Scott Broden

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — Rutherford County Democrats and Republicans are competing for young voters in addition to offices as the comnunity heads further into the 2016 presidential election.

Rutherford County Young Democrats President Darrell Bouldin and Rutherford County Young Republicans Chairman Daniel Gammon each agreed to respond through email to the same questions from The Daily News Journal:

Q: Why should young adults choose your party?

Bouldin: The Democratic Party is about progress and innovation. We are the party of working people. We believe that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. We are the party of inclusion, diversity, and equal rights, which the majority of young adults support and which is the direction our nation is headed in. In an ever-changing world, our nation must progress and innovate to succeed. This is what the Democratic Party stands for.

Gammon:

Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis. Under the current administration, we have seen the national debt balloon like never before, our historical, deep-rooted moral and ethical values are constantly under attack, and our personal liberties continue to be depleted at rapid rates.

We have to consider where young adults are in their lives. Most young adults are just now entering the workforce and developing their careers. The Republican Party advocates for individuals to have the freedom to use their abilities to seek personal happiness and entrepreneurial success. I believe this is vital in reversing the current administration’s philosophies and instead encourage young adults to work hard and strive to be successful.

As Republicans, we are very fortunate to reside here in Rutherford County and in Tennessee. While holding a majority of the offices at both levels, Republican leadership is allowing both our county and state to be among the most successful in the entire country. It is very exciting to be a part of that!

Q: What are you doing to recruit people to your party?

Bouldin: We are widely reaching out through social media and community outreach directly to our constituents. We are raising awareness with people on the political issues that impact them such as Insure TN. We are working with the MTSU College Democrats who are responsible for recruitment on MTSU’s campus. The Tennessee Young Democrats just launched constituency caucuses to offer more ways for young adults to become involved with us, and we have several new chapters emerging. The College Democrats of Tennessee are a caucus and sister organization of the Tennessee Young Democrats and are on college campuses across the state. We expect to see a lot of energy leading into the 2016 presidential election and invite young adults to join us in supporting our Democratic nominee for president.

Gammon: The Young Republicans have been very active over the past year. Aside from our regular monthly meetings, we have worked hard to remain active in the community. Many of our members are involved in multiple organizations, often serving in leadership roles. Their individual investments in our community have allowed us to continue to grow, while also serving Rutherford County.

There are four Republican groups in Rutherford County: Young Republicans, College Republicans, Republican Women and the County GOP. Part of our recruitment efforts have been to support and be involved with growing all four groups. In addition to supporting the candidates, whether it be the Reagan Day dinner, Fourth of July Picnic, the College Republicans “Ask Your Representative” forum or one of the many other events, there are numerous opportunities for our members to become involved.

Q: What are you doing to get young people involved in the political process?

Bouldin: As a chapter of the Tennessee Young Democrats, we are working in partnership with our state organization to get young people involved in a number of ways, including raising awareness of a variety of political issues that impact our state such as Insure Tennessee. We are encouraging young adults to run for office, promoting them in the Democratic Party, plugging them into training and conferences they may attend, offering campaign volunteer opportunities and training them in advocacy for issues that they care about.

Gammon: Young adults are very passionate about being involved and making changes. Obviously, we have provided the traditional opportunities such as debate watch parties, passing out voter-registration applications and working on campaigns. As a party, we regularly try to identify the next leaders in our community, helping them to potentially run for office, serve on boards, etc. Regardless of their political affiliation, Rutherford County is very fortunate to have a large number of strong, youthful individuals.

Q: What issues do younger voters want to see addressed that might be different than an average voter?

Bouldin: The major issue facing many young adults is student debt. Getting a college or vocational education should not be prohibitively expensive. The Democratic Party stands for lowering this debt and providing quality affordable higher education. All of our Democratic presidential primary candidates are for low-cost to free higher education in public universities and relief for those who have student debt. Another issue important to young voters is the minimum wage. Many young people are working harder but being paid less per inflation than generations before them. We support a higher minimum wage. Climate change is another issue young voters are concerned about. A majority of young voters believe in global warming at a higher percentage than other ages of voters.

Gammon: While it is not necessarily different than the average voter, economic issues are a strong concern among our membership. As previously mentioned, the national debt continues to rise, restraints and regulations against the free market continue to grow, and our political counterparts continue to seek even more ways to increase the tax obligations of the American citizen.

According to a recent Harvard study, nearly half of the nation’s youth believe that the “American Dream” is now dead. This is extremely alarming. If we do not start encouraging our citizens to be successful, we will continue to see a depletion of personal responsibility and an increase in government dependency.

Q: What direction do you see your party heading in the next five years?

Bouldin: As the demographics and political outlook of our county, state and nation changes as well as scientific realities such as climate change become more apparent, the Democratic Party can only grow. On the county and state level, we will have candidates ready to address the needs of everyday working Tennesseans and ready to move Tennessee forward rather than backwards.

Gammon: United! As in any large group or organization, there will always be an assortment of ideas and opinions. I am extremely confident that the Republican Party will find ways to bring all of these ideas and people together. It is imperative that we have a strong, united effort, so that we can work to restore America back to the eminence she was before.

Contact Scott Broden at 615-278-5158. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.

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About Darrell Bouldin

Age: 29

Position: president, Rutherford County Young Democrats

Political experience: Delegate to the 2015 Young Democrats of America Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles; executive vice president of the Tennessee Young Democrats; chair of the Tennessee Young Democrats LGBTQ Caucus; campaign manager for Murfreesboro Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris’s 2010 election and 2014 re-election campaigns; vice chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party 2013 – 2015; elected delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention; 2008 Obama for America Volunteer Field Organizer

Background: "Born in Murfreesboro but raised after the age of 2 in Warren County in Viola, one of the smallest incorporated towns in Middle Tennessee. Moved to Rutherford County in 2008 and lived here eight years. Paternal family involved in the political life of Warren County."

Education: Warren County High School graduate in 2005

Career: Student and consultant

Community involvement: Board member and founding chapter co-director of New Leaders Council Nashville; inaugural adviser of Global Advisory Board of WikiQueer; board member of Tennessee Alliance for Progress, 2009-2012; 2011 Greensboro Justice Fund Fellow at Highlander Research & Education Center

Family: Parents, DL Bouldin (deceased) and Beth Bouldin nee Whitaker of Viola; siblings, Keith Bouldin of McMinnville, David Bouldin of Allen, Texas, and Cathy Walker nee Bouldin of Cookeville

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About Daniel Gammon

Age: 30

Position: chairman, Rutherford County Young Republicans

Political experience: Previously served as political director for College Republicans

Background: "I was born and raised in Murfreesboro."

Education: Riverdale High School graduate in 2003; Middle Tennessee State University graduate in 2007

Career: Contractor

Community involvement: Member of Third Baptist Church in Murfreesboro; founding board member of the Murfreesboro Young Professionals; province president for Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity

Family: Wife, Brittany