Launching The People’s Bench

“I wouldn't consider running for office under current conditions if it weren't for the People's Bench opportunity…The prospect of serving in office as part of a strategically aligned coalition—representing a working people's agenda and accountable to a strong base—is incredibly inspiring and energizing.”—Magan Gonzales-Smith, Durham Count

The multiracial Democracy we are fighting for means a government of, by, and for the people on all levels. We need to elect working class champions who will fight fearlessly against authoritarianism and won’t fold to MAGA republicans. That’s why this year we launched The People’s Bench – a statewide initiative to train and support a cohort of leaders to run for public office in deep partnership with working people’s organizations.

In collaboration with other member-led organizations, we are providing critical infrastructure to working class candidates:

• Paid campaign staff administration
• Trainings and workshops for first time candidates
• Communications and outreach to voters
• Polling, intelligence gathering and analytics
• Fundraising and development support

This infrastructure will help our working class champions wage competitive campaigns against our well resourced opposition.

This is how we build a multiracial Democracy in our counties and in our state, so that all of us can thrive in places we call home.