. We must reach out and aim to pull more people in to the process, educating them about what we as a chapter stand for and what we as a party are. The Democratic Party is for the future, inclusivity, equality, education, and fairness both legally and economically. Our message is one that is clear and simple, it is only our job to share what we believe and trust that morality, compassion, and common sense will convince liberals and conservatives alike of our just cause. The class of 2017 overwhelmingly supports the Democratic Party, CDs need only to engage us and give the opportunity to work towards the realization of our collective beliefs, and we will. To be effective in this position I will hold both physical and online forums where members and potential members will have the opportunity to voice concerns, sign up for volunteer opportunities, and share their ideas as to how College Democrats can continue to be at the forefront of the political trade winds. I would be equally honored and excited to be elected Freshmen Representative, and would work hard for my peers and CDs. Through team work, effective communication, friendship, drive, and passion I am confident our class can be the the most progressive yet. Now, I ask you to trust in me and fight with me and together, Freshmen and CDs, can better GW and the Democratic Party. As President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” What he said then still rings true today, through hard work and tribulations we have the chance to win tomorrow, and that work starts today.
Candidates from Mount Vernon
Zan Mir
Mount Vernon
Fellow freshmen, our beloved country finds itself in challenging times. Indeed, in recent history America has given up quite a few accolades. If you venture out to cities like Detroit, Cleveland, or New Orleans, you wouldn’t think that this is the image of the richest country in the world. We’re lacking in the education and healthcare fields, and we are still far from relative equality- financial and social. I believe the liberal agenda can restore American prosperity. Over the course of the next four years, like many of you, I will work hard to push that agenda. As your freshman rep. on the vern, I will try my best to embody traditional democratic ideals like inclusiveness and fairness. I will be there for you. All the best.
Nikki Frick
Mount Vernon
GW College Democrats, my name is Nicole (Nikki) Frick. I’m a freshman in the Elliott School of International Affairs, originally from beautiful Northern Minnesota (thankfully not in Michelle Bachmann’s district). I would like to be considered for candidacy as a Freshman Representative for the Mount Vernon campus, as I’m currently residing in West Hall. I look forward to the possibility of representing our freshman class while becoming more involved in the Democratic Party – especially in an organization as strong as ours.
Raise High, Nikki
John Weber
Mount Vernon
Hello, my name is John Weber and I’m running to become the Freshman Representative for the Mount Vernon campus. Having grown up in Georgia, I haven’t exactly been surrounded by fellow liberals. However, whether defending John Kerry in my 4th grade social studies class or helping to prevent a Republican supermajority in the Georgia State House last fall, I’ve always been dedicated to promoting progressive values. I’m excited to continue doing so at GW and especially on the Mount Vernon campus. The Vern is full of untapped potential for political action. If elected, I will work to realize this potential and ensure that my fellow Vernies have the chance to be an important part of the College Democrats’ efforts toward a brighter future.
Jen Grooms
Mount Vernon
Hello fellow students, my name is Jen Grooms and I’m running to be your Mt. Vernon, GW Democrats freshman representative. I’m from the very liberal Madison, Wisconsin, a city which helped to foster and confirm my progressive beliefs as well as get exposure to the political scene. I was able to become involved in the 2010 Scott Walker protests, a chance to experience democracy first-hand, and better understand the importance of recognizing every side of a situation. As your student representative I would work hard to bring GW Democrat events to the Vern, and make sure to get all my fellow Vernies included. I’m an outgoing, persistent, home-grown Midwesterner, and I’m excited to be able to represent my peers, and help GW Democrats make a stronger impact on campus, and throughout the capital.
Sophie Salmore
Mount Vernon
Hi, I’m Sophie Salmore, and I want to serve at the pleasure of the Mt. Vernon Democrats. As your Freshman Representative, I’ll engage in an on-going conversation with you about our collective, political involvement at the Vern, and accordingly institute bold, but achievable changes. I’ll devote my term to creating a healthy balance between our two campuses, capitalizing on the progressive enthusiasm already present on the Vern. Specifically, I seek to institutionalize the political culture of Mt. Vernon to provide passionate College Democrats with a place to socialize and contemplate. In all, I plan to shed light on each student’s unique relationship to the principles, ideas and candidates of the Democratic Party in order to transform the Vern into the political hub it has the potential to become. Vote Salmore: It’s our future, and our time is now!
Jesse Lederman
Mount Vernon
My name is Jesse Lederman and I am excited to stand as a candidate for the Freshman Representative to the GW College Democrats from the Mount Vernon Campus. I believe that the Democratic Party and our representatives at all levels of government are protectors of the rights our society has fought valiantly for, and are the driving force behind progress in our nation. In my organizing I strive to help young people make the connection between their own core beliefs and that of the Democratic Party. This, I have found, is what inspires people to become involved in our party, and when they make that connection, it is one that creates dedicated, life-long Democrats. I want to bring that organizing to our campus and to our organization. In my home state of Massachusetts I am proud to serve on the Executive Board of the Springfield Democratic Committee, and have also spent the last four years organizing in Democratic politics at the local and statewide level. I have served in such capacities as a Campaign Aide, Press Secretary, Field Director, and Campaign Manager for City Council, District Attorney, and State Senate campaigns. I have served as a volunteer on such statewide campaigns as Governor Deval Patrick’s and Senator Elizabeth Warren’s. In June of this year I was hired by the Ed Markey for US Senate Campaign as a staff member, working as a Deputy Field Organizer in Western Massachusetts. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming week, and hope you will consider voting for me as your Freshman Representative.
Emma Grundhauser
Mount Vernon
My name is Emma Grundhauser and I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota, majoring in Political Science and minoring in French. I’m excited to declare my candidacy for Freshman Representative for the Mount Vernon Campus! I’ve already been very inspired by the energy and passion present in every member of the GW College Democrats, and it would be an honor for me to use my skills alongside the talented Executive Board in all that they do to advance the Democratic agenda at GW and across the country. I’ve spent the past two summers coordinating and participating in phone banks and canvasses for OFA and the Minnesota DFL, where I’ve learned the importance of good communication, organization, and teamwork. I would certainly use these lessons to my advantage as both a member of the Executive Board and a liaison to the other freshmen on the Vern. I can usually be found inside West Hall watching The West Wing or retweeting Ezra Klein, but I can’t wait to get out and started on the vision that has been laid out for us this year! I hope I can count on your vote on Tuesday for Freshman Representative.
Executive Board Candidacy Statements
President
Gordon Pera
I’m a rising senior running for President of the College Democrats. Over the past two years, I’ve been honored to serve as the Finance Director for this organization. As President of the CDs, I want to make sure that every young progressive on this campus has the same amazing opportunities I had by continuing to do the things we as College Democrats do best: going out and supporting Democratic causes in the field, providing a place for people with progressive principles to come together, and building support for Democratic and progressive values on campus through large-scale events and speakers. I’m also ready and willing to strengthen our relationships with our fellow student groups and support fellow members with their own project ideas.
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.
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 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.
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
My name is Jessy Morner-Ritt and I would like nothing more than to be your 2013-2014 Membership Director. For the last semester I have been your Freshman Representative, which means I have had the incredible responsibility of carrying the “GW Democrats” poster to all of our events. I have been on numerous campaign trips, worked many phone banks and canvasses, and have enjoyed getting to know a lot of you throughout the year. When I am not busy carrying around posters or embarrassing myself on the phone to potential voters, I’m attempting to make you laugh (with) me on GW’s premier satirical radio program, “Real-ish Talk.” My experience with the College Democrats and GW Radio has given me the skills and confidence that would make me an asset to the GW Dems team. While I am grateful for the events and volunteer opportunities that the CD’s have given me, I am most thankful for the relationships I have formed within the GW Dems community. I have felt genuinely inspired and driven whenever I am either working alongside or getting to know the members of College Democrats. Being Membership Director would give me an ideal platform to plan events and activities for the sole purpose of creating more of these bonds. I would love to help make next year just as memorable for membership as this year was for me.