YEO November Newsletter

Letter from the Director-
2010 Election Update

Dear Friends,

Election week was not an easy week, to say the least. Many saw the culmination of hard fought battles for re-election and higher office – some were victorious and some were not. Victories were bittersweet, when faced with the realities of veto-proof majorities and legislative repeals. On a national level, we collectively watched as conservatives gained large ground in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as all state chambers and the Governor’s office in many states.

However, lately I have realized that often a vociferous opinion is mistaken for a majority opinion. While Tea Party activists and right-wing extremists may have publicly clamored louder about the desires of the American people, the fact of the matter is they do not speak for all of us. While we may have lost ground last week, we have by no means lost the battle – together let this time be our call to action. As young, passionate, innovative, and progressive elected officials it is now time for us to speak louder and fight harder for freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all Americans.

I encourage you to lean on each other and on us at the Young Elected Officials Network for support as you work diligently to meet the needs of your states, counties, cities, school districts, and communities.

On a happier note, I would like to share with you some of the YEO Network success stories from the mid-term elections:

In what has been aptly hailed as a new chapter in his “David vs. Goliath” career, Clarkstown Town Clerk David Carlucci won a seat in the New York State Senate in an upset victory over a political giant – winning by nearly 6,000 votes. "(The biggest key to this victory is) persistence. Persistence in this or in anything," Senator-elect Carlucci said. "Talking to people after people, going to someone's home asking them for their help. I had a lot of support from friends and volunteers."

After defeating the incumbent in the primary, Milwaukee County Supervisor Chris Larson won a seat in the Wisconsin State Senate with a commanding 57 percent victory in the general election. At 30 years old, he will now become the Senate’s youngest member.

School Board President Jane Kim won a hotly contested and highly contentious race for San Francisco District 6 Supervisor, winning the largest number of votes in the ranked choice election. In talking about her recipe for success, Supervisor-elect Kim said, “People. We reached more voters. I think we talked to more voters than anybody else.”

In Connecticut, many YEOs saw success, with 100 percent of YEO incumbents winning re-election and some winning higher office. Examples include – State Representative Mae Flexer, who easily retained her seat with 64 percent of the vote; State Representative Matthew Lesser, who held off a particularly tough and well-funded opponent for a second term in office; and Alderman Roland Lemar who will be joining the Connecticut House of Representatives after winning a hard fought primary and running unopposed in the general election.  Additionally, Congressman Christopher Murphy won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives after coming from behind to win by nearly 10 points.

YEOs have ascended to leadership in both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature. After a high profile race, Senator-elect David Schapira has been elected Senate minority leader, while Representative Chad Campbell has been chosen as the new House minority leader and Representative Matt Heinz will serve as House minority whip.

State Representative Kyrsten Sinema will change chambers after handily winning election to the Arizona State Senate with 62 percent of the vote. In the state House, Senator-elect Sinema led fights against the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, restrictions on abortion rights, the elimination of gun safety laws, and the state’s severe anti-immigrant law. After her recent election, she said, “Thank you! I am proud to continue representing central Phoenix - now in the state Senate. I'll fight for jobs, schools, and a strong economy.”

Vermont State Representative Kesha Ram won a hard-fought election with 41 percent of the vote in a four-way race. In a message to her supporters, she wrote, “I am rolling up my sleeves and getting to work! I have a lot I want to do over the next two years, with one pressing priority being addressing human trafficking in our state. We are one of only five states, and the only border state, not to have laws on the books to identify and eradicate human trafficking.” With the two highest vote getters winning election, joining her in Montpelier to represent the district in the State House will be former YEO and National Convening trainer Chris Pearson, who is returning to office after a short hiatus.

Click here for more YEO election updates!

Additionally, we need your help identifying newly elected YEOs in your state and community, and updating us on your election results. Please submit the names of newly elected YEOs and/or your own election results to Ryan Hurst at rhurst@pfaw.org. Please allow us to celebrate your success with you, or if you will be leaving office, talk to you about ways you can remain involved in the Network as an alumnus/alumna.

Onwards and Upwards,

Andrew D. Gillum

Help us find new YEOs!
Submit names of newly elected YEOs in your state and community to rhurst@pfaw.org.

Thank You, Veterans!

Each year on November 11th we honor the men and women who serve our country proudly, and thank those who have worn and continue to wear the uniform.

For all of our YEO veterans, there are no words to adequately match the enormity of their service and sacrifice. We thank them for all they do in serving our communities in office and serving the entire country in uniform.

The YEO Network honors the following YEOs for truly embodying the meaning of public service:

• State Representative Alex Cornell du Houx, United States Marine Corps
• School Board Member Janet Chin, United States Army
• State Delegate David Englin, United States Air Force
• State Representative Ryan Guillen, Texas State Guard
• State Representative John Lesch, Minnesota National Guard
• U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy, United States Army

Thank you!

If there are any additional military YEOs we have not listed, please email rhurst@pfaw.org, so we can log this information.

YEOs Telebrief Report:
A Conversation with the Schott Foundation for Public Education, featuring Dr. John Jackson

Many children in our public school system are faced with incredible obstacles and hardships they must overcome to succeed. Sadly, too many are falling through the cracks, and the impact of an undereducated young person affects the quality of life for us all. It is in our collective interest to ensure that we start to seriously improve the educational outcomes for all children.

The Schott Foundation for Public Education, through their Opportunity To Learn (OTL) frame, is diligently working to encourage resource accountability and ensure that all students have a guaranteed right to four core resources needed to provide a fair and substantive Opportunity to Learn – access to highly effective teachers; early childhood education; college preparatory curricula; and equitable instructional resources.

The YEO Network held a teleconference Tuesday, November 16th with Dr. John Jackson from the Schott Foundation about their OTL frame, the findings in their recent “Black Boys Report” and how it is informing their work, as well as their recommendations and resources for young electeds.

Email epope@pfaw.org if you are interested in receiving materials or resources from the Telebrief.

Special Partner Announcement –
Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute

The 26th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference will bring together hundreds of openly LGBT leaders in government, politics, advocacy, business and community organizations. Held in Washington, D.C., December 2 to 5, 2010, attendees will experience three days of training, skills building, networking and discussion of key issues facing out leaders and their communities.

Register today at www.glli.org/conference!

Featured Panel:
EDUCATION AND BULLYING -Tackling a Global Problem
Friday, December 3, 2010

It's been a difficult fall semester, with news of the suicides of bullied LGBT youth coming at a staggering pace.    

Just a few weeks ago at a federal bullying prevention summit, Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, said, "Bullying behavior is not only troubling in and of itself but if left unaddressed, can quickly escalate into harassment, violence and tragedies."

And so it has.

Join Kevin and a panel of legislators and experts who are also trying to tackle this growing threat to LGBT youth at an important workshop at the 26th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference.  Register today at www.glli.org/conference.

YEO Network Annual Survey

Our 2011 Annual Membership Survey is now open!

This survey allows us to learn about you and stay current with your needs as Young Elected Officials. As we continue to plan our upcoming events, this is your chance to provide feedback on our programs and what you’d like to see from us in 2011.

As always, we will be offering exciting incentives. Previous years have included one-on-one time with public speaking guru, Joel Silberman, or complimentary trips to National Convening. Watch out for that notice next week!

Don’t wait, take the survey today!

Mentors Wanted:
Civic Opportunities Initiative Network

The YEO Network is looking for individuals who have a history of leadership within the progressive movement and who have the time and skill set necessary to mentor one of our COIN fellow. Civic Opportunities Initiative Network (COIN) are high school students who have recently been given college scholarships and the promise of guidance to become the next generation of progressive leaders.

If you think you have the ability to offer guidance through your experience, then becoming a COIN mentor is perfect for you!

If you know of a young person that would be an ideal mentor, email Raquel at rsimon@pfaw.org with their name and contact info. We’ll help you reach out to them and encourage them to apply!

• Are you a college student or recent grad (5 years) who has an idea of what progressive leadership looks like and what it takes?
• Are you looking to give back to and advance the progressive movement?
• Could you help direct a young leader in identifying and harnessing their political and personal power?
• Are you someone who can offer advice, listen to, and work well with high school grads who are about to enter college?
• Do you have a connection to any of the following cities, in order to visit your mentee at least twice a year?  (Los Angeles, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Alexandria, VA)

If your answer is YES, then COIN is looking for you! Click here for more info and here to apply>>

Young People For - Pepsi Refresh Challenge

Exciting news! YEO’s sister program, Young People For, is in the running for a Pepsi Refresh grant of $50,000 for the month of November! At the end of each month, the projects that receive the most votes online and via text receive grants from Pepsi. If YP4 receives a grant, that funding will support Fellows’ Blueprints for Social Justice, provide training materials for Fellows and alumni, and help cover some of the day-to-day costs of running the program.

To find out more about Young People For (YP4), visit their website at www.yp4.org.

You can vote for YP4 in the following ways:

1. Directly on the Pepsi Refresh Website>>
2. Facebook through the PepsiRefresh Application>>
3. Text your vote to PEPSI (73774)

Progressive Policy Corner

Pre-Registration of Young Voters
State Representative Tricia Cotham
Charlotte, North Carolina
North Carolina HB 1260 would allow for 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote. By allowing these teenagers to pre-register, election rolls will be more up-to-date and accurate. Teenagers are a very stable group – stable in the sense that they do not move as much as the next age-bracket of 18 – 21 year olds. These 16 and 17 year olds can take advantage of North Carolina’s current Motor-Voter Process and register while getting their driver’s licenses, as this is the age group that gets their driver’s licenses for the first time.
Read more about this policy >>

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Bilingual Ballots
School Board Member Roy Paul
Middletown, New York
This legislation requires that all ballots printed for voter approval within the Middletown School District be printed in both English and Spanish, and that at least one bilingual poll worker be present at each election site. It was designed to encourage participation from a portion of the community that traditionally does not have a large voter turnout.
Read more about this policy>>