New Class of Nation’s Top Pro-Growth Progressive Leaders Announced
Diverse set of state and local leaders join organization of innovative, rising Democrats
Washington, D.C. - Nine leaders from across the nation – from the northeast and the Midwest to the deep south and California – have been chosen to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of state and local leaders working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a wide array of communities. Members of the 150-person network have been chosen from among more than 1000 nominations.
The diverse new class of leaders, listed below, were recognized 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 leaders’ work will help build on NewDEAL’s The Way Forward, a policy agenda released last fall with innovative ideas to address the most pressing issues facing Americans in the digital age.
The new class of NewDEAL Leaders (pictured above, left to right, starting with the top row) includes:
Dorcey Applyrs, Councilmember, Albany, NY
Adrian Fontes, County Recorder, Maricopa County, AZ
Vin Gopal, Senator, Monmouth, NJ
Adam Gray, Assemblymember, Merced, CA
Steven Reed, Probate Judge, Montgomery County, AL
Andy Schor, Mayor, Lansing, MI
Anne Sung, School Board Member, Houston, TX
Lovely Warren, Mayor, Rochester, NY
Randall Woodfin, Mayor, Birmingham, AL
"Anyone wondering where to look for a bench of talented rising Democrats should take note of the NewDEAL's innovative network of results-oriented and forward-thinking leaders,” said Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and former Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Honorary Co-Chairs of the NewDEAL. “We are excited to welcome another class of innovative pro-growth progressives from throughout the country who are committed to meeting the demands of a changing world and rebuilding trust in government. We look forward to promoting their work as part of NewDEAL's policy agendas, while giving them the chance to learn from each other and set a vision for the future."
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.
One of the organization’s signature events, the Ideas Summit, will take place May 29-30 in Seattle, WA, where about 30 NewDEAL Leaders will join other innovators from the public and private sectors to discuss the path forward on key issues on which progress is being threatened, including trade, climate change, and education. In addition to panels and breakouts sessions, speakers will include NewDEAL Honorary Co-chair U.S. Senator Mark Warner, as well as entrepreneur and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer.
NewDEAL Leaders have found broad support for their work, with 98 percent of members winning elections in 2016 and 2017, across red, blue, and purple states, including many elected to higher office. Four members were elevated to statewide office, including in the swing states of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Learn more about the NewDEAL by visiting https://newdealleaders.org/leaders.
