NRI Jay Goyal, lawmaker, Ohio's young Democrat of the year

Mansfield, Ohio, May 20, 2007
Sant Ahuja

NRI, NRI, Jay Goyal, 27, who won the 73rd District seat in Nov. 2006 and has named the Ohio Young Democrat of the Year award.

The Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said, "Jay is a great role model for Ohio's young people and I hope others look to him as an example of how far a person's commitment and dedication can take them. We need them to follow in his footsteps."

Goyal was recognized during the Democratic Party's state dinner at the Celeste Center on the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The dinner featured addresses from presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Gov. Ted Strickland.

Richland County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Mudra said, 'Some state party officials were nervous in 2006, watching the relatively young, unknown candidate Goyal enter the fray as state Rep. William Hartnett prepared to give up a seat Democrats had held for years."

"Often the award goes to a dedicated volunteer -- but this year, we felt that Jay's unprecedented success as a young legislator make him the perfect candidate," Redfern said. "Jay's age gives him a unique perspective on the major issues facing our state. He understands the state of our educational system and has the energy and passion to fight for more and better jobs."

The former state Democrat chairman Chris Redfern who was president of the statewide Young Democrats organization in 1977, said, " He's very intelligent and very dedicated. I think he'll be an excellent state representative