This Is the Bench That Will Decide the Next Decade

Seventy local leaders. Twenty-six states. One clear message: the future won’t be handed to us, it’ll be built block by block.

TL;DR: Today, Run for Something is proud to endorse 70 candidates across 26 states. This class includes about 33% renters, and 17.1% Gen Z candidates, with large slates in Texas, New York, and Illinois. These leaders are running for the offices that protect rights, shape budgets, and help shape what life feels like in our communities. This is a power move.

In the last two weeks, we’ve watched state legislatures fast-track bills that chip away at voting access. We’ve seen extremist school board members push book bans back into the headlines. We’ve seen Congress stall while local communities carry the weight.

If you’re feeling like the stakes are rising and the ground is shifting beneath us, you’re not wrong.

That’s exactly why these endorsements matter.

Today, we’re proud to endorse a new class of candidates who aren’t waiting for permission. They are teachers, organizers, public defenders, small business owners, veterans, and scientists, running for office. They reflect the country as it actually is — rooted in their communities and ready to lead.

This isn’t symbolic. It’s strategic.

The people closest to the problems are finally running to write the policy.

And as outlined in our **Battle Up strategy, we are investing early in local leaders across key southern states such as Texas, Tennessee and Florida **because the map is changing, and we intend to shape it, not react to it.

Congressional maps will be redrawn after the next Census. Electoral College votes are shifting south and west.

If we ignore local races now, we surrender leverage later.

Building the bench today is how we control the map tomorrow.

We’re choosing the long game.

• 70 Candidates
• 26 States
• 24 Alumni
• 32.9% Renters
• 17.1% Gen Z candidates
• 36 First-time candidates

Who We’re Endorsing — And Why It Matters

This class is tactical.

These are candidates already organizing, already governing, and already fighting back in real time.

The 19-Year-Old Taking On School Boards

Tre’Davon Rhodes (AZ) is 19 years old and running for Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. Born and raised in Tucson and the son of a single mom and an incarcerated father, Tre turned adversity into leadership. Now a first-generation college student studying political science and economics, he’s running to ensure students like him don’t fall through the cracks.

When book bans dominate headlines, this is what the counter looks like.

The Renters’ Rights Champions

As housing costs skyrocket nationwide, several of our endorsees are running because rent isn’t theoretical to them.

Aparna Raj (DC) is a tenant organizer and daughter of immigrants who has taken on slumlords and won. She’s running for DC Council to expand rent control, fund free child care, and protect immigrant families.

David Morales (RI) is running for Mayor of Providence in one of the least affordable cities in America for renters. He’s campaigning on affordability and publicly committing to standing up to ICE in his community.

When families are squeezed by rent hikes and local governments shrug, these candidates are choosing to fight.

Candidates Confronting ICE and Federal Overreach on Immigration

Across the country, local officials are being forced to respond to federal immigration crackdowns and rapid-response crises.

Dr. Maria Sinkule (IL), a licensed clinical social worker and longtime advocate for immigrant families, is running for DuPage County Board to expand access to mental health services and protect vulnerable communities. She is a rapid responder and community organizer who has led local efforts to protect immigrant families.

Kiernan Majerus-Collins (ME), an immigration and civil rights attorney, is running for State House to strengthen immigrant protections and lower the cost of living in Lewiston.

Local office is where federal harm either lands unchecked — or meets resistance.

Red-to-Blue, Battle Up States

We’re also investing where it counts electorally.

Matt Robinson (IA), a union carpenter, is working to flip a seat in the Iowa State House. Raised in poverty and rooted in the labor movement, he’s campaigning for higher wages, collective bargaining rights, and fully funded schools.

Alex Hawkins (MI), an Army veteran and National Guard EOD officer, is running in a top state legislative flip opportunity. He built his life around service, and he’s bringing that discipline and urgency to public office.

These are winnable races. They are part of a strategy to expand the map.

The Rising Bench

Some of these candidates are RFS alumni building upward momentum.

Junior Ezeonu (TX) was elected to city council at 22, becoming the youngest council member in his city’s history. Now he’s running for the Texas State House to help move the state in a more progressive direction.

Nabeela Syed (IL) has already passed legislation lowering health care costs as a state representative. She’s now running for State Senate to continue delivering for working families.

This is what long-term bench building looks like. Not a viral moment. A pipeline.

These 70 candidates reflect a country that is younger, more diverse, more renter-heavy, more working-class, and more impatient with politics as usual.

The next decade won’t be decided by accident.

It will be decided by those who have the courage to raise their hand.

How You Can Help

In low-turnout elections, a volunteer shift or $25 donation can flip a seat.

✅ Meet and support the candidates → Runforsomething.net ✅ Join our pipeline → Sign Up ✅ Spread the word → Share this post & tag a friend who should run

The future isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we run for.