Contest Every Race Announces Significant Progress in Arizona and Wisconsin: Championing Democracy One Election at a Time
As part of our ongoing mission to advocate for democracy and challenge the rise of election deniers, Contest Every Race is proud to share our latest achievements in Arizona and Wisconsin. Our efforts underscore the importance of local and statewide races in maintaining the integrity of our electoral system.
Arizona Highlights:
38 elected officials in Arizona have participated in election denial activities, including participation in the Jan 6th Insurrection and refusing to certify election results. Many of these officials ran uncontested in their last election. With a strategic focus on Arizona, Contest Every Race partners with the Arizona Democratic Party and 13 county level organizing groups across the state. Contest Every Race has successfully targeted recruiting in over 20 local and statewide races in Arizona in which an election denier is currently holding office.
For example, The Mohave County Democrats, part of Contest Every Race’s rural grants program, are fielding “The Mohave 5” to contest all 5 Board of Supervisor candidates, including Ron Gould who is a known election denier, and MAGA loyalist Sonny Berrelli who was recently endorsed by Trump and is widely believed will refuse to canvas election results in Arizona not favorable to Trump. The Mohave 5 are all pro-Democracy, first-time candidates, running against previously uncontested Republicans and are one of many success stories of Contest Every Race in Arizona. Candidates in Mohave County are available for an interview.
Wisconsin Wins:
The Wisconsin spring election on April 2 demonstrated the power of statewide Democratic grassroots mobilization, and a strong showing of Democratic candidates running and winning. In partnership with the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Wisconsin Progress, and 26 local county democratic organizations, Contest Every Race has been active in Wisconsin since 2021.
Recent recruitment efforts resulted in 57 Democrats appearing on the ballot Tuesday night, contributing to a pro-democracy shift in local governance. The election of Joey Prestley over Steven Campbell by a significant margin for the Green Bay City Council District 6 is a testament to the importance of running pro-democracy candidates locally. This victory not only secured a pro-democracy council majority but also sent a strong message against anti-democratic forces and election deniers. These local races matter to Trump- and they threaten him. He even showed up in Green Bay before the election to rile up his base. Green Bay was the “ground-zero” of his election denial claims in 2020. Campbell’s loss embodies the MAGA movement’s weakness in Wisconsin.
The successes in Arizona and Wisconsin reflect Contest Every Race's broader mission to promote democracy across the United States. Our organization remains dedicated to challenging election deniers and supporting candidates who champion democratic values. Through strategic partnerships, targeted recruitment, and grassroots mobilization, we continue to make significant strides in protecting and promoting the democratic process.
Lauren Gepford, Director of Contest Every Race, commented:
“What State and Local Democratic Parties and Partners and Contest Every Race have continued accomplishing is amazing and refreshing to see after being in this game 15 years. While Trump is getting more involved in propping up local candidates to build the MAGA bench, we’re simultaneously FINALLY fighting back and seeing gains and wins at the hyper-local level, and creating a new narrative for Democrats in rural America. The work we’re doing strengthens Biden’s chances in November and builds a long-term strategy and bench for Democrats to compete in rural areas again.”
Interviews available upon request with Lauren Gepford, Director of Contest Every Race, as well as dozens of first time candidates running for office in 2024. For more information and to schedule an interview contact Daniel Jubelirer, daniel@movementlabs.com, 919-619-5795.
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Contest Every Race, a project of Movement Labs, recruits Democrats to run in otherwise uncontested local races, and operates a national rural organizing support program to net votes for Democrats in the 2024 election.
