City man to expand reach to young voters

Pittsburgh political activist Khari Mosley is hitting the road as the new national field and political director for the League of Young Voters.

"With a historic primary season under way and a general election that promises to be just as impactful, I am proud to be given this opportunity to be part of the process," Mosley said Thursday in an interview with the Tribune-Review from Washington, where he was attending a retreat for members of the league.

The nonpartisan group focuses on getting young people to participate in politics.

Mosley, 31, of Manchester, founded the Pennsylvania League of Young Voters in 2004 and served as state director until June 2007. He has been the campaign director for Pittsburgh United, co-chaired the National Hip-Hop Political Convention and worked on a number of political campaigns for local Democrats.

In his new role, Mosley said, he will be based in Pittsburgh but will travel.

"We have organizations on the ground here in Pennsylvania, as well as Wisconsin, California, Florida, Ohio and Missouri," he said.

Political analyst and Duquesne University law professor Joseph Sabino Mistick said cause organizations like the League of Young Voters rely on seasoned activists to keep their groups growing.

"His institutional network of people and knowledge is what keeps community activism afloat," said Mistick.

Mistick cautioned there is a risk of diluting the effort by creating the illusion that Mosley is the "cause of the week" guy. "But on the other hand, it does give him a broader piece of experience every time he takes over an issue."