The Final Stretch: Meet our October 2020 Endorsees!
We are proud to introduce our final endorsement round of 2020, featuring 37 candidates running both this November and in 2021.
With our latest round of endorsements, Run for Something will have 523 candidates on the ballot this fall. Here’s a quick breakdown of RFS in 2020:
We have the opportunity to elect new leaders who uphold our values: sheriffs who will fight for more accountability; city council members who will prioritize funding for education; district attorneys who will create a more equitable justice system; and state legislators who will expand the right to vote, protect reproductive rights, and fight for fair districts. This election is our shot at making good on our promises and cementing the progressive future we’ve been fighting for.
But/and: There will be elections past 2020, and Run for Something will be here to support them. That’s why this class includes endorsements for candidates in 2021. We have to keep fighting for long-term sustainable power.
Get to know the final RFS endorsement class of 2020 below 👇👇
CANDIDATES
*denotes RFS alum
CALIFORNIA
Cody Strock
Red Bluff City Council
Running in 2020
Cody Strock grew up in & around Red Bluff. He has degrees in Psychology and Sociology, but more importantly he has experience and knows his community. He has lived first hand in the illegal housing, witnessed friends and family succumbing to the drug epidemics and struggled to navigate city processes for businesses and home building. Cody has seen the struggle of this city and witnessed the corruption personally. He knows where the problems lie and has had no problem identifying them publicly. Cody wants honesty and transparency for everyone. This city belongs to no one but it’s people and he is here to make sure that the people can be heard.
He’s Running for City Council because he knows when he brings the people to the table and gives them the opportunity to come together, stand proud and work together that they will all build something amazing. A community that strong with leaders that honest can do anything, and they will bring exciting new changes for everyone. He fights for good homes, good jobs, and good times for everyone.
James Coleman
South San Francisco City Council, District 4
Running in 2020
https://www.james4ssf.com
James Coleman is a lifelong resident of South San Francisco, graduating from Ponderosa Elementary, Alta Loma Middle School, and South San Francisco High School.
During his childhood, James’ father sustained a traumatic injury, which left him largely paralyzed from the waist-down. His mother was forced to work two jobs to make ends meet, all while sharing the responsibility of caring for his injured father at home. That experience motivated him to study Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with Government at Harvard University and conduct neuroscience research at Massachusetts General Hospital. While at Harvard, James co-founded the Harvard Undergraduates for Environmental Justice, and organized with Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard, the Harvard College Democrats, and Harvard College YDSA. He has also been involved with the Alliance for Climate Education and CHANGE SSF in his hometown.
James began his education with the motivation of his family, but today wishes to use the privilege, education, and experiences he gained at Harvard, to empower and improve upon the lives of those in his hometown.
James’ platform includes comprehensive action to address climate change, systemic reform to the city’s system of public safety, affordable housing construction, universal Pre-K, and universal high speed internet.
If elected, James would be the youngest and first openly LGBTQ+ member of the South San Francisco City Council.
Jeanette Quick
San Francisco City College Board of Trustees
Running in 2020
https://votejeanette.com
Jeanette Quick is running for San Francisco Community College Board because she is passionate about ensuring that every person in San Francisco can access affordable and quality higher education. The Board oversees the Chancellor and budget of City College, which is one of the largest community colleges in the country. Unfortunately, due to years of mismanagement, rapid turnover of Chancellors, and a lack of strategic planning and accountability, the College is in danger of near-term failure. Because of its issues, the College has cut hundreds of classes, and was recently placed on a “high monitoring” list to lose its accreditation. Jeanette Quick is a consumer protection attorney with 15 years of experience as both a leader in the government and the private sector. She was a senior advisor to two United States Senators and lead counsel for financial services at several tech companies, and conducted investigations into predatory student loan and higher education practices across the country.
As a first-generation immigrant, Jeanette cares deeply about ensuring that education is accessible to all, especially BIPOCs. Her goals include cleaning up City College’s finances, increasing diversity in students and faculty, boosting enrollment and public funding, restoring accountability and transparency, and strengthening public-private partnerships to improve the workforce pipeline. Jeanette has also been taking classes at City College part-time for the past three years. Jeanette’s first-hand experience as a student, paired with her expertise in financial services, gives her a unique and independent perspective to implementing lasting change and repairing the College.
Kevin Hayakawa
Walnut Valley Water District Board of Directors, Division IV
Running in 2020
https://www.crowdpac.com/campaigns/396350/kevin-hayakawa
Kevin T. Hayakawa is a professor and research scientist with experience on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and evidence-based decision making. He’s running for the Walnut Valley Water Board, one of the country’s most ethnically diverse water districts, to provide access to clean drinking water, fight climate change, and ensure a sustainable and affordable water supply. Kevin is running because he believes that we need more scientists, educators, Asian Americans, young people, and progressives elected to all levels of government. An alumnus of John A. Rowland High School, Kevin is a proud native of the district and would be honored to give back and represent the district that shaped him into the person he is today.
He is proud to be the first challenger to a Walnut Valley Water Board seat since 2007. In that year, the outcome of one of the water board elections was determined by a single vote — with a final count of 703-to-702, so this year’s election could be just as close.
Kevin teaches Physics at Moorpark College and is currently finishing up his Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA. He holds a Master’s degree in Astronomy from UCLA, Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from UC Berkeley, and an International Baccalaureate diploma from John A. Rowland High School.
FLORIDA
Michael Joseph*
North Miami Beach City Commission, Group 7
Running in 2020
https://www.votemichaeljoseph.com
Michael Joseph is the current Commissioner for the city of North Miami Beach. He was born and raised in the Little River neighborhood of Miami, with his sister Lucy, by their loving parents, Louis and Elvina Joseph.
He graduated from Miami Edison High School and received his MBA from Florida International University (FIU). Michael attended the University of Pittsburgh’s Thurgood Marshall program to begin his law degree and graduated from St. Thomas University with his Juris Doctorate. While in college Michael worked for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), assisting with briefs and working on a program, named M.I.K.E., to speed up the background check process. Many parts of this program are still in use today.
After graduating Michael became an attorney with the law firm of Galbut Walters & Associates, with a focused practice in civil rights and land use.
He is a member of the Democratic Haitian-American Caucus of Florida, the Caribbean Democratic Caucus, the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Labor Committee, and on the board of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network. As a North Miami Beach Commissioner, Michael is the board liaison for the Public Utilities Commission and Code Enforcement. His focus is to continue improving the lives of the residents of North Miami Beach and restoring the resident’s trust through ethics reforms.
Michael and his wife Asia, were married at North Miami Beach’s famous Ancient Spanish Monastery and are raising their son, Alexander, in the Sunray West neighborhood of North Miami Beach.
GEORGIA
Kyle Rinaudo
Georgia State House, District 35
Running in 2020
http://www.KyleRinaudo.com
Kyle Rinaudo is a Georgia teacher, drummer, and law student who is running to represent his hometown of Acworth & Kennesaw in Georgia’s House of Representatives. A past president of his city’s Young Aldermen Board, public school teacher, and law firm administrator, and Kyle brings a wealth of experience working for his community to his campaign for State House of Representatives.
Kyle is running to bring a new generation’s voice to local government: To expand Georgians’ access to healthcare, truly invest in our public schools, protect equal rights and voting rights for all people in our state, support women’s reproductive freedom, and pass real legislation to preserve Georgia’s environment and combat climate change. In 2020, it’s about time to bring Georgia government into the 21st century, and that’s why Kyle’s running.
Yterenickia “YT” Bell*
Mayor of Clarkston
Running in 2020
http://www.ytformayor.com
Yterenickia S. Bell, affectionately known as YT, has been an advocate in her community for many years.
Bell is a three-time graduate of Georgia State University where she earned four degrees — two bachelor degrees (criminal justice and political science), a Master of Social Work, and a Master of Public Administration. She has worked for years as a community advocate and public policy professional to address injustices, safety concerns, serve vulnerable populations, and solve complex issues.
As a previous Councilwoman, Bell has cultivated a proven record of prioritizing the needs of her constituents. She is a results driven leader whose passion for improving Clarkstonians’ lives was realized with the passage of progressive legislation and initiatives.
As Mayor, she will continue to move the city forward while working relentlessly on behalf of all who call Clarkston home. Her efforts will be dedicated to progressive, innovative legislation and initiatives which focus on community development, health care, and economic development.
HAWAII
Adrian Tam
Hawaii State House, District 22
Running in 2020
http://www.adrianforhawaii.com
Adrian Tam was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a proud graduate of Kalani High School and Penn State University. Upon graduation, Tam worked for his family small business as a Realtor working with first-time homebuyers. In 2016, he started working at the Hawaii State Legislature under Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say before working for Senator Stanley Chang. During his career, Tam has sat on a medical cannabis working group as a designated member, worked on many legislative bills revolving housing and youth, and been a part of several organizations such as the Waikiki Lions Club and the Taiwanese American Professionals.
ILLINOIS
Cassandra “CJ” Johnson
Champaign County Treasurer
Running in 2020
https://www.electcj.com
Cassandra “CJ” Johnson is a retired Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer currently working on her doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership. Her work in the Air Force included being a linguist, a diplomat, an intelligence analyst, a teacher, and a financial and operations manager.
CJ is running for Champaign County Treasurer because she knows she has the skills, energy, and determination necessary to fix the problems in the Treasurer’s office. She plans to improve processes and provide strategic vision for the staff, while engaging the community to rebuild their trust in the office.
If elected, CJ would be the first African-American woman sworn in to a countywide office in Champaign County.
Dagmara “Dee” Avelar
Illinois State House, District 85
Running in 2020
http://www.votedee85th.com
Dee was born in Ecuador. When she was 12, her family immigrated to the U.S. and bought a home in Bolingbrook, where Dee still lives today. She belongs to the Bolingbrook High School Class of ‘05.
After earning a degree in justice studies at Northeastern Illinois University, Dee decided to dedicate her career to advocating for working families and she has helped hundreds of immigrants become proud American citizens. Dee is currently pursuing a masters degree in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
As a daughter, sister, immigrant, and longtime resident of Will County, Dee feels a responsibility to give back to the community that has given her so much.
“As the people of the 85th district, we need leadership in Springfield that puts people over profit. We are part of a diverse, growing community whose values are centered on seeing us thrive, not just survive.”
INDIANA
Bryan Chatfield
Wayne Township Advisory Board, District 3
Running in 2020
http://www.bryanchatfield.com
Bryan is running to ensure resources in Wayne Township are distributed in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. During this time in America many have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis. It is extremely important that residents are receiving the resources and employment assistance needed to prevent tragedies such as mortgage defaults and evictions.
Tiffany Grant
Indiana State House, District 60
Running in 2020
https://www.tiffanygrantforindiana.org
Tiffany Grant is an educator, wife, and mom living and working in District 60. As a state representative, she will work to provide fully funded public education (less money on tests and more money for student programs and teacher salaries), access to affordable healthcare (including mental healthcare and more locations in the rural areas of the state), and living wage jobs for every person in her district and the state of Indiana. In addition to these issues, District 60 is plagued with contaminated water and soil. When elected, Mrs. Grant will make environmental protections and cleanup a fourth priority.
Ultimately, Mrs. Grant wants to bridge the divide between state leaders and the people who vote for them. With stronger communication channels and a representative who listens to her constituents, the people of District 60 will have someone advocating for them at the Statehouse.
IOWA
Jack Friend
Iowa State House, District 48
Running in 2020
https://www.jack4iowa.com
Jack has been an educator for 6 years, teaching at both the high school and university level. He completed his teaching certificate and Masters in Education at PSU, and his MFA at ISU. He currently substitute teaches in Boone, IA. He knows that rural schools and hospitals are essential for their communities, but both are not receiving the funding they need from the state. The problem is that the folks in Des Moines don’t know how to listen to the teachers and doctors who serve their district. Jack is running as a listener, and an educator who knows how important your local school is to the community.
LOUISIANA
Angel Harris
Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge, Section L
Running in 2020
http://www.angelforjudge.com
Angel Harris is civil rights lawyer, nationally recognized expert on criminal justice issues, and a candidate for Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge, Section L. Angel began her legal career as a Public Defender in Louisiana, first in Orleans Parish then in Calcasieu Parish, where she handled hundreds of cases and became a highly-respected advocate and familiar face in the halls of the Orleans and Calcasieu Parish Criminal District Courts. Angel has experience litigating both criminal and civil cases, including as Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where Angel’s advocacy focused on capital defense, juvenile life without the possibility of parole, and felon disenfranchisement. Angel also served as a Staff Attorney with the ACLU’s Capital Punishment Project.
Currently, as Senior Legal Counsel with the Justice Collaborative and throughout her career, Angel has worked with community organizers, stakeholders and grassroots organizations to hold public officials accountable in an effort to implement criminal justice reform and build healthier and safer communities. Angel’s commentary has appeared in the New York Times and the Huffington Post, and she has written and co-authored briefs filed in state and federal courts around the country — from post-conviction release petitions to school desegregation. Angel recognizes the power lawyers and judges have in shaping our criminal justice system, and is running on a three-pronged platform: to ensure equal access to justice, pursue alternatives to incarceration, and stop the criminalization of poverty. Angel graduated from Hampton University with highest honors and Georgetown University Law Center.
MAINE
April Fournier
Portland City Council, At-Large
Running in 2020
https://aprilforportland.org
April Fournier is a strong Indigenous Dine’ woman, a mother, an educator and a fierce advocate for her community. April actively works to eliminate barriers to participation in government and education. She works to ensure that those most often marginalized within the community are included in conversations that impact them directly.
April is running for Portland City Council because she believes that her city needs someone committed to protecting the environment, including all community members in conversations, meeting community members where they are at, and ensuring community members have what they need to thrive-affordable housing, equitable education, secure access to food and living wages, and a counselor who is accessible, engaged and willing to create space for them in the conversation.
MARYLAND
Chad Leo
Calvert County Board of Education, District 1
Running in 2020
http://www.chadforcalvert.com
Niche.com has consistently decreased the ranking of Calvert County Public Schools, from the best schools in Maryland to the sixth. Chad Leo is a product of the public school system, son of two educators, and brother of two current students. He is running for the Board of Education to stand up for educators, fight for equitable education, and lead on school safety. He believes in transparency, accountability, communication, and efficiency.
On top of serving as a two-term member of the Citizens Advisory Council to the Board of Education, Leo worked with Governor Larry Hogan on his school safety roundtable (Safe Schools Maryland), and as the State Treasurer of the Maryland Association of Student Councils. He has the relevant experience and first-hand insight to lead our school system into the 21st century. It is his goal to make the schools the best in the state once again.
MICHIGAN
Michelle Woodman
Michigan State House, District 24
Running in 2020
http://www.electmichellewoodman.com
As an educator, the injustices that people deal with on a daily basis stare me directly in the face. Students who don’t get enough to eat at home, whose family cannot afford to take their children to the doctor or stay home from work when they are sick. These are issues that students face and they are issues that families face. No one should face the difficulties of finding jobs that pay a living wage and access to health care. Prioritizing a quality public education for all students and respect for the education system and its employees is extremely important to me. A robust, supportive, and equitable system will remove barriers for students to give them a strong start in society. Most importantly, I am running for House District 24 because voters deserve someone who works for them, who cares about them. who communicates with them; that someone is me.
MINNESOTA
James Farnsworth
Saint Paul Public Schools ISD 625 Board of Education
Running in 2020
https://www.jamesforspps.com
James (he/him/his) is a committed advocate for the students, families, and educators of Saint Paul. As a proud graduate of Saint Paul Public Schools and the son of two longtime public school teachers, James has a deep knowledge of the challenges facing the school district and a proven track record of forming diverse coalitions to tackle complex issues. He’s actively attended school board meetings over the years which has given him an incisive perspective and keen insight into process and governance of a large and complex institution with an over $600 million annual budget. Additionally, he’s served in a variety of governance roles in different sized organizations/institutions. He has the experience and skills to be a responsible steward and strong champion of Saint Paul Public Schools.
NEVADA
Evelyn Garcia Morales
Clark County School District Board of Trustees, District C
Running in 2020
https://evelynfortrusteec.com
Evelyn Garcia Morales has dedicated her career to creating and leading educational opportunities for diverse communities. She’s running to represent District C on the Clark County School Board of Trustees, a community with a population of 60% Latino and 20% Black students. Evelyn is a first-generation American who earned a high school diploma, college, and graduate degree thanks to her parent’s tremendous sacrifices and commitment to education. Her parents knew that an advanced education was a way out of poverty. Like her own parents, parents in District C have educational dreams for their own students too.
Early in her career at the YMCA of Southern Nevada, she led outreach programs that provided after school tutoring and drug prevention classes, and managed the Family Resource Center based in District C. Additionally, she spent 11 years managing award-winning national leadership programs for Latino students across the country. Today she serves as the Executive Director of the Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, a nonprofit organization that proves over 400 scholarships to students who are first in their family to go-to-college and come from low-income households.
Evelyn lives in Las Vegas, NV with her husband and son.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bryce Stack
State House, Hillsborough-21
Running in 2020
Bryce Stack is a lifelong Merrimack resident committed to community-building. Active with the Boy Scouts, in 2016 Bryce earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Merrimack Troop 424. Through the Boy Scouts he has spent time on Merrimack community service projects including participating in state-wide food drives and helping fellow scouts with their Eagle Scout projects. After graduating from the Boy Scouts’ youth program, Bryce spent time as an adult leader to assist younger scouts with their projects before going to college.
His own Eagle project was the creation of a vegetable garden for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua in the summer of 2015. Leading a project team, he created raised bed gardens that are still in use today. In 2015 alone, that garden produced enough to donate over 200 pounds of produce to the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
Passionate about getting younger people engaged in the political process, Bryce admits that most people his age do not seem to care much about politics and see voting as an activity for the older population. The current hyper-partisanship is a large turnoff for many young people. Bryce understands where these people are coming from and plans to help make the system more inclusive for young voters. Using his experience and skills in meeting people where they are — he is ready to engage with everyone at the State House to get work done for the people of Merrimack.
NEW JERSEY
Matthew Hernandez
Allendale Board of Education, Northern Highlands
Running in 2020
Mat is a proud Northern Highlands alum and resident of the town of Allendale, New Jersey. The education he received at Northern Highlands created the foundation off of which Mat was able to succeed in his studies at the University of Pennsylvania and in his current career in the management consulting world. Mat is running for the Northern Highlands Regional High School Board of Education to support the students and community he is dedicated to serving.
Mat is driven to help Northern Highlands modernize education with pragmatic and effective solutions. He wants to empower students to feel confident in applying skills they learn in the classroom to the real world. Achievement means nothing, however, if it comes at the expense of students’ well-being. So, Mat will focus on mental health and student support to lift all students within the school. Supporting all students also means reflecting on the school’s curriculum and practices to make sure that Northern Highlands reflects the rich diversity present in the community, country and world. And Mat is committed to taking those steps.
Mat’s experience ranges from scaling international education NGOs to facilitating states’ COVID responses to helping educators and administrators at Northern Highlands develop racial justice education plans with the Northern Highlands Alumni Action Committee. All of these moments have helped mold Mat into the best community leader he can be for the Northern Highlands district. To push for the changes that will support his community, Mat will put “Future First”.
NEW YORK
Amanda Farías*
New York City Council, District 18
Running in 2021
https://www.amandafarias.nyc
Amanda Farias is a lifelong Bronxite with a passion and commitment to public service. Born and raised in the Bronx in the 18th Council District’s Soundview neighborhood, Amanda is a second-generation Afro-Latina of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. She is a product of local schools, and graduated from St. John’s University with a Master’s Degree in Political Science. Amanda’s political career began by fighting voter suppression and mobilizing Black and Latino communities for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. She went on to work in the New York City Council, serving as Director of Special Projects.
Amanda became an involved community activist and realized her community needed new leadership. She decided to run for New York City Council in 2017 as the youngest person, and the only woman, in a five-way race; and came in as the runner-up in her Democratic Primary for City Council District 18. After the election, Amanda remained committed to fighting for progressive leadership. In the Summer of 2018, she ran to be her District’s State Committeewoman, and won by 86 votes, defeating a 21-year incumbent.
Amanda understands that a crucial role of new leadership is investing in local coalition-building, which develops healthier communities. Amanda has invested in ensuring that we adequately connect our communities to resources through her political work and local advocacy. She joined The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) as an Assistant Director in 2017 to manage workforce development programming in the Bronx, where her work with CUNY and local community-based organizations has allowed her to serve and create new opportunities for young Bronxites to access trade jobs.
As New York State Coordinator for New American Leaders and as the Co-Founder of Women of Color for Progress, Amanda has committed to getting more women into elected office by creating a pipeline for them through these organizations. As State Committeewoman, she offers programs and resources that increase participation, drive civic engagement, and foster community. Amanda is excited to continue to expand upon the work she has focused on once elected to the City Council and is committed to serving her constituents in the 18th Council District.
Christopher Marte*
New York City Council, District 1
Running in 2021
https://www.votemarte.com
Christopher Marte has been on the frontlines of the major issues in Lower Manhattan for the past 5 years, especially when it comes to overdevelopment and displacement. He has worked with his community to stop the development of luxury towers, which could displace thousands of tenants and small businesses. He has built coalitions to stop the building of a new jail, and push for restorative justice reforms. He has worked with parents and students to prevent illegal and toxic contamination from dangerous construction sites. Since COVID started, Christopher has worked to create a network of donors and volunteers to distribute food and PPE to homebound seniors and low-income families and workers. The district has extreme wealth disparities, and the district . But Christopher has a track record of bringing these isolated communities together with a common purpose, and will continue that mission in the City Council.
Marjorie Velazquez*
New York City Council, District 13
Running in 2021
https://www.mvelaz.nyc
Marjorie Velázquez was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents who moved here in the 1970’s to build a better life. She learned the values of hard work and community services at a young age as her parents worked long hours while struggling to overcome racism and language barriers. Marjorie attended Bronx public elementary schools and St. Catherine Academy before earning a Finance and Accounting degree at NYU. She held several accounting positions, where she designed strategies for regions around the world.
In 2012, Marjorie suffered life-changing injuries in a workplace accident and a subsequent car crash that left her temporarily disabled. She struggled through several surgeries and a broken, bureaucratic healthcare system, but found a path to recovery through giving back to her community.
Marjorie’s life went from painful struggle to public service. She volunteered to help elect several elected officials and joined Community Board 10 where she served as Treasurer and now serves as Municipal Services Chair. Here, she has focused on COVID recovery, transportation, parks, budget equity, and overdevelopment while advocating for racial and gender equality. Marjorie serves on the boards of Amplify Her, the Broad Room, St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf Children’s Fund, VISIONS NY, and formerly on the Bronx River Alliance.
After a narrow loss for City Council in 2017 where Marjorie was outspent by over $1 million, she continued her dedication to public service and advocacy. During the pandemic, she organized a mutual aid group to assist residents and coordinate weekly food and mask drives.
Sandy Nurse*
New York City Council, District 37
Running in 2021
http://www.sandyforcouncil.com
Sandy Nurse is a community organizer running for New York City Council in District 37. Sandy is an Afro-Latina, born in Panama to an immigrant father and raised by a single mother. She comes from a multicultural family with siblings who were born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is a proud Auntie to 10 nieces and nephews.
A carpenter by trade, Sandy is the founder of BK ROT, New York City’s first community-supported, bike-powered, fossil fuel free food waste hauling and composting service, and a co-founder of the Mayday Space, a multi-story organizing center and social hub in Bushwick.
As an organizer and direct action trainer, Sandy has spent nearly a decade working to create the alternative institutions we need for positive social change while confronting power. Sandy was on the frontlines of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2012, and this past summer helped organize the Occupy City Hall demonstrations to call for a divestment from the NYPD and an investment in working class communities.
As your City Council Member, she will fight to keep people in their homes, create protections for our immigrant neighbors, and help build a healthy, sustainable future.
Steve Polgar
New York State Assembly, District 3
Running in 2020
http://www.StevePolgar.com
Born and raised in New York, Steve Polgar has dedicated his life to public service. While in high school, Steve began volunteering at a local senior center, teaching seniors computer skills, and how to safely use the internet. While in college, Steve founded the Children’s Learning Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds educational programs for students and provides support for our teachers who are innovating in the classroom every day. For his community service, Steve earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush. However, he did not stop there. Because of his continued service, in 2017, Steve became the youngest person in the nation to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama. Steve isn’t a politician, but after seeing an incumbent who continuously voted against the best interests of our district, he knew he had to run.
OHIO
Aryeh Alex*
Franklin Township Trustee
Running in 2021
http://www.aryehalex.com
Aryeh Alex has fought his entire career for working people to have good careers and live in a safe, clean place. Aryeh was elected to serve as a Township Trustee in 2017 and works as the Executive Director of the Ohio House Democratic Campaign Committee. He previously worked for the Ohio Environmental Council, where he led advocacy efforts to ensure that Ohioans have clean air, water, and public lands, and has worked for both the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Aryeh resides in Franklin Township, a community inside of Columbus, Ohio, with his wife, Grace, where he enjoys hiking, nature photography, and serving on the board of the Friends of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
OREGON
Emma Burke*
Lake Oswego City Council
Running in 2020
https://www.ElectEmmaBurke.com
Emma is like many residents who bring their families to Lake Oswego for our public schools. After serving in leadership roles within her kids’ local elementary school, Emma adamantly believes our City needs Council Members who represent the families from our public school community. Since 2018, Emma has served on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to the Lake Oswego School Board where she was elected Chair of the Community Engagement Sub-Committee and worked on the Policy Sub-Committee to help create the LOSD Equity Policy, which the School Board adopted last June. She has also served on the City Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force since its formation. The DEI Task Force is charged with creating recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding: 1. municipal hiring practices to increase diverse applicants, and 2. to help encourage diversity in applicants for the City’s Boards and Commissions vacancies. Emma also volunteers with two non-profits on the Board of Directors for Clackamas Women’s Services and the League of Women Voters of Clackamas County.
Emma owns a local small business and has served as a Tri-Chair for Leadership Lake Oswego with the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of her local AAUW chapter and the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. Fighting for our Democracy is in her DNA! Emma is very familiar with many areas of our community and is a collaborative leader who looks forward to strengthening relationships to bring positive change for future generations.
TEXAS
Amber Avis-Hinojosa
Laredo City Council, District 8
Running in 2020
https://adelanteconAmber.com
From El Cuatro and Barrio Azteca, to Canta Ranas and Sal Si Puedes, everyone in District 8 has a story to tell. Whether it be about being life long residents, why we love our community or what we need to do to make it better.
I was born and raised in Laredo. My grandpa, Mike Alvarez, grew up in District 8. My great grandmother, Guadalupe Alvarez, and her sisters Anita & Theresa, were political activists in this District. They didn’t have cars but they walked and knocked on doors to get out the vote. They were known for their efforts as the “Tres Adelitas”. I never imagined that I would be on the same path, walking the same streets, to make my community better. It’s in my blood, it’s in my heart.
As the first in my family to go to college and graduate, to coming home and becoming a small business owner, to being a leader in my community, I know that District 8 deserves the most ambitious, service driven representative on City Council. I’m ready to listen and I’m ready to get to work for my District. THAT’S WHY I’M RUNNING.
Tiffanie Harrison
Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees
Running in 2020
http://www.tiffanie4rrisd.com
Tiffanie Harrison is an educator, equity leader, community organizer, entrepreneur, designer, and investor. Tiffanie has been a high school marketing teacher for nearly a decade. She blends her passions of equity and entrepreneurship as a General Partner at the Radical Equity Fund where she advises and invests in diverse founders and EdTech startups. As a community organizer, Tiffanie advocates for educational and racial equity. Tiffanie is a Courageous Conversations About Race Affiliate Practitioner with the Pacific Educational Group and is a consultant for schools, districts, and public and private companies around racial equity practices.
Tiffanie is a passionate advocate for students and teachers. She is running for racial and educational equity, community and transparency.
Tiffanie has been honored to be named a two-time Teacher of the Year at around Rock High School, a 3DayStartup Entrepreneurship Professor of the Year, a Teachers Guild Fellow, a New Leaders Council Austin Fellow and a CAMP Fellow.
Tiffanie holds a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Health, Performance and Recreation from Baylor University as well. Tiffanie desires to see MLK’s vision of the Beloved Community come to fruition and is happy to dedicate her life to making that a reality.
Vanessa Fuentes
Austin City Council, District 2
Running in 2020
Vanessa Fuentes is a progressive candidate for Austin City Council, District 2. She has spent the past six years working as a community organizer for the American Heart Association, fighting for healthier communities and policies that expand access to healthcare and save lives. Vanessa is a proud Southeast Austinite and is running to bring a fresh voice to our city council. Vanessa is committed to fighting for working families and tackling Austin’s affordability crisis head on. She is an experienced community leader on health care, education and transportation.
VERMONT
David Glidden
Vermont House, District Franklin 3–1
Running in 2020
https://www.davidforvt.com
Glidden is running for State Representative in Franklin 3–1 to represent St. Albans City and Town. He was born and raised in Vermont and has been politically active since at the age of six, when he went to the Burlington City Council to discuss the importance of sidewalk maintenance after skinning his knee on a crumbling sidewalk. He decided to run after watching the incumbent vote against fair and impartial policing (H.518), minimum wage (S.23), paid family leave (H.107), and voting by mail (S.348). He wants to be an advocate for the people of St. Albans in Montpelier.
He currently works for Outright Vermont, developing and implementing social programs for LGBTQ+ youth as the Statewide Programs Coordinator. He aims to bridge the disparities faced by rural and impoverished youth. He currently serves on the St. Albans Downtown Board and on the Board of Directors for St. Albans for the Future.
VIRGINIA
Tamara Shewmake
Portsmouth City Council
Running in 2020
https://www.tamaralshewmake.com
Tamara L. Shewmake is a native of the City of Portsmouth. She is a graduate of Norfolk State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude with a M.B.A. in 2010. Tamara is the wife of Joshua Shewmake and mother of three beautiful children (Nia, Nyle and Nyla).
On November 6, 2018, Honorable Tamara L. Shewmake was elected to the City of Portsmouth School Board. In fact, she was the only woman listed on the City of Portsmouth ballot to win a seat that year. Early literacy, financial literacy and vocational training was her campaign platform, and she is dedicated to every entity being improved upon while elected.
WASHINGTON
Zack Zappone
State House, District 6
Running in 2020
https://zackzappone.com
Zack was born and raised in Spokane to a public-service family that has served Eastern Washington for generations as wheat farmers, public school teachers, secretaries, bus drivers. As a first-generation college student, Zack’s passion and persistence drove him to attend Georgetown University, where he worked nights and weekends at McDonald’s to support himself. Zack is a Fulbright Scholar, and received a full scholarship to obtain his Master’s in Public Affairs at Princeton University.
Despite his credentials, Zack never forgot his working class background. As a teacher, Zack advocated for changes to help students ignored by the public school system. Zack studied barriers to students’ opportunities, always with the goal of giving hard-workers a fair shot. He has worked and fought to expand access to higher education, affordable health care, and safe routes to school.
Following his family’s tradition, Zack is proud to use his skills and experiences to serve Spokane. Seeing the need for basic necessities during the Coronavirus pandemic, Zack has volunteered with Spokane Food Fighters, delivering over 100,000 meals since March.
Zack is running for Washington state representative so that everyone has a fair shot as we rebuild our community through living-wage jobs, worker protections, a strong education system, and affordable healthcare and mental health services.
WEST VIRGINIA
Sammi Brown*
West Virginia State House, District 65
Running in 2020
https://www.sammibrown.org
Raised here in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and in a Union household; she learned from a young age two apparent truths: One, “Nothing works unless you do;” and two, “Fighters fight.”
And “fight” she would.
Sammi would work multiple jobs to pay her way through college and grad school (and would earn both her Bachelors and MBA from local Shepherd University). She would go on to organize some of the largest actions in the state on behalf of her state’s working families, advocate for the Healthcare of our population’s most vulnerable, and train movement leaders across the country to carry on this work in their respective spaces. It was in 2018, that she would change course and seek office on behalf of the community that raised her.
Deemed an “underdog” from the start, she would proceed to knock over 3000 doors, earn the endorsement of Organized Labor, Trial Lawyers, Tradesmen and women, Educators and Personnel; gain national recognition from organizations such as Run For Something (TY, RFS!), PCCC, and People For the American Way; and ultimately FLIP the 65th District. As a result, she is credited with the State’s largest “comeback” in a single cycle: covering a 30 point spread.
As Delegate: Sammi was appointed to the committee on Judiciary, and served as Minority Vice Chair of Political Subdivisions. She’d also join the ranks (and get back to her own roots) of the Labor and Industry Committee. Sammi was the Lead sponsor of notable legislation such as “Ban the Box,” “Second Look Sentencing,” “Decriminalization of Cannabis,” “Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights,” “Repeal of Pink Tax,” and “Any Willing Provider’ (which serves as expansion language for Healthcare Access). In total, Delegate Brown would sponsor 100 pieces of legislation in her first term- while acting as a liaison for prominent job-creating and socially conscious projects such as Clorox and Hilltop House, both of which now have homes here in the Eastern Panhandle.
Sammi has been a vocal proponent, and thought leader, regarding People-based policy having been featured in several forums: Public Leadership Institute, Netroots Nation, the DNC (to name a few), while being named a Rising Star amongst the nation’s Progressive Leaders. And this past year, she would earn yet another leadership role: Commissioned Officer in West Virginia’s Air National Guard (following in the footsteps of her grandfathers, who both served our country honorably).
Determined to fight for a BEST Virginia: Sammi’s priority, and passion, will always be her home state and creating the equity its communities are owed… and have long deserved.
WISCONSIN
Greta Neubauer*
State Assembly, District 66
Running in 2020
http://votegreta.com
Greta Neubauer was born and raised in Racine and has been a dedicated advocate for progressive causes for more than a decade. Before her election to the State Assembly in 2018, Greta worked as a legislative aide and co-founded and led the Fossil Fuel Divestment Student Network, a nonprofit supporting students organizing against climate change around the country.
Since her election in January 2018, Greta has focused on collaborative, community-driven policymaking, fighting for Racine’s values in the State Assembly and helping elect progressive candidates around the state. You’ll often find her rushing to her next community event in pink platform sneakers, listening to a Harry Potter podcast, with kringle in hand.
Karl Jaeger
State Assembly, District 89
Running in 2020
https://www.jaegerforwisconsin.com
Karl Jaeger is a long-time resident of the Marinette area and an elected Supervisor on the Marinette County Board. He is also a member of the local Citizens’ PFAS Advisory Committee. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2004, and earned his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the UW-Madison School of Business.
As a local elected leader, he appreciates and cares deeply about the citizens, communities, and environment we share. He is running for Wisconsin’s 89th Assembly District because he is frustrated by the lack of accountability for Marinette’s PFAS contamination crisis — the third-largest PFAS contamination crisis in the Country — and the threat of sulfide mining in northern Wisconsin. Every Wisconsin resident should have access to clean, safe drinking water. Karl firmly believes that we need our elected leaders to be stewards of Wisconsin’s environment and to protect our natural resources — clean water, land, and air are essential to our economy, health, and way of life in Wisconsin. He will also work to defend and expand healthcare and lower the cost of prescription medications.
Motivated by the desire to live in a community in which all residents have access to a clean environment, affordable healthcare, great schools, and good jobs, Karl is running to build northeast Wisconsin into a place his children will want to stay and raise their own families. He believes our elected leaders should put people before party and people before profits. Karl is committed to putting people first.
