Creating a Pipeline of Progressive Young Elected Officials

Three years ago, the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network was just an idea. Andrew Gillum, Director of the YEO Network, was several months into his position as City Commissioner of Tallahassee, Fla. He found he needed a network of other young progressive elected leaders who shared a passion for building communities that reflect values of freedom, fairness and opportunity. But there wasn't one. So he started it.

In just three years, the network has grown to more than 400 young elected officials across the country. In many instances, YEOs are the youngest persons to ever have served in their elected body or office, and as a result they are often treated as aberrations. Through our research with young progressive officials, we have found that most reached office after a difficult campaign and, once in office, found little support in navigating the political processes.

In the short term, the YEO Network provides an instant network of officials who relate through common experiences and challenges as young elected officials. Over the long term, the Network is filling a pipeline for state, local and national leadership for decades to come. The network gives young elected officials from across the country access to resources, and equips them with tools necessary to be effective. We're providing a deep bench of talented office-holders and candidates who are progressive leaders, and who will grow in their leadership roles as their careers advance.

For years the conservative movement has invested in the development of future leaders, especially at the local and state levels. They have provided young officials with formal leadership training and access to support networks and information that help them build and maintain power.

Young conservatives are also supported by community leaders, skilled organizers, think-tanks, academics, and media personalities that spend tens of millions of dollars every year to support them. This pipeline has advanced household names including Karl Rove, Grover Norquist, and Ralph Reed, and a powerful group of young conservatives who fill state houses, the halls of Congress, the executive branch, and the courts.

The YEO Network set its mission to unite and support progressive elected leaders ages 35 and under- exchanging ideas, developing leadership skills and connecting with policy development organizations and think tanks. YEO Network members are now supported and empowered to transform their political vision into progressive action.

Through national and local gatherings, monthly newsletters, issue briefings, and policy sharing forums, the YEO Network provides support mechanisms to young elected officials, with the ultimate goal of producing an enduring pipeline of well-prepared leaders at all levels of government.

The goal of the YEO Network in offering these programs is to provide YEOs with a community that they may come to for support on issues and skills training as well as personal and professional development. The Annual YEO Network National Conference and policy academies bring policy makers, community practitioners, and policy resources together in order to enable YEOs to turn personal and political values into progressive action. The Front Line Leaders Academy and Internship Program provide future young, progressive leaders with the training they will need to participate in all levels of government.

The importance of the YEO Network on the front lines of the progressive movement is clear. Our members aren’t taking no for an answer. They aren’t accepting the status quo.

Young elected officials will be the ones to change our country.

Here is a clip of the recent 2008 YEO National Convening.