PCYD: Putnam County Young Democrats home

HomeOur Mission

What We’re Fighting For in Putnam County

Putnam County Young Democrats exists to put more young people in the voting booth, on the ballot and in charge of campaigns, and to build policy that reflects democratic values.

Aaron Cofer, PCYD Chair of Voter Engagement, speaking at a rally on the courthouse steps between American flags
PCYD Chair of Voter Engagement, Aaron Cofer Speaking at Rally

Our mission statement

Seeking to increase the number of youth voting, running for office, leading campaigns, and building policies reflective of democratic values in TN and beyond.

Voting

Two voter registration drives at Tennessee Tech in 2026, and a district lookup any Tennessean can use.

Running for Office

Five PCYD members were on the ballot in 2026. Two of them won.

Leading Campaigns

We backed 19 local races, two Tennessee House races and the 6th Congressional District campaign.

Building Policy

Housing, healthcare, good jobs and open government: the four commitments below.

Our Four Commitments

These guide the candidates we recruit, the campaigns we join and the questions we ask at every Putnam County Commission meeting.

Affordable Housing

A home you can afford, in the place you grew up.

People who grew up in Putnam County should be able to afford to stay here. We push for more housing options, fair treatment for renters, and first homes that working families and recent graduates can actually reach.

Healthcare for All

Care you can count on, wherever you live.

Your health shouldn’t depend on your job, your zip code or your bank account. We support expanding affordable care across Tennessee, especially in rural communities where the nearest clinic or hospital keeps getting farther away.

Upward Economic Mobility

Hard work that pays off right here at home.

Hard work should lead somewhere. We fight for good-paying jobs, fair wages and affordable paths into college and the trades. We want a local economy where young people can build a future here instead of leaving to find one.

Government By the People, For the People

Open government that answers to you.

Our government works best when people can see what it’s doing. We stand for open meetings, public records anyone can get to, and elected officials who answer to the whole community, not a few insiders.

Our Executive Board

PCYD is run by young people from Putnam County who work, study and organize here.

Morgan Franklin, President of Putnam County Young DemocratsOn the 2026 ballot

Morgan Franklin

President

I’m a Cookeville native, alumni of the Putnam County School System and TTU. I’m a small business owner, community organizer and President of one of the largest youth run political organizations in the state of TN. I believe in the power of community. I understand the gravity and impact of local government and look forward to representing you with clarity, purpose and integrity.

Read more about Morgan

Morgan also chairs Candidate Recruitment and Development for the Putnam County Democratic Party.

Trenton Strode, Vice President of Putnam County Young DemocratsOn the 2026 ballot

Trenton Strode

Vice President

Trenton Strode is a healthcare finance professional, certified medical coder and auditor, Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv), and small business owner who ran for Putnam County Commission – District 11 in 2026. With multiple nationally recognized health information credentials, Trenton works in healthcare compliance and revenue cycle management, where precision, accountability, and responsible financial stewardship matter every day.

Read more about Trenton

He is also the founder of UCC Group, a locally owned business providing professional notary services, legacy documentation support through self-help estate planning tools, event and entertainment production, creative services, and healthcare education. Through both his healthcare career and entrepreneurial work, Trenton has built a reputation for reliability, organization, and community-centered leadership. He is committed to bringing that same structured, solutions-focused mindset to local government.

Shayne Bilbrey, Treasurer of Putnam County Young DemocratsElected 2026

Shayne Bilbrey

Treasurer

Shayne Bilbrey is a lifelong Putnam Countian, a first generation college graduate, a son, and a cat dad. Shayne was born in Cookeville and raised in Monterey by both his Mom and his Grandma. Shayne is the oldest child, he has one brother and one sister who are a few years younger than him. He became only the second person ever in his family to graduate from High School when he graduated from Monterey High School in 2009, and he became the first person in his family to graduate from college when he graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2019.

Read more about Shayne

Shayne has also been a long time community volunteer and advocate having been involved with the Putnam County Democratic Party, a founding Committee Member of Upper Cumberland Pride, a volunteer with the Tennessee Equality Project, the co-founder of the Bully Free Tennessee Conference in 2012, a member of the Tennessee Young Democrats, and a founding member of the Putnam County Young Democrats.

In 2024, Shayne was selected by his peers to be Tennessee’s male representative on the Young Democrats of America National Committee. Shayne served in that role until May of 2025. Since April of 2025, Shayne has been the Treasurer of the Putnam County Young Democrats, elected Vice President of Upper Cumberland Pride, appointed to be a member of the Site Selection Committee for the Young Democrats of America, and elected as the Putnam County Democratic Party’s Executive Committeeman for District 3.

In his spare time, Shayne is an avid Cities Skylines player, a storm spotter, a history buff, and most Sundays he’s glued to his TV watching NASCAR, as he has been a NASCAR fan since he was a kid growing up in Monterey. His favorite drivers growing up were Dale Earnhardt and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr., and he is currently a big Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick fan. Since 2017, Shayne has lived in District 3, along with his two cats, Leia and Selina.

Kaylee Honeycutt, Secretary of Putnam County Young Democrats

Kaylee Honeycutt

Secretary

Kaylee is a senior at Laurel Springs School and worked on the Mike Croley for Congress campaign in Tennessee’s 6th District. She’s also an actress, singer and dancer.

Aaron Cofer, Chair of Voter Engagement of Putnam County Young DemocratsOn the 2026 ballot

Aaron Cofer

Chair of Voter Engagement

Born and raised in Roane County, Aaron Cofer has called Putnam County home since 2018 after moving to Cookeville to continue his education at Tennessee Tech. A graduate of Roane State Community College, Aaron’s path reflects the reality many working students face. When rising costs forced him to choose between tuition and rent, he stepped into warehouse jobs and long hours to make ends meet. Through persistence and determination, he saved enough to return to school and is now studying to become a Court Reporter, grounded in a deep respect for transparency and accountability in the justice system.

Read more about Aaron

Aaron has dedicated himself to organizing communities across the Upper Cumberland to stand against political overreach and defend democratic values. After being assaulted and unjustly detained at a June 30th County Commission meeting, his commitment to public service became even more personal, strengthened by the overwhelming support of his neighbors. Now serving as the Secretary for Indivisible Tennessee, a founder of the Community Action Coalition, and an active member of local Democratic leadership, Aaron ran for County Commission District 9 in 2026 to protect public participation, champion transparency, and ensure every resident has a voice in local government.

Vote. Run. Lead. Build.

That’s the whole mission. If you’re 13 to 35 and live in Putnam County, there’s a place for you in PCYD. Our monthly meetings are the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 PM.

Join PCYDVolunteer