Olivia Owens

Brandon Gonzalez (he/him) is a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in Political Science. Brandon has experience in political campaigning, legislation, and organizing. Brandon serves as the Political Director for the New Paltz College Democrats and volunteers with the Ulster County Democratic Party. He has also worked in Albany as an Assembly session intern for Assemblymember Chris Eachus (Assembly 99th district) during the 2023 legislative session. During the 2022 elections, Brandon worked as a working fellow for Pat Ryan’s congressional campaign (NY-18). Brandon has a deep passion for getting Gen-Z invested in their democracy and is excited to serve as President of CDNY.

Gabriella A. Romero represents the 6th Ward, which encompasses the Park South, Hudson/Park, Center Square, and Washington Park neighborhoods. She is the first Latina to represent the 6th Ward, and the first public defender to serve on Albany’s Common Council. She is so proud to be Latinx Chair for the New York State Young Democrats.

Gabriella was born in the City of Albany, graduated from Union College in 2014, and Albany Law School in 2018. Gabriella works as a public defender in Albany County where she serves as a felony trial attorney, representing clients in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. This work allows her to understand the criminalization of poverty, food insecurity/housing insecurity and exposes her to the programming in need of reform. Gabriella’s goal in the Common Council is to pass legislation and create programs that improve our city, and create a government that works for all residents, not just the wealthy or well-connected.

She is an advocate for her community on the issues of tenant rights, criminal justice reform, youth advocacy, environmental conservation, and food apartheid.

Gabriella A. Romero representa el Distrito Electoral No. 6 que abarca los vecindarios de Park South, Hudson / Park, Center Square y Washington Park. Ella es la primera latina en representar al Distrito 6 y la primera defensora pública en servir en el Consejo Común de Albany. Está muy orgullosa de ser la Presidenta del Caucus Latinx dentro de los Jóvenes Demócratas del Estado de Nueva York.

Gabriella nació en la ciudad de Albany, se graduó de Union College en 2014 y de la Facultad de Derecho de Albany en 2018. Gabriella trabaja como defensora pública en el condado de Albany, donde se desempeña como abogada litigante de delitos graves, representando a clientes en casos penales de delitos menores y graves. Este trabajo le permite comprender la criminalización de la pobreza, la inseguridad alimentaria / inseguridad habitacional y la expone a la programación que necesita reforma. El objetivo de Gabriella en el Consejo Común es aprobar legislación y crear programas que mejoren nuestra ciudad y crear un gobierno que funcione para todos los residentes, no solo para los ricos o bien conectados.

Ella es una defensora de su comunidad en los temas de derechos de los inquilinos, reforma de la justicia penal, defensa de los jóvenes, conservación del medio ambiente y apartheid alimentario.

After being elected in May 2023, Manik Elahi serves as the Chair of the New York State Young Democrats Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus. In this role, he leads the organizational outreach of NYSYD to AAPI communities.

As an immigrant, the value of effective representation in the governmental and political process is a core value in his work. Manik truly believes that the Democratic Party can institutionally deliver sustainable and effective solutions to the issues of the working people of this country.

Professionally, Manik serves as Outreach Manager to U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), where he spearheads the external and community relations for the Congressman. Prior to this, Manik served in various public service roles at the New York State Senate, Office of Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, and the State University of New York.

Manik is a proud product of public higher education, being an alumnus of the University at Albany, and Hudson Valley Community College.

Rachel Bruce is a young professional, public servant, community activist, and Democratic strategist born and raised in the Hudson Valley. She currently serves as Chair of the Labor Caucus for New York State Young Democrats.

The daughter of two union members, Rachel developed an early passion for public service and improving her community. She currently works in state government and previously served as Policy Advisor for Economic Development and Housing under the Executive Chamber where she oversaw and carried out major economic development initiatives under the Governor’s Office, authored State of the State policy, and helped draft the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection act of 2019. Within NYSYD, Rachel also serves as Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus and at home serves as Policy Chair of the Young Democrats of Orange County, which she co-founded and helped recharter in 2021.

Rachel has served on various local, state, and federal campaigns including as a volunteer regional organizer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign as well as Social Media Director and Internship Coordinator for Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick’s 2020 campaign. She has also served as a longtime intern and volunteer for Senator James Skoufis. She is a member of the Orange County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee as well as her town’s Democratic committee. She is heavily involved causes surrounding environmental protection, transportation access, land preservation, the arts, and sustainability, serving as Co-Chair of her Village’s Land Preservation Committee.

Rachel is a 2018 graduate of Bryn Mawr College where she majored in the Growth and Structure of Cities and was elected to the highest level of her college’s Self-Government Association. She is currently pursuing her Master of City Planning at the University of Pennsylvania where she is concentrating in Community and Economic Development. In her free time, she enjoys playing and performing music, cooking, drawing, and biking with friends and family.

Martha Mahoney, Esq., currently serves as Chief of Staff and Counsel to NYS Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D-109). She previously served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany, where she advised on quality of life matters, such as land use, zoning, and community development, as well as real property transactions. A resident of the City of Albany, Martha is an alumna of both Albany Law School and the University at Albany.