The EMEA RVC Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is happy to share the 2025 candidates for EMEA Regional Vice Chair.
The candidate responses appear unedited and in the order they were submitted.

Karim Peters, Morocco

Please give us a brief biography.

I was born and raised in Adams, Massachusetts, a small town tucked away in the scenic Berkshire Hills. After graduating from high school I received a BS in Urban Geography (Boston) and subsequently was hired by the DoD in Wash DC. While employed by the DoD I received a scholarship to study for an MS in Oceanography/Hydrographic Sciences at the US Naval Postgraduate School (CA). After graduation I was employed by the US Naval Oceanographic Office (MS) traveling throughout the World collecting oceanographic and hydrographic data for US Naval assets. After ten years I transferred to the private sector specifically in the offshore oil/gas sector working in Saudi Arabia for another six years. Once my contract was completed I began self-employment and continued working throughout the World in the offshore oil/gas and renewables (offshore wind farms) sectors. My family and I relocated to Morocco in 1996 after living in the USA, Italy and Saudi Arabia. We have three children, a grandchild and two dogs.

Describe your work with Democrats Abroad and any other relevant experience.  
As a member of DA my work has been limited due to the lack of organization in Morocco since I joined. However, we would occasionally come together for POTUS election parties and meet & greets with candidate proxies passing through Morocco, e.g. Sen. Kerry's sister. I have voted in every US election cycle since my eligibility.

Why are you running for this office?
I'd love to be a Regional Vice Chair in the Democrats Abroad organization because it offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Americans living abroad, especially in the present political climate. I'm driven by a passion for democracy and want to contribute to the Democratic Party's mission. As a US Expat I came to realize how influential, as a beacon of democracy, the USA is and can be for most of the World. Living and traveling throughout the World, for work and pleasure, I witnessed how opinions of the USA and Americans changed with each new POTUS, some good, some bad. In conclusion, I would like to be an active participant in a new Democratic Party going forward. Sitting around until the next election cycle isn't part of that plan.

Alex S. Bluestone, United Kingdom

Please give us a brief biography.
Alex Bluestone is a seasoned organizer, strategist, and advocate with over a decade of political and public affairs experience across the US, UK, and EU.

Raised in Missouri, Alex’s passion for politics was shaped by personal loss and resilience—navigating grief after his father’s death and finding his political voice as a queer young person in a conservative community. His early activism led him from canvassing neighborhoods to serving as a Press Advance Associate on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, and later working in legislative affairs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Alex’s career spans advising senior leaders on public policy, ESG strategy, and global communications. As Managing Director at Penta Group, he leads public affairs initiatives across eight countries, helping organizations navigate some of the most complex political environments of our time.

With a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master’s in Public Policy from the London School of Economics, Alex brings both academic rigor and frontline experience. His graduate research on political polarization deepened his commitment to building bridges across difference.

Alex believes Democrats Abroad can be a global force for change—expanding outreach, empowering underrepresented voices, and organizing with purpose and imagination. As EMEA Regional Vice Chair, he is committed to helping Democrats Abroad realize its potential: not just to reflect the Democratic Party, but to lead it forward.

Describe your work with Democrats Abroad and any other relevant experience.
I worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as part of her press advance team—an unforgettable experience that taught me how to manage logistics, craft messages, and move fast under pressure.

I interned in the White House's Council on Environmental Quality Office of Legislative Affairs, where I learned the art of policy-making from the inside—how strategy, negotiation, and timing come together to shape real outcomes.

I held a policy role in the St. Louis Mayor’s Office, where local government meant rolling up my sleeves to connect with community needs in a hands-on, often urgent way.

As Managing Director at Penta Group, I lead strategic advisory work for U.S., U.K., and E.U. stakeholders—helping navigate everything from ESG to cross-border policy issues. It’s high-level, high-stakes work that keeps me sharp and deeply connected to public affairs.

I’ve served as a political pollster and campaign strategist—which means I know how to listen to voters, understand what moves them, and shape messages that resonate across divides.

At the Future Sustainability Summit in Abu Dhabi, I brought together ministers, prime ministers, and CEOs to discuss the climate crisis. That experience reminded me that convening people—thoughtfully and intentionally—is a political act.

I helped launch a public sector practice at an LSE-based consultancy, advising the U.K. government on housing policy. I know how to take complex issues and make them actionable.

I’ve been a board member for a U.S. civic nonprofit, a mentor in public schools, and an advocate for young people finding their voice. That commitment to empowerment runs deep.

Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for Regional Vice Chair because Democrats Abroad shouldn’t just mirror the party, we should lead it.

We are nearly nine million strong around the world. We are not an afterthought. We are the margin of victory. After all, democracy doesn’t end at the border—and neither does our fight.

I grew up far from the centers of power, in a 'fly-over state' where hope and hardship lived side by side. Losing my father young, growing up queer in a conservative state, I learned early that politics is not an abstract debate—it’s personal. It’s whether a parent survives an illness, whether a young person finds belonging in a hostile world, whether a neighbor’s voice is heard or silenced.

Living abroad sharpens that understanding. We see America not only as it is, but as it could be. And we know that organizing across oceans and time zones requires more imagination, not less.

I’m running to build power where it’s been overlooked, to amplify voices that have been left out, and to organize not out of habit, but out of purpose.

We don’t need permission to lead. We only need the will.

Keith Brannum, Türkiye

Please give us a brief biography.

I have worked for Democratic Party committees and campaigns for 10 years, across 8 states and overseas as a campaign manager, fundraising and partnerships director and in organization development. This work has also extended to nonprofits. I worked for 3 years in community organizing, principally for the Arizona and Virginia Democratic Parties. From 2017 to 2020, I was a campaign manager for state and local campaigns, as well as federal congressional candidates. In 2017, I helped Elizabeth Guzman become the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the Virginia legislature. From 2020 to 2023, I worked as a consultant in fundraising and partnerships for candidates and political action committees across the country. Before moving overseas, I worked for the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus to professionalize their caucus committee, where I helped turn a 300k budget into 1.3 million dollars.

When I am not working in campaigns, I work with nonprofits / NGOs and foundations where I provide technical assistance and programming opportunities. As a past Board member of the Southern Regional Model United Nations, I helped professionalize our Board of Directors and create our Alumni Network. I am a Truman National Security Fellow and contribute actively as a Partner.

I graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a degree field in History, and obtained my Masters in Public Administration from North Carolina State University.

Describe your work with Democrats Abroad and any other relevant experience.
Moving overseas to support my family, I led the reformation of the Democrats Abroad Türkiye Committee, which has applied for admission as an official committee. Together with a recruited team, we organized Global Presidential Primary events to help our members participate in 2024. We followed up that experience to build robust local committees across the country and organized GOTV locally for the General Election. I ran to fulfill the term of the past EMEA Non-CC Voting Representative, where I worked with the current Regional Vice Chair to build a balanced GOTV and party building program that integrated DA communities across the NCC countries in the region. As a result, regional teams formed in the Balkans and the Persian Gulf, and communities in Africa have expanded leadership networks. I have continued to support the transition to a new NCC Voting Representative to ensure party building and organizing continues.

I have participated globally since my first days in becoming a member of Democrats Abroad. I was the 2023 Nominations and Elections Committee Chair for the International Officers Election. I ran and was elected as a DNC Delegate and Platform Committee member, representing and highlighting back home the opportunities to connect with American citizens about voting from abroad. In a related capacity, I also served on the Global Platform Committee. I have been a parliamentarian for global meetings and advised on issues of parliamentary law in DA. I am currently serving as Resolutions Committee Chair.

Why are you running for this office?
I am running to grow our party and support our leaders in the lead up to these important midterms, just like I did in Türkiye and the Non-CC countries across the region’s three continents last cycle. If elected, I am committed to helping our Country Committee and Non-Country Committee (NCC) leaders work closely to grow our party and our voting impact in the 2025-2026 election cycle. I believe my professional experiences, both in the US and in Democrats Abroad, would make a strong and effective RVC as work to build our party through these next four years. To do that, I want to work with leaders to:

1) grow our GOTV footprint,
2) expand our membership (our GOTV universe),
3) recruit and invest in our bench of leaders, and;
4) create pathways for greater sustainability and professionalization in our region.

Whether you are a leader in a small or large country, an extremely organized or newly organizing committee, loose organization or mobilizing for a future committee application, we have a lot to learn from each other. I will work with our regional team, global officers and partners to be an active presence in supporting and coordinating committee activities, making the most of our shared experiences. I look forward to building on the progress made over the last two years and keep us moving forward.

I invite you to learn more about me by visiting my website at keithforemea.com. I invite you to join me and endorse my candidacy. Thank you! 

Hunter Christopher, Belgium

Please give us a brief biography.

I‘m Hunter Christopher, a 34 year old digital communications expert and political content creator from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been active in politics since I was a child. As the son of two immigrants it was vital I understood how dramatically politics would shape our lives. My degree is in Political Science with a focus on Black History. My personal activism is in researching and combatting the far right, and other reactionary movements. I am a member in several political organizations like EuropeTalks and Solidarität which I cofounded as well. As a member of the queer and latino communities I understand the stakes of our moment and want to do all I can to save democracy.

Describe your work with Democrats Abroad and any other relevant experience.
I have been active in DAUK and DA Austria prior to my current role on the DA Belgium executive committee. This included lots of super volunteers type stuff and events etc. I also was on the board of several political organizations like YES, the Young Fabians, and Solidarität which worked with progressive young people across the continent and world. I also was employed at the European Parliament for the PES on their communications team. I have also worked on numerous political campaigns across the US, UK and EU. 

Why are you running for this office?
I have been pushing people to join unions and participate in party politics more and more for years now, and to be honest to myself I have to walk that walk too. This moment of crisis requires more from all of us, it requires us to do more than we want or thought we could, for me that is stepping forward to run for office instead of just working the background. Working in politics taught me no one is coming to save us, we need to save ourselves and to do that people need to run for something. So I am and I hope you elect me.

Pete Gallego, Spain Espana Espanha Espange Spagna

Please give us a brief biography.
I am an IBERO-LATIN AMERICAN serving as a DA SPAIN member since 2016, originally from Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

As a former hostel manager that now has his own online social media & marketing business in HOSTEL management known as AFHs/HE.

I am a political advocate of SOCIAL JUSTICE (=), and I will WORK to always promote it, as your next RVC EMEA.

I have 31 years in management, and will APPLY, make this position as RVC EMEA, if elected a transition to CONGRESS in the near future, upon return home to the US EEUU. EUA États Units Stati Uniti.

I have lived abroad in the EMEA region for more than 10 years, have traveled extensively throughout our region, and am PREPARED to SERVE on DAY ONE.

I would like to use my GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, POLITICAL experience, to bring NEW TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP promoting, REBRANDING our organization towards SUCCESS EXITO.

As your NEXT RVC EMEA, I will work CLOSELY with the 27 Country Committees (CCs) from the region to be the OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL VOICE VOZ for everyone TODOS in DA.

I would like to EXPAND our VOTER BASE in the EMEA but growing the region with more CCs and City Chapters moving FORWARD ADELANTE.

If elected, I will work hard to ASSURE we WIN WIN WIN as DA, make it a reality with the issues being strongly heard; as it pertains to our region spanning 3 continents, BRING US TOGETHER JUNTOS GLOBALLY over the next 2 years.

SI PODEMOS! 😊

Describe your work with Democrats Abroad and any other relevant experience.
I have worked in PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION and GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS LEADERSHIP in FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, and DC taking my ADVOCACY efforts across AMERICA, now ABROAD.

Since joining DA SPAIN ESPANA in 2016, I have ADVOCATED on behalf of the CC more on a PERSONAL LEVEL, have been involved in some of the GOALS in their STRATEGIC PLAN in PROMOTING and ADVOCATING for American Expats living in the MOTHERLAND of my GREAT GRANDFATHER,

I have SUPORTED them in several ONLINE EVENTS, LEGISLATIVE/POLITICAL, even POLITICAL CAMPAIGN initiatives throughout the last 9 years anos.

In each ELECTION CYCLE, I have always shown my SUPPORT APOYO in getting the right CANDIDATES elected.

In 2021, I was INTERESTED in being DA SPAIN Vice Chair then, stepped up to the PLATE on that OPPORTUNITY.

And I have even been a CANDIDATE for this OFFICE before in 2021 and have been a CANDIDATE for various DPCA INTERNATIONAL OFFICES (EXCOMM) in the last 4 years.

I have been ACTIVE on SOCIAL MEDIA for my CC and even expanded my SUPPORT to neighbouring DA PORTUGAL the land terra of my GREAT GRANDMOTHER.

If elected, I will represent IBERIAN EUROPE well and take the EXPERIENCES. I have been a part at CC committee level to a REGIONAL level, as your NEXT RVC EMEA for 2025-2027.

I would WORK CLOSELY with the RVC Americas and RVC Asia Pacific in full COLLABORATION to GET THINGS DONE with the rest of the DA EXCOMM team.

SI PODEMOS! 😊

Why are you running for this office?
I am Pete Gallego, and I am running to be your NEXT DA INTERNATIONAL RVC EMEA for 2025-2027.

And I have a VISION and STRATEGIC PLAN that will bring our place as the 57th State Party serving 9 million American Expat Voters living ABROAD to a NEW CHAPTER.

With TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP that will take all of US FORWARD ADELANTE AVANTI AVANT towards SUCCESS EXITO.

As your NEXT DA INTERNATIONAL RVC EMEA, I WILL HELP LEAD US NOSOTROS to OUR MOVEMENT TOWARDS being the preferred PARTY of CHOICE by the AMERICAN PEOPLE over the next 2 years.

DA must REORGANIZE with NEW LEADERSHIP moving forward to ASSURE we start WINNING again not in 2026 and 2028, but in 2025 with a STRATEGIC PLAN that CREATES NEW MESSAGING.

AND AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN to LURE VOTERS back into our PARTY, we NEED GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION at all levels from ABROAD to STATESIDE in the 50 STATES and 6 TERRITORIES.

As the DA RVC EMEA, I will FOCUS on bringing the REGION STRONGER TOGETHER JUNTOS working with the other RVCs in being UNITED GLOBALLY in SHARED GOVERNANCE.

I will work with the EXCOMM and THE DNC to get the FUNDING we NEED and HELP DISTRIBUTE that to OUR NEW MOVEMENT to GET DEMOCRATS ELECTED ACROSS the BOARD.

WITHOUT MONEY, we CANNOT EXPAND, GROW, and help the DNC and our PARTY WIN ELECTIONS.

I AM READY TO SERVE on Day One, and I will MAKE DEMOCRATS ABROAD FABULOUS AGAIN (MDAFA).

SI PODEMOS! 😊