However, fewer than one in 10 are explicitly traditional, analysis finds
According to a College Fix evaluation, almost three in four recipients of the Truman Scholarship, which was awarded this year and is funded by the government, have strong ties to Democratic politicians or liberal causes.
About 43 of the 60 students have worked for Political politicians, advocated for liberal causes, or recognize as left- leaning — continuing an quarterly trend exposed in past Fix analyses.
In contrast, just five scholars have worked for Republican politicians, advocated for liberal causes, or identify as best- leaning.  , The College Fix determined this knowledge based on provided histories, LinkedIn information, and contact questions.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation’s professional minister, Terry Babcock- Lumish, stated in an earlier email to The Fix that the organization does not use political involvement as a choice factor.
” The Truman Foundation’s selection method is based only on candidates ‘ demonstrated commitment to public services, leadership ability, and intellectual excellence”, she said.
According to Babcock- Lumish, the bedrock frequently does not know who’s political affiliations are applying to candidates, and students frequently work for politicians” with whom their beliefs are not entirely in line with their beliefs.”
The Truman Scholars we choose reflect the diversity of individuals we have available, she continued,” Our yearly competition requires votes from undergraduate organizations.” We are unable to choose candidates if they are not nominated or submit an application. Let me once more request The College Fix to encourage readers to apply for positions in public support.
The Democratic lawmakers whom the 2024 award winners have worked or interned for contain Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, California Rep. Adam Schiff, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, and Michigan position Rep. Abraham Aiyash.
Less: In 2020, left-leaning students will once again receive the majority of Truman Scholarships.
Honorees also have been involved with remaining- aircraft companies, including Planned Parenthood Generation Action, College Democrats, Young Democrats, Equal Rights Advocates, and Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Resolution.
Also, some have advocated for democratic issues like as” the protection of LGBTQ+ impaired youth”, “racial justice activism”, “pro- union policies”, “environmental justice”, and” cultural justice and equity”, The Fix analysis found.
A few of this week’s consumers worked for Republican politicians, including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, and Tennessee Rep. Diana Harshbarger.
The Fix contacted the remaining 12 recipients with inquiries about their democratic outlooks, and their ideologies were based on available information that could not be clearly identified.
Issues considered politically neutral by The Fix include cleaning waterways, removing invasive species, tackling aircraft health challenges, addressing remote mental healthcare exposure, researching agricultural conservation, and “designing prescribed fireplace programs for the National Park Service”.
Since at least 2015, progressive recipients have received disproportionately of Truman Scholarships annually, according to prior Fix analyses.  , In both 2018 and 2021, zero openly conservative students were awarded a Truman Scholarship.
Last year, The Fix found only four scholarship winners publicly identified as conservative, while 29 recipients had evident ties to progressive causes.
The$ 30, 000 scholarship is awarded to approximately 60 students annually, selected from a pool of about 800 applicants. After graduating from graduate school, recipients commit to serving in public service for three of their first seven years.
Congress established a federal memorial to President Harry Truman called the Scholarship Foundation. The foundation’s board of trustees has a bipartisan makeup, as directed by federal statute.
Current board members include Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Texas Republican Rep. Kay Granger, Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, New Jersey Democrat Rep. Andy Kim, and Hawaii Democrat Sen. Brian Schatz.
MORE: 2020 Rhodes Scholarships heavily favor progressive candidates
IMAGE: Truman Scholarship Foundation
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