THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 o
Page A-15
A new generation?
Andrew Platt (D), 24
D’Juan Hopewell (D), 30
Will Smith (D), 31
Marice Morales (D), 26
David Moon (D), 34
Jordan Cooper (D), 28
Kevin Walling (D), 28
Justin W. Chappell (D), 34
Elizabeth F. Matory (D), 33
Flynn Ficker (R), 31
John Paul Evans (D), 23
Will Jawando (D), 30
George Zokle (D), 34
Hamza Khan (D), 25
Laurie-Anne Sayles (D), 32
Marc Korman (D), 32
House of Delegates District 17
House of Delegates District 18
House of Delegates District 20
House of Delegates District 15
Millennials jumping into House races across Montgomery County n
BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER STAFF WRITER
Among the growing pool of Montgomery County candidates seeking a seat in the House of Delegates, a large number are young. More than half of the 25 candidates — not counting incumbents — vying for a House seat in one of Montgomery’s eight legislative districts are in their 20s or early 30s. Sixteen candidates are younger than 35. Six are in their 20s. Youth is no stranger to the General Assembly. Some of Maryland’s top elected officials began their political careers young. U.S. House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville and U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D) were both in their 20s when first elected to the Maryland General Assembly. But for the latest crop of young political hopefuls, President Barack Obama is often credited as their inspiration. “What we’re seeing now is this is the Obama generation running for office,” said Del. Jeff Waldstreicher, 33. “This is a group of folks who got active in 2008, were re-energized in 2012 and now realize that it is their time.” Waldstreicher (D-Dist. 18) of Kensington was 26 when voters elected him for the first time in 2006. The minimum age to run for the House of Delegates is 21, and for the Maryland Senate, it’s 25. Marice Morales (D), 26, a candidate in District 19, said her generation of politicos is taking the country by storm. Members of the young generation often known as millennials were the first to embrace marriage equality in large numbers, and are driving efforts to end the War on Drugs, said David Moon (D), 34, a candidate in District 20. Lingering issues of education and fair wages weigh on the generation, said Will Smith (D), 31, who is running in District 20. For George Zokle (D), 34, also running in District 20, economic inequality for individuals and small businesses and inadequate mental health advocacy spurred him to run. And the economic crisis and its disproportionate effect on not just his generation, but retirees and older workers as well, got Jordan Cooper, 28, into the District 16 race, he said. Whether in politics, business or community leadership, today’s young adults were raised to believe that they could do anything they dreamed, since their parents and grandparents knocked many of the extreme barriers down, said Elizabeth F. Matory (D), 33, who is running for District 18. Yet, despite Obama’s success breaking barriers, courting younger voters and even spurring many young and diverse candidates to run for office, on the whole, millennials still are not an active vot-
House of Delegates District 20
House of Delegates District 14
ing demographic, said Melissa Deckman, professor and chair of political science at Washington College in Chestertown. A 2011 study of voter turnout by the Center for American Politics and Citizenship at the University of Maryland showed that Marylanders between the ages of 25 and 39 had a turnout rate of less than 30 percent in the 2010 midterm election. Those younger than age 25 had even lower turnout. Marylanders between ages 55 and 69 had a turnout rate of nearly 90 percent that year. Young candidates should not rely on young voters to get elected, Deckman said. Young voters, she said, are less interested and often do not know how politics relate to them. But if the Democratic Party wants to stay relevant, it has to find a way to bring in millennial voters and candidates, said Hamza Khan (D), 25. Khan said the party did not back him to fill a vacant delegate seat in District 15 because of his age. He is running for that seat in 2014. “It definitely does hurt,” he said of being young. Montgomery County has a median age of 38.5, according to 2010 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. To win in 2014, a candidate needs to convince voters of all ages that he or she has the judgment, experience and idea to serve in Annapolis, said Marc Korman, 32, a Democratic candidate in District 16. Korman is not be the youngest candidate running thus far in 2014 — John Paul Evans, 23, is running in District 14. But when Korman knocks on doors, he said, people comment on his age. “I’m young, but not new — young, but not inexperienced,” he said. Justin W. Chappell (D), 34, a candidate in District 20, also said experience matters. It is a theme of his campaign as he shares with voters his 15 years of experience. D’Juan Hopewell (D), 30, said he’s qualified to represent District 20 because he already is working for it. As Maryland advocacy manager of Share Our Strength, an antihunger campaign, Hopewell organized and built statewide coalitions to advocate for children. Marylanders are looking for the next generation of progressive leaders to build on recent victories advancing civil rights, economic development and environmental protections, said Kevin Walling (D), 28, a candidate in District 16 who helped in the fight for gay marriage rights. “The reality is that voters are looking for somebody who is going to do a good job for them,” Del. Eric Luedtke, 31, said. “That can be someone of any age.” Luedtke (D-Dist. 14) of Burtonsville was 29 when voters elected him in 2010. Annapolis rewards those who work hard and are successful, he said. For House candidates, the path to Annapolis involves calling everyone they have met, asking for money and knocking on doors, Luedtke said — also, speaking from the heart.
House of Delegates District 19
House of Delegates District 20
Waldstreicher said he advises candidates to knock on as many doors as possible. Flynn Ficker, 31, a Republican running in District 15, said he and his father Robin Ficker (R), who is running for the Senate in District 15, have knocked on 20,000 doors. “I endeavor to continue learning about the special interests of District 15 voters, unlike the incumbents, who seek to serve outside special interests,” Flynn Ficker said. However, when it comes to raising money, younger candidates often have smaller pools to siphon for donations, and
House of Delegates District 20
House of Delegates District 20
House of Delegates District 16
House of Delegates District 15
that can present a challenge that older, more connected candidates might not face, Luedtke said. Still, among the millennials seeking office in Montgomery, many were born and raised in the county and boast strong community ties. “My heart and soul is tied to the well-being of the people in District 17,” Andrew Platt (D), 24, said of his district. Also seeking a seat in District 17, Laurie-Anne Sayles (D), 32, said she is deeply involved in her community and organizations, including the Montgomery County Com-
House of Delegates District 16
House of Delegates District 17
munity Action Board, the Montgomery County Board of Elections, the Montgomery County Young Democrats and parent-teacher groups. “I hope my age inspires other young people and demonstrates that they have a role to play in shaping the future of our communities,” she said. Growing up in Montgomery County, Will Jawando (D), 30, a candidate for District 20, said he has seen his community grow, and with it the reality that not everyone has shared equality in the rapid growth and prosperity. “I spent my entire life here,
House of Delegates District 20
House of Delegates District 16
and I want to make sure that, working together, we ensure everyone gets to share in the opportunities and prosperity here,” he said. Millennials remain underrepresented in Annapolis, Luedtke said. “The value that millennials bring — we think about the world in different ways,” he said. “We have this culture of entrepreneurship and outside-the-box thinking. That provides real value to elected bodies.” kalexander@gazette.net
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