John O'Kane '04 has been elected president of the California College Democrats, selected during the state Democratic convention last month in San Jose. His plans include holding voter registration drives, organizing activist events, drawing attention to issues of concern for students, and increasing volunteer participation for various campaigns.
"I've been very lucky to be involved with the CCD for the past two years," O'Kane said. "During that time, I've had the opportunity to organize statewide events, coordinate activities between chapters across the state, and work with some amazing people."
He is past president of the Democrats of the Claremont Colleges and media director and vice president for the Southern California chapter of CCD. He has also served on the staff of assembly member Carol Liu (D-Pasadena) since 2000. At CMC, O'Kane has twice lettered in CMS varsity baseball and is a member of The Claremont Colleges Debate Union.
The CCD is the largest state branch of the College Democrats of America, which is the official student arm of the Democratic Party. The CCD aims to increase student participation in the democratic process as well as provide grass-roots support for Democratic candidates. "I firmly believe," O'Kane said, "that our foremost goal has to be promoting and fostering college student activism and involvement in the political process."