There's groups like Run for Something that recruit progressives to run for state and local office
A surprising number of potentially winnable seats are never contested. Let's show up anywhere and everywhere to fight back
If you're worried about Republicans messing with elections themselves, you also have the power to help there too by running for state and local offices. Elections - even for federal positions - are run by state and local officals not by the federal government
I replied to that post, but mostly to remind folks not to take for granted their free time and energy. I can't afford to run right now since I'm working 3/4 part time and raising two kids mostly on my own, but if you're ten years younger and aren't as bogged down by work or family, please do so.
Run in local primaries, be your own AOC and fuck over complacent "safe seat" Dems. I'd love to see a FOSS nerd in office, even if it's a fucking state comptroller or something. Lol
Not dogging on you specifically, but think how much easier guerilla warfare with the US military would be. ๐ค
The time for easy solutions was before the election.
As an anecdote, I once won an election for precinct chairman and I did fuck nothing to campaign. Lowest "office" imaginable but still.
So much this. I have time. But that's it. No resources, and no energy. To boot, local politics is run mob-style by this corrupt piece of shit and his pet lackey, with his brother having a stranglehold on the congressional seat. It is well-documented that unless you play the game to the machine's satisfaction, you're going to get buried. The only competitive local races are the school boards because of the multitudes of local seats. And even in my "solid blue" area, the Karens Against Liberty types still win seats. It's corruption all the way down.
The idealistic part of me wants to believe it's a fight worth having. But the realistic part of me knows I'm going to get ignored at best, and torn to shreds at worst.
That's why I bring up energy. Maybe I should bring up resources, too. Elections cost money just to participate. That said, the guy who owns the Italian sub place I used to frequent won a spot on city council where I used to live, so who knows. I imagine he mostly leveraged a large Italian family and his Italian market, but those are resources a commoner like us can have.
You do your part just being informed, though, and if you ever know anyone with a few thousand to blow, encourage them. I actually should do likewise, but I only know one guy who fits that description and he'd likely do it and lose interest part way, lol
I should note the organization I meantioned earlier (Run for Something) offers support both for general elections and to people trying to primary incumbent Dems too
Don't have to do it without support or guidance!
True. Actually, I did look into it a little before primary season because I got a couple blind texts asking if I'd be interested in running, for some reason. I ignored them since I did not have time with a newborn at home. I have no reason to think they were scams, but I thought it was interesting since my previous registered address didn't have that. I might get more involved in a few years.