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Virginia Young Democrats Endorses Four Local Alexandria Young Democrats
Virginia Young Democrats Endorses Four Local Alexandria Young Democrats
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
James Lewis
724.288.3995
Communications_director@vayd.org
Virginia Young Democrats Endorses Four Local Alexandria Young Democrats Alexandria, Virginia – September 20, 2012 – News Release – The Virginia Young Democrats (VAYD) have endorsed John Taylor Chapman and Justin Wilson for Alexandria City Council and Kelly Carmichael Booz and Chris Lewis for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) School Board."Alexandria's next City Council and School Board will face serious challenges in citizen engagement, development, education, growing Alexandria's business community and supporting a healthy and diverse community," said Carter Batey, president of the Alexandria Young Democrats (AYD.) "Young people will not only inherit the world that we are making today, we play an important role in shaping it. These candidates embody the progressive values, the energy and the dedication that we need in elected office. They will make us proud and serve us well."“While VAYD has endorsed these young Democrats, we stand ready to elect the Democratic slate in Alexandria and Virginia including President Barack, Vice President Joe Biden, Governor Tim Kaine, Congressman Jim Moran, and the six Democratic nominees for City Council: John Taylor Chapman, Tim Lovain, Del Pepper, Allison Silberberg, Paul Smedberg and Justin Wilson,” said VAYD Communications Director and AYD Membership Director, James Lewis. “From the top of the ballot to the bottom – in fact, the other side of the ballot in Alexandria, the VAYD will help elect Democrats and support Democratic causes.”
The endorsement comes from VAYD’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee voted unanimously during an in-person meeting in King George, Virginia to endorse the young Democrats running for office in Alexandria.
"As a former VAYD Executive Board member, I'm honored to be endorsed by VAYD as a voice for students, young professionals and young families in Alexandria," said John Taylor Chapman. "Our city has clear opportunities in education, equitable housing, education and jobs. City Council needs a new voice with a true commitment to hearing and engaging citizens - young people are a critical part of citizen engagement. Alexandria is awash in citizen expertise in all these area, the next City Council should have a new vision for tapping that expertise."
Justin WilsonJustin Wilson previously served two years on Alexandria City Council after winning a special election in July of 2007 including tenure on the Youth Policy Commission of Alexandria. Previously, he was appointed to the Virginia Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice by Governor Mark Warner and later the Board of Juvenile Justice by Governors Mark Warner and Tm Kaine. "Justin Wilson's previous tenure on Alexandria's City Council and leadership as a former VAYD President provide great confidence in his ability to represent a strong voice for students, young professionals and young families in Alexandria," said VAYD Executive Vice President, Antonio M. Elias. "As a parent and a transportation expert, Justin is a solid choice to move Alexandria forward."
"As a former President of the Virginia Young Democrats, I am excited to receive their endorsement for this upcoming election,” said Justin Wilson. “Our upcoming election is about the legacy we leave for the next generation. Young Alexandrians and Young Virginians have constantly been the incubator of new ideas for moving our community forward."
Kelly BoozKelly Booz’s website proudly claims she has: “Public school education is in my DNA.” She is the wife of an English teacher with 13 years in Virginia classrooms and she holds a Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. Booz has more than 10 years of experience working with students and educators and currently works for a nonprofit focused on Constitutional education in the Commonwealth and around the nation. “Kelly Carmichael Booz is a relative newcomer to Alexandria politics, but she is not new to education, Alexandria, and the issues facing Alexandria schools. She begins more than a decade of educational experience and understand what works in the classroom,” said VAYD Communications Director and Alexandria Young Democrats Membership Director, James Lewis. "ACPS faces schools that are falling behind our neighbors in Arlington and Fairfax; as an expecting mother, Kelly has real skin in the game and real solutions for ACPS."
“After working for over a decade with educators, students, and administrators throughout Virginia, I know Alexandria can become the public school leader in Northern Virginia,” said Kelly Carmichael Booz. "Receiving the endorsement of the Virginia Young Democrats shows that my campaign offers real solutions for the challenges faced by ACPS."
Chris LewisChris Lewis is a fourth-generation Alexandrian and graduate of Harvard University; his experience on education policy is dynamical increased from his tenure as a legislative staffer on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. He served on the steering committee of ACTion Alexandria and is a former Virginia State Director for GenerationEngage, a youth civic engagement nonprofit. "Chris Lewis has extensive leadership experience on education issues and a community engagement," said Megan Adamczewski, VAYD Outreach Chair. "His plan to increase community engagement in the classroom and close the achievement of ACPS schools shows true and innovative vision."
"As an advocate for youth civic engagement in Virginia, I firmly believe that young people bring innovative solutions and essential voices to the challenges we face in Alexandria and across the commonwealth," said Chris Lewis. "I'm honored to be a member of the Virginia Young Democrats and to receive their endorsement."
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The Virginia Young Democrats is a membership organization representing young people under the age of 36 who identify as Democrats or support the tenets of the Democratic Party and reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Young Democrats furthers the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, thereby improving our society through peaceful reform and effective government that serves those in need.
