When life-long politics nerd Amanda Litman woke up the day after the 2016 election, and the candidate she had been working for lost, she didn’t wallow. Instead, she launched Run for Something, an organization that helps young people run for office. The organization’s team of experts offers guidance to potential candidates under 40 on everything from selecting a race, to planning a campaign, to what to do after Election Day. (They even help candidates cope with a hard loss.) Since launching, Run for Something has helped more than 800 candidates across the U.S. run for office and win.

In this episode, Amanda shares with Dwayne the questions any young person should ask themselves before running for office; what it takes to mount a successful campaign; and the unique change that’s possible in local communities when young people are elected.

For more on the work of our guest, Amanda Litman: https://www.emersoncollective.com/articles/want-to-run-for-office-heres-how 

To learn more about Almost There and to read the transcript of this episode: https://www.emersoncollective.com/almost-there-podcast

For more on Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/

Learn more about our host, Dwayne Betts: https://www.dwaynebetts.com/

Almost There is produced by Eric Nuzum and Jesse Baker of Magnificent Noise for Emerson Collective. Our production staff includes Eleanor Kagan, Julia Natt, Patrick D’Arcy, Amy Low, Alex Simon, and our sound designers Paul Schneider and Kristin Mueller.

Email us at almostthere@emersoncollective.com.

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