2023 Rising Star Nominations List

RISING STAR
AWARDS
2023
Nominations List

Introduction
2023 Rising Star Nominations
The Rising Star Award highlights young leaders—one Republican and one
Democrat—and their contributions to the SFCN over the last year. It aims to
recognize SFCN members who embody MAP’s mission of transcending political
tribalism.
MAP will also present the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award to an
outstanding Future Caucus for their exemplary leadership and political bridgebuilding.
These awards honor leaders who take initiative in shepherding post-partisan
legislation that addresses priority issues in today’s political climate. Awardees are
selected based on their active engagement with MAP and their efforts in
identifying opportunities to promote political collaboration in their state.
Awardees must be able to accept the award in person in Washington, DC in
December.
Nominee criteria include:
A Commitment to MAP – Nominee has demonstrated a commitment to
working with MAP through participation in MAP events, local Future Caucus
meetings and events, and engagement with our digital content and message.
Bipartisan Leadership Ability – Nominee has personified millennial leadership
by shepherding bipartisan legislation, convening diverse stakeholders to create
consensus or conversation, and/or working to identify opportunities to
promote cooperation within their legislature.
Measurable Outcome – Nominee has worked to “move the needle” in their
states around policy issues that disproportionately affect younger generations,
as demonstrated through legislative momentum, engagement on state task
forces, legislative committees, or other related activity.
Embodiment of the MAP Ethos – Nominee has embodied MAP values as
Leaders, Teammates, and Explorers who: listen first, say “we,” build trust,
empower others, break barriers, and innovate freely.
01

2022 Awardees
2022 Awardees
Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award:
Oklahoma Future Caucus
Since their establishment in September 2020, the Oklahoma Future Caucus has
demonstrated their commitment to the Millennial Action Project's mission of
bridging the bipartisan divide by implementing regular activities for legislators
such as retreats and book club meetings. The caucus is consistently active on
social media, they had the largest caucus representation at the 2022 Future
Summit, and the co-chairs recently authored an op-ed on Ida'a Law.
Rising Star Awardees
Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-AR)
Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-AL)
02

Future Caucuses
2023 Cherisse Eatmon Collective
Impact Award Nominees
Arkansas Future Caucus
“...During the past three years that I have been involved with MAP, I have enjoyed
working together with my colleagues in the Arkansas legislature. Without a doubt,
they are highly motivated and incredibly diligent, as demonstrated by the fact that
they passed 39 bipartisan bills this year. The Arkansas Future Caucus is a role
model for the rest of the country. Reps. Jamie Scott and Aaron Pilkington have
previously been selected for the Rising Star Award, which is an indication of how
much leadership talent and potential there is in Arkansas. Moving forward, I
anticipate that the Arkansas Future Caucus will continue to play an important
role not only for MAP's continued success, but also for our country's ability to
function as a democracy.” - OK Rep. Daniel Pae
“The Arkansas Future Caucus passed 39 bipartisan bills in 2023.” - Paige Ferguson
“Rep. Jamie Scott and the Arkansas Future Caucus are *the* model for what a
Future Caucus should look like: putting partisanship aside to find out what
common ground exists, how you can work to better your state for all, and create
strong friendships along the way. I admire the Arkansas Future Caucus' efforts to
go out of their way to identify areas of shared interest, especially like Rep. Scott
does, to achieve bipartisan solutions to issues the state is facing.” - Kansas
Representative Brandon Woodard
“Having passed 39 bipartisan pieces of legislation, being a key stop on the On the
Rise Tour, and the increased presence of Gen Z legislatures in the state, Arkansas
is deserving of the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award. Doug Thompson, a
prominent reporter in the state, has written in the paper of record about the
impressive quality of the culture change achieved in the statehouse by ARFC.” -
Reed Howard
03

Future Caucuses
“After passing nearly 40 bills, it is my privilege to nominate the Arkansas Future
Caucus for the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact award. Their work with each
other and their bipartisan leadership ability are a model for other future caucuses
around the country and I cannot wait to see what the future holds under the
leadership of Reps. Scott and Pilkington, both of whom are former Rising Star
Award winners as well. What's more - the Arkansas Future Caucus has committed
to being one of our pilot states for our forthcoming Healing Starts Here leadership
development curriculum.” - Brandon Mitchell
“Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R) and Rep. Jamie Scott
(D), the ARFC has hit it out of the park this year! MAP visited Arkansas as part of
our On The Rise Tour earlier this year. Shortly after, the caucus hosted a press
conference in June to announce that they had successfully passed 39 pieces of
bipartisan, future-focused legislation, crediting the caucus for their success.
Additionally, the ARFC signed on to pilot one of our leadership development
programs. Young legislators in this state have stepped up in ways that weren't
always in their best interest politically, and I strongly recommend the ARFC for
this award.” - Rochelle Colburn
Georgia Future Caucus
“The Georgia Future Caucus has demonstrated their commitment to the Millennial
Action Project's mission of bridging the bipartisan divide by being one of our more
active caucuses. The caucus is consistently active on social media, its members
regularly attend MAP's annual Future Summit, with an even stronger showing this
year.” - Maloreigh Todd
“Georgia FC was one of our most successful 2023 states, they are incredibly
active and already a great example of bipartisan bill making.” - Miles Sisk
04

Future Caucuses
New York Future Caucus
“The New York Future Caucus launched this year and has already hit the ground
running. They hosted a kick off in-person meeting despite the crunch of session
and gridlock on key issues. They have already hosted community events (in
conjunction with YPO), attended Future Summit and other co-chair only strategy
sessions, and have worked to ensure MAP as an organization is positioned to be
as impactful as possible by making important introductions and 'thinking big.'” -
Layla Zaidane
“The first state to hire a dedicated staff member for Future Caucus, hosting an
incredible event in conjunction with YPO, attending Future Summit, and engaging
across other states in strategy conversations, New York defines 'collective impact'
not just now but into the future.” - Brandon Mitchell
“Alex founded the NY Future Caucus! He gathered support from across the aisle
to finally start the caucus in New York. He also attended the MAP Future Summit
and brought back lessons from other states that we are putting together to stand
up our work. Alex's bipartisan work goes beyond MAP. He passed six bills through
the full legislature this year, all with large bipartisan majorities and most with cosponsorships
from both sides of the aisle. For example, a bill of his which
protects employees' property rights to their own inventions was signed by the
Governor today and cosponsored by both Democrats and Republicans. In fact,
after Republicans in the Rules Committee voted against it, Alex as not content to
ram the bill through, instead he engaged the Republicans on the bill and ended up
convincing all but one person to vote for it on the floor. Alex is focused on
bringing people together to solve problems for our generation(s) and for all New
Yorkers.” - Grace Lee
05

Future Caucuses
Pennsylvania Future Caucus
“Pennsylvania is demonstrating that there is an alternative path and that
bipartisanship can create opportunities for collaboration. Legislators are excited
and the community is very supportive of this work. Over 10 legislators attended
meetings and nearly 30 community members came to the event. While a newer
caucus the legislators are committed to the work and each other.” - Amaia Stecker
Vermont Future Caucus
“Vermont has only grown since its relaunch and it's truly because of the
leadership of the co-chairs. Their work regarding legislator pay, bringing the state
and its people through a historic flood, a recently penned Criminal Justice Reform
letter, and one of the largest delegations at Future Summit.” - Blaine Volpe
Conclusion of Cherisse Eatmon
Collective Impact Award
Nominees
06

Democrats
2023 Rising Star Award
Nominees
Georgia Rep. Solomon Adesanya (D)
“Solomon's relentless work for the community to see
everyone, regardless of their background, thrive
demonstrates what our country was founded on. Like
many, he came from a background with few resources,
but his passion for his community led him to seek
elected office. He describes himself as big at heart,
and big in perseverance.” - Brett Morrison
Georgia Rep. Jasmine Clark (D) - Co-Chair
“Rep. Clark is known for being a bold advocate in her
state. She has served MAP well in her role as co-chair
of MAP's Georgia Future Caucus, and in May, she spoke
on a MAP-hosted panel at the One America Movement
annual summit about how she works across the aisle
to build relationships with her colleagues. In Most
recently, she introduced GA HB2, which extends the
period for mandatory advance voting and revises times
for holding run off elections for general and primary
elections, and she proposed an amendment to the
state constitution with GA HR345, to provide for
persons 17 years of age to be able to vote in Georgia
elections.” - Rochelle Colburn
07

Democrats
New York Assem. Taylor Darling (D)
“One of the standout qualities that makes
Assemblywoman Darling a prime candidate for this
award is her bipartisan leadership ability. She has
embraced Gen Z and millennial leadership by
championing bipartisan legislation, bringing diverse
stakeholders to the table to foster consensus and
dialogue, and actively seeking opportunities to promote
cooperation within the legislative arena. Her approach
embodies the essence of cross-party collaboration,
which is essential for addressing the challenges our
generation faces… Taylor Darling embodies the core
values that MAP holds dear. She listens first,
emphasizes 'we' over 'I,' builds trust, empowers others,
breaks down barriers, and freely innovates. Her actions
and leadership exemplify the MAP ethos, making her
an outstanding choice for The Rising Star Award.” -
Jhordyne Donaldson
Michigan Rep. Alabas Farhat (D)
“Michigan State Representative Alabas Farhat, just 23
years old, serving his first term as a state
representative, is the youngest legislator in the
Michigan legislature and has showcased his ability to
legislate effectively using principles of the MAP ethos,
taken issues affecting the younger generation head-on,
and reached across the aisle to solve critical issues
affecting Michiganders… He has also shown he is
willing to work across the aisle to improve
relationships and ensure that the legislature can work
as a more efficient body to solve problems in
Michigan.” - Nabil Chamra
08

Democrats
Arizona Rep. Consuelo Hernandez (D)
“Although a freshman legislator, Representative Consuelo
Hernandez, has proven to be a leader for her legislative
district and one who is filled with tenacity and conviction.
Representative Hernandez represents southern Arizona,
from Tucson to the US-Mexico border, with such pride.
During her first legislative session she raised awareness to
railroad safety and the lack of oversight to some of the
tragic accidents that have been caused by excessively long
trains. She was also a leading factor in ensuring that the
Arizona state budget included an expansion to children's
healthcare, an investment in community colleges, and $150
million towards housing and homeless services. Working in
a bipartisan fashion during tumultuous bipolarity in politics
is something that Representative Hernandez has been able
to maneuver, considering her a maverick in the Arizona
State Legislature.”
- Cesar Chavez
Michigan Rep. Jason Hoskins (D)
“State Representative Jason Hoskins is the first openly
gay Black representative in Michigan history. In his first
few months in office, Hoskins took the lead in
expanding Michigan's Civil Rights Act to include
protections for people based on sexual orientation and
gender identity. For this he received statewide and
national acclaim. Representative Hoskins is so well
respected on both sides of the aisle that the vote for
expanding the law received bipartisan support. He is
currently working on economic development plans for
Michigan while always ensuring his home state is a
welcoming and inclusive place for all people.” -
Michigan Representative Jasper Martus
09

Democrats
Vermont Rep. Emilie Krasnow (D)
“Rep Krasnow is a new member of the Vermont
General Assembly and has done a tremendous job
bringing people together to get things done. She is a
bridge builder, someone who listens to all sides and
facilitates solutions without compromising the needs
of her community. When asked about her work she
said, 'Doing this legislative work with transparency and
constituent connections means that once you’ve done
all of the above, you can clearly explain your decisions
to others. None of this means you lose your
convictions or your own perspective, because that’s as
valuable as the person who disagrees with you. It
means you validate the experiences of all, recognizing
that not everyone shares your own “lens”, and help to
work together towards a common goal.' I'm proud to
nominate Rep Krasnow for the Rising Star Award.” -
Vermont Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski
New Jersey Assem. William F. Moen Jr. (D) - Co-Chair
“Assemblyman Moen truly epitomizes what it means to
be a bipartisan leader. Through his short tenure in the
NJ Legislature, he has worked with many members
from across the aisle. He has worked with members in
the minority, granting their requests to be prime
sponsor on some of his bills and also accommodating
amendment requests from their party to his bills. He
has further demonstrated his commitment to being a
bipartisan leader, but working together with MAP to
develop a future caucus in the State of NJ that he is
hoping to launch in the next month or two. Asm Moen
has been a staunch advocate for younger generations
during his time in the Assembly. He has introduced and
passed numerous bills that are aimed at college debt,
public student loan forgiveness, first time home buyers, and more. Being one of
the youngest members in the Assembly he himself experiences these same issues
firsthand, which is why he knows they are so important to many New Jerseyans.
He embodies the MAP Ethos by being a true listener. He takes meetings weekly
with constituents who reach out to his District Office, just to listen to their story,
understand their problem(s) and see how he may be able to help.” - Kyle Hanson
10

Democrats
Massachusetts Rep. Tram Nguyen (D)
“Tram is a third term legislator who is committed to
increasing civic engagement, especially among young
voters. She represents a purple district and has done
incredible bipartisan work to pass bills that help low
wage workers, immigrants, and other vulnerable
communities. As the first Vietnamese American woman
elected to office, Tram has broken barriers and
continues to build trust to successfully represent her
district. She continues to set an example to empower
others to consider public service.” - Hawaii
Representative Greggor Ilagan; Oklahoma
Representative Daniel Pae
Connecticut Rep. Corey Paris (D) - Co-Chair
“Rep. Corey Paris' signature effort this year - which I
was fortunate enough to work on - has managed to
accomplish what our federal government could not: a
bipartisan student debt reduction act. In working
together on HB 6901: Ac Act Concerning a Student
Loan Reimbursement Program throughout this
legislative session, Corey astonished me with his ability
to reach across generational divides, party affiliation,
and racial roadblocks to achieve a truly bipartisan
effort at helping Millennials and members of Gen Z get
desperately needed relief from the onerous debt
crushing their economic hopes. As a member of the
Baby Boom generation who benefitted from a much
smaller ratio of wages-to-debt, I am continually
disheartened by my contemporaries' inability to see today's economics for what
they are: an impossibly imbalanced formula that leaves our young people hanging.
Corey managed, with grace, good humor and true insight, to reach folks whose
own privilege (whether from age or social standing) blinded them to this inequity.
His pilot program, which went through many iterations and hurdles, is a national
leader in how states can provide relief to young people, while helping boost the
economy and help attract and retain young workers to a rapidly aging state.
11

Democrats
Connecticut Rep. Corey Paris (cont’d.)
Rep. Paris' tenacity in making sure all stakeholders were at the table, and his
ability to message clearly the pilot program's objectives, meant that some of the
more recalcitrant members of the House of Representatives came on board with
an idea that nationally is floundering. His commitment to MAP's ideals was the
rudder guiding him; his bipartisanship was an example to all of us; the $6 million
appropriation and early application volume is a testament to the bill's success;
and his insistence of sharing the credit - from caucus meetings to press
statements - meant no voice was left out. Rep. Corey Paris' leadership has just
begun to shine.” - Connecticut Representative Christine Palm
“As a newly-elected state representative, Francisco E.
Paulino has played a significant role in drafting crucial
pieces of legislation. He hasn’t just collaborated with
the newest members of the legislature, but also
actively partnered with seasoned leadership. When
Chapter 60 was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S.
Supreme Court, Rep. Paulino stepped up to the
challenge, redrafting the entire chapter. This initiative
solidified his reputation and earned him significant
respect from his peers.” - Massachusetts
Representative Francisco E Paulino
Massachusetts Rep. Francisco E. Paulino (D)
Arkansas Rep. Jamie Scott (D) - Co-Chair
“This nominee has been exemplary in consistently
working to develop and move significant bills forward
in a bipartisan manner.” - Pamela Goldsmith
12

Democrats
Vermont Sen. Becca White (D) - Co-Chair
“Sen. White not only works tirelessly across the aisle,
but she represents the VT Future Caucus so well. She
always talks of their work and of their individual
members. She encouraged a record number of VT
lawmakers to attend FS this year, even though she
couldn't. She's an incredible rep” - Blaine Volpe
Kansas Rep. Brandon Woodard (D) - Co-Chair
“Reps. Woodard, Blew, and our Kansas Future Caucus
as a whole are one of our shining examples of
bipartisanship. The relationship between the two cochairs
is productive and fun. I particularly appreciate
Rep. Woodard for thoroughly being who he is while
representing the people of Kansas. He doesn't fake, he
doesn't pretend to be anyone else, he is himself and
works hard.” - Miles Sisk
West Virginia Del. Kayla Young (D)
“Del. Young has continued to participate in Future
Caucus programming, despite not having a chapter in
her state, and she has led the charge in creating a
West Virginia Future Caucus.” - Maloreigh Todd
13

Republicans
Indiana Rep. Beau Baird (R) - Co-Chair
“Representative Baird has only recently become aware
of the Millennial Action Project. However, he was
extremely excited to learn about MAP as his legislative
goals and guiding principles were so closely aligned.
More specifically, Representative Baird has dedicated a
significant portion of his time to developing and
activating the youth of his community…Moreover,
Representative Baird has focused on bridging the
partisan divide in several ways. First, his freshman year
he worked hard to organize bipartisan social events to
build strong relationships across the aisle. Secondly,
almost every piece of legislation Representative Baird
has passed has been with strong bipartisan support.
Furthermore, after learning about MAP, Representative
Baird has worked hard to re-initiate the Indiana Future Caucus with the combined
effort of his democrat co chair. I believe representative Baird exemplifies the MAP
ETHOS in many ways. However, probably the most recent example is his ability to
lead a bipartisan effort on the house bill 242 in the 2023 Indiana session. He took
a bill that was highly partisan and through hard work and dedication, was able to
turn it into an almost unanimous Pardison supported piece of legislation.”-
Congressman Jim Baird
Kentucky Rep. Josh Bray (R)
“Representative Josh Bray is committed to working
across the aisle. He is a rising leader in his chamber
and has been focused on moving forward policy issues
that resonate and matter to MAP. In particular, he has
focused on privacy, biometric data, AI, workforce
development, and rural broadband. He is a shining star
who deserves this honor!” - Kristin Strobel
14

Republicans
Pennsylvania Rep. Torren Ecker (R)
“Torren has emerged as a leader in the state capital in
Harrisburg. His willingness to foster bipartisan
relationships, as well as his intellect and work ethic,
have launched him to a respected position amongst
House members on both sides of the aisle. He will
continue to have an outstanding legislative career and
the sky's the limit.” - PA Rep. Tim O'Neal
New Mexico Rep. Joshua Hernandez (R)
“As a Legislator, Joshua embodies the values of the
Millennial Action Project. From day one his focus was to
work across the aisle by focusing on building
relationships and bringing the two sides of the aisle
together to create change. Josh focuses on legislation
that truly helps New Mexicans, not party rhetoric or the
subject the news is covering this week. In his first
session, Josh joined a bipartisan group of Legislators to
reform the liquor license laws in New Mexico leading to
over 300 new restaurants taking advantage of the
licenses. Also, many retail establishments have taken
part in alcohol delivery services across the state
providing a new revenue source to businesses but
making a measurable difference in DWI rates. This piece
of legislation was the first alcohol-related legislation to pass the NM Legislature
in 40 years.
In his second session, Josh passed a bill to create a revolving loan fund for
charter schools to be able to build and expand without taking money from their
education funding. Although they did not pass, Josh also ran legislation to create
an adult learner scholarship for residents up to the age of 35 who did not go to
college to trade school, and to make angel tax credit refundable to encourage
investments from outside of our state.
15

Republicans
New Mexico Rep. Joshua Hernandez (cont’d.)
In the 2023 session, Josh passed 7 bills. These included creating an office of
entrepreneurship to make opening a business in the state easier which was
ultimately vetoed, a health professional loan repayment act to attract medical
students recently graduating to move to New Mexico, and creating a marketing
department for our state government. Throughout his first few years in the
legislature, Josh's focus has been to create good, productive legislation in a
bipartisan fashion to make his state better. He has been nicknamed 'The Uniter'
by many on both sides of the aisle including the Former Speaker of the House. He
will continue to work with anyone willing to work to grow New Mexico and make
it better for our residents and the future.” - New Mexico Representative Joshua
Hernandez
“Rep. Hernandez joined the New Mexico state legislature in 2021 and has been
making WAVES. In addition to passing bi-partisan legislation related to lowering
healthcare costs and creating small business incentives, he's been actively trying
to start a Future Caucus chapter in New Mexico. I had the pleasure to chat with
him during the Future Summit this year and it was great to hear about all the
work he and his class of legislators are doing. He's just getting started and he's
already having a major impact. Imagine what he could do with a Future Caucus
chapter!” - Bowden Saunders
North Dakota Rep. Dawson Holle (R)
“I truly think Rep. Holle would be perfect for this
award. At a young age (18) he ran for the legislature. I
had the chance to serve with him and watch him over
his first session. He would seek democrats to cosponsor
his bills, he would have conversations with
democrats to try and see their point of view, and he
would always be trying to build relationships with the
democrats. This might not sound like a big deal but
North Dakota is a super super majority and frankly (as
bad as it sounds) we don’t need to be bipartisan to
pass bills. But this didn’t matter to Rep. Holle, he likes
people for people and not the label behind their name.
He passed bills that have been tried before but always
failed, these bills helped our dairy farmer industry in
the state. This was huge. He is also willing to meet with lobbyists to hear their
point of view. This shows his humbleness and willingness to learn, which we all
need as a trait. I myself used to be the youngest legislator in North Dakota and I
never had these abilities as he has. He is down to earth and I think he is a
perfect candidate for this award.” - North Dakota Representative Claire Cory
16

Republicans
Maryland Del. Kevin B. Hornberger (R)
“Delegate Kevin Hornberger has a reputation for being
one of the most approachable minority-party
Delegates in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Delegate Hornberger has been successful in working on
and passing a variety of legislative initiatives across
party lines, ranging from trade licensing reform to
EMS/First-responder issues. Delegate Hornberger has
also staked out a firm stance on preserving local
historical sites from over-development, including the
Donaldson Brown Manor and most recently the Tome
School/Snow Hill Archaeological site on the Bainbridge
Property in Port Deposit, MD. Delegate Hornberger was
recently re-elected to his third term in the Maryland
House of Delegates, and currently serves as the
Chairman of the State Legislative Caucus for SEMA. In addition to serving on the
Ways & Means Committee, Del. Hornberger is Chair of the local County Delegation,
and also serves as the House Republican Co-Chair of the Maryland Sportsman's
Caucus.” - Daniel Smith
Oklahoma Rep. Daniel Pae (R) - Co-Chair
“I am specifically nominating Rep. Pae due to his
leadership in authoring a bill to study the effects of
shrooms to treat anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which
passed the OK House on a bipartisan basis. I think this
especially embodies points 3 and 4 of the nominee
criteria. Prior to my role at MAP, I interned on the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and coming
from San Diego, I know many veterans and active-duty
military members. Many of those who I know who are
my age suffer from PTSD. Thankfully, there is
increased interest in being innovative in treatments,
and this bill from Rep. Pae is forward-thinking and
challenges the preconceptions of what Republicans
may see as possible solutions. I'm glad that
Oklahomans have someone like Rep. Pae who will put aside partisan nonsense
and act in the best interest of constituents.” - Murphy Walsh
17

Republicans
Illinois Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R)
“Please reference Illinois Hb 2341, this is a shining
example of Kevin's ability to create bipartisan support
for an African American area that is heavily
impoverished. Also reference any and all organized
labor supported bills in the last legislative session.
Kevin has proven himself to be a beacon of
bipartisanship by often times being the only one from
his party supporting a democrat bill. Kevin is also the
House Republican Representative for the Children's
Health Caucus. He has served on the House Children's
Literacy Committee. His district is extremely diverse,
and he has proven himself with actions, not just
words, by supporting ALL of the people from his
district. It is essential for a representative to support
everyone, even those that would never vote for them. Kevin Schmidt embodies
this principle with actions, not just political rhetoric.” - Illinois Representative
Kevin Schmidt
Michigan Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R)
“Representative Schuette strongly embodies the MAP
Ethos through his commitment to bipartisanship and
positive outcomes for all Michiganians. Schuette
actively looks for ways that he can craft legislation with
members across the aisle - including with some that
surprised members of the chattering class. Schuette
has also focused on issues that impact millennials and
Gen Z - including work that will help grow Michigan’s
population and grow its economy.” - Andrea Bitely
18

Republicans
Delaware Rep. Michael Smith (R) - Co-Chair
“Rep. Smith embodies what it means to represent the
people of our state. He is rooted in partnerships,
family and commitment to listening and working with
both sides of the aisle. He is an inspiration to young
leaders. You can find him both at Leg Hall AND in the
community - which to me, are equally important.” -
Helana Rodriguz
“Rep. Smith helped to launch the Delaware Future
Caucus this year and was very excited about promoting
policies important to young people as well as working
alongside his Democratic counterparts in Sen. Evans
Gay and Sen. McBride. He talked heavily about prior
bills he passed with their support.” - Maloreigh Todd
Florida Rep. Josie Tomkow (R)
“Representative Josie Tomkow is bipartisan and
dedicated to improving the lives for all Floridians. She
consistently works across the aisle on legislation and
with her friendships in the legislature. She is focused
on many policy areas that are of interest to MAP,
including AI, broadband, and education. She is a great
candidate for this award and a very positive person!” -
Kristin Strobel
Delaware Rep. Michael Smith (R) - Co-Chair
19

Republicans
Vermont Rep. Casey Toof (R) - Co-Chair
“As one of the cochairs of the Vermont Future Caucus,
Rep. Casey Toof brings true bipartisanship to the most
divided Statehouse Vermont has seen in at least 40
years. Despite being one of only 37 Republicans in the
House, Rep. Toof uses his position as Assistant
Minority Leader to find ways to work across the aisle
and collaborate with the majority party, eschewing the
notion that Republicans are simply the party of 'no.' He
doesn't pretend to know things that are out of his
wheelhouse, and has no trouble giving credit to others
when it's deserved. Perhaps the most simple way to
tell that Rep. Toof is respected as a leader in the
building is to look at who he has lunch with; it's never
the same from one day to the next, and he doesn't just
sit with his own party. His colleagues like working with him, but they also enjoy
simply being with him, which is a key to his success in the building.” - Rachel
Feldman
“Rep. Toof has demonstrated a commitment to MAP through his participation as a
speaker at Future Summit and many other MAP events. As a member of the super
minority in Vermont, he is uniquely positioned to demonstrate how overcoming
the partisan divide is possible and is a leader for effective law making in his state.
He is especially passionate about increasing legislator pay to make state
government more accessible for all.” - Lizzie Brown
“Casey Toof is an exemplary member of the Future Caucus. As co-chair of the
Vermont Future Caucus, he has demonstrated a high level of empathy for his
fellows lawmakers and creativity in building coalitions to advance public policy.
His focus on housing affordability to attract and retain young talent in his state is
an issue key to our generation, and the expert way he has worked across the aisle
to forge passable and sensible bipartisan legislation on this issue is an example to
his colleagues. Rep. Toof's service to our organization has also been remarkable.
During the On the Rise tour, Rep. Toof orchestrated a gathering of approximately
30 elected officials, including the House Majority Leader, the Senate minority
leader, and the Lt. Governor. He also arranged a meeting for the MAP team with
Governor Scott to discuss raising legislator pay to ensure the legislature is a
viable option for people of all backgrounds and resources. Rep. Toof was a
featured speaker at this year's Future Summit and added a crucial conservative
perspective to a wide-ranging conversation about the future of our democracy.
His engagement throughout Future Summit was impressive, making the gathering
inviting for members of our network across the political spectrum.” - Reed
Howard
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Republicans
Vermont Rep. Casey Toof (cont’d.)
“Whether serving as a speaker during our 2023 Future Summit, bringing 30
legislators to an On The Rise Tour event, or arranging a MAP meeting with the
Governor to discuss a legislator pay bill, Representative Toof navigates his role as
co-chair of the Vermont Future Caucus as a beacon of hope for what MAP can
continue to be. Leading with empathy and humility, issues like housing
affordability are at the forefront for Rep. Toof and he regularly seeks to work
across the aisle to pass common sense solutions. What's more - he easily
balances his role as co-chair with his leadership role of Assistant Minority Leader.
For these reasons and more, I humbly nominate Representative Casey Toof for
the Rising Star Award.” - Brandon Mitchell
Massachusetts Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R) - Co-Chair
“Marcus Vaughn's bipartisanship leadership ability and
his track record of creating positive outcomes in the
state of Massachusetts are evident through several key
actions and achievements: Legislative Collaborations:
Marcus Vaughn has consistently demonstrated his
willingness to work across party lines to develop and
pass impactful legislation. He has successfully cosponsored
bills with colleagues from both sides of the
aisle, showcasing his commitment to finding common
ground and advancing policies that benefit all
constituents. Coalition Building: Vaughn has been
instrumental in forming bipartisan coalitions to
address pressing issues. He played a key role in
passing Bill H.3573, establishing a grant program to
increase the presence of mental health counselors in schools. Vaughn's dedication
to engaging with constituents from all political affiliations is a testament to his
commitment to bipartisanship. He regularly holds town halls, forums, and
community meetings that encourage open dialogue and allow diverse voices to be
heard in the decision-making process.” - Massachusetts Representative Marcus
Vaughn
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Thank You
THANK
YOU!
Please email
blaine@millennialaction.org
with any questions
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