The Daily Delegate

By: Daniella Jaramillo

As elections quickly approach and delegates begin to contemplate who will be our next Youth Governor, it is essential to examine the candidates closely. Through the V.O.T.E.R.S. acronym, it is possible to dive further into who these candidates are and explore their values, objectives, their track records when it comes to leadership, evidence in how they detail their goals, how they represent the voices of the people, and if, behind the style and flair of the overall campaign, is their substance in what they say. 

Gagan Dhillon, a junior from the Sacramento delegation, is running for the position of 79th Youth Governor. Throughout his campaign, he has emphasized empathy. Gagan has a strong ability to put himself in others’ shoes and truly understand their perspectives. By communicating with delegates, he learns what they want from the program and works to prioritize their preferences.

If elected, Gagan’s main goal is communication. He believes in giving equal value to all delegations, prioritizing delegates’ opinions and preferences when shaping the future of Youth Government. Gagan wants to understand how much change people want in the program and the ways delegates hope to see it happen. To ensure this, he plans to communicate directly with the governor and gather feedback from everyone.

The biggest influence on Gagan’s leadership, however, comes from being an older brother. When he was younger, he and his little brother would play Minecraft on two computers: one that worked well and one that barely functioned. They agreed to switch every thirty minutes, but his brother often played for forty. Gagan could have gotten upset, but instead, he chose patience. He waited the extra time and then took his own forty minutes.

This moment reflects the center of Gagan’s leadership: fairness, understanding, and staying focused on the bigger picture. He knows disagreements and different opinions will happen, but he believes they should never get in the way of progress. Everyone in this program is working toward the same goal, and Gagan promises he will lead with respect and cooperation.

To ensure his goals are accomplished, if elected, Gagan will fill his Governor’s Cabinet with people who know what they’re doing. He has a clear vision for the future of Youth Government, but he understands he can’t do it alone. Therefore, he will emphasize choosing cabinet members who are committed and capable, making sure every part of his platform is carried out.

Gagan is committed to listening to everyone, making an effort to reach out across the program and take in their opinions on what needs to be done. Each part of his platform speaks to experiences delegates share. For example, connection, bringing our delegations and caucuses closer together and making caucuses accessible to everyone.

Under all the slogans and campaigns, Gagan Dhillon truly cares about this program. He has learned so much from it and wants to give back. When Gagan first joined his delegation, he was nervous and unsure of what to do or where he belonged. Over time, he found his place and surprised himself with how much he grew. Now, he wants every delegate to have that same experience: to surprise themselves, to speak up, to feel more connected within the program, and to see just how far they can go.