A year ago today I made my first phone call as a Candidate Outreach volunteer with Run For Something.
This morning I made my 63rd.
Of those 63 progressives from 21 states, 10 were on ballots in 2021 and 3 are now elected officials.
On each call, I talk with someone who has witnessed an injustice in their community and has the courage to be part of the solution. They’re running for small-town neighborhood councils and they’re running for big-city school boards and they’re running for state legislatures. They’re former elementary school, middle school, and high school class presidents and they’re people who have never before considered a leadership position like this. They’re you and they’re me and they’re our neighbors.
It’s such a privilege to hear their stories and help them on their way to the resources, community, and support that they need to run a successful campaign and become a devoted public servant. These calls are the most consistently hopeful half-hours in my day.
If the state of electoral politics in this nation causes you grief, I encourage you to get involved with what RFS is up to. You can volunteer, like I do. You can donate to their PAC or to their 501(c)(3), both of which develop young, progressive leadership. Or, you can run for something.