Episodes/Episode 102
How To Actually Run For Office Now with Amanda Litman (Run for Something)
December 4, 2025 · 41 min · with Amanda Litman
Mary and Josh talk with Amanda Litman, president of Run for Something and author of When We're in Charge. She walks through the questions to answer before you file, how to be authentic without giving everything away, why voters vote for people, not tactics, and why a first campaign belongs at the state house, city council or school board.
Show notes
Mary and Josh sit down with Amanda Litman, president of Run for Something and author of Run for Something and When You’re in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership. Her team has helped hundreds of thousands of young people raise their hands to run and supported thousands of local campaigns, mostly led by women and people of color.You will hear about:
- How Amanda turned one email from a Chicago teacher into a national pipeline of young candidates
- The four core questions to ask before you run, including why voters should want you to win
- Why local offices like school board and city council are where real power starts
- What is broken about the current Democratic consultant class and party brand
- How to build a new bench of leaders in the Trump era
- What to do if you decide not to run, but still want to work in campaigns and political infrastructure
If you are a first time candidate, organizer, or nonprofit founder wondering “Where do I even start,” this conversation gives you a clear next step.