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Yale College Democrats elect Riley Getchell as new president ahead of midterms

A landslide victory puts Riley Getchell at the helm of Yale’s political powerhouse. Can her bold plans reshape student activism before the midterms?

In the foreground of this poster, there is some text written on a wall as " MCCOMB HIGH SCHOOL" on...
In the foreground of this poster, there is some text written on a wall as " MCCOMB HIGH SCHOOL" on it. In the background, there are plants, trees, a pole, building, sky and the cloud.

Yale College Democrats elect Riley Getchell as new president ahead of midterms

Riley Getchell ’27 has been elected president of the Yale College Democrats with a decisive 60.3% of the vote. The former elections coordinator for the group now steps into leadership at a time of rising political engagement among students. Her campaign centred on expanding grassroots organizing ahead of the midterm elections.

Getchell’s win follows her earlier role as the organization’s elections coordinator. She secured support from members like Julia Murphy ’27, who backed her focus on championing candidates aligned with the group’s values.

Her priorities include building the largest student-led grassroots movement in the Northeast through increased canvassing. She also plans to introduce semester-long internships with New Haven City Hall and more frequent advocacy trips. These efforts aim to boost student involvement and collaboration with local organizations.

As president, Getchell will oversee 11 board members and manage the club’s four branches. Her leadership comes during a period of heightened political tension, particularly since the election of former President Donald Trump. She believes a stronger, more aggressive Democratic response is needed to address current challenges.

Looking ahead, Getchell hopes to pursue a career in state or federal government. Her long-term goal is to attend law school and specialize in education law.

Getchell’s term begins with a clear focus on mobilizing students and strengthening ties with grassroots networks. The new initiatives, including expanded canvassing and internships, will shape the Yale College Democrats’ approach in the coming months. Her leadership will test whether increased student engagement can influence the midterm elections.

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