I’m a youth Democratic organizer running for an At-Large seat on the DNC Youth Council for the Eastern Region. I'm running because we need leaders who will build youth power across the nation and the Eastern Region, fighting for a party that organizes in every community, represents youth voices, supports our youth organizations, and is accessible to people of all backgrounds.
I am Milan van Dam, a youth Democratic organizer running for an At-Large seat on the Youth Council for the Eastern Region. As young people in politics, we are used to being underestimated. I wasn’t born with connections or handed advantages, but I’ve never let that stop me from stepping into rooms where people like me aren’t “supposed to be.”
I’m running for the Youth Council because I want to make those rooms broadly accessible. We need leaders who will build youth power across the nation and the Eastern Region, fighting for a party that organizes in every community, represents youth voices, supports our youth organizations, and is accessible to people of all backgrounds.
If given the opportunity to serve, I will bring the full force of my grassroots organizing experience — from national organizations to local campaigns — to unite the youth Democratic movement behind a shared mission: building youth and Democratic power across the region and nationwide.
As young people in politics, we are used to being underestimated. I wasn’t born with a last name that opened doors, but that didn't stop me from fighting to build youth and Democratic power across the country.
On the Youth Council, I’ll carry that same mindset: work to bring in more voices, not speak over them; build structures that outlast my term; and keep the focus on year-round, on-the-ground organizing that actually builds power.
I bring to this role a demonstrated track record in youth organizing and Democratic politics, from national networks to local races in my home state of Maryland.
As Vice Chairman of HSDA, I spearheaded the near-doubling of our number of local chapters and establishment of 13 new state chapters. We are using this expanded network to mobilize young people in key races across the country. I previously led the Maryland High School Democrats and First-Generation Caucus.
I serve as the youngest-ever Executive Board member of my county’s Young Democrats, and have attended the past 2 DNC meetings. I also serve as a member of the AAPI Caucus' Organizing Committee.
I’ve worked with numerous campaigns up and down the ballot within my home state of Maryland, from working with Congressman Raskin to State Senate and County Council races. Showing up on-the-ground is what organizing is about.
We must organize and build something bigger, from supporting our youth organizations to establishing a stronger digital and grassroots presence for the Youth Council, we have a lot of work to do... but it's work we must do.
This isn’t a normal political moment. MAGA Republicans are actively trying to roll back progress for working people, undermine democracy, and take away our futures. The Youth Council needs to meet this moment.
As I stated during the candidate forum, "We also have to recognize that Republicans gained a lot of ground with young voters last year, and with TPUSA amassing thousands of chapters across the country and Republican megadonors throwing millions into youth organizing, it is no secret that we have to strengthen our own youth movement."
You can also reach out to me at 240-660-1088 or mdam@hsdems.org anytime!