RFS feel-good update (3/17): A new generation of leaders
It's time.
Hi all -
The last week has hammered home something we’ve been saying since day one:
It is desperately time for a new generation of leaders.
Sen. Schumer and other Democratic leaders in the Senate choosing not to fight against Trump is, to put it lightly, fucking infuriating.
And FWIW, it was also wildly unpopular. Democrats want to see our leaders have backbones, and reflect the rage so much of us feel at what’s happening in DC.
Moving forward, the axis of division within the Democratic Party is not solely ideological — it’s also stylistic: It’s fight vs fold. The next generation of leaders (millennials, gen Z, but also those who’ve come up since 2016) approach things differently.
Run for Something’s work to expand the pipeline and bring new people into power has never been more important. And good news, it’s working.
The 24 hours after Schumer announced his vote and refused to fight back against Trump were one of our biggest candidate recruitment days since Inauguration.
As of this morning, we’ve exceeded 31,000 new people in the pipeline since the election. That’s more than in all of 2017 or 2018 combined. There is incredible energy being directed strategically toward fighting for state and local offices. We’re going to be there every step of the way.
If you can, chip in to help keep it going.
Of course, the work keeps happening.
Next week, along with our typical intro call, we’re hosting a call specifically for laid off federal workers who might want to run for local office. We’ll be joined by RFS alum Cong. Emily Randall from Washington state, who will get folks fired up, and we’ll have lots of info on how to get your campaign started. Please share this widely!
In RFS alum updates:
VA Del. Adele McClure led on a budget amendment that would provide funding to businesses who contribute to the child care costs of their employees. Huge.
CA Assemblymember Sade Elhawary co-authored legislation to limit the use of AI in the workplace.
Texas Republicans are trying to destroy the state’s public education system by bringing forward a massive voucher program —former teacher Rep. James Talarico has been at the forefront of fighting it.
NE Sen. Eliot Bostar is moving forward with legislation to limit the cost of life-saving epipens to no more than $60 for a pack of two, and to ensure that schools and licensed child care programs have policies for allergic reaction response.
Colorado has signed into law a new bill — sponsored by RFS alum Rep. Rebekah Steward — which makes sure that all building codes meet accessibility standards.
PA Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El introduced a bill to protect net neutrality — which means internet service providers cannot mess around with speed or access based on which device is accessing what website.
Also in PA: Sen. Amanda Cappelletti is sponsoring legislation that prevent for-profit entities from owning and managing hospitals — private equity taking over and shutting down hospitals has become a massive problem in our health care system.
CO Sen. LIndsey Daugherty led on legislation that would limit how much of a sexual assault victim’s sexual history could be introduced in court — that includes past partners, the victim’s lifestyle, dress, or hairstyle. This is a big deal.
LA city councilmember Nithya Raman makes the case for government to do everything possible to make it faster, cheaper, and easier to build more housing.
IL Rep. Bob Morgan is pushing on legislation to limit how health insurance companies can use AI to approve or deny coverage.
CO Rep. Brianna Titone is moving forward on legislation to help Coloradans save on property insurance.
In the Utah state legislature, the GOP has a supermajority. And yet, Democrats still manage to both get bills done — led by RFS alum like assistant minority whip Sahara Hayes — as well as show incredible backbone, as demonstrated by Rep. Nate Blouin.
MI Rep. Jason Morgan is introducing legislation to take steps to end Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. This is personal for Jason, who is a married gay man.
Keeping an eye on that bench:
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee has filed to run for the congressional seat now open after the passing of Rep. Sylvester Turner. As I’ve been saying: We have built an amazing bench. Now’s the time for them to rise!
In related reading:
I talked with Rolling Stone about our recruitment program — how it works, what we actually do for candidates, and how you can help. This is a really good intro to RFS for folks new to us.
I also chatted with Rachel Janfaza of The Up & Up about the kinds of local leaders we’re seeing sign up and the issues they care about (spoiler: housing.)
More outreach from last week: I went on Fated Mates, a podcast about romance novels (!!) to talk about why romance readers (and all readers!) should run for school board.
And more: I chatted with Reed Galen on The Home Front about how and why to get younger people running for office.
I’m really trying to practice what we preach these days, and go anywhere that will have us to talk about Run for Something’s mission and why folks should run for office. Can’t stop won’t stop!
Thanks for being part of this team. None of this is possible without you.
- Amanda
I agree that we desperately need a new generation of leaders. Shumer and others made a different political calculation of what will produce the least harm for the American people. To suggest they lack the courage to stand up to Trump is an unfortunate mischaracterization. Let's stay in dialogue and seek unity, and raise successors of wisdom along with a fighting spirit.
I read comments (elsewhere) that current older office holders should step aside for younger politicians with fresh ideas and attitudes. I then wonder what country these commenters grew up in. Very few politicians “step aside” for a younger candidate. I have seen a few in my lifetime, but it’s an occurrence so rare that it’s reported with the same air of almost disbelief as a Republican leaving his fortune to charity.
No, in the U. S. politicians are replaced by younger pols having the nerve and confidence to run against them in a primary. Judging that new ideas and the vigor of relative youth will find appeal in the electorate.
Though I was not even a teenager, I remember the day JFK was inaugurated. For me it was a revelation that politics did not have to belong to those of my grandfather’s generation. We need a wholesale change, which means we need a wave of new, vigorous, and politically aggressive leaders to emerge from efforts like “Run for Something”.