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Boardman man named state’s Young Dem of Year
YOUNGSTOWN
Christopher Anderson of Boardman, the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s executive director for political affairs, won the state’s Young Democrat of the Year Award.
“It was an almost surreal feeling to get an award like that,” Anderson, 29, said. “I was honored to receive an award of that importance and to bring it to the Mahoning Valley.”
The Ohio Democratic Party selected Anderson for the honor, named for former Gov. John Gilligan, for the Boardman man’s “exemplary leadership” and “outstanding service on behalf of Democrats in Ohio.”
David Betras, the county Democratic Party chairman, said Anderson is “knowledgeable about politics well beyond his chronological years. He knows how to create a message, how to influence voters and how to target voters. He was my right arm this last election.”
In his role in the party, Anderson was involved in the campaigns of local candidates, particularly Jamael Tito Brown, Youngstown mayor-elect; Carla Baldwin, Youngstown Municipal Court judge-elect; and Dominic R. Leone III, Struthers Municipal Court judge-elect, Betras said.
“I helped candidates with marketing and targeting voters,” Anderson said. “I helped with support throughout the election. Anytime there was organizing needed for any race, I was there to help. I learned a lot during this past election and look forward to working with people who want to advance the Valley. It was a great feeling to wake up the day after the Democratic wins on Election Day not just across the area, but across the country.”
Anderson said he initially got involved in politics during his time as an undergraduate at Youngstown State University, from where he graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management. He is working toward a master’s degree in business administration at YSU, expecting to earn it next year.
Anderson helped found Mahoning County Young Democrats in 2016 and serves as its president.
He also is the national vice chairman of the Rural Caucus of the Young Democrats of America; corresponding secretary of the 224 Corridor Democratic Club; served as the Northeast Ohio regional director for the College Democrats of Ohio; and was the communications director of the YSU College Democrats when he attended the university.
Anderson thanked his wife, Sarah, for her support, saying none of his success would be possible without her.