RFS feel-good update (1/18): Ahead of our fifth birthday
Back at it trying to build sustainable power & save democracy
Hi all -
Hope your long weekend was exactly what you wanted and needed!
We’re back to work trying to build sustainable power and save democracy. (No big deal!)
Some stuff you might have missed over the last week related to this fight:
If you skimmed the NYT column and prefer your info in cable-news-segment format, Ezra Klein joined MSNBC to talk about the need for Democrats to focus locally to save democracy.
In Elle magazine, I went into detail on how far-right extremists are mobilizing to run for local office and how folks can run for office to fight back.
Tim Miller at The Bulwark watched Steve Bannon’s show for a week straight and this is what he took away: “In 2022 they aim to put so many of their people in positions of power throughout state and local governments that next time there will be nothing anyone can do to stop their quest for power.”
As is his tendency, Trump said the quiet part out loud.
This inspired Senator Schatz and others to help raise money for this work because they get it. More of this!!
More than a thousand people joined Senator Schatz and chipped in to Run for Something over the holiday weekend. We’re grateful to every last one!
Later this week, we’ll celebrate Run for Something’s fifth birthday by releasing our 2022 strategic plan. (Plus maybe cake?) Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, thanks for making the first five years possible.
In other RFS community updates:
Greta Neubauer is officially the Democratic Minority Leader in the Wisconsin state assembly: “At 30 years old, the Racine Democrat is the youngest person to lead a caucus in either chamber of the Legislature since 1943. And for the first time ever, women will comprise a majority of that caucus.”
Jackie Glass came up short in her race for Norfolk city council — but she didn’t stop fighting for her community. Now she’s taking a seat in the VA House of Delegates.
Cassie Levesque ran for office has been working to ban child marriage as a 17 year old Girl Scout lobbying the New Hampshire state legislature. She ran for office and won a seat when she was 18 and has spent her two terms in office fighting. Read this deep dive into her efforts.
Swearing-in ceremony never gets old.
FL Rep. Fentrice Driskell — House Minority Leader-Designate — has big priorities for 2021, including funding for historic cemetery protection, education reform, social media literacy, and more.
PA Rep. Jessica Benham is not stopping her fight for caregivers, especially those working with people with disabilities.
Chloe Maxmin understands how to reach rural voters.
“First, to reach someone, you have to reach out. Rural Democrats consistently lament that the national party hasn’t invested enough money or time in rural organizing. By contrast, during her 2020 campaign, Maxmin says she had 90,000 voter contacts, the most of any state Senate campaign in the state. Her closest opponent had just 35,000. As a result, she connected with persuadable Trump voters who had never spoken with a Democratic candidate. And Maxmin didn’t just talk to voters; she sought to understand them. As she told me during an interview last year, her canvassing strategy was “to stand there for 10 or 15 minutes and have a conversation — and then go back and follow up.””Elaissia Sears is one of 26 justices of the peace in Arizona; the most diverse bench in state history. These photos are so inspiring.
Justice Horn would be the first Black representative in the Jackson County Legislature in KS; he’s calling for more young people to run, too.
Samantha Kaag will be the first woman mayor of West Reading, PA!
CO Rep. Dylan Roberts is introducing legislation to allow for investigating funeral homes and crematories where there are suspected violations.
NH Reps. Jackie Whitley, Manny Espitia and other local leaders powerfully argue for the need for democracy protection in New Hampshire.
Congrats to Consuelo Hernandez for being elected president of the Sunnyside Unified School District board!
RFS alum are an amazing bench:
Jennifer Carroll Foy is running for state senate in Virginia! Any race Jennifer is in, count me in.
Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege is running for CA state assembly.
Lydia Edwards was one of our first RFS candidates in 2017 when she ran for city council — now she’ll be the first Black woman to represent her district in the MA state senate.
Two RFS events to put on your calendar:
On January 26th, we’re hosting a call specifically for folks in rural communities thinking about running for office. 100% free - help get the word out!
We’ve rescheduled our big 5th anniversary party for February 28th in D.C. — there will be an in-person celebration (hopefully!) along with ways to join virtually. Get your tickets now.
Seriously, thank you for making all this possible. We have such ambitious work to do this year and it’s only happening because of people like you. Onward we go!
- Amanda