Introduction
In collaboration with the Young Democrats of Maryland, the state party is proud to highlight some outstanding young Dems across our beloved state. These 36 Maryland Democrats aged 36 and under have tirelessly worked to improve their communities, our state, our party, and have stood up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. These 36 Dems have truly exemplified the mantra ‘Leave No One Behind.’ Their work sometimes gets done behind the scenes and their effort to grind each day on behalf of others may go unnoticed, but we’re proud to shed some light on the work they have done. They are the future of our party. Underestimate them at your own peril. Because they’ve got next.
“This list of young Democrats, of young leaders, is really just the tip of the iceberg,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis. “Our bench is so deep, we could name hundreds, but these stand out as young Marylanders who will lead our next generation from the front, and lead with integrity. What made me most proud looking through this list is seeing all the lovely faces. Brown, Black, and White Marylanders, young men and women from all corners of the state and with all different backgrounds. The generations coming up can look at this group and see themselves reflected in them.”
“Maryland is filled with young Democrats who are making waves throughout our great state,” said Young Democrats of Maryland President Henry Snurr. “We are excited to highlight just some of these young leaders who uplift our party, our policies, and our state’s ideals. These professionals and elected officials help represent the bright future for Maryland’s Democratic Party.”
Here is our 36 under 36
Gabriel Acevero
Gabriel Acevero
A constant progressive voice in Annapolis, Gabe is an advocate on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and criminal justice. He serves as one of the most liberal members of the House of Delegates’ Democratic Caucus.
Ruben Amaya
Ruben Amaya
Ruben is a vocal progressive advocate from Baltimore County and ran a grassroots focused campaign in District 10. He currently serves as the 3rd Vice Chair of Maryland’s Democratic Party where he continues to be a voice for young people.
Marlon Amprey
Marlon Amprey
Marlon is a proud resident and advocates for the city of Baltimore in the House of Delegates. Marlon has been a longtime advocate for the people of the city and continues that work in our state’s legislature serving on the Economic Matters Committee and as a Deputy Whip.
Dayla Attar
Lauren Batdorf
Lauren Batdorf
Lauren is a selfless Marylander who pulls double duty as a registered nurse and a political organizer. She has managed multiple political campaigns and is currently President of the North Baltimore County Democratic Club.
Michael Bayrd
Michael Bayrd
Michael currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and has previously served as the Executive Director for Hoyer for Congress. He is known to be one of the best field organizers/directors in Maryland politics. He has worked for the state party and for a number of winning races, and is a resource and admired mentor to many young campaign staffers throughout the state.
Dylan Behler
Dylan Behler
As many of our honorees do, Dylan admirably pulls double-duty in his efforts to serve his community. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff to fellow ‘36 Under 36’ honoree/State Senator Sarah Elfreth, and is a member of the Anne Arundel Central Committee.
Adrian Boafo
Adrian Boafo
A DeMatha graduate, and a rising star within the new freshman class of House Delegates, Adrian currently serves as State Delegate representing District 23. He has previously served as Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilmember in the City of Bowie, and Campaign Manager for Steny Hoyer. Those who know Adrian, know that he is also a talented DJ in his free time
Dani DiPietro
Dani DiPietro
As Legislative Director and then Chief of Staff for Brooke Lierman’s legislative office over three years, Danielle helped coordinate behind the scenes for Brooke and helped orchestrate one of the most successful and productive legislative stretches in the General Assembly. She currently serves as head of policy research in the Comptroller’s office.
Sarah Elfreth
Sarah Elfreth
Sarah is the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland State Senate. She represents the 30th district, is a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, and has been the Senate Chair for two joint committees.
Carter Elliott IV
Carter Elliott IV
A native Virginian (We’ll forgive him for that), Carter made the move to Maryland and made an immediate impact. He served a key role in the final months of Governor Moore’s gubernatorial campaign and continues to serve by the side of our Governor as Press Secretary. We’re happy to have Carter on this side of the Potomac.
Brad Fallon
Brad Fallon
Brad has selflessly served Marylanders since 2017 in Annapolis – most recently as then Majority Leader Eric Luedtke’s Chief of Staff, and now as a Deputy Legislative Officer in Governor Moore’s administration. Last year, he also co-taught a class at the University of Maryland’s Department of Government and Politics along with former Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.
Wanika Fisher
Wanika Fisher
Wanika has a law background and quickly moved up in the General Assembly during her years there representing part of Prince George’s County as the Assistant Majority Leader and a key member of the Judiciary Committee. She now serves as a member of the Prince George’s County Council and continues to advocate for Prince Georgians.
Sean Ford
Sean Ford
Sean has been a political organizer for years and has worked on numerous campaigns across Maryland as well as serving in the General Assembly as a legislative staffer. He worked as the field director for both Peter Franchot’s gubernatorial campaign and on Congressman David Trone’s reelection campaign in 2022. He currently works for the Maryland Lottery in their legislative office.
Joe Francaviglia
Joe Francaviglia
A former teacher in Baltimore City’s public school system, Joe ran Brooke Lierman’s campaign for Comptroller for the last two years. It was one of the most extensive and productive state campaigns in recent memory and resulted in Maryland having its first female Comptroller. He currently serves in the Comptroller’s Office.
Safa Hira
Safa Hira
Safa is a longtime staffer to County Executive Calvin Ball and a fixture of Howard County politics where she also serves on the central committee. She has been at Executive Ball’s side throughout his tenure and is a crucial advisor and aide as he has worked on behalf of residents of Howard County.
Julien Ivey
Julien Ivey
Julian served as one of the youngest Delegates in Maryland’s history when he first became elected and has been a progressive voice in the legislature since then. He managed his fathers successful 2022 Congressional campaign for the Fourth District as well.
Ashwani Jain
Ashwani Jain
A millennial, childhood cancer survivor, son of immigrants, and former Obama administration official, Ashwani ran a 100 percent crowdsourced gubernatorial campaign that earned him more than 10,000 votes across Maryland and inspired countless numbers of his peers along the way.
Marvin James
Marvin James
Marvin served as the campaign manager for Brandon Scott’s successful mayoral campaign and now works in his administration on behalf of the residents of Baltimore City. Before that, he worked on the campaign of Stacey Abrams and was also campaign manager for Jazz Lewis’ congressional campaign.
Catie Kardash
Aaron Kaufman
Aaron Kaufman
As a freshman legislator in Annapolis, Aaron has continued to be a vocal advocate for those with disabilities after his years of service to his home outside of the political office where he proved to be a positive force for change both in Montgomery County which he now represents and across Maryland.
Jazz Lewis
Jazz Lewis
Jazz has been serving as Delegate since 2017, representing Maryland’s 24th Legislative District. In the House of Delegates, he serves as Majority Whip and as the youngest member of House leadership. He began his career as a labor organizer before working for Congressman Steny Hoyer.
Jeffrie Long
Jeffrie Long
Jeffrie currently serves as one of the first two Gen Z members of the House of Delegates, representing both Calvert and Prince George’s County. Prior to his service as a member, he was a staffer to Senate President Mike Miller and Senator Mike Jackson.
Ashanti Martinez
Ashanti Martinez
Just 26 years old and already well known around his district for his passion in community advocacy, Ashanti was appointed by Governor Moore to fill Senator Alonzo Washington’s vacant seat in the House of Delegates, and has provided a strong, progressive voice on behalf of his constituents in Prince George’s County. He has been involved in politics since the age of 14 and has previously been an analyst for CASA de Maryland, and an intern for both Elijah Cummings and Steny Hoyer.
Krystal Oriadha
Krystal Oriadha
A longtime advocate for Prince George’s County, Krystal has just been elected to the County Council where she promises to continue her advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable residents of the County, sponsoring legislation like the Rent Stabilization Act of 2023.
Pokuaa Owusu-Acheaw
Pokuaa Owusu-Acheaw
Pokuaa is a former lobbyist for MSEA, and now serves as Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller’s Chief of Staff. An attorney who grew up in Prince George’s, Pokuaa has worked in senior roles for Angela Alsobrooks, Chris Van Hollen and Joanne Benson. A fixture of local and state politics and a wonderful ally and mentor to young people getting started in Maryland politics. She is a force to be reckoned with in the Moore-Miller Administration and ensured a smooth transition and a strong start for Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor.
Saif Ratul
Saif Ratul
Saif serves as a Deputy Legislative Officer in Governor Moore’s Administration after more than a year working in a senior role in the Governor’s campaign and then as Coordinated Campaign Director for the Maryland Democrats.
Mikayla Salazar
Mikayla Salazar
A Democrat willing to door knock and volunteer in traditionally red counties is beyond admirable. As a St. Mary’s County native, Mikayla has done just that as one of our party’s best field organizers during the 2022 election campaign. Mikayla is widely admired by her peers, and serves in a leadership position for the Young Democrats of Maryland.
Jared Schablein
Jared Schablein
One of the most experienced rural community and grassroots organizers on our list, Jared has worked tirelessly for Democrats on the Eastern Shore.
Vaughn Stewart
Vaughn Stewart
A strong progressive legislator as Delegate representing Maryland’s 19th Legislative District in Montgomery County. He has worked on numerous issues spanning housing affordability, environmental justice, ethics reform, and immigrants’ rights.He currently serves as Chief Deputy Majority Whip as well as on the Environment and Transportation committee.
Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel
Joe is the House of Delegates’ youngest member and is bringing a clear future-focused vision to Annapolis. He has worked for a number of campaigns and causes before running himself, including Cory Booker’s 2020 Presidential campaign. He is the first Uruguayan American elected to a state legislature in the U.S.
Manny Welsh
Jheanelle Wilkins
Jheanelle Wilkins
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Jheanelle is an activist and State Delegate representing the 20th district. She was the first black woman ever elected in that district. She serves as the Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and as Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus.
Dejah Williams
Dejah Williams
Dejah has a diverse resume that includes field organizing, community engagement, time as a Chief of Staff in the General Assembly, and being a Political and Legislative Director for the AFL-CIO in the DC and Baltimore areas. Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed – she was selected to serve on the Jobs and Workforce Development Transition Committee for the Moore-Miller Administration.
Leah Woody
Leah Woody
Leah currently works in the office of Lt. Governor Aruna Miller after working on both Wes Moore’s primary and general election campaigns as a field organizer, and then working diligently on his transition into the Governor’s office. She is instrumental to the LG’s office’s operation and highly respected by all those she works with.