Minnesota Young DFL


The Minnesota Young DFL is the official youth caucus of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. The group's membership is open to any Minnesotan Democrat under the age of 36. The Minnesota Young DFL is nationally affiliated with the Young Democrats of America. Its current president is Quentin Wathum-Ocama.

History

In 1944, the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party and the Minnesota Democratic Party united to form the DFL.
The Minnesota Young DFL was formed in 1947 by University of Minnesota student William G. Kubicek, who became the YDFL's first chairman.
The young DFL was brought in a struggle between the left-wing and right-wing factions of the DFL. Under Kubicek, the YDFL would be dominated by the party's right. In contrast, the state leadership, led by Harold H. Barker, was dominated by the party's left. In December of 1947, the YDFL and Barker's DFL found themselves so divided, Barker considered taking legal action against the YDFL for failing to conform to the larger party's platforms and leadership. By late January of 1948, the YDFL had been rejected by the DFL leadership. The YDFL attempted to hold an independent convention separate from the DFL convention, which the DFL leadership considered illegal.
While still in this perilous position, it provided an early endorsement for then-Minneapolis Mayor Hubert H. Humphrey's U.S. Senate run. As Walter F. Mondale recalls :
Afterward, Mayor Humphrey received the endorsement and a month later at the state convention did the same. "He had the numbers and he won the crowd, and after that the party belonged to him."
By the end of 1949, Humphrey and his allies had successfully taken control of the DFL and reintegrated the YDFL without issue.
In 1951, the YDFL did a tour of the state, meeting with local college DFL clubs. At this time, Duane Emme was chairman.
By 1959, Michael O'Donnell was Chairman.

Minnesota Young DFL leadership

The membership of the Minnesota Young DFL elects its officers at an annual convention. The most recent in-person convention was held on August 2nd, 2025, in St. Paul.
Its executive committee consists of a president, an executive vice president, three vice presidents for Greater Minnesota, a vice president for the Twin Cities, outreach officer, secretary, treasurer, political director, programming and finance director, communications director, and two national committee representatives not of the same gender identity. The Chair of the College Democrats of Minnesota and the Chair of the Minnesota High School Democrats also serve as ex-officio voting members of the MYDFL Executive Committee.
In addition to their duties within the Minnesota Young DFL, the President also serves on the DFL State Executive committee while the Executive Vice President serves on the DFL State Central Committee.