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New Class of Nation’s Top State and Local Leaders are Recognized

News Category: Statements and Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2022

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5

New Class of Nation’s Top State and Local Leaders are Recognized

Diverse set of pro-growth progressive officials join organization of innovative, rising Democrats on frontlines dealing with America’s biggest challenges

Washington, D.C. - With the importance of state and local leadership made clearer than ever during the pandemic recovery, NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) has selected a new class of nine forward-thinking elected officials to join its selective national network of elected officials. These state and local leaders, hailing from eight states, join the group at a time when they and their colleagues are on the frontlines of implementing the recovery from the myriad impacts of the pandemic, including by maximizing the impact of an infusion of federal resources. They will participate in efforts of NewDEALers to support each other in addressing challenges created and exacerbated by COVID-19 by innovating, convening virtually, and sharing good ideas. (See a full list of new class members below.)

Leaders in the 195-person network cover 49 states and are working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities. They have been chosen from among more than 1,750 nominations over NewDEAL’s eleven years, and have included Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Jason Kander. The organization’s honorary co-chairs are U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE), U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and former Mayor Steve Benjamin (Columbia, SC).

"I am excited to welcome the members of our new class who exemplify innovative, forward-thinking leadership,” said NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “These public servants are setting the standard for understanding government's role in solving problems, advancing equity, and expanding economic opportunity. We look forward to highlighting their thoughtful approach to governing and to working with them to build on the work of NewDEALers across the country who are developing and spreading good ideas."

Members of the diverse new class of leaders were chosen for their unwavering commitment to the equitable expansion of opportunity. Their work aims to move their communities forward in the new economy and rejects the idea that policymakers can or should want to turn the clock back to a prior era. They are fighting for solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our nation, from implementing early intervention health care efforts in Waterloo, Iowa to addressing access to safe and attainable housing in Michigan and making higher education more accessible for Oklahomans.

These leaders’ work will help build on policy recommendations that NewDEAL Leaders have helped develop, including aiding in the implementation of recommendations made by its sister organization, the NewDEAL Forum, through the Renewing America Task Force, Education Policy Group, Broadband Policy Group, and Climate Solutions Working Group.

The new class of NewDEAL Leaders includes:

California: Supervisor James Gore (Sonoma County)

Iowa: Mayor Quentin Hart (Waterloo)

Maryland: Senator Antonio Hayes (Baltimore City)

Michigan: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss (Grand Rapids)

Michigan: Senator Winnie Brinks (Grand Rapids)

New Jersey: Commissioner Shanti Narra (Middlesex County)

North Dakota: Representative Josh Boschee (Fargo)

Oklahoma: Senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez (Oklahoma City)

South Carolina: Councilmember Jesica Mackey (Richland)

About NewDEAL

The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is equitable 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/leader.

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