2021 Election Watch: June 8 -California, Maine, New Jersey, & Virginia
June is bursting with primary and general elections across the country and on June 8, 17 Run for Something candidates are on the ballot in California Maine, New Jersey, and Virginia!
While many lament the “death of democracy,” thousands of smart, young progressive candidates are still fighting to secure critical seats at the state and local level. There is no such thing as an “off-year.” Every election — at every level — helps build a strong Democratic infrastructure that has the ability to last for decades to come.
Get to know our endorsed candidates running for office on June 8 and make sure to follow us on Twitter for election results!
CANDIDATES
CALIFORNIA
Alfredo Hernandez
Westchester-Playa Del Rey Neighborhood Council, At-Large
General Election
Alfredo Hernandez is a nonprofit organizer with experience in helping community stakeholders engage groups historically left out of the political conversation. He is running to be the At-Large Director for the Westchester-Playa Neighborhood Council of Los Angeles, CA.
As a candidate, his focus is on making the Neighborhood Council the ground floor for community organizing. He believes that the Neighborhood Council should be the first line of action in addressing the causes and issues he and his community care about: better resources for public schools, more green spaces and environmental protections for the wetlands, and solutions with dignity for all his unhoused neighbors. His goal is to utilize his experience in marshalling various stakeholders‚ local nonprofits, small businesses, institutions of higher learning‚ arrive at solutions that work for all, not just the few. Beyond making the Neighborhood Council a force for community good, Alfredo wants to mobilize the political power of younger residents, like himself, who have been left out of the community, writ large. He believes government is best when it is diverse, and he wants to work to have the council better represent the beautiful complexity of his neighborhood.
Alfredo is a life-long Angeleno and the son of two Mexican immigrants. He has lived in Westchester-Playa for 6 years, and is a volunteer with organizations looking to alleviate the hardships associated with homelessness. When not working or volunteering, he loves talking with his neighbors as he walks his rambunctious poodle-mix, Madela.
MAINE
Lawson Condrey
Portland Charter Commission, At-Large
General Election
Lawson Condrey has lived in Portland since 2014, and currently calls North Deering home. Being active in the community and local government has always been incredibly important to him. As a preacher’s kid he was taught the importance of service and giving back. His first job out of college was working on President Obama’s ’08 campaign. He currently serves on the City of Portland’s Community Development Block Grant Committee. Additionally, he has been a volunteer with Portland Adult Education since 2016 assisting teachers in English writing classes for recent immigrants and refugees.
Lawson’s guiding principle is making sure that those who are elected make the political decisions so we can ensure accountability. He also is excited about the opportunity to increase representation on the City Council so more people have a voice. This would increase access to representatives by making districts smaller and allowing more people to be engaged in the process. He’s energized by the opportunity to have a big impact on a small city like Portland and ensuring the government is set up to be accountable, accessible, and transparent.
Marpheen Chann
Portland Charter Commission, At-Large
General Election
A longtime Portland resident, Marpheen Chann is a civil and human rights advocate who cares deeply about a Portland that is inclusive and responsive, accountable and transparent, and fair and equitable.
The son of Cambodian refugees who moved to Portland, Maine in the 1990s and adopted son of a white, working-class family from Western Maine, Marpheen has a commitment to public and community service as a member of Portland’s Planning Board, leading the Cambodian Community Association of Maine’s COVID-19 response as president, pushing for digital equity as a member of the Maine State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and advocating for affordable housing for LGBTQ+ people as a member of the Equality Community Center board. He was recognized by Equality Maine as one of “35 LGBTQ+ Mainers who are actively working to make Maine a better place to live, work, and learn, specifically for our LGBTQ+ community.”
Ryan Lizanecz
Portland Charter Commissioner, District 5
General Election
Ryan Lizanecz is running for Portland Charter Commission to bring neighborhood voice and power back into city hall. Ryan is a law student, graduate of Portland Public Schools and Bates College, and lifelong resident of the City of Portland, Maine. Ryan believes the neighborhoods of North Deering, Deering Center, and Riverton deserve an advocate for good government that will put the needs of our district first.
Portland is changing, and Ryan is running to make sure no one gets left behind in writing our new city charter. Many of the reforms Ryan hopes to adopt are a municipal clean elections program, a stronger mayor and council, and more power to neighborhood groups. These are common sense, low cost reforms that will only help our city continue to grow and thrive.
Ryan believes that we can’t risk being pulled backwards into the past, now is our chance to make sure Maine’s largest city works for us.
NEW JERSEY
John Malchow
Watchung Borough Council, At-Large
Primary Election
John is an attorney and former educator with experience drawn from working in small business, government, and as a first responder. He’s running to represent his hometown on the Watchung Borough Council, and working to build good schools, good roads, and green spaces. John is a problem solver who approaches issues with a kind heart, strong moral compass, firm command of the facts, and a sense of humor. A lifelong resident of Watchung, John practices law throughout the State of New Jersey.
Joseph Signorello
New Jersey Senate, District 21
Primary Election
Joseph Signorello is running for State Senate in NJ’s 21st legislative district because he wants to jumpstart NJ’s economy by bringing in cutting-edge technology and science jobs to central New Jersey. As the Mayor of Roselle Park, Joe sees firsthand the economic struggles of his residents. As families are moving to Florida, and recent college graduates are flocking to cities, Roselle Park and the towns of the 21st legislative district are being left behind. If elected, Joe will fight to decrease property taxes, restore funding to our schools, and save our environment by making NJ carbon neutral.
Mico Lucide
Atlantic County Clerk
Primary Election
Mico Lucide is a lifelong Atlantic County resident running to serve as County Clerk. Mico is a progressive Democrat who believes the core of being progressive means having our government be representative of, and responsive to, our communities. He grew up working poor with divorced parents. He is proudly the first member of his family to graduate with a 4-year degree. He pushed passed the struggles of poverty to become more than was expected of him. When his mother suffered a severe stroke in 2012 with no health insurance, he was forced to navigate difficult-to-find resources to stay afloat on his own. This experience led him to commit that if nothing else in his life, he would be a resource for people.
He wants to reflect that mission in the County Clerk’s office. The County Clerk is uniquely positioned to be a central civic resource for voters. He wants to bring voting resources out into the community, making it easier for people to register, vote, and understand the voting process from start to finish. He wants to increase transparency, accessibility, and accountability in our government by ensure our ballot is fair, makes sense, and is easy to read for all voters. He is committed to modernizing the Clerk’s Office and making it an engaged part of our Atlantic County community.
VIRGINIA
Alyia Gaskins
Alexandria City Council
Primary Election
Alyia Gaskins is a tenacious fighter for families, communities, and equity. She is running for Alexandria City Council. As an experienced public health strategist and city planner, Alyia has worked on hunger policy at D.C. Hunger Solutions, the health team at the National League of Cities, and managed an affordable housing investment program at the Center for Community Investment. She is currently a Senior Program Officer at a national philanthropic organization and helps communities create places that promote the physical, social, and economic health of people. She intends to listen, ensure equality and justice are promoted through our public leadership, and serve in a way that meets the needs of all people. Alyia lives in Alexandria City, with her newly born son Zeke, and her husband Greg.
Canek Aguirre
Alexandria City Council
Primary Election, running for re-election
Canek Aguirre is the first Latino ever to serve on the Alexandria City Council. Canek is the son of Mexican immigrants who instilled in him the importance of hard work, education, and giving back to the community. He is committed to increasing housing opportunities, investing in our public schools and infrastructure, and eliminating health inequities.
A member of numerous boards and commissions in the region prior to his election, he has made it a priority to give back to his adopted community. Canek successfully led the City of Alexandria’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee to achieve a 100% count of all households and secure federal funding for the next decade. He is a rising leader in transportation, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board‚Äôs Access for All Advisory Committee, and as an alternate on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board.
In his professional capacity, Canek works to increase access to care and improve health outcomes for Medicaid populations throughout Northern Virginia. Prior to this, he spent three years serving students and families in Alexandria City Public Schools. Canek has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential people for the Hispanic community in the Washington, D.C., metro area, and as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 honorees. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
James Lewis
Alexandria City Council, At-Large
Primary Election
James is an Alexandrian by choice; he lives and works in the City. Ten years ago, he chose Alexandria because, despite its size, it felt like his hometown in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Neighbors knew and cared about each other; everyone shared a passion for improving the world.
He originally moved to Virginia to attend the College of William and Mary and completed his Bachelors in Biology and International Relations. He briefly returned to the Pittsburgh area to lead a team of disadvantaged high school students to complete conservation projects in city parks, a partnership between Job Corps, Student Conservation Association and the City of Pittsburgh.
Following the 2010 election, he moved to Alexandria with whatever fit in his Suzuki Forenza. Living in the Foxchase Apartments, he launched his career in public relations and issue advocacy. Over the past decade, he has led efforts for think tanks, trade associations, PACs, candidates, and two Members of Congress.
A lifelong Democrat, James has been involved in Virginia politics since moving to the Commonwealth. Locally, he served as ADC Precinct Captain for Lyles Crouch. He led of the Virginia Young Democrats during the 2017 election cycle. Under his leadership, the organization contacted more than 120,000 Virginians, helping to sweep the statewide offices and flipping 15 seats in the House of Delegates. He also managed policy and issue advocacy for the Young Democrats of America.
In 2013, he met his fiance, Trevor. After a few years, they moved from South Old Town to North Old Town. They both served on the board of North Old Town Independent Citizens (NOTICe) Association. In February 2020, they purchased a home on the West End; that summer James completed his Masters of Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College.
Rhett Deitz
Virginia State House, District 14
Primary Election
Rhett graduated from James Madison University with a degree in social work. Her passion for social work transitioned into a career in field politics in Virginia. Rhett currently resides in Henry County on her family‚Äôs farm, Home Creek Farms. When she’s not helping gather hay, or herding cows, she is running a union print shop with her business partner.
Rhett decided to run in the 14th district after experiencing first hand the consequences that the Covid-19 pandemic had on her younger brother’s schooling. At the age of eight, her brother struggled with virtual school due to the absence of affordable, functioning internet. Access to the internet has become an integral part of learning in recent years, and that has become especially apparent over the last year as our schools and jobs have been increasingly moved online. The importance of addressing equity issues both within the city as well as the counties is crucial for the further development of the district.
More than anything, it is crucial that we have a candidate in office that represents us, the constituents. These are problems that are not new to the district, and they’re not new to Southwest Virginia. We need someone in office who will stand up and speak out about the need for change. Rhett is running against a twenty year incumbent who has voted to cut funding for rural broadband, access to healthcare, and cut funding for schools and increased class sizes. Twenty years in office is a significant amount of time, and things have not changed in the district. It’s time for our representation to represent the interests of the people.
Jennifer Kitchen
Virginia State House, District 25
Primary Election
Jennifer is a lifelong rural Virginian running to represent the 25th district in the Virginia House of Delegates. For too long rural communities across the commonwealth have been devalued and ignored. Jennifer is prepared to go to Richmond to fight for the prioritization that all rural and marginalized communities deserve.
Rural broadband, healthcare access, and equitable funding for schools are just a few of Jennifer’s priorities. As a Community Organizer, Jennifer has fought for Medicare for All, Common-Sense Gun Legislation, Immigrant Rights, and Criminal Justice Reform.
Jennifer currently works as a program mentor for the Arc of Augusta, where she helps develop programming and supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Joshua Cole
Virginia State House, District 28
Primary Election, running for re-election
In 2017, Joshua Cole proudly ran for the Virginia House of Delegates to represent Virginia’s 28th District, becoming the first African-American, and youngest person to receive any party’s nomination, along the way. In a hard-fought race, Joshua finished less than 100 votes shy of having the honor of representing the 28th District. In 2019, he came back and finished the job, becoming one of the youngest members in the Virginia General Assembly.
In Richmond, Delegate Cole has voted to increase access to affordable healthcare, raise the minimum wage and make community college tuition free. He also patronted historic legislation that will rename Jefferson Davis Highway to Emancipation Highway.
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Virginia State House, District 45
Primary Election
Elizabeth is the Vice Mayor of Alexandria, and the youngest woman elected to City Council in Alexandria’s history. Born in Alexandria to two Naval officers, Elizabeth is dedicated to serving her community. She is one of the co-leaders of Together We Bake, a nonprofit that provides job training and personal development programs for underserved women. She is the founder of Fruitcycle, a social enterprise fighting food waste and hunger.
Elizabeth currently serves as the Chair of the Operations Board of the Virginia Railway Express, the 13th largest commuter rail system in the country, and is a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. She has served on the Community Criminal Justice Board, the Commission on Employment, and the United Way Regional Council. She was a Fulbright Fellow, is a graduate of Emerge Virginia, and was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017. She and her husband, Stephen, live with their rescue cat, Julep and rescue dog, Nori.
Elizabeth is running to bring her experience as a nonprofit leader, small business creator, and local government official to the House of Delegates. In Richmond, she will work to expand access to child care, ensure equitable education opportunities, fight climate change, and build an economy that works for all of our residents.
Briana Sewell
Virginia State House, District 51
Primary Election
Born and raised in Prince William County, Virginia, Briana is the daughter of high school sweethearts from Selma, Alabama. After graduating from the local public school system, Briana earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from American University. Coming from a military family, Briana’s parents instilled in her the importance of integrity, and service to others. Briana has always been drawn to a career in public service as she recognizes the unlimited potential for good when intelligent and ethical leaders are in office.
Once Briana graduated from college, she served as District Director for Congressman Connolly (VA-11), helping lead the office in community events and overseeing the strong constituent services team. In 2018, Briana accepted a new role to help establish the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy. In this position, Briana worked to bring all factions together to support policies like paid family and medical leave, lower-cost child-care, affordable college and job training programs, and more affordable elder care options.
As a District Director, a community organizer, and in her current role as Chief of Staff to the Prince William County Chair, Briana has been listening to the people’s concerns for the entirety of her professional life. She understands the issues of District 51 because she’s witnessed them, lived through them, and will be ready to legislate on day one.
Nadarius Clark
Virginia State House, District 79
Primary Election
Coming from a military family with a background in business entrepreneurship, Nadarius Clark is a progressive community activist and organizer in the 79th district. Born in Norfolk and raised in Portsmouth, Nadarius has deep roots in Hampton Roads and has been a strong advocate for education investments, green infrastructure, and racial justice his entire career.
In 2016, after a KKK march disrupted classes at his HBCU in Richmond, Nadarius co-founded the charter chapter of Generation Now Network, an organization committed to faith based activism, advocacy, and education.
As a student leader at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference in 2017, Nadarius rallied with leaders of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike and he went on to lobby in Washington D.C. for comprehensive expansion to Medicare and Medicaid.
Suhas Subramanyam
Virginia State House, District 87
Primary Election, running for re-election
Suhas is an attorney and former Obama White House Advisor who represents the 87th District of Virginia in the House of Delegates. In 2019, he became the first Indian-American and person of South Asian origin ever elected to the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 400 year history. He current resides in Loudoun County with his wife and daughter.
