Clayton Turner: Millennials and Young Republicans
Who can make a real, positive, opportunity-driven change for our future? As Chief of Staff for the Young Republican National Federation I have had the opportunity to meet and hear concerns from Millennials across the country. With the 2016 Election just a year away, and the Presidential election quickly approaching with many other races on the ballot, the question on everyone’s mind is this: Who can make a real, positive, opportunity-driven change for our future? According to Pew Research, “Millennials are more burdened by financial hardships than previous generations, BUT they’re optimistic about the future.” Further, “Millennials are the first in the modern era to have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty and unemployment, and lower levels of wealth and personal income than their two immediate predecessor generations had at the same age.” Lastly, “Half of both Millennial and Generation X members doubt they’ll receive any Social Security benefits.” Ultimately, candidates who speak about opportunity and security, both financial and physical, will flourish. Millennials, and Young Republicans specifically, believe in strong, competent, capable leadership. As we saw in the Kentucky statewide elections just last week where Kentuckians elected two of the youngest statewide officials in the country, Americans are ready for the next generation of ideas and leadership. Whether it is leaders willing to take on the crippling debt and burdensome regulations facing our country, or having real insight and experience with creating jobs, Millennials crave solutions and leadership. Whether it is in the presidential race, or local and state elections, one thing we all agree on is the need for courage to make the tough choices facing our country. Millennials, like all Americans, are tired of the same old people doing the same old thing with no solutions. We are ready for a new generation of solutions from a new generation of leaders willing to stand up and make a difference. We want the future to be bright because our future is now. Alabama native Clayton Turner is the Chief of Staff for the Young Republican National Federation.
Clayton Turner chosen to be Young Republican National Federation Chief of Staff
This past weekend the Young Republican National Federation held their annual conference in Chicago. While there members voted in a new slate of officers to run the organization in the next two years. Dennis Cook from Chicago was elected Chairman and named Alabama’s own Clayton Turner to be his Chief of Staff. Turner announced the appointment via a Facebook post saying, “Grateful to my friend Dennis Cook, newly elected Chairman of the #YRNF, for naming me YRNF’s Chief of Staff at today’s closing board meeting. Look forward to serving with Dennis and his team over the next two years.” Turner’s bio on the website for YR Unite, the group sponsoring a full slate of candidates who run for national positions, describes his years of political experience. According to Turner, “in his role as Chief of Staff, he will help handle the day-to-day processes for the organization and aid members of the Executive Committee in achieving their individual goals. He will have a key role in building the first month foundation for the new leadership by working closely with Chairman Dennis Cook.” Turner has already taken steps to implement the YR Unite “#DAY1 Plan” which they unveiled on Facebook shortly after the election. According to Turner, “The list of ten items includes steps towards creating new clubs, expanding tech-savvy initiatives, and the release of a new Servant Leadership Initiative. These plans reflect the values that the newly elected Executive Committee has promised to use as their guiding principles: Leadership, Development and Relationships. The launch of this list began with the first meeting on August 2nd and should be completed within a week.” Below is the list of officers elected to serve the next two years: Chairman: Dennis Cook Co-Chairman: Chris Carmona Vice-Chairman At-Large: Adam Ellison Secretary: Jason Emert Treasurer: John Doyle Auditor: Rick Veenstra Asst. Secretary: Sarah Spence Asst. Treasurer: Mike Thulen Midwestern Regional Vice Chair: Courtney Ruwe Northeastern Regional Vice Chair: Mike Puskaric Southern Regional Vice Chair: Daniel Ruoss Western Regional Vice Chair: Taylor Strand State Chairman’s Association Chair: Katie Regan
