Youth Engagement
A Seat at the Table for Young Democrats
1. Commit to increase Youth representation within the Democratic Party.
As Minnesota DFL Chair and Chair of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), I have prioritized building a strong pipeline of young leaders in Minnesota and our state party systems by pushing for more youth representation through at-large appointments. If elected DNC Chair, I will do the same, using the appointment power to ensure that the DNC appropriately reflects our Party’s diversity and big tent by significantly increasing youth representation among at-large DNC members, Standing Committees, and the Executive Committee.
Further, I will work with State Parties to require youth representation in their rank-and-file membership and Party leadership, ensuring that young voices are heard and valued across all levels of the Party.
When given a seat at the table, these organizers — already organizing and activating young people — have the power to drive real, transformative change. They don’t just need our support but our full partnership to amplify their efforts and expand their impact.
2. Compete and campaign everywhere there are young people in today's fractured and atomized media landscape.
The first time young voters hear from Democrats cannot be in the final months before a presidential election. To earn their trust and support, we must consistently and meaningfully engage year-round, centered on effective listening and shared values—and in collaboration with community organizers already doing the work on the ground.
Under my leadership and with your partnership, the DNC would no longer stand idly by, fail to invest in new media, or neglect to build relationships with a generation of creators whose listeners we must connect with. We must embrace new and innovative ways to communicate with young voters outside the traditional electoral calendar. In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, we must compete for young people’s attention on every app and every form of media they use.
As DNC Chair, I will prioritize strategies that align with the 24/7, 365 information economy. We should join sports programs to talk about the importance of Title IX programs, fashion podcasts to discuss funding for minority-owned businesses, and support inclusive fashion weeks, hop on Reddit and do a quick ask me anything, and join Twitch streams to advocate for net neutrality rules and the need to ensure equal access to gaming platforms. With distrust in traditional media increasing and a shift towards creators, podcasts, and other forms of independent media, especially among members of Gen Z, it’s essential that we build capacity and go where voters are—even if these spaces may be new or uncomfortable.
3. Invest directly in YDA, CDA, and HSDA
Young people are not just the future of the Democratic Party—you are the present, doing the hard work on the ground and serving as the leaders of today. We must go beyond simply including young people in the conversation and empower them to lead and organize. If elected DNC Chair, I will provide consistent financial and strategic support to YDA, CDA, and HSDA.
I have worked alongside these organizations enough to see firsthand that they are on the frontlines of mobilizing young voters. I have assisted the Minnesota College Democrats and Young Democrats with funding for their efforts. In one example, a single $5,000 grant enabled the Minnesota Young Democrats to travel our state and create 30 membership recruitment events. We also spearheaded and implemented the Wellstone Academy, a paid 32-week fellowship that trained the next generation of Minnesota political organizers. In this program, fellows learned how to plan and execute direct voter contact events, recruit, train, and retain volunteers, use political data and digital organizing tools, and much more.
YDA, CDA, HSDA, and programs like the Wellstone Academy are building our bench and will sustain our work for decades. They deserve the investment and support they need to be successful.
As DNC Chair, I will prioritize maintaining a dedicated staff member focused exclusively on youth organizing and serving the Youth Council. I will also do more to ensure that DNC meetings are more about creating spaces for conversations than an expensive event to listen to speeches.
The work of the Youth Council, YDA, CDA, and HSDA is critical to our party’s success and long-term growth. By supporting these talented young organizers with resources, training, and infrastructure, we can ensure that young leaders have the tools to succeed and grow our movement.
In addition to these commitments, I would like to propose additional ways we can elevate youth voices within the Democratic Party:
- Establishing a Youth Innovation Fund: This fund would support creative, youth- driven organizing projects and campaigns, encouraging innovative voter engagement and turnout approaches.
- Addressing Financial Barriers: The “pay-to-play” culture must end. I will work to offset the financial burdens faced by young DNC Members, including helping to cover costs for attending DNC meetings and events. Additionally, I will advocate for career pipelines with State Parties to provide stable paid opportunities for young organizers.
Learn More about Ken's Plan
A New DNC Framework: Build to Win, Build to Expand, Build to Last
