520,000 elected offices — and Democrats aren’t competing in up to 75% of them.
It’s time to Contest Every Race
125
Candidates recruited in 2018
200
Percent more likely to file
30
Percent of our candidates won their races
“If you don’t take advantage of this you’re crazy, because this is the easiest and best result I’ve had from anything I’ve tried ever.”
-Sandy Young, Chair, Medina County Democratic Party
RECRUIT CANDIDATES
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
How It Works
Map Every Uncontested Race
Contact every county party chair, Indivisible Chapter, and Democratic municipal official to get local knowledge on which races are uncontested.
Build a List of Rural Activists
Partner with organizations like ResistBot, MarchOn, Catalist, and Targetsmart to mass text the voter file and find activists.
Ask Them to Run (Over and Over Again)
Invite prospective candidates to meet local party leaders, connect them with candidate coaches and training resources, and help them file to run.
Win Races and Build the Bench
Support candidates at each step to help them be successful and win!
Award-Winning Methods
We won an Expy Award from the Analyst Institute for our Contest Every Race work in Texas. The Analyst Institute collaborates with progressive organizations and campaigns around the country to measure and increase the impact of their programs. Every year they present the Expy Awards to recognize outstanding experimental research conducted by organizations.
READ THE REPORT
What Our Candidates Say
Texting encourages community leaders to raise their hand and run for office
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!”
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!"
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”."