You Should Run

One of the most important issues in legislatures across the United States in 2021 is education, which is what makes the perspective of educator and North Carolina State Representative Ashton Clemmons so valuable.

In this You Should Run Podcast episode, Representative Clemmons talks about the events that led her to run for office, the need to make government more representative and the value of diverse views, and why YOU should run for office too.

Ashton Clemmons has extensive experience in education and she explains her thoughtful approach to what state goals should be for education and how to help achieve them as we look to the future and also how we can get more people to focus on all aspects of schools. There are many reasons to be concerned about the current state of politics in NC and across the country, but Ashton gives her reason to stay hopeful and involved and to not give up the fights.

Listen, subscribe, share, and follow Ashton on Twitter @Clemmons4NC

Alexandria Ayala is the first Latina to be elected to the Palm Beach County School Board. As she discusses in this You Should Run Podcast episode, this may be the most critical time ever to run for and serve on school boards, as education is becoming a lightning rod for far-right ideologues.

The average age of a school board member in America is 59 years old, yet the policies decided by school boards are wide ranging and directly impact parents of school age children. How do we get voters to prioritize school board elections and education policies? How do we make it easier for voices of all parents and students to be heard? Why is diversity in school policy so important and how can we promote more diverse candidates and ideas? With so much pressure and outrage directed towards elected leaders, how can we help their mental well being?

Alexandria Ayala touches on all of these questions and more in this episode as she explains why YOU should run for office.

Listen, subscribe, comment and share, and follow Alexandria on Twitter at @alexandriaayala

Perhaps no single state has the a political landscape as unique as Alaska. Legislative districts in Alaska can have the same landmass as some of the other 49 states. There are countless indigenous cultures, languages, and small towns, all with special challenges and needs.

In this You Should Run Podcast, State Senator Jesse Kiehl talks about the processes and changes that have led to the current state of Alaska politics. We discuss the strong independence that Alaska voters expect from their elected officials and how that impacts the political divide in the legislature.

Other topics include the dramatic effects of climate change in Alaska, policing issues for local communities that can't afford their own full time departments, using the budget to push for progressive policies or to stop bad plans, building coalitions, infrastructure, and why YOU should run for office.

This is one of the most wide ranging conversations yet on the You Should Run Podcast. Listen, share, and subscribe and follow Jesse on Twitter @JesseKiehl

Nevada is consistently a swing state at the Presidential level, but what about down ballot? In this You Should Run Podcast, Assemblyman Edgar Flores discusses the unique politics of Nevada and demonstrates how the gratitude he feels for his own upbringing impacts his own outlook today.

Also in this episode, Assemblyman Flores talks about his work as an immigration lawyer, union representation in Nevada, the challenges of a part time legislature and recruiting and retaining good people in office, making use of the limited time his colleagues may have in power, what state government can do, and, of course, why YOU should run for office.

Listen and share and follow Edgar Flores on Twitter @EdgarFloresNV

From Mayor of Braddock, PA to LT. Gov and US Senate candidate, John Fetterman has made a big name for himself. In this You Should Run Podcast, John speaks about his journey into politics, staying consistent to the same messages, what has changed and what has not, and his view of the 2022 PA Senate race, which he hopes to win.

Where does John stand on the question of not just being another pretty face on the political scene? What are his views on other people running for Senate (you may be surprised!)? How can we get past bitter partisan divides? How does being a local elected official affect his view of statewide and national politics?

You will not want to miss this episode. Listen, share, subscribe, and maybe YOU will run for office too. Follow John on Twitter @JohnFetterman

Fresh off of leading a walkout of Democratic legislators in Texas to oppose a bill restricting voting rights, Representative Jasmine Crockett is joining the You Should Run Podcast to discuss her motivation for running for office, fighting for South Dallas, the changes in Texas, and why YOU should run for office.

Jasmine was an underdog in her primary election and, as a first term legislator, there is an expectation that she would just wait her turn before making waves. But with civil rights issues, voting rights, criminal justice and more at the forefront, Jasmine was not going to wait to speak up. She has used her voice and office to amplify issues important to Texas citizens and she is galvanizing her party along the way.

Listen, share, and be inspired by her story and follow Jasmine on social media @Jasminefor100

Alex Dominguez represents South Texas, but his votes affect an entire evolving state. In this You Should Run Podcast, Representative Domiguez talks about the changing politics of Texas, how Texas Dems are more united than years past, and how to be effective as a member of the minority party but passing policies like support for veterans with PTSD.

Every state has unique politics, and Alex explains his experience on both a county level and in the legislature. We also discuss Whataburger, the last moments of normalcy before the COVID-19 pandemic, and, of course, why YOU should run for office too.

Listen, share, subscribe, and make sure to follow Rep. Alex Dominguez on social media @AlexforTexas

In addition to his work as a professor at Millsaps College, Nathan Shrader has over 20 years of experience in government and campaigns in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Mississippi. In this You Should Run Podcast, we cover a wide range of topics from the change in party politics over the last few decades to strategies for Democrats and Republicans to the joys of campaigning to why you should run for office. Nathan has been involved in his own personal campaign in Mississippi, so we discuss the quirks of party positions in his state and why nothing should go uncontested.

Listen, share, and review today!

Michigan is at the epicenter of American politics and young voters were critical to the outcome of the 2020 election. That makes newly elected Michigan State Rep Mary Cavanagh the perfect guest for the You Should Run Podcast.

In this episode, Mary Cavanagh talks about running for office as a young person finishing school, why young people should be involved in the political process, her family history and how that provides guidance for her, the state of political division in Michigan and how she can use her position to make important deals that help her community.

Oh, and she talks about why YOU should run for office too!

Listen, share, and subscribe and follow Mary on Twitter @RepCavanagh10

He has worked with notable political leaders like Congressman Jamie Raskin and Stacey Abrams, but now Sam Park is focusing on working for the people of Georgia. In this You Should Run Podcast, Rep. Park talks about how hard work from candidates and organizers has changed the political landscape in Georgia, and how that same hard work helped him win a seat in the legislature. We talk about the importance of youth involvement in politics, taking no win for granted, and the challenges posed by the Republican Party today, not just in Georgia, but in state legislatures everywhere.

You will not want to miss this You Should Run Podcast from possibly the most important state politically from the past year. Listen and share and make sure to follow Rep. Park on Twitter @SamforGeorgia

Follow this Podcast at @YouShouldRunPod