.png)
Contest Every Race, a national organization dedicated to recruiting Democrats to run for local office, announced today they’ve recruited 93 candidates to challenge known election deniers in key battleground states. This effort aims to counter the growing influence of MAGA extremism and false election fraud narratives that threaten the integrity of our democratic process.
Contest Every Race’s Executive Director, Lauren Gepford, highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Our democracy is under siege by those who spread lies about our electoral system and seek to throw the next election to Trump, no matter the will of the voters. By recruiting strong Democratic candidates in rural and local races, we are fighting back against this dangerous trend at the grassroots level and ensuring that every community has a choice at the ballot box.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the recent release of the Election Threat Index by Public Wise, a voting rights and research organization. The index reveals that 345 public officials in 5 swing states have undermined or cast doubt on the integrity of elections, many of whom are running for office in 2024. The Contest Every Race initiative specifically targets these election deniers in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
This recruitment effort, while not officially coordinated with Public Wise, complements their findings and underscores the critical need for vigilant defense of democratic values at all levels of government. Gepford added, “Democracy thrives when voters can choose who will represent them, not when someone wins automatically due to having no opponent.”
“Though many election deniers and insurrectionists lost on the national stage in 2022, others have sought local, less competitive races in order to gain power. Too often, these election deniers go uncontested. Without a pro-democracy challenger running against them to hold them accountable, they face no political consequences or accountability for their extremism. Election denialism is part of a decades-long strategy to return our country to a place ruled by a white and wealthy few.” said Christina Baal-Owens, Executive Director of Public Wise. “In 2024, contesting every race is a top priority so that voters have a choice for a candidate who will ensure access to our democratic process for all.".
In addition to recruiting Democrats to run for offices in localities where Republicans often go uncontested, Contest Every Race partners with and invests in hundreds of local organizations that engage in year-round organizing. These local groups are a key bulwark against the rising threat of election denialism in battleground states. “I have seen the effects of election denialism in my own community and communities across rural Pennsylvania.” says Shari Jacobson, Chair of the Union County Democrats and a participant in the Contest Every Race organizing project. “The stakes in 2024 are higher than ever, and we are prioritizing keeping people out of office who are dangerous to our Democracy. With groups like Contest Every Race providing a critical layer of support, we are more equipped than ever to run meaningful recruitment programs and fight back against extremism.”
In Mohave County, Arizona, Trump endorsed his election denier crony Sonny Borrelli for a local Board of Supervisors race. In Arizona, the Board of Supervisors plays a key role canvassing election results. It’s clear Trump is attempting to install local officials who will be favorable to his election subversion efforts if he loses in Arizona in 2024. Contest Every Race has recruited a candidate to challenge Borrelli. The race for this position was uncontested last election cycle. Paul Smith, a local Democratic organizer who has filed to run for Mohave County Board of Supervisors says, “In Arizona we know all too well the pressures elected officials face when certifying results. Even in non-partisan offices, we are seeing a battle between people defending the truth, and those who are committed to supporting MAGA conspiracies. We value election integrity and are proud to partner with Contest Every Race to better position ourselves to rise to the challenge this election year and beyond. We know this is a long-term struggle and we are excited to feel momentum building for Democratic values.”
Contest Every Race was founded in 2018 and has recruited over 7,000 candidates to file for local office since its inception. With a win rate of 38% – a high number considering the political make-up in the communities they recruit in – fielding these candidates for local office is a key strategy to highlight and push back against MAGA extremism and election subversion activity.
For more information or to schedule an interview with candidates running for office or Contest Every Race Executive Director Lauren Gepford, please contact:
Daniel Jubelirer, Communications Director, Contest Every Race
919-619-5795
daniel@movementlabs.com
Contest Every Race remains committed to its mission of ensuring every race is contested and that democratic values prevail across all levels of government.
###
About Contest Every Race
Contest Every Race is a national organization that recruits and supports Democratic candidates to run for local offices against previously unchallenged GOP incumbents. By focusing on rural and local races, the organization aims to strengthen democracy and ensure every community has representation that reflects its values.
