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As America Rebuilds, New Class of Nation’s Top State and Local Leaders are Recognized

News Category: Statements and Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2021
Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5

As America Rebuilds, 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 of the COVID-19 recovery

Washington, D.C. - With the importance of forward-thinking state and local leadership being made clearer than ever during the coronavirus crisis, NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) has selected a new class of 19 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, economic recession, and racial injustice by innovating, convening with colleagues as well as policy experts to develop forward-looking policy agendas, and sharing good ideas about how to build back better.

Leaders in the 178-person network cover 47 states and are working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities. They have been chosen from among more than 1650 nominations over NewDEAL’s ten years, and have included Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Jason Kander.

"COVID-19 has underscored the vital role of state and local officials who are on the frontlines of the most important issues for our country,” said NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “From addressing public health and economic hardship to housing security and child care, we have seen the tangible impacts of leaders who act boldly and can get things done. In the midst of these challenges, I am thrilled to welcome our next talented class of leaders to NewDEAL. Their innovative and thoughtful approach to governing will help us build on the work of long-time NewDEALers like Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Jason Kander as we develop and spread policy solutions that respond to the pandemic and expand economic opportunity equitably across the country."

The diverse new class of leaders from 15 states (listed below) were chosen for their unwavering commitment to the equitable expansion of 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 have helped develop, including aiding in the implementation of recommendations made by the Renewing America Task Force, Education Policy Group, and Climate Solutions Working Group.

The new class of NewDEAL Leaders includes:

Representative Jeremy Gray, Auburn, AL

Senator Ben Allen, Los Angeles, CA

Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, CA

Representative Dylan Roberts, Eagle, CO

Senator Will Haskell, Westport, CT

Representative Quentin Phipps, Middlesex, CT

Senator Sarah McBride, Wilmington, DE

Representative Christine Hunschofsky, Parkland, FL

Representative Tram Nguyen, Andover, MA

Mayor Zeb Smathers, Canton, NC

Senator Rebecca Kwoka, Rockingham, NH

Representative Denny Ruprecht, Grafton, NH

Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Scranton, PA

Commissioner Ken Lawrence, Montgomery County, PA

Representative Leonela Felix, Pawtucket, RI

School Board Member Sheleah Harris, Shelby County, TN

Mayor Trey Mendez, Brownsville, TX

Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray, VT

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, WA

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/leaders.

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