For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The Next 50, the leading organization making early investments in next-generation Democrats under 50 in competitive races nationwide, today announced endorsements of three leaders proving Democrats can compete and win everywhere: Kansas State Senator Ethan Corson for Governor, North Dakota State Senator Josh Boschee for Mayor of Fargo, and West Virginia State Representative Kayla Young for re-election. Boschee and Young are NewDEAL Leaders.

“Ethan Corson, Josh Boschee, and Kayla Young are exactly the kind of leaders The Next 50 exists to support—principled, pragmatic, energetic, and focused on delivering for working families in places where Democrats have been written off for too long,” said Mari Manoogian, Executive Director of The Next 50 and former Michigan state representative. “They aren’t just running competitive races in deep red states—they’re redefining what’s possible for Democrats when we invest early in leaders who actually understand the communities they serve and show up to do the work. That’s how we build Democratic power and expand the map for the long term, and that begins with organizations like ours providing real support for these leaders.”

“I’m proud to be endorsed by The Next 50 because they’re building the future of Democratic leadership in places where the stakes are high and the races are tough,” said Kansas State Senator Ethan Corson. “If elected, I would be one of the youngest governors in the country, and Kansas families deserve leaders who understand the modern pressures they’re facing, from child care and housing costs to keeping our schools strong in a rapidly changing world. I’m honored to have The Next 50 in our corner as we build a campaign focused on delivering practical results for working families today, and building a Kansas that’s ready for what comes next.”

“I’m proud to earn the endorsement of The Next 50. Fargo’s best days are ahead, and this campaign is about charting a bold new direction for our growing city—one rooted in pragmatic solutions to public safety, affordability, and housing, and positioning Fargo as a model for cities across our nation,” said North Dakota State Senator Josh Boschee.

“I’m grateful for The Next 50’s endorsement as we rebuild West Virginia’s Democratic infrastructure for the long haul,” said West Virginia State Representative Kayla Young. “They understand that building the bench has to happen nationwide, with those willing to do the hard work in America’s toughest political terrain. As the House Minority Leader Pro Tempore in the nation’s smallest Democratic caucus, I’m proving every day that showing up, asking tough questions, and delivering and communicating our wins effectively with our constituents is how we earn back trust and build sustainable power.”

About Kansas State Senator Ethan Corson

Ethan Corson is running for Governor of Kansas to focus on the kitchen table issues real people care about.

As a lifelong Kansan, Ethan Corson was raised on a set of core values: work hard, give back whenever you can and always keep your word. That’s why both Governor Kelly and Governor Sebelius are supporting Ethan in this race. 

Ethan will work with both parties to make sure Kansas schools are the very best in America and Kansas is the most affordable place to live – with lower taxes and thriving new businesses.

Ethan currently serves in the State Senate, representing the community where he grew up, and he has been a leading voice on kitchen table issues: stronger public schools, lower taxes for working and middle-class Kansans, and aggressively recruiting new businesses to our state. He’s known for his common-sense, bipartisan approach.

Prior to serving in the State Senate, Ethan worked at the US Department of Commerce and as Chief of Staff at the International Trade Administration, where he helped manage a team of over 2,200 employees across 75 countries – experiences that gave Ethan a perspective on how to recruit businesses to Kansas and how to help Kansans, especially our farmers, ship their products around the world.

After graduating public high school, Ethan enrolled at Garden City Community College in Southwest Kansas on a baseball scholarship. He continued his baseball career at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also earned a law degree, but when it became clear to Ethan that his fastball would only get him so far, he focused his attention to law and public service.

Ethan currently lives in Fairway, KS with his wife, Jenna, and their sons, Isaac and Aiden.

About North Dakota State Senator Josh Boschee

Senator Josh Boschee was first elected to the ND House of Representatives in 2012 where he served for 12 years before being elected to the North Dakota Senate in 2024. Josh served three legislative sessions as the House Democratic-NPL Leader and is currently the Senate Democratic-NPL Assistant Leader.

Josh serves on several committees in the Senate including the Education Committee, Workforce Development Committee, Employee Benefits Committee, Budget Section and Legislative Management. While in the House of Representatives, he served on the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee and the House Agriculture Committee. As one of the caucus leaders, he spends most of his time on state budget related issues, supporting policies that improve opportunities for North Dakotans.

When he’s not representing his north Fargo constituents in Bismarck, Josh serves as the Broker for Real Broker, LLC, leading a team of over 120 real estate agents and support professionals in North Dakota and NW Minnesota. Before he jumped into real estate, Josh worked in Student Affairs for ten years at NDSU and MSUM, where he found his passion for helping people establish, implement and achieve their goals.

An avid fan of everything downtown Fargo, in his free time, you can find Josh enjoying the food, sounds and life along Broadway. A veteran of many FM area nonprofit boards, he currently serves on the NDSU College of Arts and Sciences Board of Directors.

About West Virginia State Representative Kayla Young

Kayla Young doesn’t wait to make things happen. After moving back to the district she grew up in to raise her own children, she took action—launching small businesses and organizing events that brought her community together. When she saw the state heading in the wrong direction, she stepped up to serve.

Since her election to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2020, Kayla has delivered results through sheer persistence and pragmatic problem-solving, cutting through the political noise that too often stalls progress. She’s become a force for transparency, using social media to teach how government actually works and to hold power accountable in language everyone understands.

As House Minority Leader Pro Tempore and a mother of two, Kayla is proving what bold, authentic leadership in West Virginia looks like: relentless work ethic, measurable results, and unwavering commitment to keeping constituents informed and empowered.