beinvolved.bloomington.iu.edu/organization/collegedemsatiu
Three young Democratic organizers discuss building the next generation of Indiana political leadership at the kickoff of Indiana Rural Summit’s campus tour. Ben Baranko (freshman), Isaac Chapman Whitehead (junior), and Zach Harrison (grad student in social work) explain their political awakenings and organizing experiences. They address how growing up under Trump has shaped them, why young men shifted right in 2024, and the importance of competing everywhere. Harrison highlights the Rural Summit’s success: 91 of 100 State House races and all 25 Senate races have Democratic candidates following January’s historic candidate filing event—the largest in decades. The campus tour connects students with candidates across Indiana universities (upcoming stops at Purdue, Ball State, IU Kokomo). The panel also hears from Michael Syczylo representing his wife Carrie’s House District 60 campaign and House District 62 candidate Amy Oliver.
BREAKDOWN
1:44 - INTRODUCTIONS AND POLITICAL AWAKENINGS
- Ben Baranko: Freshman, student engagement director, co-hosts Next Gen Indiana podcast, got involved with Indivisible Central Indiana during 2024 election
- Isaac Chapman Whitehead: Junior, IU Dems president, interned for Trish Whitcomb in May 2024, competed everywhere including non-competitive races
- Zach Harrison: Grad student in social work, Rural Summit youth director, first became politically aware at age 7, came from Hoosier Action with Michelle Higgs
7:24 - BEN: HOW HAS GROWING UP UNDER TRUMP SHAPED YOU POLITICALLY?
- Has energized him despite “dark place”—looks to past democratic wins for inspiration of what’s possible
- “There is this ideal America we can all be working towards...this true democracy, this true freedom”
- Hasn’t made him cynical though it’s understandable—gives clear vision and goal to work towards
9:14 - ISAAC: WHY IS THE RIGHT OUT-ORGANIZING THE LEFT ON CAMPUS?
- It’s about guts—Democratic leaders lack clear vision and message for candidates to sell to students
- Points to NYC mayoral primary with highest youth turnout in history—candidate energized folks with compelling message
- Democrats doing it right focus on kitchen table issues that affect constituents’ daily lives
12:42 - ZACH: DO DEMOCRATS HAVE GUTS? ARE THEY SPINELESS/WEAK?
- It’s not just guts—it’s about giving rural voters the time of day, having candid face-to-face discussions
- Door knocking in rural neighborhoods: people ecstatic someone bothered to talk about marijuana legalization, renters’ rights, solar energy
- January filing day had largest gathering of Democratic candidates in decades: 91 of 100 House races, 25 of 25 Senate races filled
17:32 - BEN: WHY DID YOUNG MEN SHIFT RIGHT IN 2024?
- Republicans met young men where they are: on social media with effective personalities and economic messaging
- Young men want to feel they have spot in future workforce and economy—Democrats looked past that demographic
- Not heavy party affiliation—young men respond to who seems sensible/common sense and good on economy
20:49 - ISAAC: WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY IN SMALL TOWNS?
- Politically: electing leaders like Amy Oliver and Carrie Syczylo who will do the work in HD 60 and 62
- Policy: remote work initiatives, programs like Tell City paying people to move there
- Bold Democratic platform that messages common sense policies and talks to voters where they are
24:15 - ZACH: HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN OPTIMISM DESPITE CLIMATE CRISIS?
- Seen neighbors organize on data centers, marijuana, renters’ rights—people stepping up who’ve never been engaged before
- Hope and anger propelling social justice forward regardless of circumstances, party language falling away in local conversations
- Rural Summit raising $30,000 for 20 interns at $1,500 each—long overdue investment in next generation of leaders
28:14 - MICHAEL SYCZYLO PRESENTATION (CARRIE’S HD 60 CAMPAIGN)
- Representing wife Carrie running for House District 60 in Martinsville
- Got involved because politics directly impacted every aspect of their lives—personal, business, daughters’ careers
- Fighting data centers in Minervia, community tired of not having voice or seat at table
32:02 - AMY OLIVER: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF CAMPAIGNING?
- Running for HD 62: all of Brown County, rural Monroe and Jackson counties
- Extrovert who gets energy from talking to people about important issues, not interested in “soap opera” small talk
- Grew up at dinner table with newspaper editor father and teacher mother talking about the world
34:14 - AMY: WHAT ARE PEOPLE’S BIGGEST CONCERNS IN YOUR DISTRICT?
- Public schools under attack—”starvation of public schools” not “school choice”
- Money follows child to private/charter schools with no accountability, no audits, don’t know where tax dollars go
- Rural schools facing declining enrollment from demographic shifts, families can’t afford to live in rural communities
44:02 - AMY: CLOSING WORDS?
- At tipping point, people realizing what’s happening and motivated to make change
- Need to raise awareness about extremism of Indiana legislature’s Republican supermajority
- Need 34 Democrats in House to break supermajority (would love 51 to flip chamber)
