RFS feel-good update (4/21): 200,000+!
The largest candidate pipeline in politics
Hi all -
Last week we crossed a huge milestone: 200,000 people have officially entered the Run for Something pipeline since 2017.
Even more amazing: 20% of those folks — over 40,000 — have signed up just since the November election.
The Run for Something candidate pipeline is the largest of its kind anywhere in politics (as far as we know) and it’s only going to keep growing. We have some really exciting partnerships and recruitment campaigns in the works — stay tuned for more to come in the next few weeks!
Many of those new candidates signing up are laid off federal workers. I loved this story from
at about the new wave of people directly affected by Trump & DOGE stepping up to run themselves — especially this little anecdote:Mike Croley, who was working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a presidential management fellow when Trump axed the decades-old program in February, told The Bulwark he never considered himself very political, but he felt “radicalized” as he watched his colleagues lose their jobs and important government work come to a halt. (Croley’s fellowship was set to end this summer, but he resigned in April out of frustration.) He attended a Run for Something training last month before deciding to launch a longshot race against Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.).
“I feel like as federal employees, we were under attack. And for me to be attacked by my own president and the unelected richest fucking man in the world telling me that this career that I’ve spent 45 years manifesting is no longer? I just couldn’t stand by and watch that happen,” said Croley. “I’m angry and I’m motivated.”
The work is working. We’re going to keep doing it.
In RFS community updates:
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s program has helped 154 formerly un-housed people sign leases just since September.
NM Rep. Andrea Romero is proposing groundbreaking new legislation to repurpose the state’s thousands of deplete gas and oil wells into clean energy assets — this is super smart and the kind of innovative thinking we love to see.
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is leading a Select Committee on the Federal Administration and Policy Changes — a way to centralize all the info on how the Trump administration is affecting local organizations, federally funded programs, and the city’s budget. This is super useful for the community and the government to have a big picture look at how what’s happening in DC affects the city.
This is the kind of organizing our 2025 candidates are doing right this very minute — there are no off years.
Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon is sponsoring an ordinance that would prohibit companies from asking for a job applicant’s address until after a job offer had been made — a small tweak that might make it easier for homeless job seekers to find employment.
Alum Alisha Sonnier was re-elected to the St. Louis Board of Alderman earlier this month in a decisive win with 66.5% of the vote over a challenger.
In Arizona, alum Andres Cano was appointed to the Pima County Board of Supervisors — public service never stops!
In NJ, assembly candidate Katie Brennan is calling for the state to stop giving Tesla special treatment — right now, they’re allowed to avoid the dealership model that every other car manufacturer must go through in the state.
TX Rep. John Bucy and more than 50 other Texas Democrats are using every ounce of leverage they’ve got to stop a school voucher system from moving forward: They’re threatening to kill all constitutional amendments for the rest of the session.
RI Sen. Tiara Mack is sponsoring legislation that would require insurance companies to cover professional midwives, which would expand the number of people able to provide care during pregnancy and birth.
Keeping an eye on our bench:
CO Rep. Yadira Caraveo has jumped in to win back her seat in the U.S. House — making this a congressional race with multiple RFS alum in it. We love to see that.
RFS alum former Gwinnett school board chair Everton Blair Jr. announced he’s mounting a primary challenge against a longtime Democratic incumbent in Atlanta.
In related reading or watching:
I had a great time chatting with V Spehar of Under the Desk News about all things Run for Something. Put this on in the background today.
This is a really beautiful interview with RFS alum Rep. Sarah McBride. I found it deeply inspiring and soothing in equal parts.
Finally, in a quick personal update - my new book, When We’re in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership, comes out in just three weeks and a day!
You can get it wherever you get your books: Amazon // Bookshop.org -- use code AMANDA15 for 15% off all pre-orders! // Barnes & Noble // BAM!
If you pre-order it from Bookshop.org specifically and use code AMANDA15, you can get a 15% off discount (and support independent bookstores - a win/win.)
There will two events for the book (so far) - I’d love to see you there if you’re nearby and can make it!
Both are free but RSVPs are requested to make sure we have room.
I know the last week of news was really hard. What the Trump administration is doing is horrific. There is so much good work happening to fight back — what this team is doing is preparing and building for what comes next. You make that possible. Thank you.
- Amanda
I very much appreciate your ‘newsletter’ w ‘feel good updates’. Each week so many of us feel more fear for our fellow legal residents, our freedom to disagree, our job security, our financial security, our democracy etc… Your updates are one of the things that keep up or regularly revive my motivation to stay active doing all I’m able to , to counter our current executive branch’s actions which are unconstitutional, illegal, oft downright hateful, disgustingly disrespectful, oligarchy centered , fascist.
I hope to read your book once it is out; I am disappointed and surprised though that you are selling it through AMAZON given the ongoing issues w its treatment of workers, anti-competitive practices, impact on local economies, , impact on our environment, and even potentially tax avoidance. I will purchase at my local bookstore!
That is amazing, I will add to my action Newsletter!