Democrats Abroad UK – Council Candidate Statements

Linda Adeson

Vision Statement of the DPCA:  Democrats Abroad strives to provide Americans abroad a Democratic voice in our government and elect Democratic candidates by mobilizing the overseas vote.

My name is Linda Adeson and I’m asking for your vote for Executive Committee Member-at-Large. 

I have been an active member of DAUK and GOTV team since 2008.  As GOTV grew dramatically, I led within the group, serving as a Co-Chair since 2019.  We instituted the first strategic plan to maximise voter turnout within and outside DAUK membership.  I single-handedly convinced UK leadership to approve the postcard campaign in 2020, managing  approximately 100 volunteers to send 10,000 postcards to members and swing state voters, at virtually no cost to DAUK.  I served as DPCA Voting Representative, and was asked to act as a whip during our Regional and Global Meetings.

I also serve on Global Teams: 

• Chair, Global Student Outreach:  developed and presented sessions on building VR teams to EMEA leaders, shared knowledge with CCs on high school and university outreach, developed promotional materials
• Co-Chair, Vote From Abroad Global Comms:  initiated the first social media campaign for Vote From Abroad as a stand-alone brand to encourage non-partisan voting activity;  developed strategic plan, global steering committee and digital team; worked with Global Comms to integrate content with CCs
• Global Voter Assistance Zoom Rooms:  set up and managed the first global voting assistance training and certification process (now used across Democrats Abroad).  Helped manage and coordinate over 250 global volunteers

I’m running for ExCom because I believe passionately that getting out the vote is the single most important thing that we do in supporting the vision of the DPCA.  Traditionally this has been mainly done from September to November in election years, but I believe it should be integrated into as many of DAUK’s activities, committees, caucuses and events as possible.  Further I believe that creative thinking and new ideas are critical if we are to stay relevant and connected to our voters. 

I believe equally passionately in the power of working in teams. Good ideas can come from anywhere, and valuing the work of our volunteers is critical to achieving our goals.  As one of the founding and largest country committees in DPCA, DAUK should be leading the way in establishing best practices of volunteer recruitment, management, motivation and inclusion.  Sharing information, seeking opinions, delegating effectively and respecting the incredible skills of our volunteers is tantamount to building a strong, goal-driven organisation. While offering community is vital, so is getting the work done.  We risk losing resourceful volunteers by not involving, including and empowering them to contribute their talents and skills to achieve our goals.

My professional background is marketing/communications.  I have an MBA in marketing, organisational behaviour and non-profit management.  My experience is with global advertisers and brands, in addition to lecturing at US universities in the UK.  I have significant volunteer and fund-raising experience outside of DA.  My skills are: strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, public speaking and organising/motivating teams.

Austin Allaire

Those of us who have the privilege of living abroad know well the places where the United States shines bright – and also falls short – on the global stage. I am running to be a Voting Representative to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad because I believe in building a next-gen, big-tent, future-forward Democratic Party.

Inspired by my experiences living, studying, and working abroad in Central America, South East Asia and Europe, I bring a global perspective which will be advantageous in navigating the many global constituencies of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad. In addition to these experiences, I am not far from my roots in the American Midwest, where I was raised by a healthcare worker and a public educator who taught me the value of science, truth, and hard work. My upbringing and subsequent experiences abroad have shaped my belief that the future of the Democratic Party is that of a next-generation, big-tent, and future-forward Party.

Ours is a next-generation Party. As a queer person born on the border between the Millennial and Gen-Z generations, I understand full well that the Democratic Party is the best hope for my age cohort in tackling climate change, addressing inequality, valuing diversity, and advancing American interests in an increasingly global society.

The Democratic Party is also a big-tent Party. Our policies and politics must be inclusive and inviting for constituencies ranging from a working mom in the Midwest to a progressive expat based in London. As someone who participated in the Iowa Caucuses in Paris, I have witnessed this diversity of views even within our own constituency. My experiences represent this range of constituencies which will be vital for shaping a balanced and open wing of the Democratic Party.

Finally, our Party is future-forward. Those of us living abroad are well positioned to understand both the benefits and challenges of Liberalism. As those of us residing in the United Kingdom understand, a nationalistic impulse is not unique – but it is also far from beneficial. As Democrats Abroad, we have a unique responsibility to point to a more democratic, more open, more egalitarian future. One not driven by nationalism, but by humanitarianism.

From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I believe that our Democratic Party is one which is next-generation, big-tent, and future-forward. These convictions are born not only of belief, but life itself. And it is on the basis of these convictions that I ask for your vote as one of the next Voting Representatives to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad

Douglas Andrews

For the first time in a decade, the Democratic Party, with control of both the executive and legislative branches of government, has a chance to affect significant change in economic, social & security policies, both domestic and international. As a globally active, serial healthcare entrepreneur, I believe that I can contribute substantially to the role which DAUK can play in helping to shape these important policies.

Tony Anzelmo

I want to do my part to support Democrats Abroad as a prospective member of the DAUK council. I am registered to vote in Colorado, try to vote in all elections, and financially support Democratic candidates. I have keen interests in finance, technology, and 4th amendment protections.

Julian Becker

The Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) is the global voice of the American Democrats living abroad. It represents us within the Democratic Party, leads in helping Americans abroad vote, advocates for our issues in Washington, and works with country committees to ensure that we can be effective here in the UK and around the world.

You elected me as your DPCA Voting Representative in 2019 and I stand for re-election based on my work for you over the last two years, including the following:

• Acting as DAUK’s advisor on countless compliance issues, including campaign finance issues, complying with our own bylaws, and complying with the ever-changing laws on gatherings and events in a pandemic.

• Heading the UK’s Bylaws Committee, which updated many rules and procedures. Importantly, our work enabled meetings to be held by electronic participation, which proved indispensable as the events of 2020 unfolded. I am also proud of the fact that we updated our gender balance rules to recognize and include people with a non-binary gender identity.

• Serving on the Global One-Person-One Vote Committee, which focused on how country committees and global leadership should welcome new members to the DCPA and ensure smooth processes under new rules with larger delegations.

• Serving on the Global Presidential Primary Committee, which helped plan countless tedious but essential details to ensure that our primary process would be fair, transparent, and open to new and existing members.

• Serving on the Global Credentials and Rules Committee, ensuring that our Global Convention would comply with our Delegate Selection Plan.

• Acting as Parliamentarian at several UK, regional, and global events.

• Training our voter registration leaders.

As you may have noticed, I am not scared of rules and procedure, matters that are often considered daunting by those who learn about the DPCA. However, I care about the rules because I view them as a powerful tool to get work done, ensure fairness, and empower our members – not as a weapon to intimidate people. I am truly passionate about ensuring that Democrats Abroad can work more effectively in the future, including by:

• Increasing our membership through coordinated efforts here in the UK and around the world.

• Getting out the overseas vote for the 2022 mid-term elections.

• Fighting for a progressive future, including sharing experiences of universal healthcare from overseas and tying that to the needs of Americans abroad.

• Better reaching out to Americans abroad of all backgrounds and becoming a group that truly includes and empowers everyone.

• Advocating on the issues that uniquely affect Americans Abroad, including Medicare portability, FATCA reform, and residence-based taxation.

Feel free to email me: [email protected]

Follow me on Twitter: @JulianDBecker

Aliza Blachman O’Keeffe

A lifelong, active Democrat from SC, I moved to London in 1990 and joined DAUK’s Council many years ago. I have provided financial support and attended events, handled media response and brought in new members.

I worked directly with the Obama campaigns in the UK and USA, on both International Finance and Inaugural Finance Committees. I have since fundraised for Presidential, Senate and local candidates and have also worked on communications to encourage registration, volunteering and broader voter participation.

I hope to be re-elected and to continue contributing to DAUK initiatives.

Stephanie Borden

I want to serve as part of the DAUK committee because I believe that I am a strong candidate for representing young American citizens who live in the UK. I believe that young Americans living abroad are essential members of DAUK, since we are the members that will drive the future of the organisation. Much of our politically active life has been dominated by the latest presidency, and I believe that representing the young people who have been so affected by these factors is essential to ensuring that DAUK drives the change that they so passionately want to see.

I am proactive and extremely enthusiastic about the work that I do for DAUK. This is best demonstrated by the DAUK Brighton & Sussex Regional group that I set up in September last year. I became involved in DAUK via phone banking and reached out to the organisation to see if I could contribute further to GOTV. Within a couple of weeks, I had set up a fully functional regional group in Brighton & Sussex with over 40 members. Our group’s activity over the two months leading up to the election consisted of a large membership drive within our region, sending out over 1,300 post cards to US citizens abroad to encourage them to vote, putting up posters and handing out contact cards for DAUK. In addition, I hosted regional meetings to brainstorm ways to GOTV and we had some great events to discuss politics, including but not limited to joint Speakeasys with other regional groups. In addition, my organisational and communication skills are strong. This is demonstrated by the speed at which the Brighton & Sussex group was up and running, and the momentum we had from the first day. One of the things I am most proud of about the work I have contributed to DAUK over the past six months is the community that we have established down here in Sussex. What began as a movement for local outreach to GOTV has turned into many new beginnings and friendships for members of our group. This has been wonderful for solidarity over the political turmoil over the past six months and we have all learnt so much from each other both on a political and personal level. In addition, the past year has been incredibly isolating for everyone, and to have formed these personal connections that have made enduring these times that much easier has been my one of my proudest achievements. 

Over the next two years, my biggest goal would be to make US citizens abroad feel that their representation is important. As a US citizen abroad, I understand that it is easy to feel disassociated from US politics, however we should have as loud a voice as anyone else. I would want to work hard to understand the issues and concerns facing US citizens abroad, and with that understanding I hope to be able to fight for the reform that addresses those issues.

Sean Brophy

Dr Sean Brophy is an Enterprise Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and a cross-disciplinary researcher interested in the role of technology, human capital, and higher education, in economic development. he is also the manager of the Greater Manchester AI Foundry, a £6m ERDF projected aimed at helping businesses to grow using artificial intelligence.

Sean spent a decade at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he developed learning solutions for leading firms like Google, Twitter, Accenture and KPMG. He has previously undertaken research at Oxford’s Department of Education on commercial practices of U.K. and U.S. universities. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2015 and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2020.

Maya Buchanan

Dear fellow DAUK members,

I am running for DPCA Voting Representative and Council Member in this election cycle. I would be very appreciative of your vote.

I am an Oxford Chapter member who first became involved in DAUK as a result of the devastation I felt after the 2016 election results. I dipped my toe in DAUK activism through the Women’s Caucus Legislative Committee and then soon after began taking on leadership roles, first as chair of the Voting Rights and Democracy group within the Policy Network and Resolutions Committee (PNR).

As Chair of the PNR Voting Rights and Democracy group, I work with fellow members to help deepen our engagement in the issues that affect our U.S. democracy. We collaborate with other DAUK Committees and Caucuses to hold workshops, host speaker events, utilise activism and undertake research projects. This included the preparation of a DA resolution on prison gerrymandering and working as a 5-member collaborative team providing the content for the Democracy and Elections section of the DA 2020 platform.

I then served as Treasurer in the Oxford Chapter in 2017and was elected to the DAUK and Oxford Executive Committees in 2018.

In 2018, I also became involved in leadership at the global level in DA as Chair of the Georgia voter protection project, to do post-election work supporting Fair Fight court cases, by finding plaintiffs from within our DA membership.

In 2019 I went on to Chair the DA Voter Protection initiative to lead and build out new teams to help ensure that voters abroad could have their votes counted in the challenging circumstances around the 2020 elections. In this role I built out and led a 17-member committee made up of volunteer lawyers, Intercom responders and advisors working to respond to and help resolve more complex voter issues during the 2020 general and GA Senate elections. We worked successfully across Country Committees and Regions (and in partnerships with DAUK Voter Registration and phone banking teams, DA Voter Assistance and Vote from Abroad). Being able to support voters who would otherwise not be able to vote was extremely gratifying.

If elected I would hope to:
• Continue working with fellow members in the above listed areas (as well as in efforts to advance social and economic justice and environmental protections).
• Seek ways to help strategize and prepare for a successful 2022 election cycle.

About me
I have many years of professional project management, team leadership and design experience in publishing and public relations for Oxford academic institutions and in my current role at a geopolitical think-tank. I grew up in Northern NM and the CA Bay Area but have lived in the UK for nearly 30 years. I am the mom of two teenage sons. Apart from my volunteer work in DAUK and DA and work and family commitments I have recently developed an interest in permaculture as a route to providing more sustainable living, combatting food insecurity and reversing climate change.

Tasia Campbell

TASIA CAMPBELL for DPCA

Welcome, old friends and newer members!

My name is Tasia Campbell, and I am running for re-election as Voting Representative for Democrats Abroad international (DPCA).

First, congratulations to you all for a hard-won victory in 2020. Your efforts–whether it was phone banking, fundraising or reaching our voters in any other way—paid off with a critical return of competence to the White House and congress. Take a bow!

Why I want to do this…

It’s simple, really. DA international, which comprises over 140 country committees all over the world, is holding important elections this May, and I would like to return as a representative to help maintain the very good alliance we enjoy with our global leaders and to protect DAUK’s interests. I am also delighted to serve on the international Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus and the Progressive Caucus.

I like the job! At the global level, voting reps keep an eye on by-laws, shape principles and form plans of action that affect the entire world-wide community of Democrats. Long meetings and detailed discussions are not everybody’s cup of tea, but they are mine.

What I do…

Since joining DAUK in 2006, I have volunteered at all levels (thanks to all of you who help us collect rubbish at our annual Independence Day Picnics). Most recently, I ran our “Comedy Night With Rich Hall,” which brought in over £6,000 for our GOTV work. And I hope you were able to join our virtual “Pub Quiz with Erich McElroy,” which I wrote and organized for last year’s picnic. Thank you to all who supported these events.

These days, I work with my colleagues on the Press Team, fulfilling media requests and organizing journalists at our events. Last year, we covered more than 50 media spots during the presidential election alone, with interviews by many outlets (BBC Breakfast Show, Sunday Express, Washington Post to name a few).

I am also honored to be a member of DAUK’s social media squad, running our Twitter account, which now boasts 1,672 followers. Follow us here and on Facebook and Instagram.

And that monthly newsletter and those emails you receive from us? I’m one of the team of editors and writers who keep you informed.

Over the years, I have served on the Executive Committee, as Secretary and DPCA Voting Representative.

At home…

I live in London with my family, which includes one future voter! Please get in touch to ask questions, voice concerns or simply to introduce yourself. We are, after all, one community. [email protected]

Please vote for Tasia Campbell for DPCA Voting Representative.

Elaine Capizzi

Winning in 2020 was essential for the survival of our democracy. Only if we win in 2022, can we begin to address economic and social justice, the survival of the planet and the vitality of our democratic institutions. We all know that the votes of Democrats abroad can make a critical difference.

As a member of DAUK since 2003, I have initiated, supported, and served as a chair or member on a wide range of Committees and projects, as well as on the ExCom for three terms.

My priorities within DAUK have always been engagement, empowerment, and collaboration.

• Engagement: of new and old members through events (such as Film Nights), new avenues for engaging with US issues and Democratic policies (Policy Action Network now the PNR) or new methods of communication (new DAUK website project).

• Empowerment: including promoting transparency, the creation of resources and communication channels that give all members access to key information about DAUK, DA.

• Collaboration: across DAUK committees and Caucuses and with new Film Club proposals, regions and chapters.

Since the 2016 election and surge in interest and activism, I have prioritized:

• promoting and mentoring new member involvement and leadership, ‘making space’ (stepping aside from running for the 2019 DAUK ExCom) and supporting extraordinary successors (e.g., for the PNR);

• in response to new and old members’ questions and requests – initiating and supporting projects that produce and make accessible key information and guidance about DAUK and DA activities and processes, e.g. Who we are, practical advice on compliance, event planning, and DA processes for resolutions and platform development.

Central has been fostering strategic thinking about how to move projects forward and excite and support members in creating a resilient organizational infrastructure.

DPCA and representing DAUK

• Over the past 2 years I have contributed to drafting planks submitted for the 2020 DA Platform and conscientiously participated in Global and EMEA conferences, meetings, events, activities and training.

• I have long collaborated on cross-country projects, ranging from activism around the Affordable Care Act to sharing resources for film screenings.

Going forward: my emphases would be:

• supporting work to make volunteering at the DA level inclusive and sustainable for more, particularly younger, diverse volunteers to build a new generation of leaders:

• heightening visibility and streamlining access to the truly excellent resources; information, multi-media communications, events and activities that DA Global offers.

• promoting cross-country DA-wide collaboration

Within the DPCA team, I propose we

• build upon the training and support established by the DAUK Chair to support new representatives;

• choose a liaison to report and represent the DPCA team to the ExCom and Council and to serve as a contact point for DAUK members wanting to find out more about DA;

• map out a plan to share and discuss key information about DA, DNC, and EMEA issues, policies, and events with interested DAUK members and share these ideas within DPCA.

Thank you for your consideration. If elected, I would strive to serve both DPCA and you well.

Robert Carolina

It has been my privilege to serve as Chair of DAUK (2011-2015), as a member of the UK Executive Committee (2009-2017), and on the DAUK Council (2008-present). I ask that you re-elect me the UK Council so that I can continue to contribute to our growing Democratic community and support those who now step forward to positions of leadership and representation within the party.

Alan Cheilek

A lifelong Democrat, I became a member of Democrats Abroad in 2004 and an active volunteer through the Obama campaign in 2008. I have remained an active DA volunteer both in the UK and at the DPCA (the global DA umbrella organization).

Here in the UK, I lead the team that manages our Eventbrite account, setting up events and making sure the ticketing process runs smoothly. We may have interacted if you have sent an email to the [email protected] email address.

At the DPCA level, I am head of the state data team. We acquired and processed voter roll data from over 15 states in 2018 and 2020. This data enabled us to find overseas registered Democrats around the world and help them use Vote from Abroad to get their ballots and vote. This data enabled volunteers to contact tens of thousands of voters through postcards, emails, and texts.

I am also a member of the global steering committee that oversees technical developments on the votefromabroad.org website and backend. We kept the site up and working smoothly through the 2020 election cycle and have great plans for improvements!

I joined the DAUK delegation to the DPCA in 2017 and have attended every meeting. I pay particular attention to the activities of the DPCA where my professional technical expertise can help us make better use of IT technology to further our goals. I also run the numbers to ensure that our UK membership is fairly represented in the voting strength we get in the main body of the DPCA.

In 2019, I participated in the Democrats Abroad “door knock” on Capitol Hill, where we break up into small groups to speak to Congressional staffers about the issues that particularly impact overseas Americans. This opportunity to put our case directly to people who have the power to improve our situation was one of the most powerful experiences I have had as a DPCA representative.

My experience of the DPCA and of the broader global organization allows me to mentor new members of our delegation, providing context and introductions to leaders worldwide.

I ask for your vote to re-elect me as a representative from Democrats Abroad UK to the DPCA.

Esme Crocker

My name is Esme Crocker, I am 21 years old and I study Politics at the University of Glasgow. I have lived in Glasgow, Scotland for 3 years now, and I hope to stay for many more. I grew up in Bend, Oregon, with my two moms and 3 brothers. I love running, camping, and almost anything that involves being outdoors. When Donald Trump was elected, it opened my eyes to the lack of involvement of young voters as well as everything else that is at stake when incompetent people are elected. I am passionate about being involved in the political arena, as well as having been a member of the Democratic party since I was 18 years old. I believe that members of a party, the government or any other representative body should be just that, representative. When looking at the United States government, the required age for senators is 30 years old, and the senate has a median age of 67. The largest age group of adults in the USA is aged 25-29, consisting of 23.5 million people, therefore we need individuals in a younger age category to engage with and represent the younger populations interests. As a member of the DAUK, I am committed to supporting officers from the DAUK as well as holding other members accountable. In the next two years, if elected to the council, I would focus on getting individuals signed up to vote, and spreading awareness about the importance of involvement in local elections between major presidential elections. I have spent time volunteering with the DAUK by phone banking for the latest election. I also currently volunteer with an organization called Action for Children, where I work with school-aged children, who, for certain reasons are not attending school. I mentor these students and attempt to help them find a path towards school, college, or job training that works well for them. Through this organization, I have developed my skills in outreach, time management and communication. I have developed strong leadership skills through my work as a supervisor at a kayak rental shop in Oregon, as well as through my work as a youth recreation leader through an afterschool program. I think I would be a good fit for a council member of the DAUK because of my enthusiasm and involvement in regional politics, as well as my ability to understand what the younger part of the population is looking for from the government, and how to engage them politically.

Peter Dallow

My name is Peter Dallow. I live in St Keverne, Cornwall and vote in Colorado. I have always identified as a Democrat, since my very first presidential election in 1968 when I cast my vote for Hubert Humphrey instead of Richard Nixon. I served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war. After military duty, I worked in municipal government in Wichita Falls, Texas and Fort Collins, Colorado for nearly 25 years before marrying my British wife, Linda and moving to Oxford in 1997. There we established our management systems consulting business which has supported us for over 20 years. We moved to Cornwall in 2009 to be near and help Linda’s parents in their later years. In our leisure time, we enjoy sailing, walking, music and gardening. I was shocked when Hilary Clinton lost the election in 2016 and am joyful that Joe Biden is now our president. I am proud to offer my time and attention to Democrats Abroad UK as a representative to the Council. I hope that together we can work to improve government in America and protect our democracy and democratic ideals that we have maintained for almost 250 years. Thank you.

Lenelle Davis

I have been a member of DAUK for more than 30 years and part of the Council for 16. I have been involved with committees and voter registration, and was a candidate delegate to the 2004 Global Caucus. I wish to remain on the Council as we move forward building a better future.

Debra Drew

I am a lifelong Democrat and have lived in the UK 22 years.  I was raised in North Carolina and spent 15 years in Atlanta, Georgia and a short time in Florida before moving via Australia to The UK.

I have a passion for the decency and care that the Democratic party has always shown to people who need it. 

I was in one of the first High Schools to be involved in Federally Mandated bussing in 1974 in Charlotte North Carolina and witnessed the resulting violence and chaos as well as the many good things that ultimately came from such bold and necessary action.  I left the church I was raised in at age 15 when our minister suggested we were to be friendly to black people should one ever visit our church…but never to invite them to return.

My Dad died when I was 14 leaving me and my mom penniless, if not for the intervention of Tip O’Neill(as my Dad was from Massachusetts), to get our Social Security payments, I am not sure what would have happened to us.  These  are only a few of many personal life shaping examples which underpin my passion for The Democratic Parties programs and policies that support equity for minorities and the underprivileged, this includes Medicare for All and The Living Wage.

I am also very interested in restoring The John Lewis Voters Right Advancement Act and H.R.1, For the People Act.

I have worked all over the world as the company my husband and I ran for 25 years had offices in The Middle East, Europe and The US.  This international exposure has given me opportunities to understand the influence and impact The US culture and our policies have on people globally.

I want to see  the DPCA  help the US  set our own house in order by creating opportunities for all people while lifting up those in need so no one is left behind. 

 I want us to rise up to be the Democratic Nation that I believe is our destiny and then lead by example.

I have been active in DAUK since this past summer. I am a Regional Coordinator in The Bath, Bristol and Cotswold Group.  Though COVID has been a hinderance, we worked hard this summer and Autumn to grow our membership and set up pop up tables to register voters throughout Gloucestershire.  I have made contacts with local influencers and press to raise awareness of Vote from Abroad and the DAUK.

Bob Gould

For the past 7 years, I have resided in London and dedicated my energies to volunteering to DAUK. I started and lead the Political Book Club. I am dedicated to GOTV on RAF bases in the UK, on campuses with U.S. exchange students, and with mailing postcards. I was active with the Film Committee until I became co-chair of the DA Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus. I am eager to volunteer for Council for another two years.

Philip Greger

Hello. My name is Philip Greger, and I would like to put myself forward for a role within Democrats Abroad & DAUK. As a disabled & LGBT+ student who has living in the UK for the past few years, I believe that I have a unique perspective that I can bring to Democrats Abroad & DAUK. One of the most profound ways I think we can begin to build momentum as the midterms approach is to change the way Democrats Abroad interacts with American student communities around the world. As the President of my university’s American Society, I can attest to many of the challenges that come with getting other young Americans registered to vote. Voter participation amongst young Americans is already exceptionally low, and with the costs and the work associated with requesting and casting a ballot abroad, trying to get young people to vote becomes an even more insurmountable task. It’s not to say that young voters abroad aren’t politically motivated-the majority of American students I have met are extremely passionate about politics & what’s going on back home, perhaps even more so than the young people who do live stateside. However, many just come to believe that the hurdles that they need to cross in order to vote abroad are just too much to deal with on top of university work and everything else in their lives, and, because of this, their voices tragically go unheard. Democrats Abroad has definitely made things much easier in terms of helping students abroad vote, especially with their informational posts, the online voter registration sessions, and of course the wonderful Vote From Abroad platform. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to vote from abroad as a student along with getting other Americans at my university to vote without the incredible work Democrats Abroad has done to help. In spite of all of this, I do think that there is much more that can be done to get more students abroad to vote, and, with nearly 20,000 American students in the UK and nearly 300,000 around the world, most of whom are Democrats or at least Democrat-leaning, it is definitely a worthwhile venture that could help solidify and advance the progress we as a Party have made in the recent election. If elected to represent my fellow Democrats living abroad, I will work to put into practice the many ideas I have on how we can get significantly more students out to vote, as well as ideas on how we can begin to build better student communities that will encourage students to participate in the political process and encourage other expats to do the same, changes which will surely benefit us in the midterms and beyond.

Carol Grose

Carol is a DPCA representative and has been a regular participant in the DAUK council, except for 2009 – 2012 when she returned to Washington DC as a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. State Department. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. at the University of Sussex and is a doctoral tutor in the History Department. From 2004– 2009 she served on the Executive Committee of DAUK.

With the success of votefromabroad.com and the increasing significance of non-presidential year elections, the infrastructure of the DPCA is increasingly crucial to the fantastic work done by DAUK volunteers. As a well-organized, high-performing country committee, DAUK and DAUK volunteers are significant to the success of DPCA initiatives. Over the past four years, the coordinated efforts of DAUK and the DPCA have been positive and forward-looking, and Carol would like to continue to be part of the team.

Charles Hecker

This is clearly a time for action. Not only are Democrats under threat, democracy itself is under attack. I work for a political risk consultancy. As part of my work, I’ve seen not only the threat to democracy in the US, but the slippage in democratic governments around the world. Globally, authoritarianism is on the rise, very much at the expense of democracy. I believe in Democratic and democratic values, and would be grateful to have the chance to promote those values on the council of DAUK. My initial exposure to DAUK was with the team behind the Pete Buttigieg 2020 campaign. I have been deeply impressed by the people, the energy, the dedication and the effectiveness of the work of DAUK, regardless of the candidate. I am an active member in LGBT business circles and would also be interested in any subcommittee work DAUK has in the field of LGBT rights and political engagement. I am a lifelong Democrat, a Palm Beach County, FL, registered voter, and am pretty sure I haven’t missed an election in decades. I would be delighted to join the DAUK Council and help it achieve its goals of winning Blue, supporting democrats and supporting democracy. Thank you for your consideration.

Zoe Johannes

Hello! I would like to serve on the DA Council this year because I feel I can bring a unique perspective and useful skills as a lawyer and very active member of the LGBT community. I am a human rights solicitor by profession and in my free time I’m a Trustee of a trans charity (GIRES) and enjoy choral singing and amateur dramatics. I have lived in the UK for 10 years but maintain close ties to my family in New York and am active politically. I have served on several charity boards and would be delighted to lend my perspective and experience to the Council.

Elizabeth Kelly

My name is Elizabeth Kelly, and I am asking for your vote for DAUK Treasurer. DAUK can become the hub for all overseas Democratic-voting Americans providing the most effective opportunities to make a positive progressive impact in the USA. We can do this by growing membership, cultivating volunteers, and encouraging clearer communications and transparency across the organisation. With a larger, more inclusive and empowered membership, we will motivate more Democrats to be engaged and vote. Midterms matter and we need to start now! There are roughly 250,000 American citizens of voting age in the UK – let’s recruit as many as we can!

As Treasurer, I will ensure DAUK has a clear financial strategy to develop and maintain a robust budget for delivering all the activities required to achieve our goals. I will build on recent innovations in the budgeting process to ensure a consultative approach with leaders throughout DAUK to deploy financial resources fairly, transparently and efficiently. I will set clear guidelines at the outset of the budgeting process with direct links to the DAUK strategy and specific performance indicators. Increased membership leads to increased revenue streams, and I look forward to hearing your ideas to maximise our outreach and continue to build community across the country.

I joined DAUK In 2002 and volunteered intensively with the voter registration team during the 2018 midterm election cycle, including travelling to voter registration drives at universities in Scotland. Since 2019, I have served as Co-Chair of DAUK Voter Registration/GOTV, developing and implementing our voter outreach strategy and building a team of over 300 volunteers from across the UK. I also serve as the Global Co-Chair for Vote From Abroad Communications. I created the Voting Champion programme and initiated the associated social media strategy and campaign, with participation by thousands of Democrats Abroad members and country committee leads from around the world.

Starting my professional life as an environmental grassroots organiser, I am an activist at heart with the financial acumen and attention to detail that will be required as DAUK Treasurer. I have a master’s degree in public policy, with training in economics, statistics, policy analysis and financial management. After relocating to London and a brief stint as a management consultant, I joined Transport for London to work in budgeting, business planning and performance management, managing a £350m budget and delivering efficiency and organisational reviews. Returning to my environmentalist roots, I became TfL’s Behaviour Change Manager delivering programmes to reduce car use. I am currently an independent consultant on projects that build civic engagement and deliver sustainable cities through behaviour change.

Through my work on voter registration, the knowledge and connections I gained working with country committees globally, and my professional experience, I can do as your Treasurer what DAUK’s needs to move forward. Thank you for your consideration. I would love to hear your ideas about how we can work together. Contact me at: [email protected] or www.DAUKGrowTogether.com

Inge Kjemtrup

It has been my honor to serve as DAUK Chair in an extraordinary four years that culminated in our commanding victory of 2020, when Democrats took the White House and Senate, and held the House.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead the largest and most dynamic country committee in Democrats Abroad. Due to your hard work, more overseas voters now cast their ballots than ever before.

We won in 2020 despite a worldwide pandemic that deprived us of so much, including our usual in-person campaign methods. DAUK shifted online and we thrived. I’m grateful to every leader and volunteer who jumped in with both hands. Zoom became our friend!

The truth is that when the pandemic forced us online, we were prepared. We already knew and trusted each other: our committees, caucuses, and chapters, including newcomers such as the Black Caucus and the Tax Committee, felt supported. We had a track record of success, including well-organized voter registration, the 2018 London campaign office, five Global Presidential Primary sites across the UK, and too many other events to count, organized by our many groups. Most importantly, we agreed about the issues that really matter.

The Democrats we elected are starting to address those issues. We want to see the change, knowing there is a long way to go in solving climate change, systemic racism, deep-rooted misogyny, and economic injustice. DA members have our own concerns, such as taxation, immigration, and access to government services. We experience voter suppression when our overseas ballots are returned or denied by elections officials. There is so much work ahead.

I am asking for your vote for Executive Committee (ExCom) at-large member, now that my two terms as Chair have ended. Former Chair Bill Barnard’s advice and perspective were useful for me and I hope I can play a similar role.

I am also asking for your vote for DPCA representative. The voices and diverse viewpoints of DAUK’s large delegation must be heard and understood at the global level. As a founding country committee and the largest (still keeping an eye on DA Canada!), DAUK is regaining its prominent role at the DPCA, contributing talent, hard work, and funding. We must amplify our members’ voices, and the relationships I have forged with many country committee leaders will help that continue.

When I ran for Chair in 2017, I promised to enable remote participation in DAUK elections so more members could vote. In 2020, our Council approved the bylaws that made it possible and on March 20, 2021, DAUK will hold its first entirely online election.

I would be very grateful for your vote for ExCom at-large member and DPCA representative. I would also like to encourage you to support four officer candidates — Nicole Belanger Satullo, John Lindsay, Caroline Ruchonnet, and Monica Tanouye. I know them to have the skills, experience, and vision to lead DAUK confidentally into the 2022 midterms. Visit teamnicole21.com to find out more.

Rebecca Lammers

My name is Rebecca Lammers and I’m running for DPCA Voting Representative and At-Large Member of the Executive Committee. I started the DAUK Tax Committee in the fall of 2017 to help make Residency Based Taxation a reality. Currently, Americans abroad have to double file and many of us are double-taxed under the US citizenship based tax system. A switch to Residency Based Taxation would eliminate the tax discrimination of Americans abroad. This fight is at the heart of my activism. It is simply unfair that we are the only developed country in the world that taxes its citizens living abroad and this must change.

I have run events, webinars, and conference calls to help educate DAUK members on American abroad taxes and discrimination including Tax Day in 2019, Expat Tax 101 webinars, and the Social Security webinar last year. Events hosted by the Tax Committee have been some of the largest DAUK events over the last few years and important fundraisers to fund our voter outreach efforts. Through these tax education events, I’ve brought what has historically been an uncomfortable topic to the forefront. These conversations have helped move our tax advocacy work in the right direction both in the UK and in Washington DC.

I am also a member of the DPCA Taxation Task Force to help with our tax advocacy efforts in Washington DC. I have gone to Washington DC multiple times on door knocks to talk to lawmakers on passing Residency Based Taxation legislation and continue to keep in touch with lawmakers since COVID. The unfortunate harsh reality is that most lawmakers don’t think about Americans abroad when writing bills in Congress. But, since Democrats Abroad doubled the voter turnout in 2020 and helped win all branches of government, we are well-positioned over the next 2 years to make huge strides in our tax advocacy efforts.

My aim in joining the Executive Committee and DPCA is to ensure that tax reform for Americans abroad remains one of the top issues that DA campaigns on. I am also a huge proponent of American abroad voting rights. As part of the Executive Committee, I would like to help oversee DAUK become a more inclusive organization spanning a wide mix of class, race, gender, and disability. By increasing the diversity of our leadership, it will help us become a better volunteer-led organization. Overall, I will give voice to the issues members care most about and ensure DA steers the right path over the next 2 years.

Personally, I have lived in the UK for 13 years, am a dual US/UK citizen, and I run my own business specializing in online marketing and video monetization.

I would appreciate your support by voting for me on March 20th!

Colin Lawrence

This is the year where I feel a strong commitment to formally participate in the Democratic Party. I’m always busy blogging on political and economic issues through my social networks but given what has happened in this past year, I feel that democracy is under threat. I was a university professor at Columbia University (graduate school of business) and hold a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago. Barak Obama’s new home ! I am filled with ideas and deep experience and would like to be part of the Democratic effort to ensure the Dems stay in control of the House and Senate in 2022. Indeed I consider these aspirations as critical for the existential survival of democracy in the USA and indeed western civilisation.
There must never ever be a Donald elected as president again. In the UK we have seen the rise of populism and economic nationalism. Likewise in multiple European states. What can we do to leverage US clout to influence the Uk ? Already president elect Biden has made the UK back off its threat to undermine the Good Friday agreement!
So the question I ask is what can we do together to galvanise democrats abroad to vote especially in red states or red districts in blue states? Snd influence policy in the uk.
Keen to be part of the solution.
I am a NY voter and live in London.

David Letteney

I am nominating myself for a role on the DAUK Executive Committee and/or a member of the DAUK Council.

I bring a wide range of experience and expertise to both these roles and I can help DAUK with fundraising, get out the vote issues, and strategic direction in the future.

I am passionate about voter registration issues, increasing the membership in Democrats Abroad, and in communicating with all global expatriates about issues that concern them and their families.

I have been a member of Democrats Abroad since 2007, and I have served in chapters in France, Canada and the UK.

I have been on the board of directors in Toronto, and active with the London chapter.

I have taken part in in the 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2020 election campaigns and the 2020 Global Presidential Primary.

I have been in a variety of roles to include campaign manager, voting centre manager, voter registration officer and volunteer phone banker.

I look forward to being able to assist the DAUK executive committee and and the DAUK council in any way I can.

Thank you,

David Letteney

Wen-Wen Lindroth

Fellow volunteers, our preparation for 2022 and 2024 must begin now. As the largest country committee in Democrats Abroad, DAUK’s votes contribute substantially to the Democratic margin of victory.  DAUK’s performance and leadership have been outstanding, but we can do even better and grow our votes from every corner of the country.

We must continue to work with Democrats Abroad to increase DAUK’s impact as a cornerstone of the global organization.

To accomplish these goals, DAUK requires experienced national and global leaders and a Chair with the vision to lead a wide coalition to victory.

As Chair, I will work with the ExCom in the first 60 days producing a strategy to turn out every vote, including:

• Deepening membership in our existing regions;
• Broadening into new territories across the U.K.;
• Empowering our world-class get-out-the-vote (GOTV) and phonebanking teams;
• Accelerating the work of our critical voter protection team;
• Expanding our efforts to influence US policy affecting Americans abroad

Our coalition will work to unite DAUK to become even more effective by:

• Integrating our internal and external communication channels;
• Strengthening our sense of community throughout the regions and groups;
• Building on our Diversity & Inclusion efforts;
• Ensuring that DAUK technology, finance and compliance systems are battle-ready;
• Committing to transparent DAUK governance and processes

My leadership track record:

• Elected in 2019 with the highest/second-highest number of votes as DAUK Executive
• Committee member and DPCA Voting Representative on a platform of unity and action;
• Appointed Vice Chair of the 2020 DA Global Platform committee by the Global Chair
• A key organiser of the most progressive and professional Platform to date, working
• with Country Committee chairs, Global Caucus leaders and policy experts
• https://www.democratsabroad.org/platform;
• Introduced the first Platform Diversity & Inclusion editorial panel;
• Drafted the Inclusive Economics plank;
• Launched the DAUK quarterly leadership meetings in 2019 to bring Committee and Caucus
• leaders together with ExCom, to set shared strategy and goals;
• Organized the 2018 Blue Wave Bootcamp to unify and energize DAUK membership:
• Recruited new members for midterms GOTV;
• Engaged all committees and caucuses to showcase DAUK’s talent, passion and
• power;
• Served as Co-Chair and then Chair of the Policy Network & Resolutions Committee:
• Mentored numerous emerging young leaders across DAUK.

In the daytime, I am Lead Cross-Asset Strategist of a major asset management company, with 28 years of work experience across three continents. I have led major change initiatives throughout this time, including a 15-year track record of building Diversity & Inclusion at my places of work.

We are at a pivotal moment for DAUK, the Democratic Party and our country.

I ask that you place your confidence in me as your DAUK Chair, and in our coalition to fulfil DAUK’s potential.

Together, we can grow.

Together, we will better the lives of all Americans at home and abroad.

Thank you.

DAUKGrowTogether.com

[email protected]

John Lindsay

Democrats Abroad UK has undergone an incredible period of growth, culminating in our record-setting year for voter turnout, media engagement, and awareness raising in 2020. We have a strong foundation as we head into critical midterm elections in 2022, and I want to help us double down on our successes and move forward together.

As Vice Chair of DAUK, I plan to:

1. Welcome diverse perspectives from the wide spectrum of our membership and make their concerns heard by the Executive Committee through frequent outreach and consultation with activists, caucuses, and other groups.
   
2. Examine methods to improve and streamline our communications. Starting with a full-scale review of our communications plan, and working with our dedicated team to improve and scale the communications strategy, we will meet the needs of our global presence. This exercise would include collaborating with existing communications leaders across Democrats Abroad International (DA).
    
3. Expand engagement with members through continued virtual Town Halls, enabling greater participation from across the UK.
   
4. Work closely with our Get-Out-The-Vote team to provide committed resources and sufficient publicity to achieve our most essential purpose as DAUK. 
5. Establish a standing fundraising committee to fiscally support DAUK’s efforts while deepening ties to DA’s worldwide fundraising efforts.
   

The Vice Chair position provides an opportunity to work internally, by supporting members and volunteers across the UK, and externally, by reaching out to the wider public about the issues that matter to us most. Like the other members of Team Nicole, I have had the opportunity to support DAUK in both capacities, including: 

1. Serving as a spokesperson for DAUK on major radio and television outlets, including BBC radio, the Daily Mail, and Arise Media.
2. Co-Chairing the Oxford chapter’s voter registration drive.  
3. Serving as a member of the Call the World fundraising team, which raised over $25,000 to support Democrats Abroad’s phone-banking efforts and GOTV around the world. 
4. Co-authoring the DA Platform Planks on Foreign Policy and Trade. 
5. Organizing events with DA on climate change and voter registration, including a discussion with Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY).  

Beyond my activities with DAUK, I bring a decade of political organizing, fundraising, and policy experience supporting progressive candidates and causes in the U.S. Recently, I served as a member of the foreign policy team for both Secretary Buttigieg and President Biden’s Presidential campaigns, and as a consultant to several progressive policy organizations. I also bring the experience of growing up in upstate New York, in an area that overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump, and the skills to successfully advocate to these communities – including union homes like mine.

DAUK is central to my community here in the UK, and I look forward to helping it grow, as either Vice Chair, an Executive Committee member, or DPCA representative. I hope you will join me in moving DAUK forward, by casting your vote for the members of Team Nicole – Nicole Belanger Satullo, Dr. Caroline Ruchonnet and Monica Tanouye. For more information, please visit www.TeamNicole21.com

Keith Magee

The battle to ‘Restore America’s Soul’ is Joe Biden’s commitment to all of us. It is clear for Biden that “soul” is beyond homage to his Roman Catholic upbringing or a nod of having enjoyed a Chicago Southside Sunday dinner prepared by Marian Robinson (Michelle Obama’s mother). Instead, he is promising that his presidency will create policies that reflect our shared values. It is also a commitment to return integrity to the office of the President of the United States.

Keith Magee’s life’s work and commitment is to social justice — whether in the pulpit, preaching a social gospel, or academy, confronting the issues of inequity, poverty, policy and race. As a lifelong Democrat, he’s worked alongside local, state and national campaigns for a better and inclusive United States of America

Professionally, Keith is a public intellectual, public theologian, political advisor and social justice scholar. Having trained as an economist and in theology, his work reflects on the Ten Commandments as ‘public policies’, thereby exploring how they inform society through belief, culture, and economic and social justice. He is the newly appointed Chair and Professor of Social Justice at Newcastle University and Senior Fellow in Culture and Justice at the University College London. He founded The Social Justice Institute in 2014, while in post at Boston University, which remains the hub for his independent work and research. He is also the Lead Pastor at The Berachah Church – which has a global virtual presence.

He currently serves as a consultant for the Biden-Harris administration on racial inequality, having served as an Advisor to the campaign. He served as Senior Religious Affairs Advisor with the Obama for America 2008 and 2012 campaigns, subsequently working alongside the Obama administration’s Faith Based Initiative. Previously, he served as Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Council of Chaplains in State Institutions for Governor Deval Patrick. Additionally, he sits on the board of directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation where he’s Chair of both the Endowment and Nominations committees. He is also a Trustee of Facing History and Ourselves and the Co-Chair of Black Britain and Beyond. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was inducted into Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars.

Professor Magee is the author of the newly released Prophetic Justice: Essays and Reflections on Race, Religion and Politics, Dolman Scott, January 2021. He is an internationally sought-after speaker and frequently features as a columnist and op-ed opinion contributor on issues of social justice, politics, race, and religion both in the United Kingdom and United States. He and his six-year-old son, Zayden, live primarily in London, spending adequate time in the United States with his mother, award-winning veteran journalist Barbara Reynolds.

He believe without hesitation that, together, we can resuscitate America — by breathing into it a new meaning of life, liberty and justice for all. Serving as on the Council of DAUK would allow him to do his part.

Sharon Manitta

The Council of Democrats Abroad UK is made up of the most active members of our country committee. The efforts of so many Council members during the 2020 election has been phenomenal. I would like to be part of the Council’s work on the 2022 Mid-term election.

I have been a member of Democrats Abroad since 1979 and have held the positions of Secretary, Deputy Vice Chair and Vice Chair. I have also been Communications Director for the DPCA. Currently, I am part of DAUK’s three person Press Team.

Thank you for reading this and I hope you will consider voting for me

Caroline McDonald

I am seeking a position on the Council because, as an 18-year-old, I am uniquely situated to bring the views of young people to the table. Young people are determined to bring about change, yet we still turn out at lower rates in comparison to other generations. I want to change this by making young people feel heard and focusing on youth engagement and Get Out the Vote projects.

Having had the privilege to live in London for so long, I have seen what is possible with regards to policies related to gun violence prevention and accessible healthcare. I think that our position as an American organization in the UK puts us in a unique position to advocate for these changes in the US and to challenge the misunderstandings around these topics. I can finally say that I have hope after the election of the Biden-Harris administration, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We must continue to advocate for the changes we want to see!

I first got involved with Democrats Abroad this summer by participating in the phone banking campaigns. I was so impressed and inspired by the dedication and determination of everyone in the organization. I have also been involved with the Democratic Party more generally, interning for Audrey Denney’s CA-01 congressional campaign this fall.

I am eager to get more involved with the organization and I think that a position on the Council would be an exciting opportunity to do so. I wholeheartedly believe that we can create real change.

Brett McHargue

My name is Brett McHargue and I am asking for your vote for Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad UK. Moving here from Texas in 2000, I joined Democrats Abroad almost immediately and involved myself whenever possible, from the early days of the Policy Network to the recent website launch.

After the 2016 election, shocked by the direction my country had taken, I knew more direct action was needed. I became a DPCA Voting Representative for DAUK. I attended the global and EMEA conventions in Washington DC and online. As an elections clerk I established the vote counting procedures for our first online convention. And as a software/web developer, I pushed for improving our online presence, in the UK and globally.

I now wish to serve as Vice Chair to continue that work within the UK and with our partners in the global community.

For those I have not met, I am a freelance software developer. From my university days forward, I have applied my technical knowledge and team building skills for progressive politics.

But technology has always been the means, never the goal. Some of the principles I follow as a software developer, I also follow in my political work. Most importantly “individuals and interactions over processes and tools”. We work best when we work together, open and transparently.

For the 2020 elections, with the monumental effort of a team of volunteers, I spearheaded the new DAUK website. A central source of up-to-date information, accessible by all of DAUK’s groups and caucuses has long been discussed. I was warned of the difficulties I might face with an eclectic group of volunteers. But I believe strongly that if you provide a team with a strong mission, thoughtful planning, and the right tools, then amazing things can happen. I hope the

end product speaks for itself – and it is just the beginning.

For our EMEA Convention I installed an online forum and video conference area for the sharing of ideas and policy discussion, as well as candidate delegate meetups. I later implemented a similar setup for Vote From Abroad Champions. The main goal in all my efforts has been to provide transparency and accessibility in our work as volunteers.

As the elections clerk for the conventions, I established the procedures needed to ensure a smooth election, working closely with DA members from Sweden, Germany, Israel and Luxembourg. I plan to continue building bridges with them all.

As Vice Chair I want to ensure that all our volunteers have what is needed to succeed in our mission. If you are a DAUK member, please do consider me for your vote. Together we can grow an unstoppable coalition and do the amazing. Let’s go do it!

http://daukgrowtogether.com

Twitter/Instagram: @brettshane

Email: [email protected]

Sarah McLellan

I believe that we need more representation from outside London on the DAUK council. There’s so many Americans scattered across the country that would love to be more involved in the day to day decision making on the council. Representation matters, as an autistic, asexual woman, I understand this well.

Sanja Milovac-Carolina

It has been my privilege to serve as Treasurer of DAUK (2015-2017), as a Voting Representative to the DPCA (2012-2017), and on the DAUK Council (2008-present). I ask that you re-elect me to the UK Council so that I can continue to contribute to our growing Democratic community and support those who now step forward to positions of leadership and representation within the party.

Travis Mooney

In the 2020 election cycle, I served as the Democrats Abroad Coordinator for the Bernie campaign, directing thousands of new members to DA across the globe. Our campaign understood working with DA — no other campaign had official polling place representatives — and our outreach helped deliver the largest turn-out ever for the Global Presidential Primary (GPP).

This is the second time I worked to win the GPP for Bernie — I also helped run the international campaign in 2016. From 2017-2019 I served as Vice-Chair of Democrats Abroad United Kingdom (I did not seek re-election — I chose to work on Bernie 2020 instead). After the campaign was suspended, we continued to push for Biden’s election and other Democratic candidates.

As a long-term resident outside the USA, I understand our problems, our needs, and how we help Democrats win. Like many, I wish that they paid more attention to those of us abroad, and worked to make sure our issues were directly addressed by the Bernie Campaign. I would like to continue that work as a Voting Representative to the DPCA and a member of the DAUK Council.

I ask you for your vote.

Carol Moore

Carol Moore is a Democratic activist, passionate about women’s rights and affordable healthcare for all Americans and working to bring about tax reform for American expatriates. She is a former Chair of DAUK and a founding Co-chair of the Democrats Abroad UK Women’s Caucus. She has spoken at a number of DAUK events on the ERA, women’s rights and financial reform.
Currently Carol is co-chair of the Healthcare Reform Team in the DAUK Policy Network and Resolutions Committee and, at the Democrats Abroad level, is on the Global Women’s Caucus Steering Committee. Last April Carol was asked to chair a GWC team to reach out to Democratic women House candidates running to flip red seats blue. The team contacted over 30 campaigns, interviewed over 20 candidates and held three online panels for candidates to talk directly to DA members as part of the “Women to Win” series She and her husband also spend several months a year at their condo in Florida where she is a Precinct Leader in the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, on the board of the Palm Beach Democratic Club and a member of the League of Women Voters.
Carol is a native of New York, a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Fordham Law School and has an MBA from NYU. After a banking career in the City, Carol moved into education finance before embarking on this new career as a Democratic activist.
Carol has been a member of the Council for several years and would like to see the Council more active in expanding DAUK’s events and communications with its’ members. In the upcoming election cycle and with the hopeful end of pandemic restrictions, DAUK needs to bring members together on activism to translate policy into meaningful reform in such critical issues as in women’s rights, affordable healthcare for all, racial justice and expatriate tax reform.
This is what I will work to see Democrats win more seats across the country at state and federal levels in the 2022 mid-term.

Laura Mosedale

As the co chair of voter registration for DAUK and longtime DAUK member, I would like to remain a member of the Council and continue to support DA, grow our membership and boost voter participation in future elections.

Robert Platt

As we bounce back from these tumultuous last four years, I believe a period of great opportunity and change stands before us. I would be honoured to represent and promote the views and concerns of the DAUK membership on the international stage as a Democratic Party Committee Abroad Voting Representative. I have been an active member of DAUK since 2013 and have served one term as a DPCA Voting Representative, two terms as a member of the DAUK Executive Committee, three terms as a Member of the DAUK Council, and several years as Co-Chair of the DAUK LGBTQ+ Caucus. I have spent much of this time campaigning, canvassing, phone banking, fundraising, organising events, marching, and supporting my fellow party members at various events. My work has included organising numerous joint caucus events, such as DAUK’s first “Pride Month Series”, in-person and webinar fundraisers with filmmaker Dustin Lance Black, and DAUK’s post-2018 midterms election party. As a person of mixed racial heritage and a proud member of the LGBT+ community, I believe it is important to reflect the rich diversity of DAUK at all levels. I would be grateful for the opportunity to apply my energy and dynamism to DPCA.

Thank you for this opportunity to run, and I hope to have your vote.

Midge Purcell

My name is Midge Purcell and I am running for re-election to the DAUK Council. I live in Stroud, Gloucestershire and vote in the state of Oregon. I have been an active member of DAUK for the past four years. I am currently a member of the DAUK Black Caucus, and am a co-cordinator of the Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds Regional Group. I have also been an active participant on the Policy Network, and was a contributor to the Democrat’s Abroad 2020 Platform. I have been an activist for social and racial justice for many years, and have worked as an organiser and policy advocate for civil rights, social justice and trade union organizations.

I am running for Council again because I believe that a diverse range of voices needs to be heard to help frame the priorities and action for DAUK on issues that are essential to our community abroad and in our communities in the US. There are opportunities to make progress on voting rights, racial equity, economic justice, criminal justice and climate change, as well as continued voter engagement of DAUK members. We need to ensure that the structure of DAUK encourages and facilitates the involvement of members from all regions, ethnicities, genders, young members, LGBTQ and are inclusive of a diversity of life experiences that reflect our membership.

Griffith Rees

I am humbled to be nominated to serve at the national level of Democrats Abroad UK. I came as a student in 2004 without expecting to stay more than 3 years, yet here I am, likely to stay for the foreseeable. I joined as an exec at the Oxford chapter 2 years ago, and while I wish I could have been more helpful in my shift up to Manchester I was grateful to be involved, including phone banking  voter registration for 2018, 2020 (including the Georgia runoffs, though not directly through Democrats Abroad).

I’ve also been keen to help out with voter protection, elements of improving our primary DA UK website and helping Dan Benatan (who deserves most of the credit) set up the group in Northwest England. If this seems suitable I’d be happy to help in further ways.

Karin Robinson

Since 2004, I have been an active and eager member of Democrats Abroad, serving as Vice Chair for two consecutive terms and on the Executive Committee for more than a decade. I have done everything from serving on Bylaws and Elections Committees to hosting events, to helping register voters. It’s all been a joy and a privilege.

In addition to my work for Democrats Abroad, I have hosted a weekly podcast for the past two years – Democratically: 2020 – in which I deep dive into the politics, policies and personalities of the 2020 US election, and I was also honoured to serve as Regional Field Director for Americans Abroad in Obama’s first Presidential campaign.

Although I am stepping down from the Executive Committee to allow for new faces and voices to be heard in that role, I would be honoured to continue to serve on the Council to advise and steer an organisation that means a great deal to me.

Caroline Rowland

As a former Democratic congressional staffer, and campaign staffer, I have given my heart and soul to helping to elect strong Democrats and further democratic policies. When working for the Florida Democrats in 2018 I saw firsthand the importance of the work Democrats Abroad does as they helped to elect my former boss in an election that was decided by 6,000 votes out of 8 million. My experience in campaigns and working on Capitol Hill make me an excellent candidate to serve as a voting member and as a member of the council. As a mother, someone who has given birth in both the US and the UK, I have a strong passion to help see that health care is reformed and we can only do that by securing more Democratic victories at the state level in 2022. I would be honored to serve in Democrats Abroad.

Steph Ryde

We live in strange times. The world we used to know sits just outside our window and yet remains out of reach. It has left us all longing for community and the connections we previously took for granted. As Secretary and your DPCA voting rep this is what I will be focused on. Over the past 2 years I have chaired the DAUK Women’s Caucus and succeeded in significantly expanding our membership.

For the members and groups of DAUK to do their best work, there needs to be transparent planning from the top that drives increased involvement throughout the various branches of the organisation. I’ve often felt that there’s been a bit of a disconnect between DAUK leadership and the caucuses, chapters, committees, regions and groups . As a result members feel unclear about the overall goals of the organization and struggle to understand how to get involved. Collectively, we have potential to drive real change if we work together with a clear purpose.

As chair of the Women’s Caucus I’ve focused heavily on engaging members from across the organization and ensuring it’s as easy as possible for individuals, both new and old, to get involved. As a result, the Women’s Caucus consistently has well attended events and is one of the most active groups within DAUK. Women’s Caucus members often go on to be involved and take leadership roles in other areas of the organization due to support from the leaders and the extensive cross collaboration efforts of the caucus. Co-hosting events and working with other areas of the organisation on projects means our members have great exposure to the rest of DAUK and can build their networks.

Increased engagement across DAUK will ensure that we have new and diverse voices speaking up and taking action. We need to provide a place where our members can bring their enthusiasm, knowledge and talent to keep propelling the organization into the future. As secretary I will engage with our members and take action to ensure everyone finds their feet in a way that can make a real difference.

Professionally, I have the necessary skills to be Secretary and have a wealth of experience in Human Resources, training, and onboarding. In DAUK there is a need for a proper onboarding process to ensure leaders and volunteers have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. The best way to do this is by creating training tool boxes for each area of the organisation that explain the relevant bylaws, procedures and communication channels.

I am a committed and active member of DAUK and someone who has proven they can get things done in this organization. I ask that you vote for me to be your Secretary and DPCA voting rep where I will continue to bring my passion and drive to the leadership of this organization. Let’s #growtogether

DAUKgrowtogether.com
[email protected]

Anne Sassoon

My commitment to the Democratic Party goes back to when I was 16 in the then particularly inhospitable political territory of Orange County, CA. Or perhaps it started with my parents, New Deal Democrats. I brought this commitment to helping to create a better society when I came to the UK, and I would love to continue to contribute.

Nicole Satullo

For the last four years we had a single mission: Get Trump out. We did it! During a once-in-a-century pandemic, we came together to vote in unprecedented numbers. But the 21st-century has a cautionary tale; this is no time for complacency. We must pursue a better future for every American.

As DAUK Chair, I will build on our success in 2020 and support new initiatives to get us ready for the 2022 midterms, winning more seats in the Senate and shoring up the House. To do this we need to increase our membership. We also need to engage our existing members better by offering clear pathways to volunteer, learn about issues they care about, and feel a sense of community. Early on in my work in DAUK I learned that making a member feel they are part of something that matters makes them more likely to vote.

As Oxford chapter vice-chair and chair, I led a team to conduct outreach to students and academic departments, resulting in a 50% increase in membership during my tenure. I also expanded our events calendar of films, debate watches, and action nights, and organized talks with politicians and experts on civil liberties and the environment. I planned and managed our last in-person event, a two-day Global Presidential Primary, where over 400 members cast their vote.

In 2020, the pandemic forced DAUK to throw away the old playbook and write a new one. DAUK moved online, and I seized this opportunity to include members from across the country. I reshaped our phonebanking efforts, launching campaigns earlier, and conducting training and support entirely virtually. With Stan Musgrave and Laura Mosedale, I developed a campaign strategy, and analyzed results. Thanks to our volunteers we reached swing voters before the fall and our approach served as a model for Democrats Abroad’s launch of a global CallHub Committee.

As DAUK Secretary I re-launched our efforts to reach our members through local groups. With David Wenk and Caroline Ruchonnet, I created a plan to kickstart new groups, and provide ongoing support. I’m delighted that we now have seven thriving regional groups across the UK.

COVID-19 meant that we had to improvise in 2020. I will work with leaders to keep the best of what we invented while encouraging new ideas. Team Nicole will improve our leadership pipeline, strengthen our communications, and build the inclusive and diverse multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational membership we believe in and need going forward. As we emerge from the pandemic, we can build back better.

I am ready to go on day one, with an understanding of our organizational strengths and weaknesses. I will work tirelessly to bring our membership together to confront the new challenges facing us. As we have proven, we can deliver victories in key races so that Democrats have the best chance of enacting policies to improve Americans’ lives. With Team Nicole, DAUK will make an even bigger impact in the 2022 midterms and future elections. Please visit www.TeamNicole21.com.

John Scardino

John Scardino for:
Voting representative, Executive Committee, Council

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Woo-hoo!!

Winning the 2020 Presidential election was fantastic. Electing Georgia’s first African American Senator and first Jewish American Senator was historic. This is a Democratic Party to be very proud of. I’m thrilled and grateful to have had a chance to work with DAUK for many years, but especially leading up to this great victory.

As a DAUK member since 2004, I’ve worked in support of individual Democratic presidential candidates every election year, one year co-writing a series of columns about the campaign for The Guardian newspaper (Sample column here).

My skills are primarily in communications, earning my Master’s at the Medill School of Journalism and working as an NBC TV reporter in Raleigh, NC.

I’ve been increasingly active in DAUK and, in 2016, began working with the communications team on:

• message development and discipline
• organising press interviews
• drafting and editing communication materials
• preparing speakers for interviews and events
• serving as a DAUK spokeperson on radio and television

Leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, I increasingly represented DAUK as a spokesperson debating Republicans Overseas on TV and radio with appearances on BBC, Sky, ITV, LBC and elsewhere, promoting VoteFromAbroad.org in the process.

I marched with family members, protesting Trump’s London visit in July 2018, proudly carrying the VFA banner through central London from Oxford Street to Parliament Square, then pitched our spokespeople to the press gathered at the rally to ensure Democrats Abroad was included in their coverage of the protest wherever possible. It was an unforgettable day.

Although I vote in D.C., my hometown is Savannah, GA, and my political roots are there, having worked as a press assistant in a campaign for governor and a legislative aide to an Atlanta congressman. I remain active in state and local politics through family and friends in the state. In December 2020, I organised the Global DA event New Georgia Project Speaks to DA, with NGP leader Nse Ufot, in support of our Georgia GOTV effort. You can still watch the event here on the DAUK Facebook page.

In 2019, I was elected as DPCA Voting Representative and, with your vote, hope to be re-elected. I also ask for your vote to join the Executive Committee, and the Council, so that I may continue to work for DAUK’s continuing mission to expand our membership, combat the false narratives promoted by the other party, ensure ongoing maximum press coverage for our core messages and help get the vote out for the elections this fall and the 2022 midterms.

I live with my wife and sons in London.

Ariadne Schulz

I am very interested in seeing DAUK grow in membership, caucus participation, and strategic action. Americans abroad are an underutilized source of ideas and action as demonstrated by our involvement in policy drafting in the spring of 2020 and our voter registration drives prior to the Presidential and later Georgia special elections. I was honoured to be included in the policy drafting work and was especially thrilled to see DAUK’s Covid-19 language and ideas strongly reflected in the Biden Harris administration’s strategy to address the pandemic. I have had a largely positive experience in providing volunteer and some leadership work within DAUK and would like to increase my responsibilities and participation.

As a researcher and curator I have been entrusted with the care of delicate and valuable objects relevant to cultural history, human remains, and private medical data. This educational and occupational background lends me exceptional organizational skills and has engendered conscientiousness of the ethical constraints and necessities for handling data. I am a thorough and disciplined note-taker often recording verbatim conversations mnemonically useful to participants and helpful to absentee but interested parties. These skills translate directly to the task of looking after our delicate and valuable democracy.

While the state of the DA is strong, there are also areas where Democrats Abroad and DAUK may improve. We have a wide pool of talent, but our communications could be more standardized and accessible. Particularly as we have been forced online we have an opportunity for greater inclusion and a wider reach. However, this will require better communication with other groups, more communication with the media, and the willingness for members of DAUK to meet at hours that are more convenient for Democrats on the other side of the globe. Particularly in reference to this last issue as a recovering academic I am eminently prepared to meet with members of Democrats Abroad who prefer to meet at early hours of the morning.

As Democrats we have recently had some remarkable successes both morally and electorally. While I consider myself a relentlessly progressive idealist, at my core I am a little d democrat and believe in – above all – the democratic process even where it does not necessarily reflect my own preferences. I am proud of the work I have thus far been privileged to do with DAUK and would like to increase the reach of my service. We have an excellent opportunity at this historical inflection point to increase membership and activism and to improve the efficacy and positive action of our Party and nation and I would like to be a part of that. I believe that my skills lie in communication, writing, and presentation as well as organization. I would make an excellent Secretary or DPCA representative, but as a little d democrat I defer to the will of the voters to place me in any position where I may be of service.

Fred Sprague

I am honored to have received a nomination for these posts and, if elected, would represent members to the best of my ability, informed by my Democratic and progressive values.

I am a lifelong Democrat.  I’m presently a co-organizer of the Yorkshire Humber Region of DAUK. We in the region over the past year tried to reach out to Americans in universities in the region, developing contacts with students’ organizations and relevant trade unions. Moreover, we organized regular meetings, with members being encouraged to increase DAUK presence in the region. As a result, our members were featured in local newspapers and radio outlets.  Our social media presence has improved.  I believe that the increased emergence of regional groups across the UK has been an exciting development in DAUK and should be further encouraged and fostered.

I have lived in the UK for 35 years.  I am an elementary/primary teacher by profession.  I have taught in schools in the US, American schools in the UK, and in British state schools. I am a committed union activist and member.  I was branch secretary of two unions in Yorkshire. I currently belong to the NEU and Unite. I was a union member in the US in both the NEA and UFCW. 

I believe that the fight for social, racial, and economic justice has never been more urgent. It is essential that we stand with people in their struggle for human rights. The Black Lives Matter Movement, defending a woman’s right to choose, and the fight for LGBTQ+ equality are social justice issues which demand our support as Democrats. If elected I will try to do so.

I firmly believe the that the Democratic Party needs to be part of a coalition that advances the rights and rewards of workers and their families. As Democrats living abroad, we have a unique opportunity to reflect and share our experiences and values as part of a global effort to improve the lot of labor. The unionization of Amazon workers in Alabama, along with the recent UK Supreme Court victory of union Uber drivers here, will resonate beyond their respective national borders. We Democrats can advance this cause. 

Of course, DA members have concerns unique to themselves and their families, such as the US tax system which penalizes overseas citizens with unfair bureaucracy and regulations.  I will do my best to have these concerns heard.

As we enter an era of good governance and progressive change, Democrats Abroad can provide perspective and experience to help our fellow citizens.  I would like to be part of this as an active member of these committees

Stephanie Stewart

Democrats Abroad UK, in the face of a corrupt and ineffective US administration, has gone through an unprecedented level of growth and change. As a DAUK Executive Committee member and DPCA Voting Representative, I will consolidate and build on the great work of our Caucuses, Committees, Chapters and leadership. We must inspire more UK based Americans to get involved with the Democratic Party and vote. We will enact an integrated, transparent and action focused plan to continue our growth, so we are game ready for the 2022 midterm elections. I want to help lead this next level of growth and am asking for your vote.

We are at an inflection point of needed organizational growth given our increased and very active membership. We must attract new, diverse volunteers and encourage their contributions with training and a clear path to engagement. As a volunteer, you know what activities succeeded and have ideas on expanding our outreach. With the knowledge and resources of a state-like Democratic party at your side, you will have the support to realize your projects. The caucuses, chapters and committee leadership can be further integrated into the DAUK Executive Committees with a clear process of consultation and activation when launching new projects, establishing budgets and setting priorities. We can have forward looking internal communications allowing time for your input into decision making and involving leadership from across the UK in our officer meetings and planning.

To engage and attract new-members, our external communication processes need an integrated 2 year plan for press, social media and advertising with targeted funding and staffing to meet our voter registration, membership and engagement goals. Zoom and other technology must amplify member’s voices in new ways that involve our volunteers across the UK. To sum it up, we will do the critical work to engage more members and deliver more votes at every level of government.

My experience working for the Democratic party allows me to be a strong, action-oriented, inclusive member of the DAUK Executive Committee. Registering voters has been my focus since 2004. As DAUK Voter Registration Coordinator, Executive Committee Member and Vice-Chair, I organized 100+ volunteers to register voters, oversaw huge membership growth, hosted more than 200 events and supervised a 1300 person London Inaugural Ball. In 2012, I was honoured to be a DA DNC Delegate for Barack Obama. In 2014, I co-founded Ready for Hillary London and London for Hillary hosting events, registering voters and raising funds. In 2020, with DA international, I fundraised for global phone banking with Call the World , managed numerous global speaker events and manned the 2020 global voter Zoom help desk. On the DAUK Executive Committee, I promote VoteFromAbroad.org, fundraise and coordinate numerous events. I have delivered concrete results to elect Democrats again and again. In short, I use my know-how and experience and I get things done.

Please reach out to me at [email protected] and support the DAUKGrowTogether.com Coalition.

Flora Strange

I have been a member of Democrats Aboard UK since I moved to London from my voting state of Georgia in 2012. Since then I have consistently been a member of the Council, as well as serving a term on the Executive Committee, serving on Young Professionals Network leadership, volunteering at many events including chairing an Independence Day Picnic, and attending a handful EMEA and Global DPCA conferences. I work as a civil servant.

Asha Subas

Asha Subas for DAUK Executive Committee and DPCA Representative

When I moved to the UK, Democrats Abroad provided opportunities to impact United States politics in ways I didn’t think possible. I would be honored to serve on the ExCom and as a DPCA rep to give back and grow our impact in two proven ways: as a responsible and strategic team contributor and as a determined advocate.

At the DAUK level, I care deeply about projects and hold myself accountable to their success: from writing and editing to providing project management or an extra pair of hands. As a result, I collaboratively worked on committees such as the 2019 Elections Committee, the 2019 Bylaws Committee, the 2020 Global Primary Committee and the DAUK Website Committee. I am often asked to speak at events such as the 2018 Blue Wave Boot Camp, the 2019 RBG Film night, or the 2020 debate watch nights. Beyond just speaking, I am comfortable advocating for a point of view, project direction or more support for a cause.

What I would bring to the DAUK ExCom is this collaborative experience as well as strategic ideas and leadership to grow DAUK. I’m passionate about building a sense of greater community. After the 2020 election, I helped relaunch the DAUK-wide Speakeasy to build bridges between constituencies as well as pitched a website blog for more creative volunteering opportunities. For the 2022 elections, I and others want to restart a ‘states committee’ project to build links between Democrats Abroad members and their voting state. Most importantly, however, I see ExCom’s role as one of encouraging new ideas among membership and empowering members to pilot new projects.

At the global level, I was one of six members worldwide appointed to the 2020 Global Platform Committee due to my DAUK experience, especially with the Policy Network and Resolutions Committee. Not only did I build global connections, and reconcile members’ concerns from around the world, but I provided strategic advice to DAUK members for global platform changes such as better language around COVID and historically marginalized groups or regarding US taxpayers abroad. In addition, during the 2020 elections, I was a lawyer on the new Voter Protection team to ensure our abroad votes were counted. Currently, I am chairing the global Nominations and Elections Committee for 2021.

As DPCA voting rep, I would bring my existing global experience and connections along with a commitment to transparency and fairness in how Democrats Abroad fits into the larger Democratic Party picture. I would advocate for our members and their needs, whether by working together on strategy, participating in committees or in sponsoring resolutions, and I would help promote the reputation, skills and value of DAUK at the global level. I also have the availability to make meetings and build connections on the 24 hour global clock.

Thank you for your support and community over the years, and I hope I have your vote for ExCom and DPCA rep

Monica Tanouye

In the run-up to the 2022 midterms, the Democratic Party needs to focus on voter turnout in red and purple states. I am passionate about the critical role Democrats Abroad can play in this, and that’s why I am running for DAUK Treasurer/DPCA Voting Representative.

My professional background is in the nonprofit sector, centered on project, partner and volunteer management for multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns. I currently work at UNICEF UK where I manage relationships with major supporters, raising $1M annually. I am recognized at work for discipline and attention to detail, coupled with an ability to see the big picture, which I believe would be an asset as Treasurer.

My interest and involvement in politics is rooted in my background as a mixed race Japanese-Mexican-Irish-German woman. The stories told by my Mexican immigrant grandmother, learning about my Japanese family’s life in post-WWII Hawaii, and my own experiences have developed my understanding of race in America and what it might take to create a more inclusive and representative democracy. As a leader in the organization, I will bring this perspective to DAUK and the DPCA.

I have been a member of DAUK since I moved to London in 2017, volunteering at the Independence Day Picnics in 2018 and 2019. Last year, I helped raise over $25,000 for our global phonebanking and GOTV efforts as part of the Call The World fundraising team.

As DAUK Treasurer, I will ensure smooth operations of our work through efficient, equitable budget management. Ensuring we maintain momentum with voters will be more challenging in a midterm, so we will need to use our resources strategically to turn out the vote. I will build strong, collaborative relationships with our chapters, caucuses and group leaders to set budgets and financial plans that make this a reality. More broadly, as a member of the Executive Committee, I will contribute to a positive, proactive team culture and will support additional projects when and where needed most. As a Voting Representative, I will bring my insights as Treasurer and personal perspective to our engagement with the DPCA.

I love being a part of DAUK and supporting our historic successes in 2020. I believe my experiences and background will make a unique contribution. I hope you will cast your vote for me and the rest of Team Nicole 21. For more information on our candidates, please visit www.TeamNicole21.com.

Short biography: I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, studied Economics and Spanish at Boston University and worked in Charleston, South Carolina before relocating to London. While working in marketing and communications in Charleston, I organized for the city’s first ever Mayoral Forum on Race Equity, held in the wake of the Mother Emanuel Church shootings. Outside of my work in fundraising, I am pursuing a masters in international relations at SOAS University of London where I am researching migration diplomacy in Mexico and Turkey. I live in London with my husband, Mike, and love knitting, cycling and reading.

George Townsend

I am running for the position of DPCA Voting Representative. This is a very tumultuous period for our country as evidenced by the election of Donald Trump and culminating in the storming of the Capital Building. Our country is more divided now than any time since the Civil War. I believe it is imperative that we all become more involved in the political process that shapes our country and to re-engage with the working-class voters who had been lost to the Republicans in recent elections.
I have been a life-long Democrat supporter dating back to voting for George McGovern in 1972, soon after the voting age was lowered to 18 years old. I had a twenty-year career in the Air Force and retired after serving my last assignment to RAF Mildenhall, UK. After my retirement, my wife and I decided to remain in the UK where I had a second career as the Trinity College, Cambridge IT Manager from which I am now also retired. We have four sons and are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren.
I have been a member of DAUK for over twelve years and a Council member for six years. My level of involvement has increased over the years as I was able to spend more time and energy in the support of inspirational leaders such as President Obama and Senator Sanders. My support included volunteering for phone banking, GOTV, canvassing, texting, the Independence Day Picnic, and the Global Primary. I have also been recently elected as Vice Chair of the DAUK Cambridge Chapter.
Now that I am semi-retired, I would like to devote more time and energy in support of progressive policies that I feel passionate about. As your DPCA representative, I would lend my voice in support of policies that proves the Democratic Party represents the needs and desires of working-class families while helping to heal the rift that has polarised our country.

Joshua Van der Ploeg

During the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving as your Voting Representative to the DPCA (Democratic Party Committee Abroad, a.k.a. Democrats Abroad international), as well as Treasurer of DAUK. I am now asking for your support to continue this work at the global level as a DPCA Voting Representative.

As DPCA Voting Representative, I have worked to build a stronger partnership between DAUK and the DPCA, so that we can better focus on fulfilling our core mission: mobilizing the overseas vote to elect Democratic candidates. In this capacity, I served as a member of the 2020 Global Presidential Primary Committee and as Chair of the Credentials and Rules Committees for both the EMEA Regional Convention and the Global Convention.

As a lawyer by training, I hope to take on a leadership position at the global level by running for Global Legal Counsel, an officer position on the international executive committee. The Counsel acts as the in-house lawyer of Democrats Abroad. In this role, I would seek to use my professional skills and my experience within the organization to help Democrats Abroad establish policies that facilitate both membership growth and – most importantly – more effective voter outreach.

Although the UK is the largest country committee in Democrats Abroad and has strong ties across the party, it has been a number of years since the UK has had a representative on the international executive committee. If re-elected as your DPCA Voting Representative, I will continue to represent the UK’s interests, while continuing to build bridges with the global organization.

Susan Wolfe

I have been privileged to serve as a member of the DAUK Council and wish to continue my service in that regard. I write this two days before Joseph Biden’s inaugural as President, looking back at the work DAUK has done on so many levels – helping people register, getting out the vote – the years of speaking to anyone I hear in London with an American accent, passing out DAUK cards, explaining what we do, recruiting members… I take Council membership very seriously and have never missed a meeting since elected. I’ve never missed a DAUK meeting at all since I was given a card many years ago in a peace march here in London. I’ve been an active Democrat since junior high school and vote from the Rocky Mountain West after living in Minneapolis for many years. I now put my name in nomination to serve again as a member of the Council of Democrats Abroad UK. Thank you

Nathan Zaccai

My name is Nathan Richard Zaccai, and I am asking for your vote to continue serving as DPCA Voting Representative. Our organization is playing a crucial role in highlighting and addressing issues affecting Americans back home, and here, in the U.K..

I have a strong interest in U.S. government policy and Democratic politics, shaped by my life in Europe and my family’s in America, I am currently on the Executive Committee for the Cambridge Chapter. I have also joined the Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus and am part of the DAUK Policy Network. I am an academic scientist, whose research in biology uses tools and ideas developed in physics.

Last year, as DPCA voting representative, I was elected to represent the Democrats Abroad EMEA region on the Global Platform Committee. The aim was to finalise our party’s 4-year platform, including policy goals and aspirations. While working closely with DPCA representatives from almost a dozen countries, I consequently fought for the views of our members to be accurately reflected in the document.

It is important to note we come from every state and territory in the Union, but as Democrats Abroad, we also live in over 100 different countries. Our platform had to represent this diversity, but also highlight our core beliefs. It had to unite us. When the platform gained approval at our global convention, I felt great pride to see my values as a Democrat translated into writing.

A few years ago, President Barack Obama discussed American exceptionalism. We are exceptional because as a country, we are willing to confront and fix our problems. And how do we do fix these problems? Strive towards a more perfect union? We vote, and we win elections. And last November, we won. “Elections have consequences”.

I am, however, very worried by how narrow our margin of victory was. Although very pleased by President Biden’s Executive Orders, I believe that Congress should act now. Our laws cannot be repealed on the next president’s whim, and, in any case, our party will be judged by actions taken in the next two years. As a DPCA voting representative, I want to help Democrats Abroad effectively voice our concerns–on matters such as social justice, immigration, taxation, representation–and sustain our get out the vote efforts. This will be just as important as it was last November for safeguarding our democratic majority in Congress.

In conclusion, in Amanda Gorman’s poem for President Biden’s inauguration, we “witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.”

I would be grateful for your support to continue serving as DPCA voting representative.