RFS feel-good update: More new candidates in the last 6 months than in the first 3 years of Trump 1.0
That's a huge milestone
Hi all -
Last week marked six months since the election — and in those six months, more than 45,000+ people have signed up to run for office. That’s more sign-ups than in the entire first three years of Trump’s first term.
Next year we have a chance to both win big and flip chambers if we fight in enough places. That’s why our recruitment work now matters — the people signing up today are the candidates of 2026.
We have already notched a huge win, when for the first time in years, Virginia Democrats are fielding a full slate of candidates for state house. Our regional director, Melanie Rose, has been a key part of the recruitment efforts there and we’re thrilled to see it pay off.
Your support makes all this possible. Thank you!
Plus: A big partnership update!
We’re working with Sen. Bernie Sanders to train people to run for office all across the country - it’s not enough to have folks leading from the front; they’ve got to build power behind them, too. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Sen. Sanders and look forward to announcing more partnerships like this in the next few months.
Get the book!
My new book, When We’re in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership, comes out tomorrow!
When We’re in Charge is a first-of-its-kind practical manual for millennials and Gen Zers taking on positions of power. It’s not about politics but rather about what it means to lead differently in all kinds of spaces.
I talked to so many RFS alum for this, along with leaders from across industries (tech, media, entertainment, education, and more) — When We’re In Charge makes the case for being a leader without being an asshole to the people you lead.
You can get it wherever you get your books: Amazon // Bookshop.org // Barnes & Noble // BAM!
If you’re in NYC or DC, I’d love to see you at one of the events this month.
I’m so excited to be sharing this book with the world.
Some election updates!
Fran Wilson won their primary for Akron City Council:
Wilson and their team ran an “incredibly grassroots,” campaign, they said, alluding to the months of fundraising events, door knocking and phone calls in hope of securing votes, not just from the politically-engaged residents of Akron, but from the people who are not in the habit of voting.“We were reaching out to people who don’t vote, that’s who we were talking to,” Wilson said. “And clearly, that is an important thing to do. We need to keep doing it, not only for winning elections, but in our city.”
Darius Beckham, the youngest candidate in the race at just 27 years old, won his primary for Dayton City Council!
Other big winners: Welcome Stokien won her primary for Chillicothe City Council; Ajrmeri Hoque won her primary for Franklin County Municipal Judge; and Christopher Wyche won his primary for Columbus City Council.
Despite multiple challengers, Dallas City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua held onto his seat.
San Antonio City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez also won re-election in a landslide victory with seven candidates in the race — affirming his leadership for his community.
In RFS community updates:
Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj leading when it matters most: Literally putting her body on the line to stop ICE from detaining a mother and child in Worcester, MA.
PA Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to seal eviction records has moved through committee.
MA just passed similar legislation, thanks to the leadership of Sen. Lydia Edwards!
IL Sen. Graciela Guzmán is working to incentivize government agencies and organizations to invest in affordable housing across the state.
TX Rep. John Bucy III is leading on legislation to study the use of psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine to treat conditions like PTSD and depression.
NC Rep. Terry Brown is advancing bipartisan legislation to require some websites to remove people’s mugshots.
PA Rep. Jennifer O’Mara lost her father — a firefighter of 25 years — to suicide, so has made it her goal to pass legislation that ensures first responders can qualify for workers’ compensation if they suffer from PTSD.
CA Rep. Alex Lee introduced legislation requiring legacy media companies to give notice when they plan to sell their outlets, an effort to ensure local news stays local.
Broward County (FL) school board member Sarah Leonardi makes the case for not just celebrating moms but fighting for us.
Carl Jacobs has been elected as president of the Anchorage School Board!
Been saying it for years: NC Sen. Sydney Batch — the state’s first Black woman minority leader in the House — is a rising star.
Nashville Metro Councilmember Terry Vo is pushing for accountability about how the city’s law enforcement is working with immigration officials.
Alum DeShawn Williams was sworn in as mayor of Urbana, IL — becoming the first Black leader of the city.
CO Rep. Yara Zokaie’s bill banning price gouging has been signed into law!
In related reading/watching/listening:
A behind the scenes look at the Moms for Liberty conference and how they’re working to undermine public education. This is what we’re up against.
Put this on in the background: I talked with Jordan Zakarin at More Perfect Union about the wave of people running for office (and a bunch about When We’re in Charge).
Thanks for making all this possible. Run for Something wouldn’t exist without — you’re the reason all this change can happen.
- Amanda