FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 16, 2025
Contact: press@runforsomething.net
NEW: Run for Something Hits Major Milestone: 200,000+ Aspiring Leaders Sign Up to Run for Office
New York, NY— Today, Run for Something (RFS) announced that it has surpassed 200,000 sign-ups from people ready to run for office since launching in 2017 — a powerful signal that a new generation is stepping up to lead. This milestone cements RFS as the largest candidate pipeline of any political organization in the country, across the ideological spectrum.
“We launched Run for Something to lower the barriers for young people, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color entering the political arena,” said Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and President of RFS. “Reaching 200,000 sign-ups isn’t just a number—it’s a symbol of the growing momentum of our movement. It’s proof that our democracy is strongest when it’s representative, and that more people than ever before are ready to step up and lead in their communities.”
RFS was founded in 2017 on a clear premise: the gerontocracy needs to step aside and make space for a new generation of leadership. Gen Z and millennial candidates aren’t just the future—they’re the now, and they’re running for office because the people currently in charge, including many Democrats, are failing to meet the urgency of the moment.
Since the 2024 election, Run for Something has seen a surge of interest in running for office. Nearly 40,000 people–20% of the total pipeline– have reached out just since Election Day. Major spikes came in after Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk’s announcement cutting federal workers, and after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he would support the GOP’s spending bill. This surge underscores the clear energy and momentum to push back against the Trump administration and build power in state and local government.
From school boards to state legislatures, RFS alumni have gone on to win over 1,500 races across 49 states, reshaping the political landscape from the ground up. Today, 5 RFS alumni are now in Congress, and several others who will be positioning themselves to run for statewide office in 2026.