The Daily Delegate

By Zarina Eull

This is the first year of the campaign strategy team as a designated program area. With the introduction of this area, delegates get to have hands-on experience with running and coordinating campaigns for the four Youth Governor candidates. Unlike other program areas, campaign strategies allow delegates more fluidity during conferences.

Campaign Strategy Teams consist of 40 people divided into four groups of 10, with a relatively straightforward selection process. Each candidate has a 10-person campaign team, comprising different committees: social media, media preparation, grassroots, and a campaign manager.

Campaign Manager Ellyse Legaspi said the Campaign Strategy Teams tend to have a lot of freedom throughout the Sacramento conference, and the candidates visit different locations to connect with delegates.

“Usually when the candidates go to program areas, they have a little pitch, similar to the delegation visits they have been doing,” Legaspi said.

A recent campaign trip to Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) involved Youth Governor candidates Zora McCoy, Devon Jasiukonis, and Gagan Dhillon giving delegates fun facts about themselves and talking to curious delegates.

Candidates also performed a fun group interpretive dance for Con-Con delegates to the song “California Love” by Tupac Shakur. This was closely followed by each candidate singing their favorite songs – Careless Whisper, California Gurls, and Paper Bag.

“We’re just doing more fun questions and getting to know the personal side of the candidates,” Legaspi said.

More modern approaches to campaigning and connecting with voters are produced in the Campaign Strategy Teams program area. One example of this is a recent Q&A session held by candidate Devon Jasiukonis via Instagram Live. 

According to Legaspi, the Instagram Live was put together well and showed how far campaign information can spread through social media.

“Social media is definitely the most impactful and important aspect of the campaign right now,” Legaspi said. “That team has been working overtime.”

Campaign Strategy presents program opportunities that are unique from any other. Delegates are pushed to tap into their innovative sides, having to devise strategies that are not only fun, but meaningful and impactful. As a program area, campaign strategy is unlike anything we’ve seen before and hopefully, it will become an integral part of Youth & Government.