"The 99% have spoken and they're in the streets defending progressive values and standing up against the excesses of the 1%. There has never been a better time to recruit and train progressive candidates- it is truly time to occupy the ballot. And that is exactly why Progressive Majority has developed Run for America, we are going to find this generation's 99% candidates who are going to win and transform American politics."
- Gloria Totten, President
"To really create change from the bottom-up, we need people across the country storming the gates of local office. Working together, we have a major opportunity in 2012 to create a new generation of progressive leaders, and build momentum for policies that serve the 99%." Carlos Odio, Director, Candidate Project
"There has never been a better time in history for the Candidate Project. We have all been working tirelessly to train more progressives, but our task is large and we must work together. That is why I am proud that Emerge America has signed on to partner with the New Organizing Institute. I know that collectively, we will be able to grow Emerge's critical work of recruiting, inspiring, and training women across the country to expand the power and influence of women in American politics.”
- Karen Middleton, President of Emerge America
"The American Dream Movement is made of people who are organizing on behalf of the 99% of us who believe in an America that works for 100% of us. Now, more of those community leaders will seek to become elected leaders. State by state, town by town, and block by block – at the most local levels of government – we will defend and advance a simple ideal: Liberty and justice . . . for all."
- Billy Wimsatt, Strategic Partnerships Director
"The New Organizing Institute amazes again. The best way for the 99 percent to take government back from the Koch brothers is to run for office -- starting with the boards and committees that make decisions every day that impact our local communities. The Candidate Project has arrived just in time to help a movement transform protesters into power brokers."
- Becky Bond, Politics Director at CREDO Action
"The Candidate Project makes an ambitious step in the right direction of taking our country back for the 99%. DFA is proud to continue its longheld dedication to empowering Americans working for progressive change with our esteemed partners in this exciting new project."
-Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America
"The Candidate Project has the potential to help us build the political power of the Black community at the state and local levels in 2012 and beyond," said ColorOfChange Executive Director Rashad Robinson. "Here's an opportunity to support the people we want to represent us as elected officials, provide them with the tools and training they need, and help their efforts from the campaign trail to the ballot box. We hope this formula supports our mission of creating the political accountability our communities need."- Rashad Robinson, Executive Director, Color of Change
"In red states and blue, we live liberally, drink liberally, work liberally and play liberally...now, we're running liberally. Our network is made of leaders in their communities, top-notch organizers and passionate progressives. Drinking Liberally hosts from Arkansas to Rhode Island have won elected office -- and we're urging more of our members to run for every office so they can Lead Liberally as well."
- Justin Krebs, National Director of Living Liberally
"We need to urge more women who support reproductive choices and options to decide to run, hold elected office and increase their impact in their communities. We're dedicated to this work this year and every year." - Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, Women's Campaign Fund President/CEO
“We all understand the importance of winning big national elections, but what we’ve seen happen recently should be a wakeup call. The political geography has shifted beneath us and it’s all because conservatives put a premium on winning local races across the country. That 2010 was a terrible political environment for progressives only tells part of the story – the conservative movement spent time and money on training local candidates and took control of local and state governments. But, the potentially great progressive candidates are out there. The Candidate Project is going to find them and help them through the process step-by-step. It’s hard to find a better allocation of progressive resources." - Joan Fitz-Gerald, President, America Votes
