Jason,
I'm Ben Young, Recruitment Director at Leaders We Deserve.
It's my job to research and connect with young people across the country who are ready to run for state legislative and congressional seats. I lead the efforts to identify these future leaders and make sure they have the real, tangible support they need to win.
A few weeks ago, we asked you to tell us about a young leader in your community who you think should run for office. And you delivered.
We were blown away by the number of responses we received. But even more than that, we were inspired by the people you told us about.
You lifted up passionate activists who led No Kings protests in their cities. You told us about organizers working to protect their neighbors from deportation, leaders fighting for reproductive health care access, and young educators already shaping the next generation.
We heard about union leaders, veterans, lawyers, first-generation college students, engineers, mothers, and even recent high school graduates already making waves in their communities.
The words you used to describe them say it all:
⭐ Empathetic.
⭐ Visionary.
⭐ Passionate.
⭐ Strategic.
⭐ Principled.
⭐ Energetic.
These are the kinds of leaders our country needs right now. They're already having a huge impact and with the right support, they could go even further in elected office.
We've been carefully reviewing each submission and have already identified a few individuals who we believe could make great Leaders We Deserve candidates. We take our time getting to know people and learning about their communities and their potential races. If we end up endorsing someone you recommended, this team will be the first to know!
We also asked you about the biggest barriers keeping young people from running for office. Here's what we heard — loud and clear:
- Money: especially raising that first $100K without establishment or institutional support
- Gatekeeping from party leadership: many told us they were discouraged by Democratic insiders or told to "wait their turn"
- Lack of visibility and name recognition: especially in rural areas or for those without legacy networks
- Bias and discrimination: especially for young leaders of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, and anyone challenging the status quo
- Balancing real-life responsibilities: like full-time jobs, caregiving, or student debt, all while trying to run a campaign
- Structural and systemic barriers: gerrymandering, super PACs, voter suppression, and entrenched incumbents holding onto power
These are exactly the challenges Leaders We Deserve is here to take on.
We help candidates build strong, people-powered campaigns — from fundraising and messaging to digital organizing and coalition-building — because we believe young people are ready to lead right now.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
The next generation is ready, and together we can help them win.
In solidarity,
Ben Young
Recruitment Director
Leaders We Deserve
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