Young People are the Future, He’s Helping Elect Them

Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Social Justice and How We Get Free

Ross Morales Rocketto

I feel pretty safe in saying that we all have gripes about our government. Where it's not doing enough, where it's overreaching. Most of us just gripe, Ross Morales Rocketto has taken a decidedly different path. Along with his co-founder, Amanda Litman, Ross has made it his mission to get as many young (read under 40) progressives elected to offices at the state and local level around the country as possible.

From their start, rising from the ashes of the 2016 campaign, their organization, Run For Something, has been guiding successively larger numbers of young people as they run for elected office.

What they've built in a really short period of time, is amazing. Ross and I talk about Run For Something but mostly about how important having a strong progressive base is, especially in light of the deeply conservative Supreme Court that we're dealing with. He's also very honest about the fact that having a (D) next to your name doesn't necessarily mean that you're someone who will fight to build a more just country.

It's a great conversation. I came away feeling hopeful and energized and I think you will too. Have a listen.

About Ross:

Ross Morales Rocketto is the co-founder and co-executive director of Run For Something, a piece of democratic infrastructure designed to recruit and support the next generation of young, diverse, and progressive political leaders. To date Run For Something has worked with more than 125,000 individuals who are interested in running for office. Run For Something as helped elect more than 650 new folks across the country. Before starting Run For Something Ross spent 20 years in electoral politics, having worked for candidates from school board to president. Ross lives in Washington DC with his partner, Jess, their dog, Nacho and cat, Baby Kitty.

For a written transcript of this conversation click here.

Ross's Action Items:

1) The first thing is you can run. So you can go to runforwhat.net and get more information about the offices that are available in your community.
2) The second thing you can do is volunteer either for a candidate or just to have one on one conversations and be a mentor for somebody who's thinking about running for office or currently running for office. You can go to runforsomething.net to find those opportunities.
3) Make a contribution.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Their strategic plan (it's really good and fun to read or listen to!).

Connect with Ross:

Run For Something's Twitter
Website
Ross's Twitter

Credits:

Harmonica music courtesy of a friend.