RFS feel-good update (2/21): Meet our first endorsement class of 2023
We also got our first win of 2023!
Hi team - We announced our first endorsement class of 2023 last week! We can’t wait to introduce you to them, but first we wanted to make sure you saw that the reports of the demise of the youth vote in November were greatly exaggerated:
Two quick notes before we get to our endorsements:
We had our first win of the year last Tuesday, when Oklahoma City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon was reelected!
We’re excited to report some results from our Clerk Work efforts in Wisconsin: We played a role in helping recruit 136 candidates to file for local election official roles. Some jurisdictions have elections today, with the overall Spring Election taking place on April 4th. Stay tuned for more info on this.
Last week, we endorsed 36 candidates across 16 states for state legislative, municipal and education offices. We know you’ll be inspired by them!
And in honor of Black History Month, we’re encouraging you to support RFS’ endorsed Black candidates by donating directly to their campaigns.
Montgomery City Council, District 2
Election Date: August 22, 2023
Marquetta is a U.S. Army combat veteran. She is a voice for the community and is a friend to veterans and all first responders.
Central York School Board
Primary Election: May 16, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Born and raised in York County, Amelia became active in the community, working as a mentor, assisting victims of domestic abuse to safely relocate, participating in cleanups, being an active blood donor, and so much more.
Being endorsed by the organization that helped me realize I should run is so 🙏 LFG!@SquireForYou @BenLitchfieldVA @dylan_liddle4 @VicMcKenzieJr @Caudill4Council @MEasterThomas @bethanyhallam @JuForthePeople @Dan_Grzybek @Bently_4_NBTX @VDanielaV @MGRforDistrict8 @QuettaTheBroker @Maxwell4Madison @MoBreezy213 @votemikepruitt @Anthony_4_3rd @votenancyfry @community_corey @PadreusP @kimadamsforva @aurinmpls @jmatthewsfor12 .@717amelia felt an exceptional calling to public life. Active in her community, she is a mentor, assists victims of domestic abuse, participates in neighborhood cleanups, and more! After fighting against book bans, she is running for Central York School Board—get 'em Amelia! 🙌 https://t.co/yf60LonkSd
Run for Something @runforsomethingDenver City Council, District 2
Election Date: April 4, 2023
Tiffany is an activist, organizer, and community advocate, who is dedicated to care-based work and young people.
Coconut Creek City Commission, District D
Election Date: March 14, 2023
Nancy is a mother, business owner, and strong community advocate. She is an experienced leader and is proud to call Coconut Creek her home.
Chicago Police Council, District 3
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Anthony is a Southside native, community organizer, political strategist, public administration expert, and social justice professional with expertise in community building and restorative justice.
Chicago City Council, District 29
Election Date: February 28, 2023
In 2013, Corey was shot four times by his stepfather, who ambushed his family with a gun on his way home. As a survivor of gun violence, he knows how important it is to address gun violence.
Chicago City Council, District 12
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Leonardo is a lifelong resident of the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago and has been working as a youth advocate over the last 14 years.
Barrington Library Trustee
Election Date: April 4, 2023
Lindsay is a payroll specialist at one of the top-ranking payroll companies in the United States. As a mom of three, she is deeply invested in the resources of her community.
Lawrenceburg City Council, District 2
Primary Election: May 2, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Dylan has always focused on putting people first and has been driven to serve by his own personal experience with homelessness and poverty.
Lincoln-Sudbury School Board
Election Date: March 27, 2023
Ravi is running for Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee to give back through public service and to provide a fresh perspective as a former student.
Minneapolis City Council, Ward 12
Election Date: November 7, 2023
Aurin is a first-generation Bengali-American, the daughter of working-class immigrants, organizer, renter, and experienced policy aide.
Saint Paul City Council, Ward 7
Primary Election: August 8, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Cheniqua is a Minnesota native, philanthropic leader and long-time community organizer.
Pike County Board, District 1
Primary Election: August 8, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
As a public health professional, Justin has partnered with young people to promote legislation to expand high-quality healthcare and create safe and inclusive environments for Mississippi teens.
New York City Council, District 36
Primary Election: June 27, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
At 23 years old, Chi was elected in 2021 as the youngest member of this council and is the only member hailing from Gen Z.
White Plains Common Council, At-Large
General Election: November 7, 2023
Councilwoman Puja is the youngest female elected to the White Plains Common Council. She is the ED of a non-profit that represents 100,000+ working families.
Onondaga County Board, District 15
Primary Election: June 27, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Maurice believes that housing, healthcare, and education are human rights. He’s a veteran and an advocate, who is running for Onondaga County Legislature.
Allegheny County Council, At-Large
Primary Election: May 16, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Bethany, a formerly incarcerated person in long-term recovery from opioid use disorder, beat a 20-year incumbent in 2019 to become the youngest person ever elected county-wide in Allegheny County.
Allegheny County Board, District 5
Primary Election: May 16, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
As an engineer working on safety systems for nuclear reactors, Dan is no stranger to utilizing research and data to solve complex problems.
City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen, Ward 6
Primary Election: March 7, 2023; General Election: April 4, 2023
Daniela is a lifelong public servant who is currently campaigning to become the very first Latina elected to the Saint Louis Board of Aldermen for the city’s 6th Ward.
North Hills School Board
Primary Election: May 5, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Deanna, a School Board Director for North Hills School District, is passionate about making North Hills a community where all kids can feel welcomed.
Wilkes-Barre City Council, District B
Primary Election: May 16, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
A researcher and community organizer with experience in housing policy and economic development, Mark believes that through organizing and bold policy changes, a brighter future for Wilkes-Barre is possible.
Haverford Commissioner, Ward 9
Primary Election: May 16, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Since moving to Haverford 10 years ago, Monet, a mother of two, stepped into spaces and roles to enhance experiences in schools, in equity and inclusion, and in democratic processes.
Memphis City Council, District 7
General Election: October 3, 2023
Michalyn is running for a 2nd term to continue her fight for community access to opportunity, to create equitable policies, and promote transparency in government.
New Braunfels City Council, District 5
General Election: May 6, 2023
At 18 years old, Bently, a fifth-generation resident of New Braunfels, started in electoral politics early, working on multiple campaigns and giving his time to community service to help others.
Burlington City Council, Ward 8
General Election: April 7, 2023
Hannah, the daughter of a single mother, truly understands the struggles so many Ward 8 neighbors face because she lives them herself.
Virginia Senate, District 27
Primary Election: June 20, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Ben is a consumer financial protection attorney running in one of the most competitive senate races in Virginia.
Virginia House, District 55
Primary Election: June 20, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Kellen, an emergency department nurse, first ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, where he was a part of RFS’s first group of endorsed candidates.
Virginia House, District 82
Primary Election: June 20, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
A skilled accountant and auditor, Kimberly wants to bring accountability to the Virginia House of Delegates.
Albemarle County Board, Scottsville District
Primary Election: June 20, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Mike, a veteran and policy advocate, deployed twice to hostile waters in the Persian Gulf before joining the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Prince William County School Board, Neabsco Magisterial District
General Election: November 7, 2023
A lifelong career civil servant with a deep understanding of education policy and budget auditing, Padreus has spent over a decade serving the U.S. Department of Education across several administrations.
Virginia House, District 82
Primary Election: June 20, 2023; General Election: November 7, 2023
Vic is a nonprofit executive and community leader running in one of the most competitive districts in Virginia.
Virginia House, District 98
General Election: November 7, 2023
Zach is a university music student, and he is the youngest candidate to file for the upcoming Virginia general assembly elections.
Madison City Council, District 12
Primary Election: February 21, 2023; General Election: April 4, 2023
Julia is a lifelong Madison resident, renter, and works in clinical research at UW-Madison.
Madison City Council, District 2
Primary Election: February 21, 2023; General Election: April 4, 2023
Juliana, who won her election to become an alder on Madison Common Council, became a community organizer during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and co-founded the Madison BIPOC Coalition, alongside fellow young, queer, people of color.
Madison City Council, District 4
Primary Election: February 21, 2023; General Election: April 4, 2023
Max, a biological systems engineering student, is passionate about the intersections of climate action and access to clean water for residents.
Madison City Council, District 8
Primary Election: February 21, 2023; General Election: April 4, 2023
MGR, a first-generation immigrant and advocate for students, is a student at UW-Madison.
We’ve now endorsed 72 candidates up for election in 2023, and you can see them all on our candidate directory.
That’s all for this week!
Ross and Abe