Forde captures support of the younger generation who represent more than 25% of the district’s voters
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. — Orange County Young Democrats (OCYD) voted by an overwhelming margin last night to endorse Brian Forde, Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 45th District.
“Times have changed. This isn’t our parents’ Orange County,” said Danielle Serbin, Chair of OCYD. “For every two Republicans between the ages of 18-35 in CD45, there are three of us — and we’re ready to fight to turn Orange County Blue!” Serbin continued, “After a week where we saw leaders questioning Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg without an obvious understanding of the platform, it is crystal clear that we need elected representatives like Brian Forde who know how technology works, how it can help us, and can mitigate the dangers posed.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to have earned the support of the Orange County Young Democrats” said Forde. “More than 28% of the Democrats in our District are between the ages of 18-35 — an incredibly powerful group of voters deeply concerned about our future because they are our future. If we want to turn Orange County blue, it starts with us — pushing forward an agenda, built on innovative thinking, bold ideas, and a willingness to transcend the partisan divide that has crippled our democracy.”
Forde’s impassioned remarks at the OCYD endorsement meeting last night helped him garner the highest level of support:
“The truth is, the average age of Democratic leadership in Congress is 72. I’m 37. So, when they propose fixes for affordable housing, you and I know better. We know that no matter what they do, it’s incredibly hard to save up a down-payment when we’re saddled with mountain of college debt. That’s why I believe in debt-free college education.”
We hear representatives say they’ll stand up to the NRA — but 16 and 17 year olds who cannot legally vote have done more for gun control than the 60-to-70 year olds in Congress. Because for us it’s a matter of life or death. That’s why I’ll propose the Gun Violence Prevention Act.
For us, Dreamers aren’t a political prop — they’re our friends and classmates. That’s why I’ll fight for a clean DACA bill.
And when we watch 84-year-old Senator Orrin Hatch ask Mark Zuckerberg, ‘How do you sustain a business model in which users don’t pay for your service?’ … We’re as stunned as Zuckerberg at the stupidity of the question!
We’ve got a 20th century Congress combatting 21st century problems. We need innovative leaders who reflect our values.”
Brian Forde has spent two decades at the nexus of technology, entrepreneurship, and public policy. He’s consistently demonstrated his readiness as a leader in the 21st century and is prepared to serve in Congress to combat climate change, fight for compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform, and provide healthcare for all.
ABOUT BRIAN FORDE
Raised in Tustin, California, Brian Forde developed an interest in technology at an early age. He built his first computer by hand and took advanced technology courses at Irvine Valley College and UC Irvine while still in high school. After graduating from UCLA, Forde served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua and co-founded a telecom business that reduced the cost of international calls by 90% for rural Nicaraguans.
Forde went on to serve in the Obama White House as a Senior Advisor for Mobile and Data Innovation, where he worked to prepare American workers for 21st century jobs and apply technology to critical national priorities. After serving more than three years in the Obama administration, Forde joined the MIT Media Lab as Director of the Digital Currency Initiative.
A native of Orange County, Forde lives with his wife, Alison, in the city of Lake Forest.