Faces of the Future: Meet our July 2021 Endorsement Class!
Today, Run for Something is excited to announce our latest round of endorsed candidates, featuring 43 progressives running in 2021 and 12 hopefuls running for office in 2022. The candidates we’ve endorsed today are a part of a new generation of young leaders taking charge and making the decision to run for a down-ballot seat in their local community.
Our July endorsement group features 55 candidates representing 21 states across the U.S. Of this group: 55% identify as people of color, 51% identify as women, 4% identify as non-binary, and 25% identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Even better, 84% of these candidates are running for municipal and education offices such as county commissioner, city council, school board, and mayor. We can’t stress this enough: the fate of these offices is more important than ever. As we attempt to recover from four years of bad GOP-led politics, hundreds of QAnon conspiracy theorists, Proud Boy members, and anti-voting rights conservatives are organizing to run for office at the local level. In order to stop this, we need to see strong progressive candidates running for every seat available.
Take a closer look at our latest endorsement class — their platforms, their candidacy, and how you can get involved before election day!
2021 Candidates
COLORADO
Caitlin Wyrick
Loveland City Council, Ward 4
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Caitlin has a passion for her community and the legacy that will be left for future generations. She is a seventh generation Loveland resident. She shows love and dedication to her community through volunteering, non-profit work, and additional public service.
Caitlin is a results orientated leader with a proven track record geared towards collaboration, progress, and inclusion. She has over 13 years of service in the financial industry and is dedicated to financial literacy for her community. Above all, she challenges herself to lead with integrity and passion for both my family and community. Her financial expertise and focus on community development and growth demonstrate her ability to work together and influence City Council to serve all of Loveland’s residents.
New families, young professionals, people of color, and women are currently underrepresented on council. Caitlin will be the one to represent those individuals and families in Loveland.
Suzie Schuckman
Arvada City Council, District 3
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Suzie is a passionate nonprofit leader who will bring an empathetic and diverse voice to Arvada City Council that represents the values of Arvada’s future. She is running for Arvada City Council to ensure current and future Arvadans have access to attainable housing, sustainable parks, and opportunity for small businesses to thrive.
As a nonprofit leader, Suzie has supported organizations by building relationships, generating millions of dollars for programs serving families, and leading community engagement opportunities. She is passionate about supporting work that empowers women, children, and families, especially in historically marginalized communities.
Suzie is a first generation college graduate and actively mentors others. She believes in working hard to achieve our goals to ensure all Arvadans have the freedom to live, work, and play in our community. She believes it is our responsibility to create an inclusive and sustainable Arvada to ensure our children have a safe place to grow up, our seniors can find attainable housing, and that we support our women and minority owned small businesses. She lives in Olde Town Arvada with her pups, Sophie and Summit.
FLORIDA
Allyson “AL” Lewis
Lakeland City Commissioner, Southwest District C
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Allyson “AL” was born and raised in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, she is a proud graduate of Harrison School for the Performing Arts. After Harrison, Al continued her education and graduated from Virginia State University and continued onto law school. Al is an educator, business owner, community leader and political organizer who is committed to making change in her community.
Being able to create diverse infrastructure like jobs, ensure public safety, affordable housing, youth programs and protect our seniors are Al’s top priorities. It is her mission to serve the residents of her hometown Lakeland, Florida and continue to enhance the rich legacy.
GEORGIA
Dontaye Carter
Mayor of Sandy Springs
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Dontaye is a husband and father running for Mayor of Sandy Springs and believes that integrity and transparency in our city government matter. As a journalist, he has traveled across the United States and can say with absolute certainty that there’s nowhere else he’d rather work, live, and raise children. Dontaye and his wife have built a life, a family, and their successful businesses here.
He desires to live in a city where the leadership reflects the diversity of our growing population. A city that is affordable for our first responders, teachers, and working families. A city that prioritizes integrity and transparency in government.
His experience is wide-ranging, but the thing that ties it all together is his ability to listen to people and find a way to tell their stories and make their voices heard. This is what he did every day as a journalist, in his work with the District Attorney, and in his own business as a public relations and media professional. And as the next Mayor of Sandy Springs, his goal is to move the city forward in a way that brings us along together.
IOWA
Justyn Lewis
Des Moines City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Justyn was born and raised on the east side of Des Moines. His mother ran an in-home daycare and his father worked second shift at a local factory. He has always been passionate about politics, serving as a government student body senator at Iowa State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Justyn is running for Des Moines City Council At-Large because he knows every community has value and a voice that needs a champion. He is a recognized leader who fiercely advocates for a deeper understanding of inequities faced by his community and other marginalized groups of people.
He leads a non-profit where he works to build a broad coalition of individuals, organizations and business owners. His main goal is to connect them in their efforts to effect structural changes and equity. He also owns a small business that focuses on urban ecosystem sustainability and specializes in soil quality restoration.
Pat Peters
Council Bluffs Community School Board of Education
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Pat is a software developer and musician by trade and is currently finishing a master’s degree in cybersecurity at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
He is running for Council Bluffs School Board, because for far too long the teachers of the Council Bluffs Community School District have felt unheard and unrepresented by the School Board. Growing up and attending school in the district, Pat has a strong knowledge of the challenges that the school district has faced in the past, and how that can steer the school district towards a better future.
KANSAS
Amber Sellers
Lawrence City Commission
Primary Election Date: 8/03/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
As a lifelong Kansan and public policy professional working in public health, Amber is running for Lawrence City Commission to utilize her public policy knowledge and passion for civic engagement to strengthen her community from within. Amber understands policy- how to inform and engage people directly in the process, and how to implement good policy. For her, implementation is key.
Amber believes community members must be able to see themselves in their elected officials. She understands that infrastructure is not just about roads — it’s about building community, it’s about connecting people, bringing people together, it’s about inclusion. She has made a commitment to ensure people most impacted by law and policies are also engaged in shaping them. She currently serves as chair on the City’s Human Relations Commission, recognizing the need to connect resources with the needs of the people as it pertains to civil rights.
Amber recognizes that public health and public safety is deeply intertwined with social justice. Her priorities include, 1) engaging in community consensus-building with law enforcement to identify measurable outcomes and strategies to operationalize equitable policing in practice, policy, and training; 2) developing an efficient affordable housing plan that grows community health; and 3) implementing strategies that address economic development, focusing on training, retaining, and repositioning individuals to meet employment needs while working to spur new industry growth, especially small/minority business development. In gaining the support of voters, Amber will be the first African American woman elected to the City Commission in over 50 years.
Blanca Ilean Soto
Dodge City Council
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Blanca’s love for her adopted hometown of Dodge City is reflected in her work and community service throughout the years. For nearly two decades, Blanca’s career has revolved around social services and education, serving Dodge City through different nonprofit organizations. Soto is an advocate for the people of Dodge City and hopes to continue serving its residents. If elected, her goal is to focus on workforce development and business recruitment to the area, which as a result, will boost Dodge City’s economy.
Bianca hopes to continue building public trust in local government, increase community participation especially among the Latinx community, and to support local businesses and their employees. “Everyone in this community has one thing in common, we all love Dodge City and we want to continue making our town better and stronger. We need to capitalize on that collective desire and create opportunities for every resident to thrive.”
Cole Robinson
Prairie Village City Council
General Election Date: 11/02/21
Cole is your neighbor in Prairie Village and is running to represent Ward 1 on the Prairie Village City Council. Cole is a third-generation Prairie Village resident. Cole and his three brothers were raised in the same house their mom grew up in. They walked to school at Tomahawk Elementary, played countless baseball games at Porter Park, read all the books at Corinth Library, and spent our summers at the Prairie Village pool.
After graduating from Shawnee Mission East in 2002, Cole attended the University of Kansas to major in Business Administration. With a degree in hand, he started playing professional poker and began traveling the world. He lived in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Hong Kong, eventually transitioning from playing poker to trading financial markets. He has always been self-employed with an entrepreneurial bent, making a living by finding creative ways to solve complex problems.
Ma’Ko’Quah Abigail Jones
Lawrence City Commission
Primary Election Date: 8/03/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ma’Ko’Quah Abigail is a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. She currently serves as the Chair of the City of Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board, founder and Chair of the Kansas Democratic Party Native American Caucus, board member of the Kansas Association of Environmental Education, and a member of the Kansas Leadership Center 2021 cohort. She holds a Master of Environmental Law and Policy degree from Vermont Law School, Bachelor of Arts degrees from Dartmouth College in Government and in Native American Studies and an Associate of Arts degree from Haskell Indian Nations University.
She says that important issues for her are Environmental Sustainability, homelessness and advocacy for underrepresented communities. She has lived in Lawrence from 2009–2011 and 2015-now. In that time, Ma’Ko’Quah Abigail, who is a single mother with 5 children, has experienced these social issues firsthand. This gives her the passion that she has for bringing historically excluded voices to the forefront of the political dialogue. For example, as a domestic abuse survivor that was homeless for a period of time, she believes that more advocacy is needed for women of color in the criminal justice system.
Prior to politics, Ma’Ko’Quah Abigail worked for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation until 2019 as the Environmental/GIS Technician working on water quality issues. She was elected to be a Bernie Sanders delegate for Lawrence at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She has volunteered for numerous local campaigns and often serves as a tribal liaison for local elected officials.
Sollie Flora
Mayor of Mission
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Sollie is a City Councilmember and attorney who is running for Mayor to cement Mission’s forward progress. Sollie chose to make Mission her home because she was drawn to its charming downtown business district full of eclectic businesses, its established neighborhoods and their amazing trees, and of course the friendly people. While serving on the City Council, Sollie has been a leader on sustainability and equity matters. Her policy achievements include introduction and passage of a Non-Discrimination Ordinance, and she continues to work closely with Mission’s Sustainability Commission to build a more resilient city.
Sollie is also an advocate for Mission at the regional, state, and national levels, serving in leadership positions with Climate Action KC, as a past member of the Governing Body of the League of Kansas Municipalities, and as a current member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee of the National League of Cities.
As Mayor, Sollie will be a strong leader who will continue to work collaboratively to advance Mission’s interests and deliver on the issues that matter most to residents. Her top priorities are: improved streets and parks; fostering opportunities for meaningful citizen engagement; and sustainable growth. Sollie looks forward to working together to build a stronger Mission that is ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
MASSACHUSETTS
David Robert Todisco
Medford City Council, At-Large
Primary Election Date: 09/14/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
David is a proud product of Medford public schools and a fifth generation Medford resident. After receiving his bachelor’s degree at UMass Lowell and Masters in Public Administration at American University, he served Massachusetts at the federal level for nearly three years. After witnessing the hardships Medford has faced during the pandemic, he wants to give back to the city that has given him so much. He believes we can move the City of Medford forward with pragmatic policies that work for every resident.
Joel Richards
Boston City Council, District 4
Primary Election Date: 09/14/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Joel is a Boston public school teacher, a first-generation American, and a proud union organizer. In his 15 years as a public school teacher, Joel has fought for smaller class sizes, increased funding, more teachers of color, and a safe learning environment for all. He has also had the honor to serve as Regional Representative for the Boston Teachers Union and a chair of Boston Black Lives Matter at School.
Joel is running for City Council to get more for District 4, which comprises Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. He and his wife currently live in Dorchester, where they are raising their two sons.
Justin Tseng
Medford City Council, At-Large
Primary Election Date: 09/14/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Justin is a first-generation Taiwanese American, a proud product of the Medford Public Schools, and the former chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project. From serving as the Student Representative to the School Committee, to negotiating school improvements on the Site Council, to advocating for mental health investments at the national level, Justin always worked to uplift marginalized voices and make Medford work for everyone.
As a member of Site Council at Medford High School, Justin collaborated with community stakeholders to pass two school improvement plans addressing the vaping epidemic, needed infrastructure repairs, and a review of school policies that laid the groundwork for more transparent policies.
Justin is running for Medford City Council to energize Medford with a bold, progressive vision and a commitment to justice. He will prioritize 1) building an affordable Medford by protecting tenant rights and expanding affordable housing, 2) strengthening schools by reversing cuts to education funding and eliminating regressive student fees, 3) protecting our environment and investing in the local economy by passing a Medford Green New Deal, and 4) fostering an inclusive Medford where people are heard by the city government regardless of their backgrounds.
Samantha Perlman *RFS Alum
Marlborough City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Samantha is running for re-election to the City Council in Marlborough, Massachusetts. In 2019, Sam made history as the youngest woman and first Jewish woman ever elected to the Council at age 24 and first new candidate to top the ticket in a Council race.
By witnessing youth mobilization and the capacity to be a change agent early on, Sam understands the unlocked potential of authentic civic engagement and public service. A graduate of Emory University, Sam worked at a policy nonprofit where she focused on youth voting and was the past Chair of her city’s Cultural Council. Through her community advocacy, Sam helped secure passage of the 2018 Massachusetts civic education law. In 2020, she was named one of IGNITE National’s 30 under 30 for womxn to watch in politics and is also an alum of Emerge Massachusetts.
As a Councilor, Sam is a tireless advocate for an innovative government that engages Marlborough’s diversity and community assets. Sam quickly adapted to support residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, anything from helping residents file unemployment to addressing food insecurity in her community. She continues to be extremely accessible and communicative as a Councilor through her timely constituent services, use of social media and engagement with young residents.
Sam is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders, especially young women, to be involved in government and run for office. Most recently, she launched a Youth for Sam initiative on her campaign specifically to engage young people in the political process.
Sara Dion
Somerville School Committee, Ward 7
Primary Election Date: 09/14/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Sara is running for Somerville School Committee as a first-time candidate. She has worked as an Elementary English Learners Teacher in the Medford Public Schools for 8 years, working mostly with students from immigrant families. Her career as a teacher has helped her understand what works for students from diverse backgrounds and their families.
Sara also has experience with labor organizing. As an active member of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association (MTA), Sara has advocated for a variety of issues and empowered her colleagues to do the same. In the summer of 2018, she worked as an MTA Summer Member Organizer, where she engaged her fellow educators in meaningful conversations about the importance of the union. She was recently elected to MTA’s Candidate Recommendation Committee, which helps to decide which candidates for state-level office will receive MTA endorsement.
Sara is running in order to bring an educator’s perspective to the Somerville School Committee, which currently contains no teachers. A few of her main priorities are a living wage for education paraprofessionals, pushing back against the MCAS testing system, supporting student mental health needs, and looking at curriculum and policy from a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She hopes to help enact policies that will improve the lives of students, educators, and families.
Ty Chum *RFS Alum
Lowell City Council, District 8
Primary Election Date: 09/21/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ty was born in a refugee camp and by the grace of the universe, at the age of 5 ended up in Lowell, MA. Growing up in poverty was a struggle but there were many “helping hands.” Because of those “helping hands” he is able to be a husband, father, local business owner, and is enjoying life.
Now, he’s at a place where he wants to be a “helping hand,” because he knows the positive impact it can make when life hits you hard. Ty is running for Lowell City Council (District 8 aka Highlands). He’s bringing his experience as a refugee, entrepreneur, and a willingness to help into City Hall and those who live in Lowell, MA.
MICHIGAN
Denzel McCampbell
Detroit City Clerk
Primary Election Date: 08/03/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Denzel is a community advocate in Detroit. He was born and raised on the east side and is a graduate of Michigan State University. He is dedicated to public service, fighting day in and day out to increase access to democracy and representation for marginalized groups.
As a little boy, Denzel’s parents instilled in him the importance of being involved, showing up for others, and making your voice heard when it comes to equity and doing what is right. He has worked for the last decade on voting rights and increasing access to the ballot for communities of color and young voters.
Currently serving as an elected Detroit City Charter Commissioner, Denzel has been a part of a crucial effort to revise the city’s constitution to answer to the needs of residents and to create an equitable foundation for the structure for our city government for decades to come. Denzel also serves as communications director and advisor for Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13). He also serves as a board member for the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice and the Mary Turner Center for Advocacy.
Jon Haddad
Westland City Council
Primary Election Date: 08/03/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
When Jon was working in the banking industry, he saw so many people who barely had enough to get by. From senior citizens living from Social Security check to Social Security check, to young people hampered by student loans (including him), he knew I had to make a change.
Jon decided to get involved in politics to make the world a better place for all families, not just those that can afford it. He knew what it was like to wait for the next paycheck to come, watching his parents calculate every bill to the last penny and deciding which they could pay and which they couldn’t. As a child, his family couldn’t afford many vacations, his relaxation came from local parks and libraries running in the woods as well as playscapes and enjoying the creeks and rivers. Jon wants to run for Westland City council to ensure that every family including the ones like his have access to maintained, safe, and accessible public amenities.
MINNESOTA
Alicia D. Smith
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Alicia is an executive director and a proud mother of two awesome boys Walter (12) and Alonzo (8), running for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, At-Large.
She was raised by a strong and spirited single mom in public housing. She knows firsthand the power of recreation, family, and that parks are key to our community’s success. Alicia knows bringing people together to fight for solutions can be truly transformative, not just for ourselves but for our communities.
Alicia is involved in youth mentorship, food justice, economic and housing justice, community policing, negotiating, and fighting for equality of all people. She is driven by service and wants to put her skills and experience to use for the public good. Minneapolis deserves better neighborhood parks and better recreational options for every resident including those who may not be traditionally housed. She is running to make sure community voices will be heard and included when creating policy solutions that will work for us all.
Ashlie Castaldo
Duluth City Council, At-Large
Primary Election Date: 08/10/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ashlie was born and raised in Duluth, MN, but grew up taking her city for granted. She went out of state for college and realized quickly how blessed she was to have called Duluth home, and promised she would move back to raise a family. Ashlie, her husband and herself, are now proud Duluthians, and Ashlie is running to give back to the community she loves so much in the best way possible: public service.
Ashlie is running on a four-prong platform: strong workforce, conservation, accountability, and family-focused. Ashlie wants to support strong labor rights within Duluth, expand the economy, keep it beautiful, and have all families feel they can raise kids safely within this city, no matter what their background is.
Mike Mayou
Duluth City Council, District 2
Primary Election Date: 08/10/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Mike was born and raised in a union family in Duluth and graduated from East High School and UMD with degrees in Management Information Systems & Marketing. He is proud to call Duluth home and is currently living in the Chester Park neighborhood in District 2 with his partner, Melissa. As an involved community member, Mike has helped organize and lead efforts in Duluth to preserve postal services, support our public schools, and to combat gun violence. He currently serves on the City of Duluth Community Development Committee, which makes recommendations for how to spend federal dollars that Duluth receives to support community members who are struggling economically.
As your city councilor, you can count on Mike to advocate for our community and push within city government to create a more equitable, accessible, and just city. Mike is running because he’s committed to creating housing options people can afford; supporting good jobs at good wages; and ensuring we have streets we can drive on, sidewalks we can walk on, and water we can drink. Let’s work together to make sure Duluth is a place where everyone can thrive, both now and in the future.
Sheila Nezhad
Mayor of Minneapolis
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Sheila is a community organizer, renter, daughter of an immigrant, and a queer woman of color. If elected, she will be the first openly queer Mayor of Minneapolis. Nezhad came into community organizing as a young queer person fighting for LGBTQ liberation and has been actively organizing for racial, social and economic justice ever since. When Nezhad started working in restaurants, she became active in the fight for the $15 minimum wage and sick and safe time. Nezhad received her Masters degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs where she co-hosted the first ever Queer & Trans 101 training for professors and staff. Nezhad currently works at Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio and as a policy analyst for Reclaim the Block.
Nezhad has been working for safety beyond policing for years through her work with Reclaim the Block. She has worked to move millions of dollars to create the Office of Violence Prevention. Sheila’s experience comes from developing in movements alongside Black, Indigenous, POC, queer, trans and working class people.
Her motto is “from the streets to the spreadsheets” because she believes that the best solutions come from people leading change on the ground. When elected Mayor, Sheila will work to make sure that the voice of the people is heard in City Hall.
Uriah Ward *RFS Alum
St. Paul School Board, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Uriah is a former Social Studies teacher who currently works in financial aid administration. He is the former President of the Saint Paul Young DFL and he initiated and was one of the leaders of the successful effort to unionize his workplace.
He believes in a strong public school system designed to meet the individual needs of all of our students. He’s running for School Board to fight for student-centered policy and to be an advocate for progressive change in Saint Paul.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Crystal Paradis *RFS Alum
Mayor of Somersworth
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Crystal is a passionate advocate and activist, currently serving as City Councilor At-Large for the City of Somersworth. She was elected in 2019 with the highest number of votes — a result of her proven track record as a community leader and inclusive collaborator. She is the Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement for the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, where she also leads the foundation’s Women Run! Program, recruiting and training women to run for state and local office.
Crystal spent years bringing people together through Pride and TEDx events before founding Feminist Oasis, a social enterprise where intersectional feminist values could be explored in action. She has spent over a decade advocating around reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ issues, substance use awareness, gun violence prevention, community health access, and poverty.
She is Vice-Chair of the Somersworth Democrats, Secretary of the New Hampshire Stonewall Democrats, is a delegate-at-large of the Strafford County Democratic Committee, a board member of SOS Recovery Community Organization, a member of Indigenous NH Collaborative Collective, a member of the Little Indonesia Committee through Indonesian Community Connect, and mom to her dog, Daisy.
NEW JERSEY
Shaun Moran
Little Egg Harbor Township Committee
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Shaun first decided to run for LEH Township Committee in 2020 so that his hometown neighbors are no longer subjected to the corruption of some elected officials in LEH who he believes spend more time thinking of ways to profit from their positions than they do rethinking new ways to improve our community for everyone. He is running again in 2021 because he is committed to bettering our vibrant community.
Shaun, along with his running mate Gabe, instituted a biannual, apolitical “We Love Our Great Bay” community service initiative where they, along dozens of Little Egg Harbor residents have so far removed many metric yards of refuse and bulk trash from Seven Bridges.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaun served over 60 hours at the LEH Food Pantry. Additionally, he serves with CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties as a volunteer helpline specialist and volunteers as a tutor for the Petey Greene Program, a program that supports the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.
T.C. McCourt
Morris County Board of County Commissioners
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
T.C. grew up in a family of public servants. His grandfathers served in WWII, with one receiving a Purple Heart. His grandmother drove a school bus for special needs children until she was in her 70’s. His father, after a tour playing minor league baseball, returned home and joined the police force, wearing the uniform for over 25 years.
His Mom gave back in ways not unlike most working mothers — she joined the PTA, was active in youth sports and, after the kids left home, got involved in several local boards and commissions. It was through them that T.C. learned the value of giving back to his community. It’s largely because of them and their example that he’s running for Morris County Commissioner.
Whether it be a reprioritized budget rooted in the needs of the people of Morris County, more funding for education to provide the leaders of tomorrow with the opportunities they deserve, or fighting for a cleaner and greener county that everyone is proud to call home, T.C. believes in taking on challenges — not cowering from them.
NEW MEXICO
Amanda Chavez
Santa Fe City Council, District 4
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Amanda is an educator, mother, and a mental health advocate running for the Santa Fe City Council in District 4. By running as a publicly financed candidate, Amanda is beholden only to her constituents and not special interests nor their dark money. She wants to be a City Councilor to help create a Santa Fe where our youth can thrive and working families can prosper.
Born in the Southside of Santa Fe and the child of retired New Mexico state government employees, Amanda learned the values of hard work, integrity, and the importance of family.After college, Amanda taught in Albuquerque as a Special Education teacher, and then became an assistant principal. She then moved back to Santa Fe, and is currently the principal at César Chávez Elementary School where she oversees the school’s recent transition to a community school where we put our efforts on trauma informed practices, need assessments, and respond appropriately through wellness and community initiatives. Amanda focuses on putting students and what they deserve at the center and heart of her actions and decisions.
As a City Councilor, she can offer experience that supports a leadership philosophy that keeps the community at the center of every decision.
NEW YORK
Ashley Teague
Webster Town Board
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ashley is passionate about a number of issues, including mental health. While trying to find assistance for her own mental illness, she discovered that mental health is significantly underfunded across the nation resulting in a lack of healthcare programs and facilities that are critical to those suffering with mental health issues.
Another priority for Ashley is equality for all. She has been extremely active in initiatives that support equality, including organizing and leading a Women’s March in Rochester in 2020. She actively supports the Black Lives Matter movement. She seeks to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion through educational webinars and speakers and participates in rallies, marches and other activities focused on ensuring that everyone is welcome, safe and offered equal opportunities in the community and state. In addition, Ashley supports preserving open space in Webster and creating additional recreational areas for all members of the community to enjoy.
Brandon Holdridge
Chester Town Board
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Brandon is a lifelong Chester resident who is running to put the representative back in government. Above all else, he wants to ensure Chester stays affordable for hard-working families. He wants to make people believe in their government again. He prides himself on his honesty and dedication to serving the people. Brandon has worked in the NYS Senate for three years, learning how to be a public servant all the while. He knows Chester is hurting for new, bold leadership and he plans to deliver on that.
His top three goals are to preserve the natural resources and the character of Chester from irresponsible overdevelopment, to enforce transparency and accountability from the town government, and to nurture Chester’s already strong economic base to benefit all of its residents.
Liz Gillooly
Southold Town Trustee
General Election Date: 11/02/21
Liz is a small business owner, an environmentalist, an activist, and a sailboat captain. She serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the Southold Justice Review & Reform Task Force and as a member of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Community Advisory Board.
Liz was introduced to sailing when she was 8 years old. With a tiller in her hand, she learned independence, responsibility and how lucky she truly was to be on the North Fork. These formative childhood experiences led her to a career as a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain, sailing all over the world. She has seen firsthand that healthy waterways are integral to vibrant ecosystems, and that clean water is vital to our social and economic wellbeing.
She understands the need to weigh environmental initiatives with their economic impacts and will support policy that strikes a sensible balance. She believes that through advocating, innovating, and preserving, we can ensure a just future for all residents of Southold Town. Liz is honored to be running as an engaged listener who will bring enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the Board of Trustees.
Stanley Martin
Rochester City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Stanley is an abolitionist who serves the Rochester Community with courage, love and integrity. Whether it’s advocating for legislation such as Daniel’s Law or bringing food directly to Rochester’s families, Stanley shows up for, protects, and works alongside our community. She is a driving force in the local BLM movement and an advocate for our most marginalized neighbors. She holds a Master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rochester and is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, which informs her plan to move toward restorative justice and healing community trauma.
Tameka Santiago
East Fishkill Town Council
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Tameka is a proud resident of East Fishkill, where she lives with her husband and three children. She is an Occupational Therapist, with 14 years of experience, working with children and adults with cognitive and/ or physical disabilities. She is also certified in children’s, prenatal, and Hatha yoga.
She is a co-founder of Tots on the Go, a volunteer organization that provides Bronx, Westchester, and Dutchess County families with community resources that aid in the mental and physical growth and development of their children. She serves as the treasurer of the East Fishkill Democratic Committee and she serves on the homeowners association board at Four Corners in East Fishkill. She is also a Eucharistic minister at her church.
Tameka plans to be a voice for the community and a champion for everyone. She has new and innovative ideas to improve quality of life in East Fishkill. She will target infrastructure, affordable and accessible programming for children and seniors, affordable housing, and transparency with policy making.
NORTH CAROLINA
Marion T. Johnson
Durham City Council, Ward 1
Primary Election Date: 10/05/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Marion is a social justice consultant who works with nonprofits and foundations. From leading salary negotiations as the NC Justice Center union chair, to promoting a more democratic process with Durham’s participatory budgeting program, Marion has spent her career championing equity, justice, and liberation. She’s now running for Durham City Council in Ward 1 on a justice-centered platform, including housing justice, economic justice, and social justice.
As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants raised in North Carolina, Marion is proud and grateful to choose Durham as her home. Durham is at a crossroads, and can become a city that prioritizes unsustainable development in a few areas while neglecting long-standing communities, or an equity-centered city that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and livability for all. Durham’s future depends on leaders making the right choices, and Marion is running because she has the values and commitment to make those choices.
OHIO
Ayat Amin
Cleveland City Council, Ward 3
Primary Election Date: 09/14/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ayat loves to talk trash. As an environmentalist, she has done everything an individual can do to help the planet. She eats mostly vegan, rides her bike everywhere, and lives zero waste. Her zero waste lifestyle ironically earned her the nickname “Trash Girl.”
In college, she studied to be an environmental engineer when she learned we had the technology to address the climate crisis. What was missing was the political will. So Ayat got politically involved by joining Black Environmental Leaders and Clevelander’s for Public Transit. Two years ago, she attended a climate protest holding a sign that said “Change the politics, not the climate.” Still unsatisfied with the lack of progress, she decided to take her own advice and run for office. Ayat is now a candidate for Cleveland City Council in Ward 3.
Chanell Elston
South Euclid City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Chanell graduated from Cleveland State University in 2011 with a Bachelors in criminology and a Masters in Social Work in 2015. As an independently licensed social worker for the VA Medical Center, she provides advocacy, education and crisis intervention within the veteran community.
Chanell was appointed to city council and is honored to serve South Euclid. She currently chairs the Safety Committee and serves on the Legislative and Zoning and Planning Committee. In her work she has advocated for the rights of residents, passing pay to stay legislation to protect renters and introducing resolutions recognizing Pride month and Juneteenth. Chanell serves on several boards including: President of the Belgreen community group, Community partnership on aging diversity committee, Trustee for the community partnership on aging and political action committee for the Cleveland NAACP.
Chanell’s deep commitment to public service dates back almost 15 years. She has worked as a volunteer with the South Euclid Humane society, the Cleveland food bank and a mentor with College Now. Believing that leadership is action not position, she worked to organize the Belgreen community group within Ward 1 and developed the monthly community newsletter.
Chanell is the proud mother of two, the eldest of fifteen and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Corey Barnes
Avon City Council, Ward 1
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Corey is a husband, father, and homeowner with project management expertise in the Healthcare IT field. He’s running for Avon Ward 1 City Council with a focus on managing the city’s growth, investing in sustainability, improving Internet options, and supporting the city’s excellent schools and safety services. A proud alumnus of St. Ignatius High School and The Ohio State University, he is actively involved in his neighborhood HOA, coaching youth basketball, and the Friends of the Library. Corey lives in Avon with his wife and children.
Megan N. Kilgore *RFS Alum
Columbus City Auditor
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Megan is the Auditor of the City of Columbus. She was elected on November 7, 2017, winning more votes than her opponent in every precinct. She is the first woman elected to the office and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the executive branch of Columbus.
As the 14th largest city in the country, Columbus plays an important role in both the state and national economies. As Auditor, Megan’s office worked quickly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing resources to small businesses and maintaining Columbus’ enviable AAA/Aaa/AAA credit ratings — the highest possible ratings, resulting in millions of dollars in savings for everyday taxpayers.
Prior to being elected Auditor, Megan was a municipal advisor, helping cities, counties, school districts and economic development districts all over the country plan for and finance their infrastructure projects.
Megan is nationally recognized as a leader in the public finance industry. A fierce advocate for social and economic equity, she has received numerous awards for her leadership in using economic policies to advance the public good. She earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from Northwestern University. She is also an adjunct professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University, where she teaches a graduate-level course in public finance.
Ukeme Awakessien Jeter
Upper Arlington City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Ukeme is running for Upper Arlington City Council to harness the power of broad civic engagement to build the future of the City. Whether Ukeme is leading innovation as an engineer and corporate attorney with an MBA, guiding the City of Upper Arlington in fiscal policy as a past member of the Citizens Financial Review task force, considering healthy community engagement as an inaugural member of the City’s Community Relations Committee or lovingly caring for her two children, Ukeme approaches all her roles with integrity & intentionality.
Ukeme brings an energy and authenticity to every conversation she engages in. She can both think and influence others to create new and better ideas to move towards positive results. Ukeme is uniquely qualified to bring innovative leadership to Upper Arlington City Council and will help foster collaboration between neighborhood groups, businesses, neighboring municipalities, and the school district to generate creative ideas that will power the future.
TENNESSEE
Elizabeth Downing Wanczak
Franklin Alderperson, Ward 4
General Election Date: 10/26/2021
Elizabeth has been a resident of Franklin, TN, and Ward 4 since 2009. Elizabeth moved to Tennessee, first for a career in the music industry, and then to attend Sewanee: The University of the South. A published songwriter, paralegal, and entrepreneur, she owned and operated Write Off the Row, a songwriting studio in Nashville until 2018.
The wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, public service is at the heart of Elizabeth’s values and she gained a strong interest in City government shortly after making Franklin her home. With her neighborhood’s support and encouragement, Elizabeth ran in 2017 for this same Ward 4 Alderman seat against a long-term incumbent, ultimately garnering over 40% of the vote. Since then, she was appointed to the City of Franklin Housing Commission, serving as it’s chair from 2018–2020.
As the mom of two preschoolers, Elizabeth understands how vital it is to have parents involved in our local government. Her local advocacy has focused on issues including workforce and attainable housing, adequate infrastructure development, zoning and land use plans, neighborhood sidewalk connectivity, preservation of green space and parkland, and being a welcoming and family friendly community for all, forming the basis of her campaign focus on smart growth, fiscal responsibility, and community involvement.
VIRGINIA
Dustin Wimbish
Virginia House of Delegates, District 8
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Dustin is an Army veteran, foster parent, and former federal employee. He has spent the majority of his adult life in service to his country and community. He wants to continue his service in the Virginia House of Delegates.
WASHINGTON
Darwin Peters II
Clover Park School District, District 3
Primary Election Date: 08/03/2021
General Election Date: 11/02/2021
Darwin has lived in Lakewood for much of his life. He attended elementary through high school in the Clover Park School District (CPSD) and has six children, four of them currently attending school in the district. He is a US Army veteran, coach, and mentor for student athletes, has worked for the REACH Center and Lakewood YMCA, served the homeless community and at-risk teenagers. His goal is to ensure that every student in CPSD receives an equitable education where they are successful. To do this he will listen and partner with students, teachers, and parents while remaining committed to helping raise well rounded students that exemplify what it means to exhibit great character, be a lifelong learner, collaborator, and lead in action.
Darwin will bring his leadership, attentiveness, love for his community, and passion for developing our future leaders to ensure that he is a voice for ALL students.
2022 Candidates
CALIFORNIA
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair *RFS Alum
California State Assembly, District 64
Primary Election Date: 6/7/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Fatima is running for State Assembly in District 64 in South Los Angeles, one of the most impacted districts in CA. She is a teacher from Watts, an immigrant, a mother to a son with special needs, current Executive board member for AD64 and Southern California Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party.
Fatima decided to run in 2019 because her experiences and organizing particularly in education, environmental justice, housing and more led her to want to understand how well her representatives were acting on these and other issues. She was deeply saddened to find out the current representatives’ record, which was misaligned with what activists in the district have been fighting for, for decades. Fatima’s district has 25% of California’s oil and natural gas refineries, with many drilling sites being close to schools and homes.
Fatima wants to bring bold progressive change to California, that’s why she is the only candidate in the race that does not take money from corporations, police or real estate executives, is 100% grassroots funded, and received an endorsement from Bernie Sanders, among other coveted endorsements, in 2020. Fatima was the incumbent’s biggest challenger he’s had since taking office in 2014. Fatima is ready to win this in 2022 for the people of South Los Angeles who helped her receive almost 41% of the vote in 2020.
Rae Vander Werf *RFS Alum
American River Flood Control District Trustee
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Rae is running for reelection to the American River Flood Control District (ARFCD). As a scientist who works on water issues and has studied flood control issues, they care deeply about these and other related issues that we are facing in our community. They want to protect our community and make sure that the Flood Control District is accessible to everyone.
Rae has lived all over the Sacramento Valley, and earned a Bachelors in Environmental Policy, and a Masters in Water Resource Management. They will continue to utilize their specialized background to better the community. As a trustee, they have been able to work with the board to make some big changes. The first big change is that the ARFCD board now records all of our meetings and posts them onto our websites. This is so vital to ensure that those who cannot attend the meeting in person can still have a chance to hear what is being done at the board. The second major thing that has changed is the board has agreed to use the 2020 census data to transfer to district elections in the future.
Flood protection is extremely important in Sacramento as many of us live in floodplains. There is still a lot that ARFCD could improve on. Rae is advocating for the board to do carbon tracking and work on becoming more carbon neutral. Before Covid-19 the board was just starting to really do more outreach. This is vital so people can learn what ARFCD does and that the board exists. These are some of the reasons Rae is running for reelection to ARFCD.
FLORIDA
Andrew Learned *RFS Alum
Florida State House, District 59
Primary Election Date: 8/23/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Andrew was elected to Florida House, District 59 in 2020. He is a Navy veteran of ten years running for re-election to serve the community he grew up in. He has served as an officer in the US Navy for 10 years and on three Middle East deployments. He has led boarding missions against Somali pirates, served as an assistant chief engineer on a deployed warship, and led planning against ISIS in Iraq, Yemen and Syria. He currently serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy Reserve with Special Operations Command Central out of Tampa’s MacDill AFB.
After his last deployment, Andrew opened GradePower Learning Valrico. As an education advocate and a small business owner, he works directly with local teachers and families, and has seen the education and resource disparities that exist in Hillsborough County, one of largest school districts in the country.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Andrew successfully converted 90% of his business online so that he could continue to serve the students and families while keeping them and his staff safe. Andrew is a veteran, education advocate, and small business owner who understands the unique needs of his community. He will push for solutions that expand access to healthcare and education for Floridians and transition investments toward green jobs and tech industry that will make Florida more competitive and environmentally friendly.
Caprice Edmond *RFS Alum
Pinellas County School Board
Primary Election Date: 8/28/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Caprice is a lifelong resident of St. Petersburg and a proud graduate of Pinellas County Public Schools. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement, Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a certification in Infant Family Mental Health.
Informed by her experience in every facet of Pinellas County Schools — as a student, parent, educator, involved community member, and now School Board Member, Caprice brings a unique perspective to Pinellas County School Board. Caprice is running for re-election to continue advocating for policies and practices that benefit all children, improve stakeholder engagement, and ensure the district remains in fiscally sound condition.
Travaris McCurdy *RFS Alum
Florida State House, District 46
Primary Election Date: 8/23/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
A lifelong resident of the district he has the distinct privilege to serve, State Representative Travaris McCurdy wasthe former chief legislative aide to state senators Geraldine Thompson and Randolph Bracy and formerly served as the deputy political director for the national Super PAC, For Our Future prior to his election to Florida’s 46TH house district in 2020.
As a freshman legislator Representative McCurdy was named Democratic Minority Whip for the Florida House Democrats. He fought ferociously to protect public education, free speech and ensure every Floridian has equal access to the ballot box. Representative McCurdy is eager to continue his work in Tallahassee on the issues of housing and economic vitality specifically in the Florida legislature.
GEORGIA
Marvin Lim *RFS Alum
Georgia State House, District 99
Primary Election Date: 5/24/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Marvin is a Democratic candidate for (and current) Georgia State Representative, House District 99, where he has lived since 2001. An immigrant who was formerly on public assistance, then later wrongly flagged as a non-citizen voter — all in Georgia, where his family came in 1991 — he channeled those experiences into a public interest career, becoming a civil rights and gun violence prevention attorney after graduating from Yale Law School, previously working with the ACLU and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Marvin has also established a career in securities law and has been with Holcomb + Ward, LLP since 2015.
Rebecca Mitchell DVM PhD *RFS Alum
Georgia State House, District 106
Primary Election Date: 5/24/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Rebecca is a scientist, legislator, and mom focused on public health and education in Georgia. She has spent the past year advocating for sound public health policy during the pandemic through floor speeches, presentations, and webinars.
Rebecca brings a unique and powerful technical skillset to the statehouse that allows her to offer practical input on the impact of bills related to public health and data analysis. Her focus on education policy spans from pre-kindergarten and childcare costs, to the impact of the state’s education laws on K-12 education to making college more affordable for Georgians.
ILLINOIS
Rachel Ventura *RFS Alum
Illinois State Senate, District 43
Primary Election Date: 6/28/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Rachel was raised in Joliet by union parents. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Benedictine University and a biology degree later from Tidewater. She worked as an actuarial analyst, a naturalist, and was a military spouse.
Now, as a single mom of twin daughters, and the business director for a publishing company, she also serves on the Will County Board for the 9th District. There she helped secure long-term clean water for 800 families living in Fairmont, spearheaded the hiring of a vaccine equity manager, chairs the Public Health and Safety committee, and pushed for new Natural Gas Plant converting landfill methane gas to usable gas for heating homes or natural gas transportation.
Rachel believes we must have a government that works for everyone. She will prioritize solutions to the climate crisis, new living wage jobs of the future, and investing in our infrastructure.
MISSOURI
Brianna Lennon *RFS Alum
Boone County Clerk
Primary Election Date: 8/2/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Brianna was first elected Boone County Clerk in 2018 and has been working to make elections simple, accessible, secure, and transparent throughout her first term. Brianna is a proud Mizzou alumna with degrees from both the University of Missouri School of Law and Truman School of Public Affairs. After graduation, she joined the Consumer Protection Division in the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
She then joined the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in 2013 and served as elections counsel and deputy director of Missouri’s elections division. She worked closely with local election authorities across the state and is now proud to serve as one of them.
NEW YORK
Jeremy Cooney *RFS Alum
New York State Senate, District 56
Primary Election Date: 6/15/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Senator Cooney was adopted from an orphanage in Kolkata, India and raised by a single mother in the city of Rochester. He made history in 2020 as the first Asian American elected to state office from upstate New York, and the first state senator in decades to graduate from Rochester City School District (RCSD).
During his first year in office, Senator Cooney was instrumental in passing legislation to legalize marijuana as co-chair of the Marijuana Task Force for the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus as well as the final phase of the Rochester School Modernization Project (RSMP). The RSMP will be one of the largest public works projects in Rochester’s history with nearly half a billion dollars going towards updating learning environments for RSCD students. His office continues to work on legislative priorities for the Greater Rochester community including poverty relief, economic development, and increased funding for schools.
Senator Cooney began his career working on Capitol Hill for the late U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and later in the role of chief of staff for the City of Rochester under Mayor Lovely Warren. Prior to running for public office, Senator Cooney served as the senior director for community relations with the Governor’s Empire State Development (ESD) initiative. At ESD, he helped lead public affairs for large scale economic development projects.
Senator Cooney earned his B.A. with honors from Hobart College and his J.D. from Albany Law School. He is married to Dr. Diane Lu, a urologic surgeon with the University of Rochester Medical Center.
NORTH CAROLINA
Jonathan Melton *RFS Alum
Raleigh City Council, At-Large
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Jonathan is a family law attorney, community organizer, and nonprofit leader. He presently serves as an at-large member of Raleigh City Council. Jonathan is the first openly LGBTQ person elected citywide in Raleigh.
Jonathan is working to build a city that comes from a place of “yes” and prioritizes responsible, equitable growth. He wants to make Raleigh more accessible, affordable, and progressive by improving public transit and expanding transportation options, reducing car dependency and allowing diverse housing types.
TEXAS
Devan Allen
Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Precinct 2
Primary Election Date: 3/1/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Devan’s 2018 historic win for County Commissioner was more than a political upset, it was also a signal change that our community chose an elected leader who is also compassionate in how she responds to their needs. Devan’s central mission in serving is to expand access and equity in county government. Her committed efforts to elevate the voice of her community during a global pandemic, a global social justice movement and a 100-year winter storm further illustrate the same tenacity she embodied as the youngest child of two incarcerated parents and as a survivor of childhood homelessness. Her relentless pursuit of sustainable success continues to drive her fight for her precinct and all of Tarrant County.
Jasmine Crockett *RFS Alum
Texas State House, District 100
Primary Election Date: 3/1/2022
General Election Date: 11/8/2022
Rep. Crockett is a civil rights and criminal defense attorney, and the Texas Legislature’s sole Black freshman. She serves on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Business & Industry committees as a proud progressive voice. She has represented hundreds of peaceful protestors, families of victims of police brutality, and thousands of indigent criminal defendants. She is one of the leading Texas Democrats organizing the quorum breaking walkout that killed the nation’s worst voter suppression bill. A former public defender and rural East Texas Democratic Party County Chair, Jasmine is committed to equality for all, especially our most marginalized communities.
