Lifetime Achievement Award

Brett Broge has been active in Democratic politics since his college days at Iowa's Grinnell College. While in college, he worked for the 1996 Iowa Coordinated Campaign that saw Iowa Democrats pick up a House seat and re-elect United States Senator Tom Harkin. He later worked for Senator Harkin in his Washington D.C. office. In 1998, he returned to Iowa and worked on the successful campaign of Governor Tom Vilsack. In 1999, he began law school at the University of San Diego and subsequently began working thereafter at a law firm in San Francisco. Throughout, he continued to work on various Democratic campaigns, including those of San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis, the San Francisco mayoral campaign of Gavin Newsom, the District Attorney campaign of Kamala Harris and the 2004 Presidential Primary campaign of Howard Dean. In 2004, Brett married Elizabeth Hunter of Blooming Grove. They eventually moved back to Orange County in 2007 and were introduced to the Orange County Democratic Committee through Elizabeth's father's 2008 campaign for Orange County Surrogate Court Judge. Brett thereafter became an officer in the Orange County Democratic Committee in 2010 and then ran as a candidate for Orange County Legislature in 2013.

In 2014, Brett was elected to the first of four terms as Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee. During his term as Chair, Brett oversaw the coordination of federal, state and local campaigns and supported successful campaigns of everyone from Governor Kathy Hochul on down the ballot. In 2018, he was extremely proud of the role of the Orange County Democratic Committee in electing two new state senators from Orange County, James Skoufis and Jen Metzger, thereby flipping control of the New York State Senate. Despite stepping down from the role of chair in 2022 at the time of the passing of his wife Elizabeth, Brett continues to stay active on behalf of all Orange County Democratic Committee candidates.

Labor Leader Award

Born and raised in Port Jervis, NY, Yvette Martinez graduated from Port Jervis High School and later acquired a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology from Marywood University. For 26 years, she has served diligently as a Mental Health Technician at Bon Secours Community Hospital, working in both the mental health and substance abuse units.

Her dedication to workers’ rights led to her election as a union delegate in 2022, and she was soon honored with the Audrey Smith Campbell award from 1199 SEIU at the Women’s Caucus in 2023. A member of 1199 SEIU for over a quarter-century, Yvette has been at the forefront of influential campaigns, such as the "Fight for $15 hour," healthcare initiatives, and "Good Cause Eviction." Her political activism was truly ignited in 2021 while campaigning for 1199 endorsed candidates.

Yvette's dedication to community service deepened in 2022 when she joined the Port Jervis Democratic Committee. Now running for the 3rd Ward Councilperson role in Port Jervis, she is staunchly focused on mental health, substance abuse challenges, and ensuring open communication between the city council and its residents.

Elected Leader of The Year

A third-generation Chester resident, Brandon returned to his community after graduating from the University at Albany where he worked as a Session Assistant in the New York State Senate. Back in the Hudson Valley, Brandon served on the constituent services staff of Senators David Carlucci and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. It was during this time that Brandon became involved in the Chester Democratic Committee and the Young Democrats of Orange County, eventually launching his own successful campaign for the Chester Town Council.

Today Brandon works on the constituent services staff of Senator James Skoufis. On the Town Board, he built a reputation for being responsive, taking action, and demanding transparency in local government, despite serving as the town’s only elected Democrat. His Bagels With Brandon town hall series has introduced new opportunities for community collaboration, and his proactive advocacy as a Councilman resulted in the long awaited re-paving of the 17M bridge. He is currently running for Chester Town Supervisor. In office, Brandon plans to take proactive steps to fortify our infrastructure, prepare for emergencies, and protect our open spaces. He hopes that his service in local government will make Chester a more vibrant place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.

Trailblazer of The Year

Dedicated to Lou Maurizzio

Moniysha Maldonado, originally from The Bronx, New York, has firmly planted her roots in Mount Hope. As an entrepreneur, she established Miss Moe’s SchoolHouse in 2013, which started with a single family and has since grown into a cherished community institution over the past decade.

Outside her business, Moniysha has passionately advocated for her community. Intent on fostering a vibrant community for every family in Mount Hope, she has brought forward fresh perspectives to enhance the town's growth. Her dedication to change and empowerment was evident when she took the initiative to organize the inaugural Black Lives Matter March in Otisville in 2020, receiving immense support and gratitude from her neighbors. With the backing of the Democrats from the Mount Hope Committee, Moniysha is dedicated to making impactful change, as she steps forward to run for office once more.

Barbara Smith & Maria May

Barbara Smith, an artist with a BA and MFA, taught at centers including Storm King Art Center and Garrison Art Center, and in schools in Cornwall, Newburgh, and Cold Spring. She dedicated 20 years to Garrison Art Center, serving roles from Teaching Artist to Director of Summer Programs, and is a current member of the Gallery Selection Committee. Her artwork has been showcased in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Beacon, and beyond, and she maintains an active studio in Newburgh.

Barbara and her husband, Rick, residents of Cornwall on Hudson for 31 years, raised two children and are now proud grandparents. Disturbed by the 2016 election results, Barbara joined the Cornwall Democratic Committee to actively participate in the democratic process. As its vice chair, she stands out as one of the county's premier canvassers and phone bankers, active not just in peak election periods but also during primaries, petitioning, and as needed. Beyond her role as a poll worker, she's ardently canvassed for local candidates and takes pride in contributing to the Cornwall Democratic Committee's efforts.

Maria May, currently serving as a Town Councilperson in Tuxedo since 2020, is deeply committed to improving the lives of the town's residents. A proud Southfields resident for over 14 years, Maria has always prioritized public service. Her rich experience spans 24 years as an Elementary School teacher and Reading Specialist in the Suffern Central School District. With a PhD in Education, her achievements aren't confined to just her professional life. She is also the devoted mother to two daughters, Christina and Anna May.

Maria's dedication to democratic values is evident in her active volunteer work for both local and national campaigns. She has been recognized with an endorsement from Eleanor’s Legacy, a prestigious organization championing democratic, pro-choice women candidates in New York.

Embracing innovation, Maria has been at the forefront of integrating new campaign tools and technology, amplifying the committee's outreach. Her dedication to our efforts have also attracted new canvassers and volunteers to engage with voters. Maria’s passionate energy was particularly evident during last year's midterm elections, where she stood out as one of the county's most active volunteers.

Michael Martinez

Mike Martinez is the energetic new President of the Young Democrats of Orange County. His leadership marks a new chapter for the organization, aimed at reshaping the political narrative in Orange County. Mike's political activism foundations were laid through internships with notable public servants, including Representative Pat Ryan and Sean Patrick Maloney. Mike has also spent time working under Senator Skoufis and served the United States Senate as a Senate Page.

With a vision centered on bridging informational divides, Mike seeks to ensure that young residents of Orange County are both informed and engaged. He believes in creating a space of inclusivity, education, and robust political discourse, aiming to kindle the passion in the upcoming leaders of democracy. The Young Democrats, under his leadership, thrive on the diverse ideas of its members, and with a united front, they aspire to nurture a more informed and proactive youth electorate.

Organization of The Year