Empowering a New Generation: Young activists in the Democrats

​Part 1 – Who are the Young Democrats?

By Paul Pickett

​A Clallam Democrat leader recently encountered a rally in Port Angeles of “Turning Point,” the youth group created by the late Charlie Kirk. One attendee was said to comment, “I can finally say what I’ve been thinking.” (And what could that possibly be?) Word is that someone has created a Turning Point group at Port Angeles High School. 

Yes, right-wing groups that support fascist policies are active with youth in our County. This is reason enough to get progressive youth active in politics. We need another generation to step forward and help lead us to the future they desire. 

One group that can be highly effective is the Young Democrats. The Young Democrats of America (YDA) (https://yda.org/) describe themselves as:

…the nation’s largest youth-led, partisan political organization, with over 20,000 members nationwide in 50 states and territorial chapters. As a completely volunteer-led organization, YDA mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process to elect Democrats, advocate for progressive issues, and train the next generation of progressive leaders. 

Young Democrats of Washington State (yDWA) currently have 11 chapters (https://www.facebook.com/YoungDemsWA/). Their Facebook page includes this quote:

We need young people like you to step up. We need your daring, we need your enthusiasm and your energy. We need your imagination. – Barack Obama

There used to be a chapter in Clallam County, but they seemed to have gone dormant when their leadership stepped away. Port Angeles City Councilwoman Navarra Carr was active in Young Democrats many years ago, showing the value of nurturing young activists. 

When I was an elected official in Thurston County, the Thurston Young Democrats were very active. They had regular meetings, endorsed candidates, and organized support work like leafleting and phone banking. When I met with them they were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy my political “war stories.” 

What would it take to get a Young Democrats chapter active again in Clallam County? It will take a few activist Democrats under 36 to be the “seeds” to get this growing. There are signs this may be happening, such as the recent Halloween party hosted by young Clallam Democrat members. The leadership needs to come from the young people themselves, and there are many older Democrats willing to help.

Are you interested? Or do you know of young activists who might be interested? Please contact us at [email protected]. We’d like to interview you for a future article.

​And maybe if enough of you answer, we can plant the seeds and get a local Young Democrats chapter growing.