A young American with political passion

Brandon Kovach - Young Democrat

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Brandon Kovach, 17, is the youngest member of the Mahoning County Democratic Party Executive Committee.

By David Skolnick

The Mahoning County Democratic Party executive committee member isn’t old enough to vote.

AUSTINTOWN — While vacationing with his family, a very young Brandon Kovach told his mother he’d rather be in Washington, D.C.

President Bill Clinton instead of Mickey Mouse; the Washington Monument instead of Cinderella’s Castle.

“Also, when he was little, he liked money because it has the faces of presidents on them,” said Carla Kovach, his mother. “From a very young age, he’s liked history and politics.”

Brandon is no longer a little kid — he’s the ripe old age of 17 and turns 18 on July 1 — and his passion for politics has grown.

He’ll vote for the first time in November, and Brandon is already deeply immersed in politics.

A few years ago, Brandon had his parents legally change his middle name to Jefferson in honor of his political hero, President Thomas Jefferson.

He’s worked on a number of local campaigns, served as a volunteer for the Barack Obama presidential campaign last year, and attends several political functions.

He is the Young Democrats of America’s regional director for the Mahoning Valley.

Brandon is also a member of the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s executive committee, and is believed to be the youngest person to ever serve on it.

“I’m very impressed by him,” said Mahoning Democratic Chairman David Betras, who appointed the Austintown Fitch High School junior to the committee that also includes every elected countywide Democratic official.

“It’s great to know that my opinion matters as much as an elected official’s does,” Brandon said. “I’m their equal on the executive committee and they treat me as an equal.”

Jeff Kovach, his father, said his son is fortunate to be on the committee.

“He gets to see how things are run firsthand,” Kovach said. “He’s getting real hands-on experience.”

Betras appointed about 70 people to the executive committee, which will be heavily involved in helping Democratic candidates get elected and endorsing those running for office.

When Brandon heard that Betras was seeking the party chairmanship, he made an appointment to meet the candidate.

“He showed up in a suit,” Betras said. “I’m impressed by him. He’s that talented and motivated. He’s a worker and is intelligent.”

Besides serving on the executive committee, Brandon is a member of the party’s communications team and helped set up the party’s Facebook and Twitter Internet social networking accounts.

“He’s done a lot for us at a very young age,” Betras said.

Brandon’s parents have never been politically active, but he became interested while he was very young.

“He’s our model student,” his father said. “I’m very thankful for the way he conducts himself and carries himself.”

Brandon is a member of the Austintown Men Democrats Club and Fitch’s speech and debate team.

In some ways, he’s a typical high- school student enjoying fishing, bowling and hanging out with his friends.

“I’m a regular high-school kid except for my extreme interest in politics,” he said.

In other ways, he’s unique — he’s an avid watcher of C-SPAN.

Though only 17, Brandon already has his life mapped out.

“I’m a long-term goal-oriented person,” he said. “I’ve known since I was a little kid that I wanted to be involved in politics.”

Brandon plans to attend the University of Akron with a double major in constitutional law and political science after he graduates from Fitch in 2010. He plans to get involved in political-consulting in the next few years.

He also plans to run for elected office.

“I have to pick the right position,” he said. “I’d truly love to run for Congress one day.”

The person currently holding the U.S. House seat in Brandon’s district is U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who made a name for himself at a young age. Ryan was 29 when first elected to Congress in 2002.

“I admire Tim Ryan,” Brandon said.

“If he can do it, I can, too. He also started in the Young Democrats in Trumbull County. Running for Congress is the ultimate goal.”

skolnick@vindy.com