Zachary Dougherty (born March 2001) is an American political activist. He is the director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, a national nonpartisan institution affiliated with Shepherd University and a founding member of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress. Dougherty succeeded founding director and former U.S. House Historian Raymond W. Smock. He previously worked with the League of Women Voters of New Jersey and was a candidate for public office in 2024.

Early life and education

Zachary Dougherty was born March 2001 in the United States.[citation needed] Dougherty began his civic engagement through the scouting program, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.[1] He graduated from Toms River High School North in 2019.[2]

Dougherty earned a B.A. degree, magna cum laude, in history and political science from Monmouth University in 2023.[3] In 2025, he completed a Master's degree in legislative affairs at the George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management.[4]

Activism and career

Following the Parkland high school shooting, Dougherty co-founded the New Jersey chapter of March for Our Lives and served as its political director.[5][6] He organized student demonstrations and lobbying efforts advocating for gun safety reforms at both the federal and state levels. As a teen activist, Dougherty was featured in Scholastic Choices magazine's May 2018 issue, highlighting the national March for Our Lives movement.[7]

At 17, Dougherty was described as "one of the most recognizable and influential political activists in Ocean County" by the Asbury Park Press.[8] In March 2018, he co-authored an op-ed in The New York Times advocating for safer schools and highlighting the political engagement of Generation Z.[9][10] That same year, Dougherty introduced Governor Phil Murphy at a bill signing event for six gun safety laws and was presented with a signing pen in recognition of his advocacy work.[11]

In 2022, Dougherty led the effort to pass the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council Act, which established an official forum for youth to advise the state legislature on policy.[12][13]

He also worked as a community organizer for the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, where he lobbied on issues related to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, state ballot reform, and expanded civics education.[14][15][16] Dougherty previously interned in the offices of U.S. Senator Cory Booker and U.S. Representative Andy Kim.[17]

In 2025, Dougherty was appointed Director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, succeeding founding director Raymond W. Smock, who served as the first Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Center is a civic education and research institution focused on the history and role of the U.S. Congress.[18][19]

Political candidacy

In 2024, Dougherty was the Democratic nominee for the Ward 2 seat on the Toms River Township Council. The election was held to fill a vacancy created when Councilman Daniel Rodrick was elected mayor. Dougherty was defeated in the general election by Republican William Byrne.[20][21]

Recognition

Dougherty has been recognized as an emerging young leader in New Jersey politics, appearing on Insider NJ’s annual “Insider 100 Millennials” or “Rising Generations” lists for seven consecutive years (2018–2024).[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] In 2024, Dougherty was awarded the NASS John Lewis Youth Leadership Award as New Jersey's recipient. The award was presented by Tahesha Way, New Jersey's Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.[31]

References

  1. ^ "The unbelievable story of how a Cub Scout met John McCain". Scouting Magazine. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  2. ^ "North Alum Returns to Talk Policy, Political Participation". Toms River Regional Schools. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  3. ^ "Three Hawks Land on InsiderNJ's 100 Millennials List". Monmouth University. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  4. ^ "Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education Welcomes New Leadership". Mountain Media News. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  5. ^ "Toms River Students Urge Tougher Gun Laws After Parkland Shooting". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  6. ^ "March for Our Lives Midterm Election Mobilization". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  7. ^ "Teens Fight Back." Scholastic Choices, May 2018, pp. 20. Cover story: "Change is Here: Inside the Teen-Led Movement for Safer Schools."
  8. ^ "Former Kennedy campaign worker sees shades of RFK in Toms River teen". Asbury Park Press. 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  9. ^ Schleifstein, Darcy; Dougherty, Zachary; Baum, Sarah Emily (2018-03-13). "Dear National Rifle Association: We Won't Let You Win. From, Teenagers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  10. ^ "NJ students write NY Times op-ed on youth gun violence activism". The Hill. 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  11. ^ "Congratulations to TRN junior Zachary Dougherty". Toms River Regional Schools. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  12. ^ Smith, Shannon (2022-02-16). "Zachary Dougherty Establishes the FirstNJ Legislative Youth Council". The Outlook. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  13. ^ "Campaign: New Jersey Legislative Youth Council". InsiderNJ. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  14. ^ "League of Women Voters of New Jersey Announces New Hires". League of Women Voters of New Jersey. Retrieved 2025-07-17.[dead link]
  15. ^ "Public Hearing on Expanded Civics Education and Ballot Reform" (PDF). New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  16. ^ "New Jersey Legislature Archived Media: Assembly Appropriations Committee, May 10, 2024". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  17. ^ "Cory Booker's Progressive Intern is Running for Office in Toms River". Shore News Network. 2024-08-12. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  18. ^ Johnston, Tabitha (July 7, 2025). "Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education Welcomes New Leadership". Mountain Media News. The Shepherdstown Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  19. ^ "Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Ushers in New Leadership". The Journal. June 15, 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  20. ^ "Toms River Council Race: Dougherty vs. Byrne". Asbury Park Press. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  21. ^ "Republicans Hold Rodrick's Seat on Toms River Council". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  22. ^ "Three Hawks Land on InsiderNJ's 100 Millennials List". Monmouth University. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  23. ^ "Student Spotlight: Zachary Dougherty, One of InsiderNJ's 2021 Millennial Leaders". The Outlook, Monmouth University. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  24. ^ "2024 Rising Generations – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  25. ^ "2023 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  26. ^ "2022 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  27. ^ "2021 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  28. ^ "2020 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  29. ^ "2019 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  30. ^ "2018 Insider 100 Millennials – Insider NJ". Insider NJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  31. ^ "Lt. Governor Tahesha Way Presents NASS John Lewis Youth Leadership Award". New Jersey Department of State (Facebook). 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-17.