NextGen Success Stories

Meet former NextGen staff that are making a difference in progressive politics.

Hailie Johnson Waskow / Communications

Hailie served as a Communications Coordinator during the 2018 Election Cycle. Her work included campaign advertisement, financial budgeting, social media platform management, and planning public service and campaign events.

“The best part about working for NextGen is the strong mentorship that guarantees your success and growth as a political operative, leader, and person,” Hailie said. “Being part of NextGen allowed me to obtain a high level communications job at a very young age.”

Hailie served as the Communications Director for the Idaho Joint Minority Caucus, and now works for Strategies 360.

Claire McKeown / Communications

Claire worked simultaneously as a Communications Coordinator for the 2019 Legislative Session and developed NextGen into what it is today. As a Comms Coordinator, she was in charge of the minority leader’s website, blogs, newsletters, social media platforms, public service events, videography, and more. On the other hand, she helped transition NextGen from a few annual hirings to an official collective organization.

“I really appreciated this unique double-dipping experience because I not only participated in present-day Idaho politics, but I also had a say in how we should shape it for the future,” Claire said. “NextGen is Idaho’s political future, and to be apart of that budding legacy is extremely humbling.”

Heather Colwell / Campaign Management

Heather worked for the House Minority Caucus as a Policy and Communications Aide in 2017. She helped draft bills, maintained constituent relations, managed remote internships at the University of Idaho, and much more. The high-intensity environment helped Heather prepare to lead the campaign trail, organizing communities, activating voters, and eventually flipping two seats in the Idaho Legislature.

“After working in the Idaho House of Representatives, I have found that one cannot work in the Idaho Legislature without feeling they have gotten at least two semesters of collegial level education from the experience,” Heather said. “I learned a lot about state politics, policy, people, and power. I also learned a lot about what I would and wouldn’t like to do in my future political work.”

Tecle Gebremicheal / Electoral Candidacy

Tecle is a refugee from a politically-oppressed country called Eritrea, known as “Africa’s North Korea.” Since escaping, He became extremely involved in Idaho politics and human rights. As a Legislative Aide for the 2019 Session, he spent a majority of the time in the Capitol field, monitoring committee meetings, public hearings, floor sessions, and caucusing. His work varied from providing the legislative body with summary reports to extensive policy research.

“Through this unique opportunity, you see first-hard how our elected officials work day-in and day-out to get the job done. Their tireless effort and sense of leadership inspired me to pursue public service.”

Tecle is currently a Junior at Boise State University. He is a service member with the United State Army Reserves and Nations United soccer coach. He also ran for City Council in 2019.

Josh Scholer / Public Policy

Josh worked as a Policy Aide in 2014 & 2015 to help the minority caucus draft legislation, his favorite piece being the Vaping Bill. He dove into policy and state comparative research, gathered input from stakeholders, and worked closely with the Legislative Services Office. Josh said this experience gave him a baseline for understanding the Ins and Outs of politics, along with the sheer complexities and nuances behind creating policy.

“It taught me the value of forging meaningful, long-lasting relationships in order to get things done,” Josh said. “Additionally, it taught me how to work efficiently and effectively within a very high-paced environment that is always fluid and in flux… skills that are incredibly invaluable in today’s economy.”

Josh currently works for Idaho Voices for Children. His key focuses are healthcare, education, and housing affordability in Idaho. He will attend the University of Idaho Law School in the Fall of 2019 and plans to continue working in the public policy/lobbying sector.

Jason Hudson / Government Affairs

Jason worked as a Policy Aid for Rep. Erpelding and the Minority Caucus in 2013. He conducted policy research, drafted legislation, helped develop speeches and committee testimony, and drafted constituent communications. He said he loved developing the message frame and strategy for committee and floor testimony to support good policies and oppose bad policies.

“NextGen allowed me to develop a detailed understanding of the committee process, bill drafting process, and legislative context, which made me a more effective advocate in my current role.”

Jason is now the Government and Political Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO. This year, Jason worked closely with Rep. Erpelding to pass a law that protects hard-working Idahoans from wage theft by extending the timeframe they are able to collect. It was the first piece of substantive legislation that the Idaho AFL-CIO has been able to pass in recent years.