Kentucky Young Democrats

Leadership

Elected Officers 2012-2013

Liz Fossett, President   |  

Liz is a 2008 graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she focused on Australia and New Zealand Studies, and was President of the school’s College Democrats chapter.  While in DC, Liz worked at Hilltop Public Solutions, a strategic public affairs and political consulting firm.  After moving back home to Kentucky, Liz served as a Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Ben Chandler and Communications Director for the Fayette County, KY PVA office. She is an alumni of the Front Line Leaders Academy, as well as several campaigns in Kentucky, including 2008′s Bruce Lunsford for U.S. Senate  and 2006′s Ken Lucas for U.S. House of Representatives.   Liz is a native of Covington, and currently resides in Lexington, where she is a research assistant for  a local company and an MBA student at the University of Kentucky.

Liles Taylor, Vice President of Recruitment & Expansion  |   

Liles graduated from Asbury College with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications, and a minor in Youth Ministry. He is currently attending Morehead State University, studying for his Master in Public Administration. In October of 2009, Liles was appointed byGovernor Steve Beshear to serve on the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service.  He is active in his homechurch and has served with many faith-based and community organizations; some of which include the Versailles Kiwanis Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Relay for Life, Christian Service International, Habitat for Humanity, and Ichthus Ministries. In the summer of 2008, Liles interned under Director Colmon Elridge, in the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. He also serves as Community Service Liaison for the 2011 YDA National Convention in Louisville and Vice President of the Woodford County Young Democrats.

Michael Wilson, Vice President of Programming   |  

Michael is from Central Kentucky and helped charter the Lincoln Trail Young Democrats. He is currently in the accounting program at Western Kentucky University. Michael looks forward to continuing his work in the Kentucky Young Democrats by helping expand itsefforts across the Commonwealth. He also is excited about continuing his volunteering and charity work with the organization.

Andrea Ewen, Treasurer   |   

A resident of Lexington, Andrea graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  She is an administrative assistant to David O’Neill, the Fayette County Property Value Administrator.  Andrea has been active in some form ofpolitics for almost her entire life. She was the Host Chair of the 2011 Young Democrats of America National Convention, which was held in Louisville. She is currently the President of the Fayette County Young Democrats, the youth rep for the 6th District on the KDP State Central board and was a former KYD Vice President of Programming and KYD Regional Director.

Lauren Ingram, National Committeewoman   |   

Lauren Ingram was born and raised in Maysville, Kentucky in Mason County.  She attended the University of Louisville, graduating from that institution in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and again in 2009 with Juris Doctor.  In October of 2009, Lauren was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky after successful completing the Kentucky Bar Exam.  She is currently employed with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor in the Child Support Division. Lauren first became involved in politics in 2004 when she joined the University of Louisville College Democrats.  She currently serves as President of the Louisville Young Democrats and on the Executive Committee of the Metro Democratic Club.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Kentucky. When not prosecuting or politicking, Lauren enjoys cooking, yoga, and laughter.

Clint Morris, National Committeeman   |   

Clint Morris is currently serving his second term as the KYD National Committeeman.  As National Committeeman, Clint has focused on increasing KYD’s presence in YDA, professionalizing our processes and procedures, and targeting young voters with direct issue advocacy.  Clint is a 2005 graduate of Transylvania University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  More recently in 2008, Clint received his Master of Arts in History from the University of Kentucky, where he focused on the “Politics of Poverty” in early 20th Century America and Kentucky.
In addition to serving as KYD’s National Committeeman, Clint is currently Vice President of the Fayette County Young Democrats and an At-Large Member of the Fayette County Democratic Party Executive Committee.  He was a delegate to the YDA National Convention in both 2009 and 2011, serving each time as Kentucky’s representative on the YDA Credentials Committee.  Clint has also served as KYD Rules Committee Chair and was the Program Director for the 2011 YDA National Convention Louisville Host Committee.
Clint has held several positions with Democratic organizations, including:  Chairperson of the College Democrats of Kentucky, Vice Chairperson for Finance of the College Democrats of Kentucky, President and Political Affairs Director of the Transylvania College Democrats, College Director for the Fayette County Young Democrats, and has served as his precinct chair since 2008.  Clint has advised local Democratic candidates on field strategy and voter outreach and has served on several campaign steering committees in Fayette County.
Professionally, Clint works in the field of workforce development and employee rights where he focuses on Equal Employment Opportunity compliance, Affirmative Action and Diversity initiatives.

Michael Case, Secretary

 Michael Case is a 2010 graduate of Todd County Central High School and is currently a political science major & international affairs minor at Transylvania University, where he serves as the president of Transylvania College Democrats. During the 2012 election cycle he organized volunteer efforts for the Ben Chandler campaign in Lexington and the Barack Obama campaign in Cincinnati. As a result of his activism, Case was recognized as a “Kentucky Democratic Leader” and was invited to attend an issues briefing about averting the fiscal cliff at The White House, by the Office of Public Engagement. A diehard progressive, Case values equality above all else.

Young Democrats of America Officers

Colmon Elridge, Vice President of YDA   |  

A native of Harrison County, Colmon attended Transylvania University and while there held numerous leadership positions, including president of College Democrats of Kentucky.  He also earned a graduate degree at Eastern Kentucky University, where he served as executive vice president for the EKU Student Government Association, president of EKU College Democrats, and vice president of Madison County Young Democrats.  Elected in 2006 as president of Fayette County Young Democrats, Colmon had the distinct honor of introducing then-Senator Barack Obama at a campaign event the following year in Lexington.  He was appointed in 2007 as Executive Assistant to Governor Steve Beshear and in 2008 as Director of the White House Faith Based Initiatives – at 26 years old, the youngest in the nation to hold that position.  Colmon previously served as KYD’s national committeeman.  He lives in Lexington with his wife, Victoria.

Travis Scott, Chair of the YDA Rural Caucus   |  

Travis Scott, 27, is a native of Paintsville and 2004 graduate of Morehead State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and communications (journalism). While in college, Travis served as vice president of the MSU Student Government Association and state secretary of Kentucky 4-H. He has worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Lexington Habitat for Humanity and was also a member of the Morehead Area Habitat for Humanity board of directors. Travis has previously served as County Programs Director for the Kentucky Democratic Party, as well as having worked for the Democratic National Committee and the campaigns of Governor Steve Beshear, State Representative Sannie Overly, and State Senate candidates Kathy Groob and Scott Alexander.

Nikki Turner, Secretary/Treasurer of YDA College Caucus   |  

A native of Graves County, Nikki got an early start in politics by serving on her high school’s Young Democrats Club Executive Board for three consecutive years. Nikki is a student at the University of Louisville double majoring in Political Science and Economics, where she serves as the College Democrats President.  She also serves as the Membership Director for the Kentucky College Democrats and is a Finance Committee member of the College Democrats of America. Nikki is also active within the UofL Student Government Association by serving as a lobbyist. In addition to being a full-time student and these leadership roles, Nikki is a student manager at the “Fund for UofL”, where she fundraises for student scholarships and other academic programs. Nikki aspires to attend graduate school to obtain Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Victoria Elridge, Vice Chair of YDA Disabilities Caucus; Deputy Community Service   | 

Victoria Elridge was born and raised in Louisville, KY. At the age of four, she suffered a concussion and developed juvenile epilepsy. Although her seizures ended at age 10, Victoria would continue to volunteer with the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana as well work with young people with disabilities which inspired her to pursue a career in the healthcare field.
Victoria attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received both her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Science and Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. While at EKU, Victoria met her husband, Colmon, and together they have become active in local, state, and national politics. She has served as the Secretary and Membership Director for the Fayette County Young Democrats and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of both the Disability Caucus and the Community Service Committee for the Young Democrats of America.
Victoria, her husband, and their two sons, live in Lexington.

Colene Elridge, Diversity and Outreach Director   | 

Jessica Martin, Deputy Chief of Staff for Internal Affairs   | 

Walker Mattox, Deputy Meetings Director   | 

Appointed Directors