Plan to Embolden Democrats

In Minnesota, MVP partners and allies organized for over a decade to build a base of political power strong enough to transform the state Democratic party, elect a one-vote Democratic majority in the state legislature, and pass a sweeping progressive agenda. Learn more.

• Nationwide, Working Families Party has launched a massive candidate recruitment effort to enlist 1,000+ working-class candidates to run for local office in key districts.
• In North Carolina, Down Home North Carolina researches, interviews, and endorses candidates who will work for working people — and when there is not a candidate who reflects their values, their members run for office themselves. In late Summer 2025, they finished a 10-week candidate training for a multiracial, working-class team of local chapter members.
• In Georgia, Asian American Advocacy Fund is launching a candidate cohort in 2026 to bring together local and statewide candidates, pair participants with mentors, and build a long-term support network that turns into a sustainable pipeline for representative leadership.
• In New Hampshire, 603 Forward has helped recruit and support over 500 progressive young people to run for local office, of which over 250 are now elected leaders. These leaders now help to form the bench for NH’s future state legislative and federal congressional seats.

In Arizona, LUCHA (Living United for Change in Arizona) is bridging the gap between their communities and elected officials. LUCHA uses a range of democratic mechanisms, including an Endorsement Committee where members interview and vote on candidates, and a general assembly in which they vote on policy priorities. Their advocacy combines “insider” and “outsider” tactics like direct lobbying and protests. In 2016, they were key to passing a minimum wage ballot initiative, and, in 2024, helped secure $75 million for affordable housing.

Nationwide, Contest Every Race is strengthening local rural and non-urban Democratic parties through funding, coaching, and tools for voter registration, candidate recruitment, and getting out the vote. Since 2021, the program has supported over 300 local parties across 29 states.