The Candidate with Dave Kerpen

Dave gets real about the nasty, dishonest political mailers being sent out against him—and how he’s choosing to fight back not with more lies or mudslinging, but with truth, transparency, and creativity (wait ‘til you hear what he did with DeceitfulDave.com 👀).

We talk about how low the discourse has gotten, how broken the system feels—and why Dave believes local government doesn’t have to be partisan. He’s not just talking about problems—he’s building a movement. One that’s focused on saving taxpayer dollars, restoring trust, and serving people over party.

You’ll hear stories that’ll make you shake your head—and moments that’ll leave you inspired by what real leadership looks like in 2025.

What We Talk About in This Episode:

• The real impact of smear campaigns—and how Dave’s flipping the narrative

• $2M of taxpayer money spent on political attacks (yep, really)

• The deeper cost of normalizing political lies

• “Save with Dave”—what it means, and why it’s catching fire

• How to lead with values, even when the attacks get personal
  

Connect with Dave Kerpen:

• www.votedavekerpen.com
  

• DumpsterFireDesena.com
  

This week was supposed to be one of the proudest, most emotional moments of my life—dropping my daughter off at college and setting up her dorm room. But in the middle of all that, my phone lit up with texts. Friends, neighbors, supporters—everyone sending me photos of a giant, deceitful, and frankly outrageous political mailer with my face plastered next to radioactive symbols and police tape.

At first, I laughed. It was so absurd it looked like a bad comic book. But then it hit me—tens of thousands of people across North Hempstead, including my 10-year-old’s friends’ families, were going to see those lies. And that’s not funny. That’s wrong.

I didn’t sign up to roll over. I signed up to lead. If my opponents go low, I’m going to fight back—with truth, with facts, and with a vision for a better North Hempstead.

Because at the end of the day: radioactive Hulk imagery? That’s fiction. My commitment to this town? That’s real life.

Paid for by the Friends of Dave Kerpen

Running for office is the hardest thing I’ve ever done — harder than starting my first company, harder than fundraising for my first startup, and yes… even harder than writing my first book. In this season finale of The Candidate, I share an unfiltered look at my first few months as a first-time candidate in North Hempstead, New York.

From hitting my first filing deadline and raising $160,000… to being called out on the dance floor by an Elvis impersonator… to discovering just how much national politics can impact a local race — this journey has been eye-opening, humbling, and at times, completely surreal.

I talk about the real #1 factor in winning local elections (hint: it’s not what I thought when I started), how I’m balancing an all-consuming campaign with showing up for my family, and the lessons I wish I’d known from day one.

Most importantly, I end this season with a call to action: support the local candidates in your community. Even $10 can make a difference in getting great people — not career politicians — into office.

This one’s personal, candid, and a reminder that no matter how tough the fight, you can’t stop me from being me.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Hitting my first campaign filing deadline and raising $160K

• Why fundraising matters more than anything else in local politics

• The Elvis “Fun Day Monday” incident and what it taught me about competition

• How national politics can ripple into local races — for better or worse

• Balancing community events with my commitment to family

Running for office can be a lonely, uphill journey  but it doesn’t have to be. In this very special episode of The Candidate, I sit down with Joe Scianablo, a fellow Democrat running for Town Supervisor — not in my town of North Hempstead, but right next door in Hempstead, New York — the largest township in the entire country.

Joe’s story is incredible. He’s a Marine combat veteran, a former NYPD officer, a prosecutor, and most importantly — a dad. He’s running not because he wants power, but because he and his wife were tired of watching the news and feeling helpless. So they stood up. They got involved. And now, Joe is fighting to bring integrity and accountability back to local government.

We even swap stories about our first intimidating meetings with party leaders, and Joe shares some leadership wisdom straight from his time serving in Iraq.

This one’s honest, heartfelt, and full of the kind of civic optimism we all need right now.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Breaking down the Town Supervisor role (finally!)

• Why Joe got off the sidelines and into the race

• Corruption, appointments, and the cost of doing nothing

• Running as a Democrat in a red-leaning town — and building bridges anyway

• What military service taught Joe about leadership and collaboration
  

Connect with Joe Scianablo:

• Website: https://www.joeforhempsteadsupervisor.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joefortownofhempstead/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-scianablo-009b58127/

In this episode, Dave sits down with Jon Kaiman: five-term former Town Supervisor, Deputy County Executive, statewide recovery leader after Superstorm Sandy, and current President of New York’s Tax Appeals Tribunal. But for Dave, he’s something more personal—a mentor, a friend, and the first person he called before deciding to run.

Jon doesn’t hold back. He shares the emotional and strategic realities of running for office—the vulnerability, the message, the money—and why it’s one of the hardest (and most meaningful) things a person can do. They dig into what Jon learned from losing his last race, how timing and national politics shaped the outcome, and what he’d tell every candidate stepping into the arena for the first time.

Plus: how he built one of the first suburban 3‑1‑1 systems in the country, launched Project Independence for seniors, and found ways to save taxpayer money while making local government actually work for people.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered what really goes into a campaign—and what happens on the other side of it.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Why vulnerability is the price of admission in politics

• How to run your campaign like a startup—with timing, strategy, and story

• The inside story of 3‑1‑1 and why it changed how local government operates

• Project Independence and what it taught him about listening to seniors

• What Jon would do differently—and what every candidate should know

Want to support Dave’s run for Town Supervisor?

Every contribution—big or small—helps power this people-first campaign. Chip in here to fuel the movement: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dave-kerpen-1

What happens when a lifelong educator, advocate, and proud Williston Park resident gets tired of the division—and decides to do something about it?

In this episode, Dave sits down with Lisa McArdle, candidate for North Hempstead Town Council in District 3. Lisa’s not your typical politician. A registered Republican running on the Democratic line, she’s challenging the idea that party labels should define how we serve our neighbors.

Lisa opens up about what it’s really like to run for office for the first time, how her family roots, her father’s mental health struggles, and her years in the classroom shaped her views on leadership. She shares why transparency in local government matters more than ever—and what needs to change so young people can afford to come home again.

This episode is a heartfelt, hopeful look at what public service can be when it starts with people—not politics.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The decision to run—and what it's really been like

• Why party affiliation shouldn’t stop us from working together

• How teaching helped her understand the power of the “why”

• The mental health crisis most towns aren’t ready for

• A five-year vision for a thriving, unified North Hempstead
  

Connect with Lisa McArdle: https://www.friendsoflisamcardle.com/

What happens when someone with zero political ambition gets asked to run—and actually says yes?

In this episode, Dave sits down with Mariann Dalimonte, North Hempstead councilwoman and fourth-generation Port Washington resident, for a conversation that’s equal parts heart, hustle, and hard truth about local leadership.

They get into everything: what really drove her to run, how she became the rare leader loved across party lines, and why her inbox is both her superpower and her biggest battle. You’ll hear stories about door-knocking that turned into lifelong friendships, a now-legendary newsletter, and the kind of public service that doesn’t make headlines—but absolutely makes a difference.

If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes on behind the scenes in local politics—or what it takes to be a truly likable leader—this one’s for you.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The surprising moment that pushed Mariann into public service

• How she built trust in a deeply divided political climate

• The invisible workload no one sees (and no one thanks you for)

• Why listening beats party loyalty—every time

What to know before you decide to run

In this episode, Dave sits down with Tom Garry—election law expert, longtime strategist, and First Vice Chair of the Nassau County Democratic Committee—for a fast-paced, deeply insightful look at what really goes on behind the scenes of a campaign.

The conversation starts with a personal twist: Dave’s name on the ballot wasn’t legally his name. Enter Tom, the calm-in-a-crisis counsel who assured him everything would be okay—and then stuck around to share decades of political wisdom.

Together, they explore Tom’s path from Bay Ridge to the heart of New York politics, the impact of national discourse on local races, and the one thing every smart candidate must get right (spoiler: it’s credibility, not charisma). Tom also shares what separates great public servants from political opportunists—and how to earn trust that actually lasts.

The episode wraps with practical advice for anyone thinking about stepping into public life and a candid conversation about the state of our political discourse.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• The legal ballot-name drama that almost derailed Dave’s campaign

• Tom Garry’s early political roots (and a chance meeting with Michael Dukakis)

• Why local elections feel more national than ever

• How to build credibility that opens doors and wins respect

• The most common—and costly—mistake first-time candidates make
  

Connect with Tom Garry and the NY Democratic Committee:

• Nassau County Democratic Committee
• NY State Democratic Committee
  

In this episode, Dave sits down with Jay Jacobs, the Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee—someone who once intimidated Dave in a room full of presidential portraits, and now joins him for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about politics, power, and public service.

Together, they explore how Jay got started in politics, the parallels between entrepreneurship and campaigning, and what it really takes to win a race (hint: it’s not charm—it’s strategy and relentless fundraising). Jay also shares his no-BS take on how candidates waste time, why authenticity matters, and the key mistakes hopeful politicians make when they jump into the arena.

The episode closes with hard-won advice for aspiring candidates and a surprising safari story involving a former U.S. president.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Jay Jacobs’ unlikely entry into politics and his Forrest Gump moments

• The brutal realities of political fundraising

• Balancing progressive ideals with electability

• Common mistakes new candidates make

In this episode, hosts Dave Kerpen and Jess Milanes sit down with returning guest Jason Lew—friend, entrepreneur, and candidate for Town Clerk of North Hempstead. But this time, it’s not just a catch-up. It’s a milestone. If elected, Jason would become the first-ever Asian American to hold a town-wide office in one of the largest towns in America.

From identity and representation to cultural hesitancy and humility, Dave and Jason dive into what it really means to put yourself on the ballot—and in the spotlight. They explore the quiet pressure many Asian American families feel to stay behind the scenes, and how stepping into leadership can break generational cycles.

This episode isn’t just about politics—it’s about purpose, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to lead with both.

With humor, heart, and the occasional awkward “are you related?” moment (spoiler: Christine and Jason are not cousins), this conversation is a powerful look at what it means to represent—and why it’s not the only reason to run.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Why Jason Lew is running for Town Clerk—and how it could make local history

• The cultural nuance of humility and how it clashes with campaigning

• What representation means in a town where 30% of residents are Asian American

• Identity politics vs. qualifications—and how Jason balances both

• The power of showing up—and how leadership can ripple across communities
  

Connect with Dave Kerpen: www.davekerpen.com

Connect with Jess + Smart Podcast Solutions: www.smartpodcastsolutions.com