Pattern for Progress is bringing back its popular Across the Aisle event on July 10, but this year there’s a new twist. Instead of the usual conversation between one Democratic and one Republican Congressman, this year’s event will include a panel discussion, featuring members of the “next generation” of elected leadership in the Hudson Valley.
“While we always enjoyed our conversations with Representatives Maloney, Gibson, and Faso, we are incredibly excited to present this new spin on Across the Aisle,” said Jonathan Drapkin, Pattern’s CEO & President. “We often worry that people in their 20s and 30s are moving out of the Hudson Valley, but these younger elected officials are showing the value of staying involved in their communities.”
The “Next Generation” panel features six elected officials under the age of 40–three Democrats and three Republicans. The Democratic panelists are Steve Noble, 36, the Mayor of Kingston, Kevindaryán Luján, 31, an Orange County Legislator from Newburgh, and Sarah Salem, 34, a Poughkeepsie City Council Member. The Republican panelists are Will Truitt, 23, a Dutchess County Legislator from Hyde Park, Kyle Roddey, 32, the Mayor of Goshen, and Ken Ronk, 32, an Ulster County Legislator from Shawangunk, and the Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature.
With partisan divisions engulfing Washington, these young elected officials will talk about the different picture they see in local government, where delivering services and responding to resident concerns matters more than what political party you belong to. They will also share thoughts about the challenges of running for and serving in elected office at a relatively young age, and the opportunities opened up by being able to bring a fresh perspective to government.
As in prior years, the event will take place at Marist College in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Registration and breakfast are from 9:00am to 9:30am and the discussion will run from 9:30am to 11:00am. For tickets and information on sponsoring this event, please contact Robin DeGroat at 845-565-4900 or by email at .
