Special  Early New Year’s Message from Young Democrats of America President Quentin Wathum-Ocama

Dear Young Democrats and Supporters — 

2024 was a tough year, and we need to be honest about that. We fought hard, poured our hearts into campaigns, and stood for the values we hold dear, but the results didn’t go our way. It’s a moment that has left many of us reflecting deeply on where we’ve been and what comes next.

Even in the face of disappointment, I see reasons for hope. I see it in the dedication of YDA members who continue to show up, even when the road is steep. I see it in the connections we’ve built and the movements we’ve nurtured—not just for one election cycle but for the long haul. Because that’s what this work is about: creating a better future, step by step, no matter how long it takes.

As we step into 2025, let’s embrace our unwavering purpose. We must stand resolutely against Republican policies that threaten our progress and the well-being of the most vulnerable. Simultaneously, we must not forsake marginalized communities in the pursuit of an elusive moderate. Our party's strength lies in our commitment to justice and inclusion, and we will steadfastly uphold those values.

I believe in the power of young people to change the world. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. Let’s work together this year to rebuild, reimagine, and reenergize.

In solidarity and hope,

Quentin Wathum-Ocama
President, Young Democrats of America

Williamson County Young Dems Jan Meeting - Jan 2 - Round Rock, TX

YDBC Gayle's Trails Trash Pick Up - Jan 12 - Panama City Beach, FL

Mahoning County YD Meeting - Jan 13 - Youngstown, OH
Minnesota Young DFL Monthly Statewide Meeting - Jan 15 - Virtual 

Sangamon County Young Democrats Monthly Meeting - Jan 13 - Springfield, IL

Westchester Young Democrats Monthly Meeting - Jan  16 - White Plains, NY

DC Young Dems Board Elections - Jan 26-26 - Washington D.C.

DNC Meeting -  Jan 1-Feb 1 - National Harbor, MD

Is there a YDA local, chartered unit or caucus event that should be listed in our next newsletter? Email us at [email protected] to let us know.

Do you have photos of events you or your chapter have hosted? Here at YDA, we love to highlight and celebrate our chapters. Please DM us photos of the exciting things your chapter has been up to. Photos can be submitted by messaging @theyoungdemocrats on Instagram

You can also DM us on twitter (@YoungDems) with posts or content you want us to share or boost. Always feel free to email us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. 

Winter Meeting Highlight: YDA National Committee Confirms Two New National Officers 

At our Winter Meeting this past month in Boston, Massachusetts,  the YDA National Committee voted to confirm 2 nonbinary young Democrats to our Executive Committee, Sam Jane (VA) will serve as YDA Treasurer and Katherine Jeanes (NC) as Democratic National Committee Representative. 

Sam Jane is a seasoned fundraising and campaign professional with over a decade of experience at the local, state, and federal levels. A passionate reproductive justice advocate, Sam has dedicated their career to pro-choice causes, including running EMILY’s List’s national training program and founding Repro Workers to support abortion clinic staff and related initiatives.

Katherine Jeanes brings extensive experience, including serving on the DNC Youth Council and helping transform the Young Democrats of North Carolina into a leading force in organizing and fundraising.

Winter Meeting Highlight: Young Democrats of America Host First Forum for DNC Chair Candidates

Boston, MA — On December 7, the Young Democrats of America hosted the first forum for declared candidates for Chair of the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. The forum was candidates’ first and best opportunity to communicate directly with young people in the Democratic Party and make their case to Young Democrats from across the nation.

“It was an incredible honor to organize and hold the first forum for DNC Chair candidates. Each one of them talked about the importance of young people in their platforms and it’s refreshing that the candidates made a point to be here in Boston to spend time with YDA members. We may only have three votes on the DNC, but our members are the ones who are knocking doors, making calls, and doing the work to take back our country,” said Stephanie Campanha Wheaton, the Young Democrats of America’s Senior Representative to the Democratic National Committee “Each candidate voted to fully fund YDA and other youth organizations and we intend to hold the next Chair to this promise. We will not take back the White House, the House, or the Senate unless our youth organizers have the resources they need and deserve.”

“Investing in young people is no longer optional for Democrats. If the Democratic Party wants to start winning at the national level again, they need to make sure they’re investing in the young people who are doing the work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, like we did in my home state of North Carolina,” said Katherine Jeanes, the Young Democrats of America’s Junior Representative to the Democratic National Committee. “I was pleased to hear every candidate for DNC Chair pledge to fully fund the Young Democrats because when leaders invest in young people, we make one hell of an impact."

“I’m very glad to have seen the candidates for DNC Chair at the Young Democrats’ meeting this weekend. I think our forum was a great success and an incredible opportunity for the candidates to make their pitch to the young people who make this party run,” said Quentin Wathum-Ocama, President of the Young Democrats of America. “When an organization like the DNC makes meaningful investments in young people, the returns are immeasurable. Our members know what they’re doing, and to have every declared candidate for DNC Chair pledge their support—in money and mentorship—means a lot."

The candidates for DNC Chair are: Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair BEN WIKLER, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair KEN MARTIN, New York State Senator JAMES SKOUFIS, and former Governor of Maryland MARTIN O’MALLEY.

A recording of the forum can be found here. Post-forum interviews can be found on the Young Democrats of America’s social media, linked here: WIKLER, MARTIN, SKOUFIS, O’MALLEY.

YDA 2025 Convention — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In September, the Young Democrats of America National Committee held a voted to determine our 2025  National Convention location and we're excited to announce that YDA will be heading to  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next summer.  YDA is excited to partner with our friends at the Pennsylvania  Young Democrats to create a one of a kind convention right as Philadelphia begins to kickoff the yearlong celebration for America's Semiquincentennial. There will be more information to come about the Convention in early 2025.

YDA Statement: The Young Democrats of America Remember Jimmy Carter: A Champion of Peace, Progress, and Humanity

WASHINGTON, DC — At the 1976 Democratic National Convention, President Carter made a promise to our nation that “the people run the government, not the other way around.” With unshakable integrity, he carried that promise through every stage in his life. 

Today, Young Democrats across the nation join in mourning the loss of President Jimmy Carter—a proud son of Georgia, a Governor, a Naval Lieutenant, a peanut farmer, and a champion of civil rights. As President, he established the Department of Education, federally protected over 100 million acres of land and water, and brokered historic peace deals (including SALT II, the Camp David Accords, and the Panama Canal treaties). 

President Carter's humility was perhaps his most remarkable trait. He treated every person he encountered— whether a world leader or a volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity build site— with the same respect, kindness, and dignity. He reminded us that the true measure of a person is not in the power they wield but in how they treat others once they've gained it.

Today, it can be easy for us to feel disheartened by the future we face as a nation. Yet as President Carter once reminded us in his Inaugural Address: “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” 

Now more than ever, we must uphold the unchanging principles of compassion, equality, and faith in humanity that guided Jimmy Carter throughout his life. Let them inspire us as we fight to expand voting rights, civil rights, access to healthcare, environmental protections, and reproductive rights. They remind us that, no matter how difficult the journey, progress is always worth pursuing. 

Young Democrats of America host first DNC chairman race candidates forum

In the first candidate’s forum in the race for Democratic National Committee chair, all four publicly declared candidates spoke to Young Democrats of America (YDA) at their annual winter meeting, with each candidate vowing to institutionalize monetary support for the party’s youth wing. 

“Each of the four of them coming here shows that they are serious about reaching out to young voters,” Young Democrats of America President Quentin Wathum-Ocama told The Hill. “No matter what you think of any of the candidates, they’re all committed to building a multi-generational, working-class party, so I think that for me, that’s why it was so important for them to hear what we say.

LISTEN: Young Georgia political organizers look past election to what comes next

WATCH: The Young Democrats of Arizona are responding to their election losses

YDA 2025 Spring Meeting Bid Application 

YDA National Convention Officer Appointment Application

Applications for convention officer positions for the 2025 National Convention are now open until December 31st. Numerous roles supporting the Convention or some of the various committees need to be filled—if you are interested or know somebody who may be interested, encourage them to apply. You can access the application by clicking here.

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