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

-Christina Estill, Town Trustee, New Albany, IN

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.

Recruit Potential Candidates

Work with the state Democratic party to reach out to Democrats, and support MoveOn and other major progressive organizations in texting their members to encourage them to run.

Help Them Get Ready to Run

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 by connecting them to the tools and resources they need to be successful and win!

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

Interested in Running for Office?

Do you want to want to be a force for change in your community? Nominate yourself to run in an uncontested race by signing up. If we find uncontested races in your area, we will contact you with information about how to run!

Contest A Race

Award-Winning Methods

We won an Expy Award from the Analyst Institute for running large experiments measuring candidate recruitment. We are deeply nerdy folk. If you are too, check out some of our randomized control trials.

Our Research

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!”

Lawrence Forbach, Kansas Candidate for 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!"

Shameria Ann Davis CCISD Trustee

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, ID Candidate for District 19 Precinct Committeeman

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, TX Candidate for Midland Justice of the Peace

I Should Run

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

Christina Estill, IN Candidate for New Albany Town Trustee

Texting is Key

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

Carl Griffin, Florida Candidate for State HD 23