The Importance of Local Races

For those of us involved in the YDs, we've all heard it: 2007 is an off year. Okay, maybe not those of you in Philadelphia. But for the rest of us, it's generally considered an off year. We don't have Congressional elections, and we certainly don't have a Presidential election (although with the way things are going, the Iowa Caucuses may be sometime in mid-September). But this is far from an off year.

Local elections matter. It is extremely difficult to overstate this point. The conservatives took over this country by starting on local elections, school boards and township supervisors. These are the people who are going to make decisions that most closely impact peoples lives. These are the people who are going to someday be Representatives, Senators and Governors. These are races we can win too. And they're particularly important for us Young Democrats. Why?

For starters, let's talk about why these offices can be so important. Here in Chester County, we have a three member Board of Commissioners: two majority and one minority. There has never been two Democrats on this Board. We have a chance to change that this year (full disclosure: I am currently employed by one of the Democratic Commissioner campaigns). This is vital to us here. By changing this, by taking over our county government, we will be putting an exclamation point on the Democratic resurgence (and Republican collapse) in this county that only began a few years ago. But also, it would give us a chance to govern. It would let us protect open space and manage development in a smart manner. We could revitalize urban areas (always a source of Democratic strength). We can end their despicable practice of pay to play. And most importantly, we can govern responsibly. Some of you followed our recount here in the 156^th State House District, where Barbara McIlvaine Smith prevailed and gave us control of the State House. It was the Board of Commissioners who decided what ballots to count and which to throw away. And as you can imagine, the Republicans tried to disenfranchise as many voters as possible, including military voters, just to try and win. Even our brave men and women fighting for this country weren't worthy of being allowed to vote in Republican eyes, simply for supporting a Democrat. We can govern responsibly, and we need to make sure we win so we can do it. That's why these offices are so important.

But they're also very important for the YDs. In many cases, especially in places where our party is still growing, there are openings for Young Democrats to run for Supervisor or School Board or county offices. We need to elect as many Young Democrats as possible and, frankly, none of us are going to be running for President or Senate soon. Most of us aren't even Constitutionally eligible. But we can run – and win – at the local level. In 2005, Josh Young, one of our Chester County YDs, was elected Commissioner of Caln Township. This year, another of your CCYDs, Kevin Fitzpatrick, is running for Recorder of Deeds. Not only are they getting campaigning experience (and in the case of Josh, governing experience) but they'll be ready to run for higher office someday soon.

These are also the races that YDs can make the biggest impact in. In 2006, we decided to focus on Representative McIlvaine Smith's race over any other race, in part because we knew we could make a difference. We did, she won by 23 votes. Now, most State House races aren't going to be that close. But a lot of local races will be. It only takes a few Young Dems to make some phone calls, go door-to-door, do a lit drop or work the polls for us to win these races.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is any possible way to end this post without sounding like a dorky public service announcement. But I'm willing to take that bullet. Remember, 2007 shouldn't be an off year for us, it should be our chance to make a difference.

-Dan Tyman
PAYD Corresponding Secretary

And now, a note from our Intern

Politics is my life and I am very enthusiastic thinking about all that can be accomplished through political means. Pursuing my degree in Political Science is often looked down upon by my peers and friends. The reason this occurs is because people have such a distorted vision of what politics actually entales and what the processes are for passing legislation and accomplishing policy objectives. The average person only sees the negative side of politics, but does not see the positive results that political activity can accomplish.

Interning for the Pennsylvania Young Democrats, I have seen this positive side of politics, through the people and organization. Working with Executive Director Paul McKrell, I have obtained and gained many life lessons and political skills that I will carry with me in my endeavors. Each day I go to work knowing that I am working for an organization that is doing what the young people want and accomplishing many goals for the Democratic Party. This organization has many things to offer and I am pleased that I have had the privilege of working for such a great cause and group of people!

Tim Knecht,

Intern, PA Young Democrats

Vice-President, PA College Democrats

Sunshine Patriot

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “be not merely good; be good for something.” There are plenty of good people in this party, but it is not enough just to be good. Goodness without action leaves evil in motion.

There are also plenty of people in this party who appreciate the rights that being an American citizen confers. However, rights do not exist unless people take on the responsibility to define and defend them. For good people to have the rights and opportunities they deserve they have to take on the responsibility of doing what it takes to advance their beliefs.

Rights and responsibility… there has always been a balance in America society. In our Founders earliest thoughts they united their belief in great principles… to their recognition of the responsibility that must be undertaken to preserve them. In the Declaration of Independence they said “[w]e hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” However, they added “[t]hat to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” Our rights don’t just exist we must secure them, define and defend them.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME IN HISTORY WHERE AMERICA AND THE WORLD FACED MORE UNCERTAINTY.

There has never been a time when the ideals we live by, such as Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Individuality faced graver threats than they do in the 21st Century. Now more than ever, we need young people charging ahead, leading by example, changing the status quo and righting our ship of state. Our generation cannot be content to leave the world as we found it, otherwise there might not be much left for the next generation.

Each and every one of you are, right now, capable of being an active participant in bettering our condition. Young people have been unfairly characterized in our society and, no one seems to expect excellence from our young people. However, in looking at the current state of affairs, we cannot afford to expect anything but excellence from this generation. The coming years may indeed be times that try men’s souls. America, your communities, and this world – more than ever – needs this generation to be the next great generation. More than ever we cannot afford the sunshine patriot and those that shrink from the service of their country, our communities and our party.

If you love America you will serve it and its citizens.

These thoughts were offered by Tim Brennan, PAYD's National Committeeman on the occasion of our nations 231st birthday.

You and Me in the Big D

PAYD has 7 remaining slots open to join our delegation in Dallas July 18-21 at the Young Democrats of America Convention. Confirmed speakers include Presidential candidate John Edwards. Scholarships are available.

PAYD President Payton and our delegation will vote on a new Executive Board to succeed YDA President Chris Gallaway's board. Under Gallaway's leadership, YDA has grown from a budget of less than $50,000 in 2002 to over $2,500,000 in 2007. Pennsylvania has received ample financial help over the years, including two immensely successful campaign programs, so come and help us work to continue our partnership with YDA in Dallas.

To apply to this golden opportunity to network with young Democrats from around the country, listen to dynamic speakers, attend invaluable workshops, and enjoy some Southern hospitality with the new PAYD board, please reply to this email.

Come Commit to a Committee!

The Pennsylvania Young Democrats are currently accepting applications to serve on one of our standing committees. Zzzzzz, zzzzzzz, zzzzzzzz. No seriously, people, wake up and read!

You know how you are always talking about getting involved?
Always musing that if only there was something substantial for you to do, you'd do it?
Always talking a good game about being down with transforming your generation?

O, yes, yes, I know you too well. It's time to put up - it's your golden opportunity to get active!

Join our new board, including President Tony Payton Jr and Vice President Chelsa Wagner, two elected rising stars in the PA State House, and change the face of Pennsylvania politics by joining our organization in an official capacity.

We need you to serve on one of these six committees:

Constitution, Communications, Community Service, Campaigns, Finance, or Policy and Research.

The most immediate need is for your help in reshaping, rewording and revising our Constitution. Simply put, it's a mess.

Please indicate your preference of committee and send your resume and/or a brief description of your relevant history to info@payd.org The deadline to receive applications is July 6, 2007. President Payton, Vice President Wagner and the board will then review your applications.

(O, and by the way, in case you are confused, the picture above is not an actual picture of a PAYD committee - it is, however, a desperate plea for help. If you join our Communications Committee, such horribly awkward graphics will never be used again.)

We the People....Need a New PAYD Constitution

Let me take a second to introduce myself so that the first words to come to your mind aren’t “Who is this girl and why is she babbling?” Well, to answer the initial question, my name is Becca Sammon, and I am your brand spanking new Recording Secretary. First, I want to thank everyone who supported me, and told me that I could do it! You guys know who you are and you are absolutely awesome! I am quite honored to serve with such phenomenal young leaders as Representative Tony Payton, Jr., Representative Chelsa Wagner, Timmy Brennan, Tara Reynolds, Alex Reber and Dan Tyman.

While I am proud to be from NEPA (Luzerne County!), I went to college at Temple University, and law school at the University of Pittsburgh, so I have spent significant amounts of time on both ends of our great commonwealth. I am a proud member of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, and a HUGE Temple Basketball fan. (GO OWLS!)

I need your help to accomplish one of my first tasks as Recording Secretary. It is absolutely necessary for our constitution to be revised. In order to successfully achieve this goal, we need some quality committee members, and we need to start NOW. In order to comply with the current Constitution and By-Laws, we must present any changes to the membership 90 days in advance, thus, if we want to vote on new by-laws at our September convention, these must be submitted to the membership by the middle of July.

The ideal committee member would be hard working, dedicated, and ready to get to work straight away. While it would be great to have some people with some legal training, I think that the best possible board would have people with varied knowledge bases. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact me at becca102777@aol.com. I promise a great experience, and would be an excellent resume builder. Come on, you know you want to!

Looking forward to working with each of you!

Peace,

~Becca
Recording SecretaryPennsylvania Young Democrats

PAYD Elects New Leadership!

The Pennsylvania Young Democrats announce the election of a new Executive Committee headed by two of the commonwealth’s brightest rising stars.

State Representative Tony Payton Jr. (left) of Philadelphia was chosen as PAYD’s new president and State Representative Chelsa Wagner (right) of Pittsburgh was selected as PAYD’s new vice-president in a vote attended by Young Democrats from across Pennsylvania this past Saturday in Harrisburg.

“We are honored to have attracted leaders like Tony and Chelsa to guide our organization into 2008. Their enthusiasm to serve as our chief officers confirms our past record of accomplishment and strengthens our reputation as Pennsylvania's premiere political organization for youth,” said Paul McKrell, PAYD Executive Director.

Rep. Payton was unanimously elected to replace outgoing PAYD President Yarone Zober, Chief of Staff to Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Under Mr. Zober’s leadership, the organization underwent unprecedented growth, including a doubling in membership and chapters. Mr. Zober’s most important accomplishment was securing funding for PAYD’s first full time Executive Director and PAYD’s successful peer-to-peer young voter program, which oversaw the efforts of dozens of paid canvassers and numerous volunteer organizers in their work in Congressmen Murphy’s and Altmire’s districts in 2006.

“We are excited to have such diverse talent representing every corner of the state on our new board. Tony has assembled a great team to move PAYD forward into another winning year for Democrats in Pennsylvania,” said McKrell.

The rest of Rep. Payton’s newly elected board includes Tim Brennan, Tara Reynolds, Alex Reber, Dan Tyman and Rebecca Sammon. A brief biography for each new officer follows.

PAYD President Tony Payton Jr. was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 179th District in Philadelphia County in 2006. Before running for office he worked as a housing counselor at United Communities in South Philadelphia. He has been active in his community helping found the Icon Community Corporation, a non-profit organization that assists in bridging the gap in reading disparities among school-aged youth. He served as treasurer of PA PAC for Progress and for the Philadelphians Against Santorum campaign, as well as completed a fellowship with the Center for Progressive Leadership. He holds active memberships in the Philadelphia’s Young Nonprofit Leaders (PYNL), the Young America PAC, and the Social Action Committee. Rep. Payton is a contributor to the Young Philly Politics Web site, and co-chair of Students for Progressive Ethics Amendments and Reform (S.P.E.A.R).

PAYD Vice-President Chelsa Wagner was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 22nd District in Allegheny County in 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, where she was a member of the women's varsity basketball team, and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, where she was the recipient of the Community Service Award. Prior to being elected, Rep. Wagner worked as a plaintiff's attorney specializing in medical malpractice. She has also worked as a policy analyst reforming large state governments throughout the country.

PAYD National Committeeman Tim Brennan graduated from Ursinus College and the Widener University School of Law. He volunteers for and has founded a number of charitable, legal, community and Democratic organizations, has been published in the fields of equine law and redistricting law and has lectured at the Dickinson School of Law. A member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar, Mr. Brennan was appointed Assistant Solicitor for the City of Bethlehem in 2005 by Mayor John B. Callahan.

PAYD National Committeewoman Tara Reynolds is from Allegheny County. She is currently a board member of the National Stonewall Democrats and Community Human Services Corporation located in the South Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. She is a member of the PA Democratic State Committee and has consulted on numerous campaigns in Western Pennsylvania. Ms. Reynolds works for the Women's Law Project and is finishing a degree at Carlow University.

PAYD Treasurer Alex Reber recently graduated from Lebanon Valley College in December 2006 with a dual major in Business Administration and Accounting and a minor in Political Science. A co-founder of his College Democrats chapter, he has been involved with the PA Young Democrats for the past three years. Last summer Mr. Reber was a finance intern on Senator Bob Casey’s campaign and is presently working as a Senior Accountant at Miller Dixon Drake in Harrisburg.

PAYD Corresponding Secretary Daniel Tyman of Chester County is a graduate of West Chester University. He has been involved in Chester County politics for the past few years, including as Secretary of the Chester County Democratic Committee. Mr. Tyman currently serves as President of the Chester County Young Democrats, an organization he led through their efforts to elect Congressman Joe Sestak, State Senator Andrew Dinniman and State Rep. Barbara McIlvaine-Smith.

PAYD Recording Secretary Rebecca Sammon of Luzerne County started her career as a field operative for Kerry/Edwards 2004 in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She served as Campaign Manager for newly elected State Representative Mike Carroll in 2006. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she earned her JD, and of Temple University, where she earned her BA in Classics and Political Science, Ms. Sammon works for the Democratic Caucus in Harrisburg as a research analyst.