Grassroots Farm Team Under New Leadership

Three years ago Sam Spencer founded the Grassroots Farm Team to recruit and help elect the next generation of Democratic candidates. A lot of folks were skeptical of a twenty-something running a Political Action Committee, let alone having any success. I think it’s fair to say that in the last three years Sam and the Farm Team have been a resounding success, being a resource, both financially and otherwise to young candidates. As many of you know, Sam is currently the President of YDNC, where he continues the work of engaging young people in the political process. In order to focus on YDNC and give GFTPAC a chance to grow, Sam has decided to step back from the Farm Team.

That’s where I come in. For those who haven't met me, my name is Evan Degnan and I've been involved in Democratic campaigns since high school. I'm originally from Winston-Salem, but recently graduated UNC and now live in Chapel Hill.

I met Sam in Hamlet, NC at the SEC meeting in 2008. I was Jim Neal’s body man for the day, a role I played frequently during the sring of 2008. It was Sam’s first day as political director and over the course of the campaign we build a close friendship. He has been an advisor and a mentor to me and I know without his help I wouldn’t be where I am.

Since Jim Neal’s campaign, I’ve worked with a number of other Democratic candidates, managing Ed Ridpath’s field operation and organizing Canvasses for UNC-YD that impacted 7 different races in 5 counties during the 2010 general election. Most recently I served as Lee Storrow’s campaign manager, raising over 10 thousand dollars and helping him become the youngest elected official in NC.

The Farm Team track record is impressive. In 2009 all 4 endorsed candidates won, injecting much needed youth into local government. In 2010 the Farm Team raised thousands of dollars for Elaine Marshall and helped elect Jennifer Wadsworth, making her, for a time, the youngest elected official in NC. The Farm Team was also an early supporter and donor to Lee Storrow, giving our campaign much needed early momentum.

I know I have big shoes to fill (both literally and figuratively) but electing young candidates who bring a fresh perspective to government is something I care deeply about. Not to be cliché, but 2012 is going to be a critical election from the State House to re-electing President Obama. I’m excited about young candidates like Bill Luton, Drew Reisinger and others. Most of all, I’m looking forward to having conversations with members of the BlueNC community, as well as folks from across our state, about how we can increase youth participation and representation.

In some ways this will always be Sam's PAC and obviously he will play a key advisory role going forward. With the help of this community, he build something important and now it's up to the rest of us to keep it going.

I encourage anyone who has thoughts, questions, concerns or who just wants to introduce themselves to contact me anytime.

Twitter : @NCFarmTeam @edegnan
Facebook: facebook.com/NCFarmTeam facebook.com/EvanDegnan
Email: NCFarmTeam at gmail dot com edegnan518 at gmail dot com
And I’d be more than happy to provide my phone number to anyone who wants to talk, just DM me.

Evan Degnan
Executive Director
Grassroots Farm Team PAC