In a campaign where young voters are more important than ever, it’s obvious that Donald Trump has a serious problem. Statistics show that voters between the ages of 18 and 29 now make up a full third of the electorate.
Donald Trump needs young Republicans to vote for him. However, according to RawStory, he has lost the support of one of the GOP’s top young leaders. Katrina Jorgensen has been serving as the head of the Communications Committee for the Young Republicans National Federation (YRNF), but has decided to resign from the powerful position. And she was not hesitant to explain her defection.
Today I resigned as Communications Chair for YRNF. I cannot and will not support Donald Trump. Here is why: https://t.co/zhTpzkRe6w
— Katrina Jørgensen (@Veribatim) May 23, 2016
In her Facebook post, which took the form of a letter to the YRNF , Ms. Jorgensen explained:
“Regretfully, I am resigning from my position as Communications Chair with the YRNF. With the practically fulfilled nomination of Donald Trump as our presidential candidate, I can no longer continue to carry out the duties of this position. My principles will not allow it.”
Because the job of the Communications Committee is to share the official GOP position with Republicans under the age of 40, Ms. Jorgensen felt that any item coming out of her office that did not specifically object to Trump’s nomination would be seen as a form of support for his candidacy. She said:
“No matter how loud I am in my renouncement of Trump, my title will still betray me. I want no part of a racist, fascist, hateful presidency.”
I can only admire and empathize with this ethical young woman. How refreshing to find someone who puts her own principals and moral beliefs before party loyalty or the overwhelming desire for power.
Unlike Lindsey Graham, Paul Ryan, and Chris Christie, Katrina Jorgensen is not planning to turn her back on her beliefs for the sake of political gains. She has decided that she’d rather give up her position as a rising star with the GOP than stay silent as her party nominates a man who represents all of the worst qualities in the country.
I never thought I would write these words but, “I really admire this Republican.”
Featured image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr. Available through Creative Commons license 20.0
