People For the American Way Action Fund announced today a third round of endorsements of dynamic young progressive candidates running for public office across the United States. The four endorsees are a diverse mix of candidates 35 and under who are marking a new generation of progressive leadership. These candidates and officials have visions that will benefit communities around the nation as they fight for social, economic, and environmental justice, and equality for all.
The endorsements are part of People For the American Way Action Fund’s Young Elected Progressives (YEP) program. YEP evaluates and endorses young progressive candidates ages 35 and under in their bids for elected office around the U.S. at all levels. They join a slate of 31 previously announced YEP endorsees, bringing the total number of YEP endorsees for the 2014 election cycle to 35.
People For the American Way Action Fund is proud to endorse these YEP candidates for 2014:
Darcie Green is a running for reelection as vice president and trustee of the Santa Clara County Board of Education, Area 6, and serves as a current member of the California Latino School Boards Association’s statewide board of directors. For more than 15 years, Green has dedicated her life to community service, having worked to build a pipeline of leadership for women, people of color, youth, and working families in the Silicon Valley. Earlier this year she received the Barbara Jordan Leadership Award from our affiliate PFAW Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network (YEO). In 2013 she was included in Silicon Valley Latino Magazine’s “40 Under 40 To Watch” list, named as a “Top Woman of Influence” by Silicon Valley San Jose Business Journal, and honored as an Emerge America Trailblazer Honoree. Visit www.darciegreen.com for more information.
Mo Khan is running for Illinois House District 20, with policy priorities including improving the quality of public education, growing the economy, and increasing the public’s confidence in Illinois state government. Currently studying for his law degree at Loyola University, he holds a B.A. in accounting from the University of Iowa and is a lifelong District 20 resident. In 2008 Khan worked as a traveling campaign aide to Hilary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign, and he served as special assistant to former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulious in his 2010 U.S. Senate campaign. Visit www.votemokhan.com for more information.
Veekas Shrivastava is a running for governing board member of the Tempe Union High School District in Arizona. He is a graduate of affiliate PFAW Foundation’s Front Line Leaders Academy and Arizona Leaders for Change, and is the youngest graduate of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. A financial database entrepreneur, Shrivastava also teaches financial literacy as a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement and has been a leader in city commissions and high school site councils. Shrivastava is committed to helping ensure every TUHSD student has access to a quality education. Visit www.veekasmeansprogress.com for more information.
Mark Spreitzer is running for Wisconsin State Assembly District 45. Currently president of the Beloit City Council, Spreitzer won the August 12 primary election to succeed current State Representative Janice Ringhand, who is running for the Wisconsin State Senate. With no Republican opponent in the race, he is running unopposed for the general election. In additional to his duties as an elected official, Spreitzer is assistant director of alumni & parent relations and annual support at Beloit College. He volunteers for the Welty Environmental Center, the Hands of Faith homeless shelter, and the Youth2Youth coalition combating underage drinking and drug abuse. Visit www.markforassembly.com for more information.