“Young conservatives in this country are ready to take the reigns.”

Georgia State Representative Michael Caldwell was on CPAC’s “10 Conservatives Under 40″ panel at this year’s gathering.  The quote above echoes what most of the participants shared throughout the panel:  Young conservatives are eager to jump in and make a huge impact on the party and its outreaches.

While the panel was intended for people aged 40 and under, many of the participants were in their 20s and have already taken on leadership positions in their respective communities and states.  From California Councilman Jeremy Yamaguchi to Florida House of Representatives Speaker Will Weatherford, the panel was full of young, enthusiastic, motivated leaders.

Art Linares, a Connecticut State Senator, shared his story of gathering his 3 best friends and starting a campaign for State Senate.  “We rang every phone, knocked on every door, and wore out 3 pairs of shoes,” he said, saying that the best way to make an impact is to “leave D.C., go home, and put your name on a ballot.”  He encouraged young people to get involved in local politics early and make a difference in their community; all politics is local.

Nebraska State Senator Beau McCoy encouraged all young people to get involved, regardless of age:  “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too young to get involved.”  There is a difference everyone can make, he stated.  It only requires getting involved to find out what that difference is.  John McCuskey, a West Virginia delegate, expounded upon the same point McCoy touched on:  “We’re starving for leadership,” and young people need to be the ones who fill that void.

Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Michigan House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader, sounded a battle cry for young conservatives to respond to:  “The baton has been passed; this is our time to lead, because this is our America.”  No longer can young people afford to sit on the sidelines and watch as Washington bureaucrats spend our futures into oblivion; it’s time for us to take action, because this is our America.  Make your voice heard.  These 10 young leaders are proof that age is no factor on the amount of impact you can have.

Other participants in the panel included Franklin County, Ohio, Auditor, Clarence Mingo III and Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker T.W. Shannon.  The discussion was moderated by Tea Party Express Chairwoman, Amy Kremer.