AP NonCC Candidates

Asia-Pacific (AP) Non-Country Committee (NCC) Candidate Information

The AP Region Non-Country Committee Voting Representative (AP NCC Voting Rep) will serve alongside approximately 250 other voting representatives from DA's country committees to discuss and vote on DA business – such as Resolutions, our Platform, and international leadership elections at global meetings.

The position of Non-Country Committee (NCC) Voting Representative (VR) was created through changes in the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) Charter in 2021 to ensure that all members of Democrats Abroad have representation and a voice in our global organization. The role of NCC VR is an important development for the growth of Democrats Abroad and the enfranchisement of DA members who didn't previously have representation in the DPCA governing body.

Please review the candidate statements below before voting for your regional representative.

Contact the NCC-NEC if you have any questions: [email protected]


Candidate Forum

The Candidate Forum is an open and optional Google Group where candidates can present their statements and additional information about their candidacy; additionally, NCC voters can ask questions to become more familiar with the candidates.

NCC Voting Rep Candidate Forum

Although anyone is invited to view the discussion, only eligible NCC voters will be added to the Forum to post questions after selecting the "Ask to join Group" button at the top of the page. (If you do not see the button, send an email request to: [email protected].)

 


Voting Process

Balloting will be held via an online Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) ballot (with a PDF ballot available upon request) between:

March 14 - March 28  – closing at midnight members' time

The AP Regional ballot link was provided in the email sent March 14 to all eligible NCC voting members with the subject: Please Vote for Your NCC Voting Rep Candidates Note: You must provide your FULL NAME and the special VOTING CODE included in the email to be able to cast a vote.

The Election results will be announced at our Regional Election Reporting Meeting on March 29th.

When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
6 AM EDT
Check your local time here.

If you have any questions or difficulties regarding the voting process, please contact the NCC-NEC at: [email protected]


AP Candidates for NCC Voting Rep
March 14-28, 2025 Election
(Listed Alphabetically by Last Name)

  

Gregory Dolezal

Vientiane, Laos
 
What relevant experience do you have volunteering with Democrats Abroad and/or any other relevant voter mobilization/volunteer/activism efforts?  
  GOTV in Korea, Saudi Arabia, Laos, and Vietnam. Relaunched the Vietnam CC into compliance. Served as Secretary and Chair. Served as Deputy Regional Vice Chair for AP. Co-managed the online Zoom voter assistance initiative. VAO2 status.
What do you see as unique about the situation and experiences of NCC DA members, and how would you address this?  
 

Having lived in 3 non-CC counties I have a deep understanding of the steps and challenges for seeking compliance.  I also recognize that in authoritarian led countries public events, speech, and having names published can be dangerous.  

Geography,  socio-political realities, economic restrictions, and transient American populations require unconventional approaches. 

I have suggestions about how to include non-CCs more and other policy ideas. As a representative I would bring these forward, and I've been reliable about following through.

I could offer coaching to leaders in non-CCs and foster idea sharing. 

Candidate Statement  
 

I've been a DPCA Voting Representative as chair for Vietnam,  a county committee that was not in compliance when I arrived. I led the 2020 DA primary and increased turnout by 256% leading AP and global. 

I stay in close communication with other representatives, I join working groups, and I'll reach out to non-CC members. I'll work with the AP Regional Vice-Chair as well. 

My commitment to DA is strong. I went back to the US for 3 years and stayed involved even as I was away - the Georgia state group,  organizing GOTV in Vietnam,  and promoting DA with my state and federal reps in Georgia (#1 battleground state in 2024).

I'm also a trained campaign staffer and I've worked many cycles. I was recently CM for a congressional race, and did comms for a Dist. Attorney race and 3 city council seats.  I've been asked to help elect the first black mayor of Athens in 2026. 

Getting people involved is my superpower. I'll use that energy to include non-CC members and create succession planning.  As a priority I will speak out for their needs and promote innovations that serve the mission - getting out the vote, creating community, and developing the organization.


Irna de Leon-Knapp

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
What relevant experience do you have volunteering with Democrats Abroad and/or any other relevant voter mobilization/volunteer/activism efforts?  
  Participated in DA Budapest, Hungary & Paris, France. Participated in meetings & social aspects.
What do you see as unique about the situation and experiences of NCC DA members, and how would you address this?  
  I see the unique role in representing DA members in the Asian Pacific region as a leader who will reach out to the members and ask them what their concerns are and do my best to act upon it in a timely manner.
Candidate Statement  
 

I started my Democrats Abroad membership when I lived in Venice, Italy for 8 months in 2022. I was able to participate in online lectures. My interest with DA continued when I moved to and lived 6 months in Budapest, Hungary. I attended in-person meetings and one social event: July 4th celebration. My interest continued when I moved to and lived in Paris, France for 6 months. I was more active with DA Paris, as they had active leaders who engaged members to participate in many forums that occurred weekly. These forums varied from Walk & Talks, DA University Students, Get Out the Vote (GOTV), Voter registration, online and in-person meetings, day trip to the 80th Anniversary of Normandy, lectures and more. I continued my DA interest in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in September 2024 where I currently live. DA Cambodia was active pre-election. I attended a Meet & Greet where I observed voter registration and meeting members. I helped organize Kamala Harris for President T-shirts. Since then, very little to nothing has happened. We, DA members, are saddened by the results of the election. One of our leaders suggested we get together last month in February, as we were upset by  what was happening with the new administration, but I was not able to attend. I have leadership and teamwork experience with non-political organizations when I lived in the USA. In the USA, I worked as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I was also a member of the Pine Dems in Gibsonia, PA, my hometown. 

My leadership skills include local chapter President (6 years) and Board of Director (15+ years) of my professional organization; President (1 year) and Board of Director (20+ years) of my ethnic organization. I do not have leadership experience in politics; however, my noted leadership experience will be useful if I am elected as Non-Country Committee Voting Representative for Asia Pacific region.


Note: Candidates and Voters must reside in an “NCC” country to participate in this election.

If you live in one of the countries listed below, you cannot participate in this election.

Countries in Asia-Pacific (AP) 🌏 with Established DA Country Committees (CCs) ARE NOT eligible to vote in this election:

  • Australia
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore/Lion City
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

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