hall of fame: cherisse eatmon collective impact awardees
Each year, Future Caucus recognizes a bipartisan pairing or group of young state legislators for their political bridge-building and future-focused leadership during our annual Rising Star Awards.
About the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award
The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award honors a partnership of two or more politically diverse young state legislators—typically from the same state Future Caucus—who have built consensus on a challenging public issue, ideally resulting in meaningful legislation.
It is awarded annually to a bipartisan pair, or group of state legislators.
Recent HonoreesRECENT HONOREES
Representative Kadyn Wittman & Senator Brandon Wipf
South Dakota state Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, and Sen. Brandon Wipf, R-Lake Byron, will receive the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award for their bipartisan partnership to pass legislation providing free school lunches to 10,000 students. Their effort included successfully forcing a Senate floor vote despite opposition from leadership in both chambers, demonstrating the persistence and cross-partisan collaboration it can take to advance policies that directly affect families.
2025 HONOREES
Senator Löki Gale Tobin & Representative Justin Ruffridge
In Alaska, Representative Justin Ruffridge and Senator Löki Tobin joined forces to strengthen public education — culminating in a rare achievement: overriding two gubernatorial vetoes to secure vital funding for Alaska’s schools, including $50 million for classrooms across the state. Their partnership exemplifies what’s possible when leaders put community above politics.
2024 HONOREES
Pennsylvania Future Caucus
The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award recognized the bipartisan efforts of the Pennsylvania Future Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Justin Fleming (D-PA-105) and Rep. Thomas Kutz (R-PA-87). United by a shared commitment to addressing the “three mortgages” burdening young Pennsylvanians—housing, education, and child care—the Pennsylvania Future Caucus exemplifies the power of collective action.
2023 HONOREES
Vermont Future Caucus
The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award, recognizing an outstanding state Future Caucus for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building, was presented to the Vermont Future Caucus. Vermont’s Caucus continuously demonstrated their commitment to cutting across the partisan divide, and last year working collaboratively on significant criminal justice reform issues. The state caucus awardees included co-chairs Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone and Rep. Casey Toof.
2022 HONOREES
Oklahoma Future Caucus
The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award was presented to the Oklahoma Future Caucus. The award recognizes an outstanding state Future Caucus for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building. The Oklahoma Future Caucus awardees included co-chairs Rep. Judd Strom (R), Sen. Carri Hicks (D), and Sen. John Michael Montgomery (R), as well as OKFC member and incoming co-chair Rep. Daniel Pae (R)
2021 HONOREES
Kansas Future Caucus
The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award, recognizing an outstanding state caucus for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building, will be presented to the Kansas Future Caucus. The Kansas Future Caucus is led by Co-chairs Rep. Tory Arnberger (R) and Rep. Rui Xu (D); and Co-vice-chairs Rep. Brandon Woodard (D) and Rep. Nick Hoheisel (R).
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