We’re letting
‍100,000 Republicans
win without a challenger every year.

We’re on a mission to make Dems competitive everywhere.

It's Time to Contest Every Race.

7,105

Candidates Recruited

38%

Races Won

58%

Candidates are women or people of color

Increase in rural votes for Democrats

I’m excited about Contest Every Race because had there been this organization in place when I was Democratic leader, we could have gotten so many more people to run!

– Stacey Abrams

The entire country depends on what happens to rural Democratic strength. And Contest Every Race is frankly the only national initiative that I know of that is laser focused on supporting the local leaders who are on the ground to have more muscle, more resources, more training to be more effective at their work. We are so thrilled to have Contest Every Race as a national partner.

- Ben Wikler, Chair, Wisconsin Democratic Party

How Candidate Recruitment & Rural Party Building Works

Research

Research what down-ballot elections are on the ballot and when, how to file, when to file, and important info for a prospective candidate to know.

Recruit Candidates

Work with the state and local Democratic parties to reach out to Democrats, and support other national and state organizations in texting their members or communities of interest to encourage them to run. We invite prospective candidates to meet local party leaders, connect them with candidate coaches and training resources, and help them file to run.

Long Term Organizing

Provide local organizers and Democratic parties with unlimited volunteer recruitment, training and small grants for completing organizing goals. Continually invest in long-term rural organizing capacity.

We recruit Democrats to run for office where it matters

For too long, Republicans have been the only ones competing in local, rural races. Contest Every Race is an unprecedented coalition of organizations working to transform this moment of crisis into long-term change. Our aim is to move local and national politics towards a democracy that works for everyone. When we stop the GOP from running up the score in rural areas, we’ll start winning back state houses, governors’ mansions — and Congress.

Find Out More

Picture of 3 candidates who ran for office that were recruited thanks to the Contest Every Race program.

Are you a rural Democratic county party?

Applications for the Contest Every Race Grants Program are being accepted on a rolling basis. We recently launched our summer cohort and it may take several months or more till we can review additional applications.

Learn more about our Grants Program

What Our Candidates Say

Texting encourages community leaders to raise their hand and run for office

Texting is Key

"I would not have run if you had not texted me."

Carl Griffin

Candidate for State HD 23

I Should Run

"I would have never ever thought about running if I hadn’t gotten that text."

Christina Estill

Candidate for New Albany Town Trustee

I'm Ready to Step Up

"I never thought about running for office before; I've worked in the medical field for thirty years. Being asked to run, and connecting with our county party chair made a difference. I realized I'm ready to step up."

Hazel Hudson

Candidate for Midland Justice of the Peace

The Needed Nudge

"I was on the fence about running so I thought I would wait, but when that [text] came in I thought “No, I should go ahead and run”."

Michael Markley

Candidate for District 19 Precinct Committeeman

Friendly and helpful

"Filing for your first political office can be intimidating to say the least. The consistent texting, information and friendliness of Contest Every Race was immeasurable, so here’s to a loud and heartfelt thank you!"

Shameria Ann Davis

CCISD Trustee

Starting the Conversation

“Your text asking me to run got the whole conversation started. I had a long talk with the county party chair—and within a few days I had filed to run for the Kansas State House!”

Lawrence Forbach

Candidate for State House