PoliticsPA is assembling a list of Pennsylvania’s rising stars – top politicos under age 30 – and we want your suggestions.
We’re looking for campaign workers, consultants, fundraisers, legislative staffers, elected officials – anyone who’s proven themselves to be a difference-maker. If you’ve ever met someone and thought, “Keep an eye on this one – he or she is going places,” we want to know who.
There are only two rules for nominees: they must be under 30, and they must be based in Pennsylvania (or work for a member of Congress who is).
You can submit your suggestions by email, post them on Sy Snyder’s facebook page, tweet them @PoliticsPA, or type them in the comment section below.
Give us the name, age, and a few reasons why you think he or she is a rising star.
The deadline for submissions is next Monday, December 20. The list will released in time for the holidays.
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152 Responses
I nominate Richard Shermanski, the 24 year old Democratic Nominee for State Rep. in the 117th Dist. (Luzerne, Columbia and Wyoming County.
I nominate Cassandra Coleman as a rising political star, at age 23 is the Mayor of Exeter Boro, and also works for Senator Casey, is very dedicated to her work
Richard Shermanski, 24 yrs old, over the last year has shown some amazing promise in the field of Public Service. He has been elected to the Luzerne County Democratic Committee, ran in the special election for Luzerne County Commissioner and was the Democratic Nominee for State Rep. in the 117th.
I nominate Richard Shermanski.
I would like to nominate Casey Evans, 24, from Luzerne County. He was an active participant in the county debate over home rule and has truly made a name for himself in just a few short years. As a Republican, I hardly support Democrats, but I WILL be voting for Casey For county council next year: he reaches across the aisle to the GOP and has worked with elected Republicans in county government to do what’s best for the communities in Luzerne Co. As 2nd district Chairman, he looked out for the interests of the rural and suburban communities he represents. He is thoughtful, bright, and leaves negativity at the door and politics at the water’s edge. He has a bright future ahead of him and I believe he should be added to your list. Thank you.
I nominate Richard Shermanski for incrediable effort in running a great campaign in a heavy republican district. Although he did not win he had an amazing campaign. He’s only 24 but I’m sure we will see more of him very soon!
I nominate Richard Shermanski. While attending Law School, in Michigan, Richard made the decision to run for Office in the 117th Dist. and help bring to light issues really effecting the younger generation of PA. I wish him luck!
I nominate Sabrina McLaughlin who worked alongside me in the trenches of the Obama campaign. No one has yet mentioned that she was the field organizer responsible for Carbon County, which had voted for Bush in 2004 (and Corbett in 2010), but voted for Obama in 2008. Having shared an office in Hazleton with Sabrina, I can attest to the obstacles she faced and fought through to win her turf and flip that county.
Cassandra Coleman, Mayor of Exeter Borough, Northeastern PA. She is 23, a State committee woman, and also a deputy finance director for Senator Bob Casey. She is an incredible, bright, talented young woman!
I want to nominate both Casey Evans and Richard Shermanski, both of Luzerne County.
Richard ran a hard campaign this past year for the 117th State Rep seat against Karen Boback. Richard was out in the community, talking to people, engaging in forums and debates, and is going to have a big impact in the future.
Casey Evans worked hard on Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President in 2008 and on Gerald Mullery’s run for the 119th State Rep seat. He’s on the Luzerne County Democratic Committee, and is another young man that is going to have an impact in the community.
Go, Richard Shermanski! I nominate him!
I nominate Toni Marchowsky. She started as a budget analyst for the State House Appropriations Committee and is now a Director for Duane Morris Government Affairs. She a has a lot of political and policy knowledge and experience for someone her age.
Cassandra Coleman at age 23 is extremely talented. She has proven so by her many political accomplishments and the respect she has gained both in her personal and professional environment.
Cassandra is bright, energetic and extremely motivated. Having these traits and her desire to serve her Community & State will make her a great candidate.
I join with others to nominate, Sabrina McLaughlin. Sabrina is motivated, reliable, dedicated, and is greatly valued as assistant to the Senior Staff at the State Democratic Party. She handles office communications for both the State Party and Campaign Committee. She is involved with electing Democratic State Reps. (Sabrina is the first point of contact for County Chairs, State Committee people, Candidates, Campaign Staffers, and the General Public). Sabrina currently serves on the Luzerne County Democratic Committee and is active in Pennsylvania Young Democrats activities throughout the Commonwealth.
I vote for Casandra Coleman, Mayor of Exeter,PA for her long time involment in polotics ans dedication to serving the people of Pennsylvania. She learned for her grandfather, who was truly an honest and dedicated politician that, was greatly respected and unfortunately has passed away.
I nominate Richard Shermanski, 24, of Mountain Top PA.
Just this past election year, he ran for State Rep. of the 117th Dist and was was elected to the Democratic Committee of Luzerne County.
Cassandra Coleman is a young mover and shaker. She has proven herself to be a factor to contend with in her town politics and is taking that talent to areas outside her town as well.
I will nominate Casey Evans, 24, of Luzerne County, a former field staffer for Hillary Clinton’s ’08 campaign in PA, and for the VA Coordinated Campaign for Mark Warner for Sen. and Obama-Biden in 2008. He has since come back home to Luzerne County and has attained a seat on that county’s committee. He is an example of working towards greater representation for both younger 20/30 something professionals and the LGBT community, and is capable of speaking out passionately re: the issues effecting these communitities.
I would also like to nominate Mike Szustak, who most recently worked as field staff on Sestak campaign in Centre Co. and who has worked quietly and modestly behind the scenes to assist Luzerne County candidates, and to revitalise not only the Luzerne County chapter of Young Democrats, but other Northeast PA chapters of Young Democrats as well.
I nominate Sabrina McLaughlin. Sabrina personifies the ideals of the Democratic Party,is very intelligent, level-headed, and is not afraid of hard work. She has proven to be a successful campaign manager and organizer.
Omeed Firouzi is another rising star.
I nominate Richard Shermanski. 24 Yrs old and he has had some pretty amazing campaigns in Luzerne County!
Richard Shermanski has shown he deserves to be on this list having served on serval student councils throught the last 8 years along with running for public office throught his district.
I nominate Richard Shermanski. He’s only 24 but has already shown great potential in public service having ran for State Rep. of the 117th Dist.
Cassandra Coleman – continuing her grandfathers legacy as mayor of Exeter Boro, and currently serving as deputy of finance for Casey – very ambitious, hardworking individual. No other candidate is as qualified and/or deserving.
I nominate Casey Evans! He is young, but so very experienced already working in politics. At 24, he has so much passion and interest for changing things for the better.
Richard Shermanski has shown time and time again that he desrves to be on this list! At just 24 years old he has shown great promise in politics! He ran for County Commissioner and State Rep. between Dec. 2009 – Nov. 2010
Nominating another Young Democrat, I’d also like to offer praise to Sabrina McLaughlin. She ran an excellent campaign for state committee, and has helped revitalize the Luzerne County YDs into a credible political body. In Harrisburg, she worked the behind-the-scenes angle with the HDCC, yet she never once waivered in her purpose: to work toward a future filled with opportunity and justice and equality for every Pennsylvanian. A friend and colleague, Sabrina deserves recognition on your list.
I nominate Richard Shermanski. His Campaign for State Rep. in the 117th Dist. was great and although he’s only 24 he has already ran in a number of other campaigns. I’m sure he will try again very soon!
Yo, Richard Shermanski is dah best. Mmm! I be nominating this guy lemme tell ya pal.
I nominate Richard Shermanski for this list. He ran a great campaign for State Rep. in the 117th!
If there is a list put Sabrina McLaughlin on it. I have worked beside her on several campaigns, very successful ones, and she is a hard hitting trooper.
Also Richard Shermanski, Omeed Firouzi, and Case Evans are also noteworthy in so many ways.
– Bill Browne
I nominate Richard Shermanski. He has shown great leadership at just 24 running for County Commissioner, County Committee and State Rep. all in less than a year while attending Law School. No doubt he has great potential!
Cassandra Coleman is the Mayor of Exetor and the Finance Committee Director for Senator Casey…she is a talented professional with tremendous drive and the ability to be the future in politics…
I proudly nominate, Sabrina McLaughlin. Sabrina is motivated , reliable, and she is dedicated to her multi-tasking position, as an assistant to the Senior Staff at the State Democratic Party, managing variety of tasks. She handles office communications for both the State Party and Campaign Committee. Some of her responsbilities include electing Democratic State Reps. (she is the first point of contact for County Chairs, State Committee peoople, Candidates, Campaign Staffers, and the General Public). Sabrina currently serves on the Luzerne County Democratic Committe and finds the time and energy to participate in Pennsylvania Young Democrats activities all over the State.
Thank You for your consideration.
I, Nina Serrs, nominate Richard Shermanski. Richard deserves to be nominated for Top Politico Under the age of 30 due to his great leadership skills, compassion for the people’s freedom of all rights proudly bestowed upon this wonderful country, and his dedication for the betterment of our government. He has the exclusive yet great potential to become one of the best politicians of his time. As any leader must do, he is currently studying the law system as well as dipping his eager toes in the churning waters of politics by running for State Representative for the 117th District. With an equipped mind, I haven’t a shred of doubt in my own that this man could very well become the next President of our beautiful United States. I urge all of you to make the right choice based on the facts, nominate Richard Shermanski.
I nominate Richard Shermanski, the 2010 Democratic Nominee of the 117th Dist of PA at just 24 years old!
Richard Shermanski has accomplished so much in just this last year alone, running for State Rep. and becoming the Democratic Nominee on the 117th Dist. all whil attending Law School in Michigan. His dedication to public service is amazing. I am nominating him for this reason!
I nominate my friend, Omeed Firouzi, 17 years old, for a position on the list. I have never heard in my life of anyone so involved in politics at such a young age. Still in his senior year in high school, Omeed managed the successful reelection campaign of State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, a 20-year Democratic legislator from Kingston. From helping shape the campaign’s message to giving speeches at fall fundraisers to recruiting volunteers to knock on doors and make phone calls — and doing plenty of the calls and door knocking himself — Omeed did the kind of things politically inclined individuals of his age only dream of doing. He is a rising star in politics.
I nominate Omeed Firouzi.
One of the most outstanding political speakers I have encountered, he shows an exorbitant amount of potential and deserves to be on the list. At only 17 years old, Omeed successfully helped State Representative Phyllis Mundy to win reelection. He served as her campaign manager. I support Omeed whole-heartedly and believe he (again), is the most deserving.
I nominate Richard Shermanski.
Althoug he is only 24, Richard has already ran for County Commissioner of Luzerne County, been elected to the Luzerne County Democratic Committee on the 2nd Dist. and has ran for State Rep, of the 117th Dist (Luzerne, Wyoming and Columbia).
I nominate Casey Evans..
I would like to nonminate my brother Casey Evans. He is extremely dedicated, honest, passionate, and hard-working young man. His devotion to the people and committees he has worked for speaks a lot for this young man of 24 years old. It takes someone who has the knowledge, compassion, endurance, and enthusiastic disposition to carry out the jobs ahead of him. Please allow him the honor to be on this list. You won’t be disappointed.
I nominate Richard Shermanski. He trully is A New Voice For A New Pennsylvania!
I firmly nominate Richard Shermanski! He is a terrific politician and I have no doubt in my mind that this man has the ability to accomplish anything, and everything he sets his hard working hands upon. Good luck man, I know you’ll succeed in all your political goals.
Richard Shermanski has proven he deserves to be on this list. Although he is only 24 he shown great potential in politics. He has served on student government since his Soph. year of high school and has been very active in community service both inside and outside of his dist.
His 2010 campaign for State Rep. of the 117th was amazing and I know we will see him again real soon!
I am proudly nominating Richard Shermanski. He is very involved with politics and is very passionate and dedicated to the political system. He is only 24 years old, but he has served on many student government boards. Not only that, he attended law school and performed well academically.
I nominate Richard Shermanski, 24, of northeastern PA. This past fall he ran a strong campaign for 117th State Representative, and he has a passion for politics that is not seen in most people his age. We will definitely be seeing big things from him in the future.
I nominate Richard Shermanski. He has shown great potential as a public servant and I’m sure we will be seeing a lot more of him in the years to come.
I am nominating Omeed Firouzi, 17, for this list. It’s amazing what he has done as Phyllis Mundy’s campaign manager, and he has a very bright future in politics ahead of him! Also, I would like to add that while working on the campaign, he still managed to get Dean’s List at school, an outstanding accomplishment! I don’t know what other teenager would be able to do that. Vote Omeed!
I nominate Jana Stec, 24, of Luzerne County. She has worked tirelessly throughout the state with the Pennsylvania College Democrats, helping college students across the state register voters, get out the vote, and promote Democratic ideals. She currently serves as the Federation’s Graduate Advisor, helping the organization with programs. She was recently elected unanimously to serve on the Luzerne County Democratic Committee, and was appointed to its Executive Committee soon after. She was also a Field Organizer on the Chris Carney for Congress campaign, working in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. She put countless hours into the campaign reaching out to voters. She certainly deserves to be on this list!
Omeed Firouzi deserves to be on this list. I personally go to school with him, and I have seen him balance working as campaign manager for Phyllis Mundy with working for school throughout the entire fall. Vice president of the student body, senior class president, student activities committee executive board member, varsity golf team member, Model United Nations head delegate, Junior Statesman of America president, peer group member, and student newspaper staff writer, Omeed has been involved in so much at school, while simultaneously working diligently on the campaign. Nobody deserves to be on this list more than he does!