RFS feel-good update (1/31): 100k people in the pipeline!!!
As far as we know, we're building the biggest candidate pipeline in Democratic politics
Hi all -
First, huge news to celebrate!! As of Friday morning, 100,272 people have raised their hands to run for office since Run for Something launched on January 20th, 2017.
In fact, in January 2022 alone, 10,037 people signed up to consider running for office — making this our biggest recruitment month yet.
As far as we know, this one of the biggest candidate pipelines in the history of Democratic politics. And we’re not stopping growing anytime soon!
That growth is good, because we’re going to need it. As I explained in Democracy Docket last week, running for local office is a critical next step for folks who care about protecting democracy.
It’s not just about election admin jobs — we also need people to run for school boards, library boards, and other education positions. Over the last week, it’s felt like a wave of book bans and curriculum-related legislation have come up…
We’ve seen book bannings come up all over the country at a sadly record-setting pace. The American Library Association has tracked at least 330 “challenges” between September-December 2021, compared to 156 in all of 2020.
Over the last three weeks, 71 educational gag orders have been introduced or prefiled — 10 such laws from 2021 have already become law in 9 states. They target everything from kindergarten through to higher education.
The Texas State Board of Education just appointed a former professor who — among his various offensive beliefs — questioned the validity 2020 election results to a committee that reviews social studies textbooks. (You might remember this rundown of how TX textbooks are already skewing history…)
Meanwhile: Media Matters reports that the QAnon effort to encourage supporters to get involved locally, especially around school boards, is already making an impact.
None of this is an accident - it’s the intended outcome of decades of GOP investment in local races, because the kind of things kids read in school helps dictate the kinds of citizens they grow up to be.
We need more great people to run for these positions wherever they can and ensure that our schools & libraries — the true foundations of democracy — are advancing the values we care about. This year, Run for Something is prioritizing races that touch education.
Know someone who should run for school board? Send ‘em to runforwhat.net!
In other RFS community updates:
The LA Times editorial board is endorsing CA Rep. Alex Lee’s legislation that would put limits on how rent-controlled properties become market-rate properties - a much needed protection for renters who otherwise are facing eviction.
Yassamin Ansari won a seat on the Phoenix City Council promising to decarbonize the city’s bus fleet - promise kept; they just voted to invest $150 million in zero-emission buses.
NY Sen. Samra Brouk is sponsoring legislation to ensure abortion services are covered by private insurance.
Meanwhile, NY Sen. Zellnor Myrie is introducing a state voting rights act to enact the strongest voter protections in the country.
Liliana Bakhtiari made history last year when she won a seat on the Atlanta City Council, making it the only city council in the country with two Iranian-Americans serving.
Lorenzo Sanchez, candidate for TX House, has been endorsed by the Dallas News!
State legislators make it challenging for new parents — especially moms — to serve. MI Rep. Mallory McMorrow experienced this first-hand when she gave birth last year; afterwards, she heards from so many moms sharing their own struggles, so she introduced legislation to require leave policies to be disclosed upfront.
DE Sen. Sarah McBride is introducing legislation to teach kids media literacy and prepare them for the digital world.
A FL House committee passed legislation that would allow doctors and insurance companies to deny care based on “moral objections.” You must watch Rep. Anna Eskamani’s rebuttal.
More excellent swearing-in ceremonies for RFS alum - congrats, Del. Nadarius Clark!
After years of hard work, MI Rep. Mari Manoogian’s legislation to ban distracted driving has finally passed the House!
MN Rep. Cedrick Frazier is the primary author of a package of public safety legislation with $100m in grants to communities and nonprofits, including community policing grants, crime investigation grants, efforts to curb the opioids epidemic and more.
Zack Zappone is still teaching in the classroom while he serves on Spokane City Council - keeping kids directly plugged into city government!
NY Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill to eliminate undergraduate tuition for CUNY schools, making it essentially free. (Fun fact: CUNY is one of the most effective school systems at moving students up the economic ladder.)
In RFS events:
We’re barely one month out from our fifth anniversary party in D.C.! Before midnight tonight, you can get tickets for 30% off using the promo code 30DAYS.
Later this week, we’re joining Senator Bernie Sanders to host another See Yourself Running call. Speakers will include NY Sen. Jabari Brisport, PA Rep. Sara Innamorato, and CA assembly candidate Fatima Iqbal-Zubair along with the Senator himself.
If you missed it, our See Yourself Running: Rural Candidates event is now on YouTube.
In other org news: Starting this week, Run for Something is trying to live our values of long-term and sustainable by piloting a four day work week. We’ll be closed on Fridays for the next 6 months so we can work hard and stay energized for long fight ahead. Our COO explains why we’re doing this over on Medium!
We’re going into February with a ton of momentum and excitement. Thank you for making all this possible — we couldn’t do it without you!
- Amanda
so proud of what you've built here, Amanda!