NEW POLITICS ENDORSES 27 SERVANT LEADERS FOR DOWNBALLOT RACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Aly Ferguson
aly@newpolitics.org; 480-363-6465

WASHINGTON D.C. (April 23, 2026) — New Politics announced new endorsements for 27 candidates running for downballot offices across the country in 2026. These servant leaders — running for offices ranging from state legislature to school board — have each demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to service before self. Their backgrounds span military veterans, alumni of AmeriCorps, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and proven community leaders who have spent their careers putting others first

The endorsed downballot candidates are:

• Dr. Racquel Armstrong, Arizona House of Representatives (LD-13)
• Jacob Martinez, Arizona House of Representatives (LD-9)
• Isaac Young, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, Ward 1(AZ)
• Paul Seo, California State Assembly (AD-66)
• Brandon Moore, Connecticut House of Representatives (HD-106)
• Shané Darby, Delaware House of Representatives (HD-1)
• Ted Lauzen, Delaware State Treasurer
• Curtis Calabrese, Palm Beach County Commissioner, District 4 (FL)
• Saira Draper, Georgia State Senate (SD-44)
• Ryan Peterman, Iowa Secretary of State
• Diante Edwards, Maryland House of Delegates (HD-40)
• Daniel Lander, Massachusetts State Senate (Middlesex & Suffolk District)
• Sean Carlson, Michigan State Senate (SD-13)
• Chedrick Greene, Michigan State Senate (SD-35)
• Adam Hollier, Michigan State Senate (SD-3)
• Jessica Swartz, Michigan House of Representatives (HD-41)
• Annie Menz, Oklahoma House of Representatives (HD-45)
• Sierra McNeil, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (HD-195)
• Adam Greenman, Mayor of Pawtucket (RI)
• Staci Childs, Texas House of Representatives (HD-131)
• Junior Ezeonu, Texas House of Representatives (HD-101)
• Odus Evbagaru, Texas House of Representatives (HD-135)
• Thomas Just, Hays County Court at Law No. 2 (TX)
• Julio Salinas, Texas House of Representatives (HD-41)
• Ernest Wilkerson, Bell County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (TX)
• Joe Bushnell, Washington House of Representatives (HD-29, Position 2)
• Kevin Knoke, Wisconsin State Assembly (HD-30)

Emily Cherniack, Founder and Executive Director of New Politics, released the following statement:

“Every one of these candidates has already answered a call to serve, whether in uniform, through national service, or by dedicating themselves to their communities in ways that demand sacrifice and courage. From the Texas State House to Pawtucket City Hall, these candidates are carrying the values of service into the offices that shape daily life for millions of Americans. The health of our democracy depends not just on who leads in Washington, but on who leads in every community across this country. New Politics is proud to stand behind each of these candidates.”

About New Politics‍

New Politics is an organization that revitalizes American democracy by recruiting, developing, and electing leaders across the ideological and political spectrum who have committed their lives to serving their communities and our country, either through military service, national service organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps, or by demonstrating strong service-based leadership in their community. New Politics’ support includes strategic advising and training in all aspects of a candidate’s campaign, such as fundraising, communications, organizing, hiring, and team building. New Politics has raised over $40 million to support over 475 candidates, successfully electing more than 200 of them to office, from Congress to School Board. Learn more at newpolitics.org.