Excellent story by a downballot candidate
We’re deciphering “downballot” very broadly, to imply anybody under the presidential degree. Many candidates for the U.S. Senate and Home of Representatives have posted right here, and a few of them are even well-known names now! Tales supporting gubernatorial candidates have been posted right here as effectively; all are eligible to be nominated.
On the identical time, Day by day Kos has all the time had a mushy spot for the names even additional down the poll: people operating for state legislature or delegate, candidates for mayor and metropolis council, courageous souls keen to problem the conservative domination of college boards, and folks operating for different state and local-level government workplaces.
The 90-for-90 program in Virginia has launched Day by day Kos to many high quality candidates, and after a number of hard-fought years, produced a Democratic majority within the Virginia Home of Delegates. The same push in Florida vastly lowered the variety of uncontested races, compelled Republicans to defend seats in pink areas they thought they might take with no consideration, and raised consciousness of the significance of voting for downballot candidates and in off-year or particular elections.
Simply in case you’re questioning, you possibly can nominate tales by candidates who didn’t win their races. Probably the greatest issues Day by day Kos can do is encourage individuals to run for workplace, whether or not they’re predicted to win or lose. That is essential for a complete host of causes. Time and time once more excellent candidates have given their all in troublesome races, solely to undergo a heartbreaking loss. We MUST push again towards the tendency to deal with the frustration so intensely that we lose sight of the large image. If an election loss turns into the tip of the street for a gifted, partaking candidate, all that hard-won hands-on expertise evaporates, as an alternative of including one other important brick to the wall of party-building.
An election loss is just not the tip of the street. It’s the starting. We should cease leaving promising candidates by the wayside due to an unrealistic expectation that nobody ought to run for workplace except they’re certain they’ll win their first day trip. One of the best coaching for operating for workplace is to run for workplace, and it will increase the long-term well being of the Democratic Occasion to cease handing our opponents entry to uncontested seats. The “run twice to win as soon as” mantra has labored wonders for our political adversaries for many years, and it’s thrilling to see that Democrats have lastly adopted this philosophy as effectively.
So let’s acknowledge Day by day Kos contributions by downballot candidates, winners and “losers” alike. They’re extra than simply the farm workforce for greater workplace; these change-seekers are important to the way forward for democracy and inspirational in their very own proper.
Nominations can be open so long as this story is accepting feedback. You possibly can nominate any writing that has ever been posted on Day by day Kos. Do not be shy: You possibly can even nominate your self!
