A conversation with Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam on her journey into elected office, which began when an anti-Muslim shooter killed her best friend and two others. We talk about her role on the Durham County Commission and how she built her campaign, and Nida speaks candidly about the great joy she took in campaigning as a Muslim woman, as well as the threats she endured. She promises: She may be the first, but she's not the last. Learn more at https://www.nidaallam.com/.

Produced by Dear Media.

Gabriella Cázares-Kelly got her start as an organizer and educator, struggling to get Indigenous communities registered to vote. Learn more about how that experience shaped her journey to becoming the Pima County Recorder, who manages (among other things), the voter registration process, how far her family has come in just three generations, and the burden and privilege of being the first to represent her community in elected office.

Produced by Dear Media.

First, a little rant about the gerontocracy. (Sorry if it makes you mad!) Then: A conversation with Kerri-Ann Nesbeth, candidate for Miramar City Council down in South Florida. She explains why she ran, what a day in the life looks like for her right now balancing her full-time job and her full-time campaign, the racism and sexism she's encountered, and why it's all worth it. You can volunteer for Kerri-Ann at http://www.mobilize.us/miramar and donate to her campaign at https://www.kerriannnesbeth.com/.

Produced by Dear Media.

First, a quick rant on why Democrats have to govern like winners. Then, and more importantly: A conversation with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit on what district attorneys do, how he won his Michigan community over, whether or not his job is anything like what we see on The Good Wife, and the direct impact his work is already having as he's radically transformed his county's criminal justice system in just a few weeks. Learn more at eli2020.com Produced by Dear Media.

NY State Sen. Zellnor Myrie from Brooklyn explains his path to the state senate to take on an incumbent who outspent him 3 to 1 and what he and the Democratic majority in NY have actually done to make lives better for people. We also discuss his experience being pepper sprayed at the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer, what it's been like to balance the priorities of the last year as he represents one of the districts that's been most ravaged by COVID, and the healthy tension between activists and institutions.

Produced by Dear Media.

Today, January 19th, 2021, is National Run for Office Day! Amanda and Run for Something co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto talk through what that means and why you should run for office. Plus: What they're hopeful for out of a Biden administration, what accountability for the Republican party looks like, and more. To learn more about the holiday, go to runforofficeday.com.

Produced by Dear Media.

A quick rundown of the last week in politics: The victories in Georgia, the coup on D.C., and how it all relates to our focus on local politics. Then, an interview with Alex Lee, the first openly bisexual, first gen-Z and youngest member of the CA state assembly. We talk about his experience running for office as a 24 year old living at home and working in the gig economy, why housing and public transit are such big priorities for him, and how he balances governing with watching Spongebob cartoons during his breaks.

If you have questions ahead of the 1/19 episode, email them to us - hello at runforsomething dot net!

Produced by Dear Media.

Meet Senator Megan Hunt, a progressive member of the single-body non-partisan Nebraska state legislature. (Yes, there really are progressives in Nebraska!) She's a single mom, a small business owner, the first openly LGBTQ state legislator in the chamber, and unapologetic about doing what she can to fight for her values, even when it's an uphill climb. We need more people like Megan in office. Follow her on social media at @NebraskaMegan.

Produced by Dear Media.

In our last episode before the holidays, Amanda talks with Michigan state Reps. Mari Manoogian and Kyra Bolden about friendship, legislating, how they're treated as young women in the state capitol, and how they're surviving this tough year in politics. They're joyful -- you're going to love the conversation.

Produced by Dear Media.

In 2017, Virginia Del. Danica Roem flipped a seat red to blue and became the first trans state legislator in the country. Her campaign inspired Brianna Titone to run and flip a state house seat in Colorado in 2018. They both helped Sarah McBride run in Delaware and become the first trans state senator in America earlier this year. Each one is interesting enough to be an episode in her own right -- together, we had a beautiful and moving discussion on what it means to make history.

Produced by Dear Media.