Northampton man elected as youngest to Democratic State Committee

NORTHAMPTON — At 20 years old and the youngest member of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, Northampton resident Jonathan Goldman intends to put his energy into endorsing progressive candidates, building the party and inspiring the next generation of political activists.

“It’s important for young people to be involved and to realize they can make policies happen through their activism,” Goldman said in a phone interview Monday.

Two days earlier, at Deerfield Elementary School, Goldman was elected to the committee to represent the Hampshire-Franklin-Worcester Senate District, which includes communities both big and small, from Northampton and Amherst in Hampshire County to Leyden in Franklin County. Goldman won the male two-year caucus seat on the fourth ballot over three other candidates — Julio Alves of Northampton, Brian Boyd of Amherst and David Greenberg of Colrain.

Goldman said he got interested in the position so that he can represent both youth and the larger population in the Massachusetts Democratic Primary, promote issues related to immigration and support progressive ideas that counter those coming from President Donald J. Trump.

“I want to help awesome candidates get elected, ones not only qualified, but who give energy to policies that are good for cities and towns, and the state,” Goldman said.

A junior at Brandeis University with a triple major of politics, economics and philosophy, and a minor in legal studies, Goldman first became politically active as co-chairman of the Northampton Youth Commission. During that time, he worked on projects such as initiating a plastic bag ban, promoting composting and BenchWalk, in which youth painted benches downtown.

Other local members of the state committee, which meets four times a year, include Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, Mollie Fox of Northampton, Bonnie MacCracken of Amherst and Patty Perry of Greenfield. In addition, former Northampton mayor Mary Ford and William Rosen of Northampton continue to serve as 20-year members.

Goldman said he has several projects he will focus on as a committee member, include reorganizing the Western Massachusetts Young Democrats, which has been inactive since July, and making sure all chairpersons for local committees are kept up to date on state activities and how they can be involved. He will also organize volunteers to canvas for Sue Chalifoux Zephir in the Middlesex and Worcester Senate race.

“I’m already looking forward to the next way I can help Northampton and our senate district,” Goldman said.