Run for Something

In the year since Trump won reelection, nearly 75,000 people have signed up to run for local or state office through Run for Something, a grassroots political group that recruits young progressives in down-ballot races across all 50 states.

Run For Something, launched in 2017, is dedicated to putting Gen Z and Millennials in office. Candidates are generally left-of-center Democrats who align with the group’s stated values. Those values include supporting abortion rights, LGBTQ+ equality, climate protections and ending gun violence. Candidates decide how to reflect those values in their campaigns and are also encouraged to have identified a problem in their local community which they want to solve. 

What support do candidates get from Run For Something?

“We provide a safety net for new and exciting progressive leaders — at all stages of their journey — helping them run efficient, strategic, grassroots, driven campaigns while feeling supported throughout the process.” (from the website)

Not everyone who applies gets the group’s endorsement, but if they do, they have access to many resources, including a campaign advisor, an alumni advisor, and access to trainings and guides for a successful run.  With nine election cycles under their belt this organization has the logistics down! Co-founder and president Amanda Litman says, “We are with you every step of the way.”

The organization had a very successful night in the recent November 4th elections with candidates winning in 64% of the races they entered and 42 red seats flipping to blue.  You can join the 5,000 potential candidates who signed up on the website the week following that election! Those candidates are just like you. They are sick of the business as usual from entrenched politicians who should have retired decades ago and who have no clue what it’s like to lose their jobs, be unable to afford to pay rent, payoff student debt or find affordable healthcare.

They are entering races that will shape housing, education, and democracy for years to come. They’re younger, much more diverse, and more connected to their communities than the out of touch political establishment.

Check out http://runforwhat.net to see a list of state legislative and local offices where you can run based on your current address and then:

Consider Running for Something!