Three Sacramento State College Democrats now represent over 100 College Democrats chapters across California.

At the California College Democrats convention on April 16, Sac State’s College Democrats won three of the eight executive positions open yearly.

John Vigna won the position of statewide vice president, Robbie Abelon won Northern California vice president and Justin Lehr, the only contested candidate of the three, won communications director.

“Part of the reason why three of us were selected is because we are here at Sac State and we’re just minutes away from the Capitol,” said Justin Lehr, a senior government major who won the position of communications director at the convention.

The only other school to gain more than one position was the UC Berkeley, with two. The Sac State College Democrats hope to use these newly acquired positions to help Sac State gain better recognition.

“I hope this really brings the Sac State government program to the forefront,” Lehr said.The Sac State College Democrats has only been a club at the school since spring of 2004.

Robbie Abelon, who helped found the College Democrats chapter last spring with the help of current College Democrats President Sean Fetters, said his accomplishments in the organization helped him acquire the position as Northern California vice president at this year’s conference.

“I hope to help influence some to change their majors and pursue a career in politics,” Abelon said.

The positions gained by Lehr and John Vigna represent California College Democrats at the state level, whereas the position gained by Abelon is for the Northern California region.

“Sac State has the biggest influence now,” Abelon said. “I want to help students get their foot in the door in a very competitive job market.”

The three Sac State College Democrats decided to run for their positions at different times before the convention.

New College Democrats chapters tend to form and existing clubs tend to expand during U.S. presidential races; the chapters show support by doing grassroots campaigning.

College Republicans at Sac State are active in similar grassroots campaigning as well as active in their California College Republicans organization.

Adam T. Willoughby, from the Sac State College Republicans, won a position as capital region vice chair for the California College Republicans two weeks ago at a conference similar to the one attended by the Sac State College Democrats.

Willoughby, who is the current president of the Sac State College Republicans, was the only Sac State student to receive a position at the convention.

——————————————————–

Anthony Giovanini can be reached at [email protected]