Yesterday was a big day for Virginia and for the country as the first political event of the 2008 election cycle took place in Iowa and Virginia’s House Democratic Caucus Director (and my Delegate) Brian Moran announced his intentions to run for Governor.
With all the media attention to the presidential election, it feels like we’ve been in 2008 for six months now, but the 2008 election cycle didn’t officially kick off until yesterday’s caucus in Iowa. Senator Barrack Obama won the Caucus with 38% of the vote. Senator John Edwards came in second and Senator Hillary Clinton came third rounding out the top three winners.
As exciting as the results are, I am particularly excited about the news in youth turnout. Young voters represented 20% of all caucus goers and supported Barrack Obama by 57%. Young voters surpassed their record breaking year in 2004 when youth represented 17% of caucus goers and supported Senator John Kerry by 35%.
Young Democrat leaders spoke about yesterday’s staggering victory for youth voting with great enthusiasm. “Young voters are motivated and excited to elect a Democrat to the White House,” said David Hardt, President of the Young Democrats of America. “The Iowa caucus returns demonstrate that Young Democrats and Americans are ready for change. In 2008, young voters will propel Democrats to victory up and down the ballot.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Here in Virginia, our Primary is February 12. If you are not registered to vote REGISTER NOW! Follow this link to register or visit your local registrars’ office or DMV. The Virginia registration deadline to vote in the primary is January 14th. All eligible citizens who will be 18 on or before November 4, 2008 are eligible to register and vote in this primary. In-person absentee voting ends Feb 9th at 5PM. Applications for ballots to be mailed are now being accepted. The Office of Voter Registration must receive applications by 5PM on Tuesday, Feb 5 in order to mail ballots.
As we move through the 2008 cycle, encouraging youth to participate in this process, it is important to keep our eye on 2009. A few weeks ago, Senator Creigh Deeds announced his intention to run for Governor. I’m pleased to report that Delegate Brian Moran announced yesterday he will also be running for Governor. You can read the story here. Young people voted in record numbers in 2006, the Virginia Center for Politics proclaimed that increased turnout in college towns like Norfolk and Charlottesville helped push Jim Webb to victory. We can expect to see increase participation over the next two years. I am looking forward to a spirited and informative debate between the two candidates and I hope to see both campaigns court the youth vote as we look forward to the 2009 Gubernatorial Primary.
Congratulations to Brian Moran on forming an exploratory committee. And Congratulations to Iowa Young Democrats, the big winners in yesterday’s Caucus.
-Jen
