Fifteen young democrats were recognized as part of the top 30 rising political stars under 30. The Pennsylvania Young Democrats wants to recognize and honor their achievements. Below is the text from the PoliticsPA article.
"Here they are, Pennsylvania’s top politicos under age 30. Thank you to everyone who helped us put this list together – we had over 300 nominations. We flipped a coin for who went first.
Democrats:
Fiona Conroy, 27, Executive Director, HDCC.
Captain of the ship in a difficult political tide. Organized, efficient and hard-working, Conroy oversaw one of the best fundraising efforts in HDCC history. She helped to stymie what could have been catastrophic losses for the Democratic caucus.
Jonathon Dworkin, 26, Communications Director, Joe Sestak.
Dworkin was possibly the hardest-working campaign staffer in PA, if not the country. Sestak’s press operation was the most robust part of a robust campaign. Dworkin brought more research to public attention than some DC think-tanks, and was crucial to boosting Sestak’s name ID in the primary.
Dan Hartman, 26, Field Director, Tim Holden.
There’s a reason Hartman has the ear of elected officials and party leaders across the state. Politics, field, management and a master of political targeting, Hartman is an all-around weapon and he’s sought-after nationally. Under him, Holden’s field program was top-ranked in the country. As SEPA Political Director for Specter, Hartman was one of the architects of the non-endorsements in Sestak’s own backyard. Hartman is a pro with a record of leading his candidates to over-peformance.
Rachel Heisler, 27, Campaign Manager, Jason Altmire.
Altmire had a big target on his back this cycle. Thanks to Heisler, he escaped with one of the narrowest wins in the state. Heisler managed the campaign from nuts to bolts, including an impressive $2.5 million in fundraising. There is little question that if Altmire had had a different manager in 2010, the 4th district would have a different congressman in 2011.
Lauren Mahoney, 25, Campaign Manager, Jesse White.
Mahoney has emerged as a major behind-the-scenes player in southwest PA. She moved from labor unions to the Specter campaign where she directed politics and field in the region (and won crucial SW PA state committee support for the Senator). As Campaign Manager and Fundraiser, she protected GOP-target State Rep. Jesse White from the Democratic bloodbath despite gaffes on the official side.
Matthew Mazonkey, 27, Chief of Staff and Press Secretary, Mark Critz.
Mazonkey is a powerhouse. He started as a low level staffer for the late Congressman Murtha and worked his way up to Press Secretary. Critz wisely chose to give him a bit more responsibility and made him Chief of Staff. And Press Secrtary. And military & defense legislation. And appropriations.
Sabrina McLaughlin, 28, PA Democratic Party.
McLaughlin, a professor and onetime assistant to famed writer Norman Mailer entered the political arena as an Obama staffer in 2008. In 2009, she elected an underfunded candidate to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas in a stunning upset. She has since served as assistant to the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. She is the consummate taskmaster who can be counted on to make things work.
Aubrey Montgomery, 27, Finance Director, Bryan Lentz.
Montgomery carries a long resume including Executive Director of NARAL-Pennsylvania and as a fundraiser for the likes of Senators Leanna Washington & Daylin Leach, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and more recently the Lentz for Congress campaign. She is among the best at raising money in SEPA and is a champion of many liberal causes.
Rachel Moore, 24, Campaign Manager, Tim Solobay.
It might have seemed like Solobay was ready to take anyone on, but Moore proved her mettle as Campaign Manager for his tough State Senate bid. Moore helped deliver Solobay to victory in highly targeted race. A former Finance Director for the PA Democratic Party and President of the PA College Democrats, Moore’s resume and the track record put her in the big leagues.
Jeff Mozdziock, 25, Personal Aide, Bob Casey.
Every statewide candidate needs a good personal aide to facilitate face-to-face meetings, follow up on conversations, and keep to a schedule. For Casey in 2006, this was Mozdziock. During that time and since (including as Obama’s Deputy PA Political Director in 2008), Mozdziock has gotten to know elected officials, union leaders and party activists across PA. He even writes speeches for the Senator. Expect Mozdziock to play a significant role in Casey’s 2012 campaign.
Eric Nagy, 26, Campaign Manager, Tim Holden.
Nagy has a skill set Democrats sorely lacked this year. A pro at electing Democrats to Republican seats, Nagy led the Holden campaign to an 11 point win in a +6 GOP district. Nagy managed two races that Democrats won in 2008, and lost this year: State Reps. Tim Seip and Paul Drucker (Drucker was the first Dem ever to hold that seat).
Corey O’Connor, 25, Community Development Director, Mike Doyle.
The son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor has come into his own. O’Connor plays a big role in directing federal funds to Doyle’s district in the heart of Pittsburgh, and he knows all of the big players in town. The buzz has already started for a potential run for City Council.
Natalia Salgado, 28, Political Coordinator, SEIU 32BJ.
The consummate community organizer. Salgado is involved with the PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, the Police Advisory Commission, and the Coalition of Labor Union Women. She got her start organizing low-income workers and Latino immigrants in Philadelphia, where she was noticed and hired as Field Director by Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. During the past election cycle, Salgado led a $2 million statewide SEIU campaign and oversaw the work of hundreds of canvassers in Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley.
Erin Wilson, 27, Director of Outreach and Special Projects, Bob Casey.
Based in Philadelphia, Wilson has emerged as a go-to staffer for Senator Casey and looks to be a big player in the 2012 effort. Wilson started as Casey’s Deputy Political Director in 2006, then moved into the Senator’s Philadelphia office. She expanded her reputation as someone who gets things done, got promoted, and now coordinates the Senator’s events and meetings statewide.
Josh Young, 28, Democratic State Committee.
Young has become a fixture in Philadelphia Suburban politics. Currently in his second term as a Caln Township Supervisor, Young was recently elected to Democratic State Committee and actively serves on the board of the Chester County Young Democrats. To further his credentials, he helps run his family’s automotive business and was recently elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Slippery Rock University."
Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 6:16PM 
