Past Candidates

A three-term state legislator and university educator, Lori Saldana is a passionate fighter for middle-class families and opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare. “I want Democrats to have backbone,” she says. We organized to help her primary against a conservative Democrat by helping her campaign hire staff and run efficiently, and raising small-dollar donations to help her win. [more]

One of the most progressive senators in New Mexico, Eric Griego pushed a green jobs bill into law. Before that, he took on corporate money by passing public financing of elections in Albuquerque, making him the first candidate we endorsed for the 2012 election. Our members raised tens of thousands for Griego, and we helped his campaign set up its website, hire key staff, and run efficiently and effectively. [more]

As Connecticut’s speaker of the House, Chris rejected a Republican “deal” to cut taxes on the rich and gut social services. Instead, he barnstormed the state showing how Republican cuts would hurt communities — and he won! Republicans caved! Chris is also a national leader for public financing — getting corporate money out of politics. We need that fighting instinct in Congress. [more]

Rep. Brad Miller is one of the leaders in Congress fighting hardest for accountability for Wall Street. Establishment Democrats redistricted him into a district with another, establishment member of Congress, forcing a primary challenge between two incumbents. Our members mobilized to help Miller win and keep his voice against Wall Street in Congress. [more]

Ilya Sheyman is a organizer and bold progressive running against a Blue Dog in the Democratic primary for the chance to beat tea party Republican Robert Dold. Ilya was a grassroots organizer for Democracy for America and MoveOn. He supports Medicare for All and holding Wall Street accountable. Ilya says, “I am sick and tired of Democrats who refuse to stand up and fight back for progressive values that make a difference in people’s lives.” [more]

We continued to mobilize in support of efforts to recall Republicans in Wisconsin who support Gov. Scott Walker’s war on working families. In February 2011, over 183,000 of our members stood in solidarity with Wisconsin workers. They, along with Democracy for America, raised over $2 million for television ads. In addition, thousands volunteered to help successfully defeat two Republicans. [more]

In 2010, our cutting-edge Call Out The Vote program with Democracy for America helped our members make over 1 million phone calls to voters in targeted races all over the country. Through this program, we helped candidates such as Raul Grijalva, Alan Grayson, Russ Feingold, Bill Hedrick, Mary Jo Kilroy, Jack Conway, and more. [more]

In 2010, we helped Joe Sestak challenge Senator Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania. With the help of our volunteers and fundraising, Sestak beat Specter and came close to beating Pat Toomey in the general election. [more]

In 2010, Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter challenged Blanche Lincoln in the Democratic primary for Senate. We helped Halter run a deep, grassroots-based campaign, including helping him run a state-wide field program, helping our members make tens of thousands of volunteer calls, and helping our members raise over $179,000. He ultimately narrowly lost to the entrenched incumbent. [more]