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NewDEAL Welcomes Spring 2020 Leader Class

News Category: Statements and Press Releases

At Critical Time, New Class of Nation’s Top State and Local Leaders are Recognized

Diverse set of pro-growth progressive leaders join organization of innovative, rising Democrats who are on frontlines addressing COVID-19

Washington, D.C. - With the importance of forward-thinking local leadership being made clearer than ever during the coronavirus crisis, NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) has selected a new class of 15 elected officials from across the country to join its selective national network of state and local elected officials. These leaders join the group at a time when members are rising to the challenges of COVID-19 by innovating, convening virtually, and sharing good ideas. Inspired by ideas from its members, NewDEAL recently launched a database of policies and programs that address the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic.

Leaders in the 185-person network cover 48 states and are working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities.They have been chosen from among more than 1500 nominations over NewDEAL’s nine years, and have included Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Jason Kander. U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and former Delaware Governor Jack Markell are Honorary Co-Chairs.

“Our state and local officials play vital roles affecting the prosperity of our country and the quality of life of the American people,” said Senator Warner and Governor Markell. ”As so many of them have stepped up in key ways to protect Americans during the coronavirus crisis, we are reminded of the importance of supporting great leaders outside of Washington. NewDEALers consistently set examples for our country to follow and are prepared to take on more challenges at all levels of government in the future. We look forward to promoting the work of the outstanding leaders in this new class and giving them the opportunity to learn from other leaders.”

The diverse new class of leaders from 13 states (listed below) were chosen for their unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity, as they work to move their communities forward in the new economy and reject the idea that policymakers can or should want to turn the clock back to a prior era. These elected officials are fighting for solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing their communities and our nation, from promoting sustainable policies and supporting resilience in Florida to access to higher education and effective workforce training in Texas, as well as reforming the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania.

Moving forward, these leaders’ work will help build on policy recommendations that NewDEAL Leaders help develop, including the release of a report from the NewDEAL Forum Future of Work Policy Group, and the upcoming release of work by the Climate Change and Education Policy Groups.

The new class of NewDEAL Leaders includes:

Malia Cohen, State Board of Equalization Chair, San Francisco, CA

Ben Diamond, Representative, St. Petersburg, FL

Kristin Sunde, Representative, West Des Moines, IA

McKenzie Cantrell, Representative, Louisville, KY

Pavel Payano, Councilmember, Lawrence, MA

Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Governor, Michigan

Annie Rice, Alderwoman, St. Louis, MO

Zach Conine, Treasurer, Nevada

Elizabeth Walters, Councilmember, Akron, OH

Shannon Hardin, Council President, Columbus, OH

Jordan Harris, Representative, Philadelphia, PA

Erin Mendenhall, Mayor, Salt Lake City, UT

Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio, TX

Cassie Franklin, Mayor, Everett, WA

Marko Liias, Senator, Lynwood, WA

NewDEAL Leaders have found broad support for their work, with 100 percent winning in re-election races in 2018 and 2019, across red, blue, and purple states and cities, and more than a dozen rising to higher office in the past two years. These leaders include new members of Congress, (Ben McAdams in Utah, Greg Stanton in Arizona, and Jennifer Wexton in Virginia), as well as Mayors Lierion Gaylor Baird (Lincoln, NE), Kate Gallego (Phoenix), Eric Johnson (Dallas), Quinton Lucas (Kansas City, MO), Lauren McLean (Boise, ID), Steven Reed (Montgomery, AL), and Brandon Whipple (Wichita, KS). Additional leaders are on the ballot for Congress in 2020.

The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.

Learn more about the NewDEAL and its members by visiting http://www.newdealleaders.org/leaders.