It’s Time To Move CDA Forward, Together
Dear College Democrats of America,
Today, we are fired up to declare our candidacy for National President and Vice President of the College Democrats of America to reestablish mentorship, empowerment, and activism for our national organization. We are running to bring bold, selfless, and tested leadership to guide CDA’s 100,000 members through the 2016 elections and into the important work of building a strong Democratic Party in the future. Our vision, inspired by the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students from across the country, builds around bringing all of CDA Together. Our national movement seeks to: empower and encourage students to take leadership roles in our Party at the campus, state, and national level, enhance student advocacy and activism on behalf of the Democratic Party, and engage new communities, new campuses, new states, and new voices on getting involved in the crucial work that lies ahead for our Party.
Crucial to our vision is restoring our relationship with the Democratic National Committee. The strained relationship between CDA and the DNC over this past year has hindered CDA’s ability to spread our message to young people, help elect Democrats up and down the ballot, and build leaders up in their respective states. The DNC does important and necessary work to build a stronger, more progressive future across all 50 states, and CDA has a key role to play in building that future. We must reestablish a positive relationship with the DNC so that state federations and chapters can actively partner with national leaders on fundraising, communications, advocacy, and networking. We will put empowerment and accountability at the forefront of our administration. We will begin by reestablishing a working relationship with our Party Leaders at the DNC, and in doing so, empower CDA to reach its fullest potential. We will unite our organization and present to our Party leaders an impeccable and compelling case for our unique role in the Party and our abilities to serve our Party, its candidates, and its activists with distinction. We intend to make your voice heard to the DNC, and we will focus our leadership on the best issues and interests of our membership — issues that you are already working at on your college campuses, including advancing LGBTQIA+ equality, progressive feminist advocacy, environmental sustainability, sexual assault prevention, racial equality, criminal justice reform, comprehensive immigration reform, school debt reduction, mental illness advocacy, and many other critical issues to our generation.
Additionally, we will change the dynamic between state federations and the national leadership of CDA. We plan to nurture the important work happening at the state federation level, as well as support the important work our state leaders are working every day. We will actively support and empower the work that college Democrats do on the chapter and state levels. We will govern CDA so that ideas flow from the ground-up rather than the top-down. We will be the most transparent and accountable administration in CDA’s history. No College Democrat will be left in the dark or misled about the status and future of the organization. We will leave no state, no chapter behind. Furthering the expansion of our organization to new campuses and states will ensure we are able to expand the Democratic message throughout the country. Additionally, we will conduct ourselves with the high ethical and professional standards that should be expected of leaders in the Democratic Party. In doing so, we will create an engaging and welcoming environment for any college student who wants to be involved in advocating for our Party and its values.
We offer optimistic yet attainable goals, and comprehensive steps to achieve them. Our promises go beyond rhetoric. Our team brings extensive experiences in leading our campus chapters, state federations, and the national organization, as well as working with state and national party leaders. We know how to work together to find common ground. The leadership we offer recognizes the importance of zealously advocating and diligently working together as a community of student leaders and activists. College students are integral to the success of our Democrats across the country, and we must honor, support, and empower all students to be involved to invest in the future of our party.
Join us as we fight the good fight with leadership you can relate to and depend on. Frankly, we promise you the leadership you deserve. We promise you a steadfast commitment to an organization that will work for your personal goals, your state’s interests, and development for the greater Democratic Party. If you believe in our candidacy, join us by sharing this article and show that you are ready to move CDA forward, together. Join us and invite your friends to join us as well by “LIKING” our Facebook Page, “FOLLOWING” us on Twitter, and endorsing our campaign here: tinyurl.com/EndorseTogetherCDA. Also, sign-up for more information about the campaign here: tinyurl.com/JoinTogetherCDA. And join us at the College Democrats of America Annual Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July 22–24, to support our candidacies and this movement. Now is the time that we must rally around a new direction for our national organization, and build the base to lead our organization forward.
To a Brighter Future,
Braxton Marcela & Rachael Hartley
Washington, D.C. & Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Candidates for National President & Executive Vice President
