Ever get that itch? That feeling where you’re watching the news, or scrolling through a local Facebook group, and you just think: "I could do a better job than this person."
Most of us just sigh and keep scrolling. We think you need a law degree, a massive bank account, or a family name that’s already on a park bench to actually get into politics. Amanda Litman disagrees. Loudly.
Back in 2017, Litman was coming off a brutal stint as the email director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. She was tired. She was probably a bit cynical. But instead of disappearing into a corporate consulting gig, she co-founded Run for Something. The goal was dead simple: find young, diverse progressives and convince them to run for the "boring" offices—the school boards, the city councils, the water commissioners.
Basically, the stuff that actually touches your life every single day.
The Amanda Litman Run for Something Origin Story
Politics is usually a top-down game. Big donors care about the White House. Pundits care about the Senate. But Amanda Litman realized there was a massive hole in the "bench." If you don't recruit people at the local level, you have no one to run for Congress in ten years.
She started Run for Something on Inauguration Day in 2017 with Ross Morales Rocketto. They thought maybe 100 people would sign up in the first year. They were wrong. Way wrong. Within the first weekend, over 1,000 people raised their hands.
Fast forward to 2026, and the numbers are honestly staggering.
We’re talking about a pipeline of over 225,000 potential candidates. This isn't just some mailing list. It's a fundamental shift in who feels entitled to power. Litman’s philosophy is that the barrier to entry shouldn't be "Who do you know?" but "Do you care about your community?"
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Why the "Down-Ballot" Obsession Matters
We obsess over the presidency, but who decides what your kids learn in school? Who decides how the police in your town are funded? Who handles the zoning laws that determine if you can ever afford a house?
Local officials.
Amanda Litman and her team focus on these "down-ballot" races because that’s where the real work happens. It’s also where a small amount of money and a lot of door-knocking can actually win a race. You don't need $10 million to win a seat on the city council in a mid-sized town. You need a pair of good shoes and a clear message.
What Run for Something Actually Does
It’s not just a pep talk. Though, honestly, Litman is great at those.
The organization acts as a sort of "startup incubator" for politicians. If you’re under 40 and identify as a progressive, they provide the infrastructure that the traditional party often ignores.
- Mentorship: Connecting first-timers with people who have actually won before.
- Vetted Resources: You need a tech stack for your campaign? They’ve got a list. You need to know how to file paperwork so you don't get kicked off the ballot? They’ll walk you through it.
- The Endorsement: This is the "gold star." It signals to donors and volunteers that you are a serious person who is actually going to do the work.
They aren't "purity police" either. A progressive in rural Georgia looks different than one in Brooklyn. Litman has been very vocal about the fact that candidates need to be of their communities, not just parrots for national talking points.
The Impact by the Numbers (As of 2026)
By the middle of the 2025 cycle, Run for Something had already helped elect over 1,500 people across 49 states.
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It’s a diverse group. Over half are women. More than half are people of color. About 21% identify as LGBTQIA+. When you look at the typical "gerontocracy" of American politics—where the average age in some chambers feels like it’s pushing 80—this is a massive deal.
Take a look at some of the alumni. You’ve got people like Lina Hidalgo, who became the chief executive of Harris County, Texas, overseeing a budget of billions. You’ve got state reps like James Talarico, who’s been a force for insulin price caps. These aren't just "protest" candidates. They are governing.
The "When We're In Charge" Era
Litman hasn't just stayed in the campaign trenches. She’s become a bit of a philosopher on how leadership needs to change. Her latest book, When We’re in Charge, which dropped in May 2025, isn't just about winning an election. It’s about how to lead without becoming a "bad boomer boss."
She talks about things that usually don't come up in political science classes.
Like work-life balance.
Like the four-day work week.
Like how to be a parent while also running a state agency.
She’s arguing that if we make the work of governing less soul-crushing, we’ll get better people doing it. It’s a wild idea, right? That maybe we shouldn't have to sacrifice our entire personal lives just to serve our neighbors.
What Most People Get Wrong About Political Recruitment
People think there’s a secret room where party elders pick the next stars.
The truth is much more chaotic. Often, people run because no one else did. In many local races, seats go uncontested. Literally, nobody shows up.
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Amanda Litman’s genius was realizing that the biggest obstacle for most people isn't that they’re unqualified—it’s that they were never asked. Run for Something is basically just a giant, organized way of asking people to step up.
Is it all sunshine and rainbows?
Of course not. Running for office is miserable. You get yelled at on the internet. You have to ask your friends for money. You have to spend your Saturday mornings standing at a supermarket entrance hoping people don't ignore you.
Litman is the first to admit this. Her first book, Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide, is basically a "no-BS" manual on how much the process can suck. But her point is that if the "good guys" don't do it, the "bad guys" will.
How to Actually Get Involved
If you’ve been thinking about this, you don't have to jump straight into a run for State Senate.
- Sign up at RunForWhat.net: This is the entry point. They’ll tell you what offices are even available in your specific zip code. You’d be surprised. There are seats for library boards and soil conservation districts that you probably didn't know existed.
- Take the Intro Call: They do weekly calls. It’s low pressure. You can just listen in and see if the vibe fits.
- Be a Mentor: If you’ve got skills in digital marketing, finance, or law, you can help someone else run. You don't have to be the face on the poster to make a difference.
- The "1:1" Conversation: If you’re serious, you’ll end up talking to a volunteer who will vet your plan. They want to know if you're "authentically rooted" in your community. If you just moved to town two weeks ago and want to be Mayor, they’re probably going to tell you to wait.
Amanda Litman and Run for Something have essentially democratized the "gatekeeper" role. They've replaced the smoke-filled room with a Slack channel and a series of Zoom calls. It’s not perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot more representative than what we had before.
The next generation of leaders isn't waiting for permission anymore. They’re just running. And honestly? It’s about time.
Next Steps for Potential Leaders:
Check your local board of elections website to see which seats are up for election in 2026. Often, filing deadlines for local offices are much earlier than you think. If you’re even 1% curious, head over to the Run for Something website and use their "Run for What" tool to see exactly what’s on your specific ballot this year. High-impact change starts with knowing which offices are currently empty or uncontested in your own backyard.