New Castle, DE – County Executive Matt Meyer today was named a pro-growth progressive leader by the NewDEAL, a national network of rising state and local elected leaders working to expand opportunity for all Americans in the changing economy. Today’s announcement is copied immediately below.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17th, 2017
Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5
County Executive Matt Meyer Selected as One of Nation’s Top Pro-Growth Progressive Leaders
Washington, D.C. - Today, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer was selected as one of eight leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of state and local leaders co-chaired by former Governor Jack Markell, which is working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities.
(A full list of new members is below.)
“We congratulate and applaud Matt, who has shown a dedication to developing pro-growth, progressive policies that meet the demands of a changing world and rebuild trust in government,” said Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and former Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Honorary Co-Chairs of the NewDEAL. “Recent events have affirmed that, more than ever, we need to support outstanding state and local leaders who have innovative ideas that address the most important issues facing Americans in our new economy. We are committed to highlighting their work, while giving them the chance to learn from each other and replicate solutions that make government work better.”
The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.
NewDEAL leaders have found broad support for their work, with 98 percent of members winning elections last November, across red, blue, and purple states, including eight elected to higher office. Four members were elevated to statewide office, including in the swing states of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. With today’s announcement, the organization includes 156 officials from 46 states. These new members are proving that, with the right approach, Democrats can have success all over the nation, from the deep south in Mississippi to Kentucky’s coal country, as well as on the coasts and, throughout the Midwest.
“As I travel the country working to build a pipeline of talented progressive elected officials, it is clear that NewDEAL Leaders are among those setting the standard for effective governance and earning the support of their constituents,” said New York Assemblyman Michael Blake, a NewDEAL Leader who is also a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. “I’m excited to welcome Matt as part of this new group of members who are proving that Democrats can win everywhere. I look forward to working with them in NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunity in communities throughout the country.”
Meyer’s path to elective office included work in the private sector as a small business entrepreneur, service as a diplomat in Iraq and as a math teacher working with inner-city youth. Guided by the principles of honesty, transparency and efficiency, he has demonstrated in his first year as County Executive a firm commitment to creating opportunities for all residents of New Castle County to thrive. He has begun to improve economic conditions by reducing neighborhood blight through new action to address abandoned and vacant properties. He took the historic step of posting county spending online, empowering the public to review and monitor line-item government expenditures. And he has supported employment growth through sound land use practices, including responsive development review of projects that have generated hundreds of new jobs.
“We are a nation led by its people and its strong communities," said Meyer. "I am excited to be part of NewDEAL’s impressive network of public servants across the nation, individuals dedicated to making government work by and for the people."
The organization’s biggest event, an annual fall conference, will take place November 15-17 in Washington, DC, where 60-70 members will discuss policy ideas and today’s political climate, while hearing from speakers such as two Obama Administration cabinet officials: Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Secretary of Education John King.
Learn more about County Executive Meyer and the NewDEAL by visiting http://www.newdealleaders.org/leaders.
The new class of NewDEAL Leaders includes:
Laura Capps, School Board Member, Santa Barbara, CA
Dan Forestal, State Representative, Indianapolis, IN
Kim Foxx, State's Attorney, Cook County, IL
Chris Harris, State Representative, Pike Co., KY
Eddie Melton, State Senator, Gary, IN
Matt Meyer, County Executive, New Castle Co., DE
Sean Scanlon, State Representative, Branford and Guilford, CT
Robyn Tannehill, Mayor, Oxford, MS
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