Indiana Young Democrats President to Resign

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Young Democrats (IYD) President, Derek Camp announced to IYD leadership via email that he would be stepping down as of December 14, 2019 after serving the organization as president since 2017 and a board member since 2012.  

“Just this year we accomplished something that puts our organization on the map in Indiana and nationally. 

We successfully hosted the Young Democrats of America National Convention, which brought in the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, multiple presidential candidates and campaigns, and over 1,000 attendees. 

We had approximately 120 Young Democrats put their name on the ballot across Indiana. Of the nearly 80 who made it to the general election, 41 Young Democrats won their election in November. We doubled the number of incumbent Young Democrats at the municipal level from the start of 2019.

We have had enormous financial success as well. Between 2017-2019, our organization has more than double what the organization raised between 2003 and 2016. Although, the Indiana Election Division does not keep records online prior to 2003.

I am proud of all the work we have done. The work has been tiring for many of us and we have had both highs and lows as an organization. When I ran for President, I wanted to get IYD to a place where we were taken seriously in Indiana across the state. I wanted us to make significant contributions to the party and to electing more Young Democrats to office at all levels of government. We have made significant strides towards that goal, but there is still work to be done.

With all that in mind, I have decided that my time as the President of the Indiana Young Democrats is coming to an end and that it is time for someone new to continue making IYD a stronger organization and partner to the Indiana Democratic Party. Effective December 14, 2019, I will be stepping down as President. As Vice President, Ali Brown will then call a meeting within 30 days to select my replacement per our bylaws in consultation with the IYD Secretary and Parliamentarian. I will work with Ali and the new president once elected to transition everything that will need to be transitioned.

It has been an honor serving you all.”

“We are sad to see him go, but we are extremely proud of the progress we have made around the state under his leadership,” said Ali Brown, Vice President of Indiana Young Democrats and councilor-elect of the Indianapolis City-County Council. “We raised the bar for young Hoosiers and will continue into 2020 seeking talented young individuals to serve as leaders.” 

IYD is the premier youth-led grassroots political organization in the state of Indiana. As the official youth caucus of the Indiana Democratic Party, IYD mobilizes young people between the ages of 18 and 35 to participate in the electoral process, influence elections, promote the ideals of the Democratic Party, and develop the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders on local, state, and national levels.

Young Democrats of America has over 150,000 members nationwide, and chapters in 48 states and U.S. territories.