Progressive candidate recruitment org urges Dems to invest beyond Blue Wall

Run For Something Targets Red States with Ambitious $50 Million Plan

Run For Something, a progressive organization dedicated to recruiting candidates, is now courting major donors for a bold $50 million initiative over the next five years aimed at expanding the Democratic presence in battleground and traditionally red states beyond the well-trodden Blue Wall. This move comes as the party faces a troubling decline in voter support nationwide.

In a memo shared exclusively with POLITICO, the organization articulates a grim forecast for Democrats if they fail to invest in these red-leaning territories. The document reveals plans to support independent candidates for the first time in the upcoming election cycle.

The strategy outlined in the memo focuses on recruiting, training, and electing Gen Z and millennial candidates across a dozen states, with the goal of boosting Democratic turnout and broadening the party’s route to the coveted 270 electoral votes. Notably absent from this ambitious plan are Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania—the cornerstone states that have historically underpinned Democratic victories.

“The core Blue Wall states, which Democrats have long focused on, are simply not enough anymore,” said Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run For Something. “We can’t just concentrate our efforts on areas that are deemed competitive right now. We must prepare for the potential erosion of the Voting Rights Act and the current redistricting initiatives, as well as what lies ahead in 2032. This is why we need to broaden our map.”

For the first time in 2026, Litman’s organization will also support “values-aligned” independent candidates, acknowledging that in certain states, the “Democratic brand isn’t merely battered, but toxic,” according to the memo.

The organization raises alarms about the Democratic Party’s prospects for securing the White House and reclaiming Congressional control. Projections from the 2030 census suggest that Democrats could lose seats in blue states while Republicans gain ground, with a staggering 70% of down-ballot races remaining uncontested. This predicament grows even more pressing as red states actively seek to redraw their congressional maps to enhance their midterm advantages. Compounding these challenges, the Supreme Court is reviewing a case that could undermine the 1965 Voting Rights Act, potentially dismantling majority-minority districts often represented by Democrats in the South.

Litman is advocating for Democrats to intensify their efforts in battleground states such as Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia, while also reinvesting in long-neglected territories like Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, Idaho, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. “Given the demographic shifts and population growth in these regions, there are emerging opportunities for Democrats,” she said.

“While we must continue our efforts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, short-term strategies are insufficient. If we don’t begin laying the groundwork in other areas, we risk starting from scratch by 2032,” Litman warned. “Failing to engage meaningfully from 2026 to 2032 will render efforts to make Texas a battleground futile.”

She further emphasized that in states lacking robust Democratic representation—where candidate recruitment and local operational talent are scarce—there lies an opportunity to “rebrand” the party by fielding vetted candidates with authentic local ties. “The path to discovering these individuals starts with encouraging them to run for city council and school board,” Litman asserted.

After President Donald Trump’s initial victory, Litman co-founded Run For Something to bolster the Democratic bench for local races. The organization has concentrated on training and recruiting candidates for non-Congressional offices, including legislative, city council, and county commission positions.

Over the past decade, Run For Something has successfully supported 1,500 candidates across 49 states and has raised nearly $50 million in the process.

The memo highlights how legislative candidates can generate “reverse coattails,” where the presence of a strong down-ballot candidate can invigorate turnout for the entire ticket. An illustrative example emerged in Ohio’s 2024 Senate race: a candidate backed by Run For Something managed to flip a state House seat in Franklin County, even as then-Senator Sherrod Brown faced challenges in the same region. This scenario exemplifies how the RFS recruitment model can identify candidates who genuinely reflect their communities. “In addition to driving local turnout, effective down-ballot candidates can serve as crucial validators for statewide races,” the organization concluded.