The Daily Delegate

Youth Governor Nicholas Johnson working with his cabinet. Photo by Serenity Vejar, Photo/Video Pod Leader.

Paavo Lahdesmaki
Governor Pod Leader

Maria Fine
Governor Pod Writer

Publicly streamed press briefings, speeches, news publications, and social media allow constituents to remain up to date on the inner workings of their government. This is an integral part of an administration — whether it’s the president, governor, or a small-town mayor — and it also applies to the youth governor’s administration. 

Currently, the youth governor doesn’t actively use his @76thyouthgov Instagram account as platform for updates or information on the Governor’s agenda. As such, delegates have expressed confusion about Youth Governor Nicholas Johnson’s activities and role as governor.  

While a majority of delegates interviewed shared uncertainty in the administration’s proceedings, many characterized the Governor’s work ethic as strong.

“I don’t know much about the work [Governor Johnson’s] has been doing,” Luna Rosen, a delegate from the Berkeley Delegation and a member of Communications, said Saturday morning. 

“I don’t know a lot about his work but I think he’s a great guy,” Berkeley delegate Matilda Grant told The Daily Delegate Saturday morning. “He seems really passionate about being youth governor and I think that’s a great quality to have.”

Giving delegates the opportunity to hear from the governor and their team — whether it be through social media or speeches — can help clear up this confusion.

While the media program covers the work that the governor does, a platform that the governor can regularly use to connect with delegates would improve transparency and prevent confusion. 

In a press briefing Saturday afternoon, The Daily Delegate informed the Governor’s press secretary, Serena Renee Watkins, and members of the Governor’s cabinet that delegates who spoke to The Daily Delegate expressed feeling out of the loop about his day-to-day activities and responsibilities.

Renee Watkins stated that the Cabinet hopes to be able to use the @cayouthgov Instagram account to share information about the Cabinet’s proceedings. She confirmed her team is working on getting it set up and that the Governor supports more transparency through sharing his behind-the-scenes work. 

Governor Johnson’s Instagram account is @76thyouthgov.