A group of future Democratic leaders might be seeking to follow in the footsteps of Megan Coyne, who catapulted from the presidency of the College Democrats of New Jersey College to a nationally acclaimed role as the voice of New Jersey’s edgy state Twitter account to the White House.
The new president is Madison Verdone, the president of the Rutgers-New Brunswick College Democrats and an intern in Gov. Phil Murphy’s communications office. She’s also interned in the offices of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and the New Jersey Senate Majority Office.
Nate Howard, a Princeton University junior and also an ex-Watson Coleman intern, is the new vice president, and Olivia Ayscue, of Rutgers-Camden and a staffer at the Camden County Democratic organization, is the new executive director.
The state group represents College Democrats from two Rutgers campuses, Princeton, Rowan, The College of New Jersey, and the Stevens Institute of Technology.
“This year is critical for rebuilding CDNJ so that we can get Democrats elected down the ballot this fall, and ensure that we are unified and ready for 2024,” Verdone said. “College students are essential voices that are energized and motivated to bolster the agenda of the Democratic Party. From combating climate change, to expanding our fundamental freedoms, to addressing economic injustice, Democrats need young voters to turn out so we can build a better future for generations to come.”
Additional officers include: Nic Urbati (Princeton), treasurer; Ryan True (Rowan), deputy executive director; Michelle Miao (Princeton), communications director; Enzo Whetton (TCNJ), membership director; Jared Williams (TCNJ), political director; Rafael Escalante Vasquez (Rutgers NB), development director; Assel Abukwaik (Rutgers NB), State Council chair; Shanel Calle Urgiles (Stevens), Northern regional chair; Aria Chalileh (TCNJ), Central regional Chair; and Nick Williams (Rowan), Southern regional chair.