John,
At Leaders We Deserve, we believe our democracy can deeply benefit from young, progressive leaders who know their communities and are ready to fight for them in public office. But systemic barriers are stopping them from running in the first place.
And it’s not just about age — it’s about wealth, too.
Take Texas, a state with a GDP larger than that of most countries. State legislators are only paid $7,200 a year and are part-time employees, only working for a few months a year. So unless you’re extremely fortunate and can take months off or quit your job for a salary below the poverty line, running isn’t an option.
So who ends up in office? Established lawyers and doctors, retired corporate executives, and those with inherited wealth or who’ve made millions as business owners, landlords, or lobbyists — people who aren’t typically worried about making ends meet.
Young folks and working-class people want to fix the struggles plaguing their communities. They’ve lived them and know what needs to change. But they’re forced to choose between paying their bills, feeding their families, and saving up for their kids — or running for office to change the system holding them back.
It’s not an accident. It’s a cycle designed to keep average Americans powerless while the wealthy can run, win, and write laws that make them even wealthier. And the rest of us are stuck paying the price.
State legislatures across the country are failing to lead when their constituents are desperately asking for help. Instead, lawmakers are chasing cultural issues, trying to get interviews on Fox News, and doing Trump’s bidding.
Meanwhile, young leaders like AOC and Maxwell Frost — who actually reflect their communities — struggled to afford rent and worked extra jobs just to make ends meet while campaigning.
Teachers, baristas, nurses, small business owners, and farmers are just as — if not more — qualified to lead as the wealthy and well-connected establishment types.
That’s why Leaders We Deserve makes running easier. We can’t raise legislator salaries, but we can reduce the massive financial burden of campaigning by providing tools for fundraising, budgeting, organizing, and more.
But we can't do it alone. We’re up against a massive wealth gap. Time is running out to get young, working-class progressives running ready for the midterms.
Will you chip in $5 to help a new generation run for office — and win?
Leaders We Deserve
