FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 4, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Run for Something Endorses 44 Young Candidates Across 26 States

NEW YORK — Today, Run for Something (RFS), a national organization that recruits and supports the next generation of leaders for state and local office, announced its newest cohort of 44 endorsements for the 2026 election cycle. With this class, Run for Something has now endorsed 451 candidates in 2026 across 46 states. The August class includes candidates running for city councils, commissions, and state legislatures, including several who are standing up to AI data centers as part of their campaign platforms.

“Our families and communities are navigating new challenges that demand a new generation of leaders who can meet the moment,” said Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something. “These local candidates are already fighting for affordable rent, accessible health care, and policies that recognize the reality their neighbors are living. We’re proud to endorse and support them.”

Run for Something’s newly endorsed slate features young candidates who know the challenges of their communities firsthand. Nearly two-thirds come from low-income backgrounds, and almost half are renters, bringing housing and cost-of-living issues straight to the ballot box.

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

Arkansas

  • Alexandra Thomas, Crittenden County Justice of the Peace, District 2
  • Dan Holtmeyer, State Representative, District 15


California

  • Aysha Pamukcu, South San Francisco City Council, District 1


Colorado

  • Lisa Feret, State Representative, District 24

Connecticut

  • Toni Lombardi, State Representative, District 118

Florida

  • Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg City Council, District 8


Georgia

  • Mathewos Samson, State Representative, District 58
  • Whitney Echenique, State Representative, District 2


Indiana

  • Erik Escobar, Center Township Board

Kentucky

  • Lianna Nguyen, Boone County Commissioner, District 2

Maryland

  • Ashley Emerick, State Senate, District 1
  • Nick Allen, State Delegate, District 8


Massachusetts

  • Daniel Lander, State Senator, Suffolk and Middlesex District
  • Jack Richardson, State Representative, Third Barnstable


Michigan

  • Joey Andrews, State Representative, District 38
  • Lola Bailey, Mount Pleasant City Commission
  • Lindsey Perez-Plescher, City Commission, Ward 1
  • Mitchell Distin, State Representative, District 104


Minnesota

  • Julia Hamann, Mankato Mayor

Missouri

  • Anthony Ealy, State Representative, District 36
  • Claire Heinrich, State Representative, District 110


Nevada

  • Alex Pereszlenyi, State Assembly, District 29
  • Jon Penn Junejo, State Assembly, District 36
  • Vinny Spotleson, Nevada State Assembly District 41
  • Miguel Dávila, Nevada State Assembly, District 15


New Hampshire

  • Heather Deiner, State Representative, Hillsborough 25
  • Lucas Coriaty, State Representative, Merrimack 10
  • Nick Paul, State Representative, Strafford 19

New York

  • Ryan Taughrin, State Assembly, District 143


Ohio

  • Latyna Humphrey, State Senate, District 15
  • Whittney Wood, State Representative, District 73

Oregon

  • Angelita Morillo, Portland City Council
  • Callee Ackland, Springfield City Council, Ward 4

Pennsylvania

  • Dylan Altemara, State Representative, District 39

Rhode Island

  • Gena Felix, State Senate, District 8
  • Michael Garman, State Representative, District 1
  • Veronicka Vega, State Representative, District 49

Tennessee

  • Kyler Gilkey, State Representative, District 84

Texas

  • Moniqua’ Scott, State Representative, District 15

Vermont

  • Caroline Bright, State Representative, Franklin 1
  • Monique Priestley, State Senate, Orange 2

Washington

  • Callie Gee, Spokane County Auditor

West Virginia

  • Rebecca Conrad, Hampshire County Commission

Wyoming

  • Gavin Lobmeyer, State Representative, District 7

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Run for Something (RFS) recruits and supports young values-aligned 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 over 90,000 people reaching out since November 2024 with interest in running for office.