Feel-good update: Good news in the midst of a garbage week
A few highlights from our world to make you smile.
The last week in news has been even more horrifying than usual. I’ve got a few highlights from Run for Something world to remind you there’s a light at the end of this miserable tunnel…
NEW ENDORSEMENTS…
Last week, we endorsed 78 new candidates — bringing our grand total to 631 endorsements since launch, across 48 states + DC. This new class includes incredible folks like:
Frank Scott Jr., who is running to be the first elected African American mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas
Mik Lose, a Tongan immigrant and techie running for state senate in Idaho
Stephanie Gharakhanian, a first-generation American and community activist who’s running for Austin Community College District Board of Trustees
Antonio Mendez, our first 2019 endorsement (!!!), a teacher & Fulbright Scholar running for city council in Denver (note: this is a big deal! — 2018 elections are obviously incredibly important but if we don’t keep our collective eye on the long-game, no matter how big we win this fall, we’ll be back in this same mess soon enough.)
With the latest class, it’s official: We’re up to 406 candidates on the ballot this November — exactly 50% of those folks are women and nearly 40% are people of color. This is what a movement looks like.
One of my favorite parts of endorsement day is when volunteers see the impact of their work. Team works makes the dream work.
(Speaking of volunteers: Commit right now to help an RFS candidate during GOTV!!)
OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE NEWS…
- Florida state house candidate Anna Eskamani is getting attacked by her GOP opponents for cursing. They put it on a mailer!! They’re grasping at straws because she’s an incredible candidate — and it’s pretty funny to watch.
- Get to know some of the techies running for office, including our own Steven Buccinni, a 25 year old software engineer and who’s running for NC state house.
- Tired: Bus tours. Wired: NY state assembly candidate Luke Wochensky’s tractor tour across his district.
- Myya Jones ran for MI state house earlier this year. While she lost her primary, her passion, intellect, and campaign tactics (including a rap music video!) made her one of the more exciting candidates. HuffPost featured her in their new series, Crash the Party.
- Forward Kentucky featured Denise Gray, an incredible teacher running at a time when there isn’t a single woman of color in the KY state senate. She’s hoping to change that.
ROAD TRIP!
After a stunning evening in NYC last Thursday — thanks to all who came or helped out! — we’re hitting the road. Join us in LA, Chicago, Austin, Madison, San Francisco, or DC over the next few weeks.
Thanks for making all this possible. This is hard as hell but on Election Day, it’ll be worth it.