YDRI – RI Future

June 3, 2016June 3, 2016

Young Dems endorse Susan Donovan for Rep Gallison’s vacant seat

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YDRI is proud to announce our endorsement of Susan Donovan in the democratic primary for House District 69, Bristol/Portsmouth. While it is rare for YDRI to make an endorsement this early, we felt in Susan’s case it was warranted. In our conversations with Susan, it became immediately clear that she was both an exceptional candidate and would make an equally exceptional representative.

At YDRI we hold ourselves accountable to three goals. One getting young Rhode Islanders involved in politics. Two getting young Rhode Islanders elected to office. Three pushing policies that help young people not only stay, but thrive in our state. It was in the final regard that Susan stood out. From her 33 years as an public school educator, Susan demonstrated a strong understanding of our public education system and both it’s strengths and weaknesses.

She made it clear that providing a quality education and working to make college affordable for all would be among her top priorities. We at YDRI believe a knowledgeable voice dedicated to education is desperately needed at the State House and we believe Susan will be a strong advocate not only for her district but for young Rhode Islanders everywhere.

YDRI wholeheartedly endorses Susan Donovan for the Democratic Primary in HD 69, Bristol/Portsmouth.

December 11, 2014December 12, 2014

YDRI Holds Annual Convention, Charon Rose elected president

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Charon Rose, deputy field director for Jorge Elorza’s mayoral campaign, was elected the next president of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island at the group’s annual meeting on Saturday. Rose, who is a native of Providence’s Chad Brown neighborhood and an alumna of Classical High School and Rhode Island College, also co-chairs the New Leaders Council RI Chapter. Outgoing YDRI President Mark Gray did not seek re-election.

On Saturday, the Young Democrats of Rhode Island held their annual convention at URI’s Feinstein campus in downtown Providence. Since 2010, YDRI has grown substantially, with over 100 active members in 2014. Participants hailed from a broad array of backgrounds, ranging from campaign staffers to concerned citizens, and from newly-elected legislators to progressive activists. Attendees were united by a shared commitment to improving Rhode Island’s government—especially for young people—and most of the day’s dialogue focused on actions that could be taken to enact those improvements.

The convention also featured a discussion on YDRI’s legislative priorities for 2015. Attendees split into three groups to identify and discuss young people’s most pressing legislative priorities. When the groups came back together and shared their priorities, there was significant overlap of issues between groups, focusing on economic equality, social justice, and environmental justice. Discussion repeatedly turned to issues of racial profiling, police relations, ending drug prohibition, and supporting economic growth for young Rhode Islanders via topics like college affordability. YDRI looks forward to continuing to build its membership base for action on these issues in 2015.

Over the coming months, the group will engage with partner organizations, with the goal of rallying advocacy efforts for those initiatives.

Speakers at Saturday’s annual meeting included:

Outgoing YDRI President Mark Gray, who gave a compelling exit address regarding YDRI’s achievements and the priorities he would like to see the group approach in the future
Constantina Meis, who, as Women’s Caucus Chair for the Young Democrats of America, updated YDRI on the efforts which the national YDA is currently undertaking regarding growing women’s and minority caucuses.
Theo Groh, President of Young Democrats of New Hampshire, who shared updates on his work building chapters with the national YDA.

Theo also presided over YDRI’s elections for the 2015 Board of Directors. The new Board members are:

President: Charon Rose
Executive Vice President: Zack Mezera
Vice President: Amy Espinal
Treasurer: Jordan Day
Secretary: Alex Krogh-Grabbe
Communications Director: Michael Beauregard
Membership Director: Abby Godino
Policy Committee Chair: Juan Espinoza
YDA National Committeeman: Chris Tallent
YDA National Committeewoman: Kristina Fox
Congressional District 1 Representative: Amanda Clarke
Congressional District 2 Representative: Anthony DeRose
At-Large Board Member: Representative-elect Aaron Regunberg
At-Large Board Member: Senator Ryan Pearson

To learn more about the Young Democrats of Rhode Island, visit our website.

The Young Democrats of Rhode Island is the organization for young people 13-35 who wish to mobilize on behalf of the Democratic party and to advocate for issues facing young people in Rhode Island and America.

August 18, 2014

Rep. Dickinson didn’t return YDRI questionnaire

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Dear Representative Dickinson,

Hey, remember that time when you called me up regarding the YDRI PAC endorsement, and we ended up having a real nice chat at that coffee place in West Warwick? “The Daily Grind” it was called, over on Cowesset Ave. I was very late (apologies) but you were gracious and we talked for a good while over pastries and coffee. Remember, we hung out until the place closed? We ended up standing on the curb still chatting for ten minutes after they had locked the doors. You were just full of stories of the old days in the General Assembly (I hadn’t realized you had served back then!) and you eagerly shared some of your political wisdom with me.

Remember how multiple times throughout the conversation I said that in order to be considered for the YDRI endorsement, you would have to fill out our questionnaire? I think I said it at least three times, and you told me you had a “policy” of not filling out questionnaires. And remember I said ok, then the best you could hope for was no endorsement in the race, but we couldn’t possibly endorse you without a questionnaire?

And then you didn’t fill out the questionnaire?

That’s why we endorsed Kathy Fogarty.

Not only was she not afraid to go on the record with her values and beliefs, her answers lined up 100% with the issues and concerns shared by Young Democrats. Comparing her answers on our survey to your voting record and your “policy” of not feeling you are accountable to anyone, we were happy to endorse Ms. Fogarty. The Young Democrats of Rhode Island feel that Democrats should be proud to stand by their political and social values. If that makes us “asleep, irrelevant, or… morally bankrupt,” then I guess we’re guilty. But I personally don’t see how.

Anyway, good luck out there. And seriously–anytime you want to grab a coffee, hit me up. I’d love to hear more stories.

Sincerely,

Mark Gray

YDRI PAC

PS: I don’t typically respond to comments with a whole new post, but I felt that the nature of Representative Dickinson’s remarks regarding our endorsements warranted it in this case.

August 14, 2014August 17, 2014

YDRI endorse Magaziner, Ferri, no one for governor

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The Young Democrats of Rhode Island have endorsed 19 legislative candidates, three congressional candidates, two municipal candidates, two statewide office-seekers but no one for governor, according to a press release from the group.

Here’s their list of legislative candidates, in graphic format (Or read their press release here):

“YDRI PAC’s endorsed candidates are of various ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds,” the group said in an email. “Nine are first-time candidates. Some are running for open seats, some are defending incumbents, and a few are challengers in primary races. Yet no matter the context, the YDRI PAC Board has agreed that the below candidates best represent the principles of the Democratic Party and will vigorously defend the concerns of young people across our state.”

The group also endorsed all three congressional incumbents: Jack Reed for Senate and David Cicilline and Jim Langevin in the House. In statewide races, YDRI endorsed Frank Ferri for lt. governor and Seth Magaziner for general treasurer.

Zack Mazera, YDRI member, said “For statewide races, we sought supermajority agreement.”

He added, “More importantly, however, statewide endorsements are not our organizational focus; Ferri and Magaziner may draw attention, but YDRI PAC this cycle is really a General Assembly-focused organization. That’s where we believe the decisions are made that most affect young people, and that’s where we firmly believe we as an organization can have the most impact on improving quality of life for young Rhode Islanders.”

In the press statement the group noted: “YDRI PAC noted it may issue further endorsements as Rhode Island progresses through the election season. Candidates in races where YDRI PAC has not yet endorsed are invited to email contact@youngdemsri.org.”

August 7, 2013August 7, 2013

Kristina Fox elected president of YDRI

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Kristina Fox, erstwhile of Ocean State Action and a champion for so many progressive causes, is the newly elected president of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island. I caught up with her on Facebook earlier today as she was waiting at TF Green to fly to the Young Democrats national conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Here’s most of our conversation:

Hi Kristina, and congrats on being elected president of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island!

Thank you, Bob! I’m quite excited and honored to be the new President of YDRI

I’m excited for you and the Young Dems! Can you tell me a little bit about your organization? What do you do, and why?

I’m happy to! YDRI is an organization made up of young folks (young defined as less than 36 yrs old) who work to improve and empower our RI community in keeping with the principles of the Democratic party: equality, diversity and inclusiveness. All of us became involved with YDRI because we care deeply about RI, and want to ensure that we get back on the path to success. As wonderful as our home is, there’s a lot of unjust things happening. We want to change that.

So, why limit your group to those under 36 years old (says the 39-yr-old)? why do young Democrats caucus like this without us old folks?

The age limit is set by the national YDA charter. Age is no barrier to being part of the movement though! As I’m fond of saying, we mean “young at heart” as well.

So what do the YDRI do? Other than meet and talk politics…

Right now our top priority is building building building up our membership! We want young dems from Woonsocket to Westerly involved in our work. To that effect, we’ll be having an event at the Galilee Beach Club in Narragansett on Monday August 19th. It kicks off at 6:30pm. I’m really looking forward to it

Me too … I love Galilee! What a nice place for young Democrats to converge! Did I see there is a South County chapter now, too?

We’re working on starting a SoCo chapter. This event at GBC is a kick off for that. A great group of women have been instrumental in organizing this: Abby Godino, Danielle Dirocco and Ann Little. Ann is also the YDRI Women’s Caucus Chair

I look forward to meeting up with you liberal whippersnappers at the beach! How do you plan to make a difference politically?

I’m glad that you’ll be joining us!

Most importantly we want to empower and involve young folks in the political process. Unemployment, affordable housing, access to quality affordable health care, work supports, education, civil rights: these issues, and a whole host of others, deeply impact young Rhode Islanders. Yet, for the most part, we aren’t at the table when decisions are made. That needs to change. When we make our voices heard, we have a better RI.

Your group seems not only young but also pretty progressive?

Young people overall tend to be more politically progressive. YDRI is proud to be a deep shade of blue

Do you have many centrist Dems in your ranks? Or, let me propose this hypothetical: what if a 28-year-old Doc Corvese-type wanted to be a member of the YDRI … would he or she be welcome?

Like the general Dem party, we’re a big tent. If a person identifies as a Democrat, that person is 100% welcome in YDRI. A twentysomething self-identified Democrat who doesn’t believe in marriage equality, a woman’s reproductive rights or tax equity? I’d love to have tea with this person and understand where they’re coming from.

Then she had to board her plane. Congrats Kristina and have fun in San Antonio … here’s hoping next year’s Young Democrats convention is held in Providence or Newport (or both).