NextGen America
April 8, 2020

NextGen America Calls on Biden Campaign to Adopt Youth-Centered Message and Policy Platform 

As the presumptive Democratic nominee, the Vice President must speak to the needs of the largest group of potential voters

NextGen America joined a coalition of youth-led organizations in writing a letter to Vice President Joe Biden urging him to address the priorities of young voters. Biden is likely the Democratic nominee, but he needs to increase support and enthusiasm from a demographic that is indispensable to victory in November.

A litany of youth organizations ranging in focus from gun violence prevention to climate and immigration activism, including Alliance for Youth Action, Justice Democrats, March for Our Lives Action Fund, Student Action, Sunrise Movement, and United We Dream Action, is calling on Biden to shift his message to help inspire young voters. NextGen America is committed to spending at least $45 million communicating with more than 5 million young supporters, and potential voters this election cycle to beat Trump. Biden can help make that work easier through changes in message and strategy.

“Young people are highly aware of what’s at stake in this election, and we’re organizing through thick and thin to make Donald Trump a one-term president,” NextGen America Executive Director Ben Wessel said. “But defeating Trump means understanding that our problems are bigger than Trump alone. We’re the generation that has been welcomed into adulthood by two major recessions, climate catastrophe, and injustice all around us. We need our nominee to recognize those challenges and act accordingly. Vice President Biden, we are ready to mobilize our generation in the fall, but we can't do it alone.”

Among other things, the letter pushes for Biden to embrace sweeping changes to our energy, healthcare, criminal legal, and immigration systems. NextGen America’s Ben Wessel has also written an op-ed on tactics that Biden can employ to increase the enthusiasm of young voters.

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NextGen America is a multiracial coalition of young people, organized to take power by winning elections for progressive candidates. NextGen is uniquely suited to help millennials and Gen Z’ers seize power as an experienced yet nimble political organization that leads with authenticity and grit. Since 2013, NextGen America has registered over 1.3 million voters and contacted millions of young people with messages encouraging them to vote.