Mingo County Young Democrats Justin Marcum and Chris Williamson attended the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Marcum and Williamson went to Washington as guests of Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV). Congressman Rahall contacted Marcum, Mingo County Young Democrats president and previous 3rd Congressional District director for the West Virginia Young Democrats offering him tickets to the Blue Section of the Inauguration seating.

Marcum said, “Congressman Rahall was very gracious to give me those tickets, we were so close to the stage and I felt like I was part of the event. We witnessed history and were only about 40 yards from the swearing-in of President Obama.”

Marcum also said the two had to get back to their studies as law students and could not attend any of the Inaugural Balls but did have the opportunity to attend the Mid-Atlantic Ball. He got two tickets to the Silver Section of the Inauguration seating but gave those away to young democrats from other counties in West Virginia. Marcum said he would like to recognize Matt Sowards, President of the Cabell County Young Democrats for all his leadership in the West Virginia Young Democrats and advice to the Mingo County Chapter.

When asked what it felt like to witness history, Chris Williamson said it was an amazing feeling to see this President take the oath of office. He added “it still has not sunk in that this President is our President; one who was drastically helped by the young voters during the election process.”

Marcum said he has faith he in the new president and his policies.

Both young men attended the event and witnessed history as America elected the first African-American to the Free World’s highest office. The two democrats say they are very active in the political process and always take an active stance to advance the views of the Democrat Party. Marcum was also the founder of the Mingo County Chapter of the West Virginia Young Democrats.

He plans on running for Labor Caucus Chairman at the upcoming WVYD Convention which will be held in Wheeling, WV in March. Williamson is the vice-president of the West Virginia University Democratic Law Caucus and Marcum is a member of the Appalachian School of Law’s Democratic Law Society.

Marcum asked anyone under the age of 35 would like to become involved in the political process to join the Mingo County Chapter of the West Virginia Young Democrats. He is available to advise others in surrounding counties to help them start a Young Democrats chapter.

The West Virginia Young Democrats are chartered with the Young Democrats of America. Anyone interested can contact Marcum via email at jmarcum11@my.asl.edu or by joining the Mingo County Young Democrats Myspace page.