Another member of the Wright clan steps into Greene County, 8th District political ring

Jathan Wright, the newly elected 8th District Chairman of the Young Democrats. (Greene County Daily World file photo by Nick Schneider) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

And, there's another Wright involved in politics these days.

Jathan Wright, a 2008 Linton-Stockton High graduate and freshman political science major at Vincennes University, is the newly elected 8th District Chairman of the Young Democrats organization.

GETTING INTO POLITICS: Jathan Wright (right) recently was greeted by former Indiana Speaker of the House John Gregg of Sandborn during his book tour stop in Linton. Wright is an aspiring politician, who was named last week as 8th District Chairman of the Young Democrats organization. Wright is a freshman at Vincennes University. (Greene County Daily World file photo by Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

Wright is the 19-year-old grandson of former Linton Mayor and Greene County Democrat Party Chairman the late Jimmie K. Wright and Connie, of Linton.

He's the son of Jay Kevin Wright and his wife, Michelle, of Linton.

The new 8th District chairman said he'll make his first official speech Friday at the Owen County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Spencer. He'll be speaking along with former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson.

He excited about the opportunity to get started in his new position, but said he's asked that his family members not attend this first speaking engagement allowing him to get this first one under his belt before they come out to hear him.

"Owen County is a good Democrat county so I feel like that's a pretty good place for me to get started," Wright said. "Their Democrat Party Chairman (Anthony Ness) is only 29 years old, so he'll be able to join the Young Democrats group as well."

He continued, "I'm just excited about getting started. I am sure it's going to be a long summer going around the district to speak. We're just going to be trying to build a strong base for the 2010 election. We have Democrat Congressman (Brad Ellsworth) that we need to get behind."

Wright said he didn't campaign for the office, but was recommended by 8th District Vice Chairman Mary Lou Terrell of Bicknell. He then had to apply for the position -- a process that he said was a long one.

The Executive committee of the Indiana Young Democrats made Wright's appointment official during a state-wide conference telephone call last Wednesday evening when Wright was voted in.

His primary job is to focus on establishing a strong base of young voters -- aged 18 to 35 -- in the 8th Congressional District, which encompassed 18 counties.

"It is going to be a big job," Wright said.

The new chairman is busy now trying to organize a Young Democrats group in Greene County. He's established a Facebook page on the Internet, which lays out the details and will announce party functions.

"That's starting to get going. We've got about 40 people that are interested and we are hoping that will grow," he said. "I want to speak to (Greene County Democrat Party Chairman) Jeff (Lehman) pretty soon about making it official where they (the Young Democrats) can come to the meetings."

Wright said he's keeping his future options in politics open, but running for elective office hasn't been ruled out.

"Oh maybe, I don't know what I'm going to do with it (the politic science degree) yet. For now I just want to work and get the best candidates elected," Wright said.

He continued, "My grandpa always told me to stay out of politics, but it's a passion of mine and I like being involved and I love the country and like doing what I can do to help. My grandpa said at times politics could be a dirty game and the way it affects your family has some negatives."

He continued, "That is definitely part of the game."

Wright has already been involved in the Vincennes University Democrat Club during the recent 2008 Presidential Election.

He takes pride in the fact that he helped to register 300 students to vote and 250 of them actually showed up the polls on election day.

Wright says he's a Christian and has some problems with some of the Democrat National Party platform when it comes to abortion and gay marriages.

"Abortion, that's a really tough one. I don't really agree with abortion, but I guess there are certain things that you don't know until you get there," he said. "As a Christian there are some moral issues and it's hard to agree with some of what the bigger politicians stand for in the Democrat Party."

Wright grew up watching his grandpa.

He remembers from a young age going to all the hog roasts, bean dinners, fish frys and annual Jefferson-Jackson dinners. He was also frequently with the former mayor and Democrat backers when they would gather on election night.

During his high school days Wright took a close interest in Linton city politics. He compiled a historic booklet that contains the photos of each of Linton's mayors.

The page he cherishes the most is the one that has the photos and the years of service of his grandfather, who served as mayor from 1984-2004.

"This (the book) was something I wanted to do for him," Jathan pointed out at Jimmie K's funeral in January 2008.

His grandpa, who also served 14 years as county Democrat Party Chairman, had good advice for the young politician grandson before he died.

"My grandpa always told me to be the best man I could be. Be honest and kind to everybody. You are no better than anybody. He always taught me to be good to my friends. Keep your friends close, he would say. You never know when you'll need them," Wright quickly replied.

When asked what his Grandpa Jimmie would think about his grandson stepping into a leadership role in politics, Wright didn't hesitate and said, "I think he'd be really proud of me and be excited about what I'm doing."

Anyone who would be interested in joining the Greene County Young Democrats or the organization in any of the other 8th District counties can contact Wright by e-mail at gcyoungdem@gmail.com .

The 8th Congressional District includes: Greene, Clay, Daviess, Fountain, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren and Warrick counties.