FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 1, 2025
Contact: press@runforsomething.net
Over 6,000 Young Leaders Sign Up to Run for Something Following Zohran Mamdani’s Landmark Victory
NEW YORK, NY — In the week since Zohran Mamdani pulled off a historic upset in the Democratic primary for New York City Mayor, more than 6,000 people have reached out to Run for Something expressing interest in running for office—marking this the largest surge in prospective candidates since the organization’s founding in 2017. The wave of enthusiasm reflects the growing momentum among young, diverse, and energetic individuals who are no longer waiting their turn and stepping up to challenge the status quo.
“Zohran’s victory wasn’t just a win for New York City — it was a clarion call to aspiring changemakers everywhere that our time to lead is now,” said Amanda Litman, co-founder and President of Run for Something. “More than 6,000 people raising their hand to run for something in just one week sends a clear and resounding message: Young people are done waiting for our turn. If you’re committed, grounded in your community, and ready to fight for what matters, you can win, in spite of the odds.”
Mamdani’s focus on issues that directly speak to what voters care about—housing, the cost of living, public safety, and transit—was both strategic and authentic. It resonated with voters in a way that broke through.
Run for Something is now working to train and support these new prospective candidates — most of whom have never run for office before — through resource support, training sessions, and one-on-one coaching.
The spike in candidate interest isn’t just big—it’s unprecedented. Since last November’s presidential election, over 55,000 people have signed up to run through Run for Something, more than the organization’s first three years combined. The organization saw a surge of interest immediately after inauguration day, after the federal workers were laid off, and after Schumer sided with the GOP on their disastrous spending bill. The group’s total pipeline now tops 215,000 potential candidates nationwide.
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Run for Something (RFS) recruits and supports young progressive candidates for down-ballot offices. Since its founding, RFS has helped elect nearly 1,500 candidates across the country, including 18 candidates in red-to-blue seats in the 2024 election cycle. Today, RFS has the largest database of any other Democratic organization, with over 50,000 people reaching out since November with interest in running for office.