You don't need to be a millionaire or a career politician. School boards, city councils, and state legislatures are waiting for people who give a damn.
Here's a secret: many local offices go uncontested. In some elections, candidates win simply because no one else filed. In others, seats sit empty for years because no one steps up. Meanwhile, decisions that directly affect your life—zoning, schools, policing, budgets—get made by whoever shows up.
You don't need political experience. You need to care about your community, be willing to learn, and have the courage to put your name on the ballot. That's it. Some of our best elected officials started with nothing more.
"If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."
Local and state offices are where most policy actually happens—and where new candidates have the best chance of winning.
School boards control curriculum, budgets, hiring, and policies that affect every child in your district. With culture war attacks on education, reasonable voices are desperately needed.
City councils control zoning, police departments, local taxes, parks, public transit, and the services that make your city work (or not). This is hyperlocal democracy.
State legislatures pass laws on voting, abortion, guns, education, and criminal justice. They draw congressional maps. In many ways, state power now exceeds federal power on key issues.
Library boards, water districts, planning commissions, parks boards, election boards—these often-overlooked positions have real power and frequently go unfilled or uncontested.
Find out what offices are up for election in your area and when. Your county clerk or secretary of state website has this information. Note filing deadlines—they come earlier than you think.
Reach out to people currently serving in the role you're considering. Most are happy to talk about what the job actually entails. Ask about time commitment, challenges, and what they wish they'd known.
You need at least: a campaign treasurer, a few core volunteers, and ideally someone with campaign experience as an advisor. Start talking to friends, family, and local activists who believe in you.
The organization "Run for Something" supports first-time progressive candidates with training, resources, and sometimes funding. Apply even if you're just exploring—they can help you figure out next steps.
Gather required signatures or pay the filing fee. Once you file, you're official. Then it's time to knock doors, raise money, and tell your story. The campaign begins.
Many successful politicians lost their first race. Running—even unsuccessfully—raises your profile, builds your network, and lays groundwork for next time. Name recognition matters, and every campaign teaches you something.
Recruits and supports young progressives running for local office. Training, resources, endorsements, and sometimes funding.
Intensive campaign training programs. Teaches the nuts and bolts of running—fundraising, field, communications, management.
Supports pro-choice Democratic women running for office. Training programs and funding for candidates at all levels.
Supports LGBTQ+ candidates running at every level. Training, endorsements, and access to donors.
Supports Black women running for office. Leadership development, candidate training, and organizing.
Trains women to run for office and win. Free online courses and in-person trainings.
Your community needs leaders who care. Why not you?
Apply to Run for Something →