The Maryland Young Republicans elected new leadership at their convention in Silver Spring today.
Jackie Sackstein of Montgomery County was elected the new Chairman. She was most recently the Chair of the Montgomery County Young Republicans.
Other new leaders elected on Sackstein’s “Energize” slate include Vice-Chair Corine Frank, National Committeewoman Kira Bender, National Committeeman Cross Ritchey, Secretary Ben Kelley and Treasurer Jason Trott.
Sacsktein takes over at an important time for the YRs. After a two-year return to strength and relevancy from 2017-2019, the Maryland YRs took major steps backward over the course of the last two years. Little focus was paid to campaigning and electioneering since 2021, with most events being focused on Happy Hours. The most notable thing Young Republicans have done recently was talk about Elf.
Sackstein also faces the challenge of trying to appeal to younger voters at a time when younger voters are turning away from the Republican Party due to the national antics of Donald Trump and the statewide antics of Dan Cox. She also faces the challenge of the Young Republican brand being damaged by the lunatic fringe antics of clubs like the DC Young Republicans and the New York Young Republicans in Manhattan, which have made being a Young Republican more akin to joining a Cult of Trump.
Additionally, the incompetent of the Nicole Harris administration is another burden Young Republicans will need to overcome.
We wish Chairman Sackstein the best as she begins the third rebuild of the Maryland Young Republicans since 2011. She and her team have a lot on their plate and a lot to prove.