RFS feel-good update (12/19): Meet our 20 newly endorsed candidates
We endorsed 700 candidates this year!
Hi all -
This is our last update for the year, so we wanted to give you some feel-great news: Our newest endorsement class is in! Overall, we endorsed about 700 candidates this year, meaning we reached our original 2022 goal to endorse a record number of passionate, young and diverse progressives, coast to coast.
Yes, we know an election just happened, but here at RFS there are no off years. These 20 candidates will be on the ballot in 2023, so we wanted to support them right from the start.
Of our December 2022 endorsees:
45% are women and non-binary people
70% are people of color
15% are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community
7 states + D.C. are represented
10 are receiving an RFS endorsement for a second time
So without further adieu, here is our final endorsement class of the year:
Denver City Council, District 10
Election Date: April 4, 2022
Shannon, a resourceful advocate, educator, and former small business retail employee, is a candidate for Denver City Council, District 10. She would bring a unique perspective on housing to council, as there are no current council members who are renters, despite making up more than 50% of the city’s population.
Denver City Council, At-Large
Election Date: April 4, 2023
Sarah is an experienced advocate for economic justice and workers’ rights. Her drive to run for Denver City Council comes from her belief that when we invest in each other, we all win. In Denver, this means making city-owned social housing a reality, moving public safety resources away from criminalizing poverty, funding housing first and harm reduction models, and transforming transit with equity, climate resilience, and accessibility in mind.
Chicago Alderman, 10th Ward
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Oscar is a resident and community organizer in Chicago’s 10th Ward; it is where his family laid roots over 40 years ago. Oscar has brought people together and built power to address community needs. He has done so by being a co-founder of the Southeast Youth Alliance and Southeast Response Collective.
Chicago Alderman, 30th Ward
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Warren is a lifelong Chicagoan and community organizer running for Alderperson of the 30th Ward. He is the proud son of a union letter carrier with the United States Postal Service and a former union construction worker and ordained minister.
District Council, Chicago’s 19th Police District
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Maurilio has been a Chicagoan for over 15 years, first attending college at Northwestern University and now residing in the Uptown neighborhood with his partner and three cats. He has worked for a small market research firm for the last decade translating people’s needs and pain points into data-backed action plans.
Chicago Alderman, 21st Ward
Election Date: February 28, 2023
A seasoned organizer, Ronnie has created wins on local and national levels for issues like gun violence prevention, cannabis, education reform, youth health, voting rights, and entrepreneurship. With over 15 years of professional experience ranging from community outreach to intergovernmental affairs, he has proven his abilities to navigate through challenges and build an infrastructure effectively.
Chicago Alderman, 25th Ward
Primary Date: February 8, 2023; Election Date: April 4, 2023
Aida is an educator currently serving as Assistant Principal at Darwin Elementary, a Chicago public school. She holds a BA from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University, and a master’s in education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Flores has served as Principal and former Local School Council Member-Student Representative at Benito Juarez High School.
District Council, Chicago’s 19th Police District
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Sam is running for the brand-new office of District Council in Chicago’s 19th Police District to put the community’s voice at the center of public safety and decision-making. He wants to make policing more accountable, fair, and effective. Sam joined the grassroots effort to create a new elected office focused specifically on bringing the community’s voice to public safety and policing: District Councils.
Chicago Alderperson, 5th Ward
Election Date: February 28, 2023
A proud native of Chicago’s South Side, Adrienne has been a champion of social causes for over 18 years. Adrienne currently serves as AVP for External Affairs at Illinois Tech. Before joining Illinois Tech, Adrienne served on the legislative staff for the Cook County Board President. Adrienne was appointed a Commissioner for Special Service Area #42.
Evansville City Council, Ward 4
Primary Date: May 2, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Alex was born and raised in Evansville, IN. He graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in communications. He also obtained his master’s in public administration from Western Kentucky. He also interned for two members of Congress: Jim Cooper (TN-05) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). Alex currently serves as Vice President of the city council.
Hammond City Council, District 3
Primary Date: May 2, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Barry is running for re-election for 3rd District City Council in Hammond, Indiana. He attended Wabash College, where he double majored in speech and political science. Barry’s career has focused on education, youth development, and nonprofit management. He is also an active board member with several organizations, a former member of the USW, and has served as a high school football coach for the past 17 years.
Indianapolis City-County Council, District 10
Primary Date: May 2, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Ali is a nonprofit executive and City-County Councillor for Indianapolis’ Fifth District. From her activist work with organizations like Freedom Indiana to her efforts connecting people with new careers as a workforce development nonprofit executive, Ali has dedicated her life to empowering people and lifting up her community.
Indianapolis City Council, District 11
Primary Date: May 2, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Crista is a graduate of Ben Davis High School and the University of Indianapolis. She earned her master’s in teaching from Marian University in 2012, and her building level administrator credentials from UINDY’s iLEAD program in 2013. Crista served as a public educator from 2009–2021, and currently serves as the Director of Development & Communications for RecycleForce and Keys2Work. She is the current District 6 City-County Councilwoman.
Kansas City Council, 5th District At-Large
Primary Date: April 4, 2023; Election Date: June 6, 2023
Michael is the policy director for BikeWalkKC, a local nonprofit which works to expand mobility choice and freedom throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. He’s running for the KCMO City Council in the 5th District At-Large for two important reasons: his daughters.
New York City Council, District 39
Primary Date: June 20, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Shahana made history as the first South Asian and Muslim woman ever elected to the New York City Council and the first woman Council Member for the 39th District. She is running for re-election in District 39 to continue the powerful work she’s led during her first term to advance reproductive rights, protections for immigrants, and climate justice.
New York City Council, District 37
Primary Date: June 27, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Sandy has been a community organizer and activist for over 15 years. She is fighting for a New York that provides safe and stable housing, comprehensive public safety, access to care, and dignity for all.
San Antonio City Council, District 2
Election Date: May 6, 2023
Jalen is a former high school math teacher and was elected to serve District 2 of San Antonio in 2021. He serves as a fierce advocate for equitable investment in his city’s infrastructure. Jalen was the first openly-gay man elected to the San Antonio City Council and the first openly-gay Black man elected to any seat in Texas.
Virginia House, District 94
Election Date: November 7, 2023
Phil was born and raised in Hampton Roads, attended local public schools, and received a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which made it possible for him to attend William & Mary and become the first in his family to graduate from college. He later served in President Obama’s White House, worked as a civil rights attorney, and became a trusted policy leader in Virginia.
Virginia House, District 5
Primary Date: June 20, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Elizabeth is the Delegate for Virginia’s 45th House District. She is running for re-election to continue to strengthen public education, protect abortion rights, combat climate change, enact commonsense gun safety legislation, and build an economy that works for all of our residents.
Virginia House, District 84
Primary Date: June 20, 2023; Election Date: November 7, 2023
Nadarius is a progressive community activist, organizer, and Delegate representing the 79th district, which covers parts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake. He comes from a military family with a background in business entrepreneurship.
Please amplify these candidates on social media in the days, weeks and months ahead. If you can contribute, please pick a couple of these newly endorsed candidates to support. And if you are looking to volunteer for an RFS candidate, every Friday our team emails out options. Sign up now!
You can see all of our 2023 endorsees on the candidate directory on our website.
We can’t thank you enough for being a part of Run for Something. We couldn’t do this vital work without your support.
Please join us in getting some rest over the next couple of weeks if you can, and have a happy New Year!
Ross and Abe
P.S. We’re out of the office until January 3rd, so your next update from us will come the following Monday - January 9th.