FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Run for Something Endorses 32 Young Candidates Across 20 States

NEW YORK — Today, Run for Something (RFS), a national organization that recruits and supports the next generation of progressive leaders for state and local office, announced its newest slate of endorsements for the 2026 election cycle. The new cohort includes 32 diverse, community-focused young leaders running in 20 states, bringing Run for Something’s total endorsements so far this cycle to 359 candidates across 44 states. This new slate represents a fresh wave of political talent with 23 first-time candidates seeking office, from school boards to state legislatures and judicial benches.

“These candidates are not your typical politicians— they’re health care workers, engineers, parents, and other young people actively disrupting the status quo. Shaped by their diverse personal experiences, they share a determination to build a better tomorrow and bring a fresh, bold vision to their communities,” said Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and President of Run for Something. “We’re proud to endorse this slate of leaders who will drive real change where it matters most. On everything from housing to education to affordability, these candidates will be the champions our communities need.”

  • Eli Sabin, Candidate for Connecticut State Representative, District 92
    • Gen Z candidate and renter running for state legislature after serving as the youngest person ever elected to the New Haven Board of Alders. During his six years on the board, he championed policies protecting tenants and expanding access to housing.
  • Burhan Azeem, Candidate for Massachusetts State Senate, Second Middlesex District
    • Renter and RFS alum now running for state legislature after securing major wins for housing while serving on Cambridge City Council and as the city’s vice mayor.
  • Brittany Newton, Candidate for North Carolina House District 46
    • Community organizer and nurse running to flip North Carolina House District 46 from red to blue. 

Learn more about Run for Something’s latest endorsements here and see the full slate of candidates below:


Arizona

Brian Garcia, State Representative, District 8


Arkansas 

Eduardo Guzman, State Senator, District 27

Jacob Allen, State Representative, District 10

Meleah Gretzmier, Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13

Connecticut

Eli Sabin, State Representative, District 92

Delaware

Rae Krantz, State Representative, District 6

Florida

Stephanie Vazquez, Pasco County Commissioner, District 2

Aaron Lewis, Orange County Commissioner, District 7

May Thach, State Representative, District 61

Indiana

Devon Wellington, State Representative, District 29

Emily Angel Shaw, Hamilton County Superior Court 8

Maryland

Dani Paez, Harford County Board of Education, District A

Dr. Jennifer Rios, Prince George’s County Council, At Large

Massachusetts

Burhan Azeem, Massachusetts State Senator, Second Middlesex

Michigan

Chris Gilmer-Hill, State Representative, District 8

Deanne Austin, State Representative, District 8

Kate Gallup, State Senator, District 37

TyJuan Thirdgill, State Representative, District 74

Missouri

Ashley Drury, State Representative, District 113

New York

Ali Jaffery, Village Justice, Croton-on-Hudson

Emily Kalouch, Chili Town Supervisor

North Carolina

Brittany Newton, State Representative, District 46

Ohio

Laalitya Acharya, State Representative, District 56

Pennsylvania

Dominique Azzollini, State Representative, District 139

South Carolina

Jaxie Ferguson, Charleston County Council, District 9

Tennessee

Jessie Hall, Lebanon Special School District School Board, Zone 1

Mandy Cook, State Representative, District 45

Vermont

Emilie Krasnow, State Representative, South Burlington Chittenden 9

Virginia

Kathryn Crosby, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, Dale District

Phillip Jones, Mayor, Newport News
 

West Virginia

Danielle Dougherty, State Delegate, District 66

Wisconsin

Trevor Jung, State Senator, District 21

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The Run for Something network includes Run for Something Civics, Run for Something Action Fund, and Run for Something PAC. Run for Something PAC (RFS) recruits and supports young progressive candidates running for state and local offices. Since its founding, RFS has helped elect over 1,600 candidates across the country, including 43 candidates in red-to-blue seats in the 2025 election cycle. Today, RFS has the largest database of any other Democratic organization, with 80,000 people reaching out since last November with interest in running for office.