May 15, 2026
00 minutes

NEW POLITICS RE-ENDORSES 29 INCUMBENT SERVANT LEADERS FOR DOWNBALLOT RACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 2026

Each of these incumbents has earned the trust of their communities by governing with integrity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to putting others first. New Politics is proud to continue its support of their re-election campaigns.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2026) — New Politics today announced 2026 endorsements for 29 incumbent servant leaders running for re-election to downballot offices across the country in 2026. These leaders have spent their lives answering the call to serve and have carried that same commitment into the offices they hold today. Each of these incumbents has earned the trust of their communities by governing with integrity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to putting others first. New Politics is proud to continue its support of their re-election campaigns.

The re-endorsed downballot candidates are:

  • Aaron Marquez, Arizona House of Representatives (HD-05)
  • Stacey Travers, Arizona House of Representatives (HD-12)
  • Lisa Feret, Colorado House of Representatives (HD-24)
  • Gretchen Rydin, Colorado House of Representatives (HD-38)
  • Dominique Johnson, Connecticut House of Representatives (HD-143)
  • Howard Garrett, Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (DC)
  • Shevrin Jones, Florida State Senate (SD-34)
  • Akbar Ali, Georgia House of Representatives (HD-106)
  • RaShaun Kemp, Georgia State Senate (SD-38)
  • Phil Olaleye, Georgia House of Representatives (HD-59)
  • Lindsey Burke, Kentucky House of Representatives (HD-75)
  • Dawn Gile, Maryland State Senate (SD-33)
  • Andre Johnson, Maryland House of Delegates (HD-34A)
  • Brooke Elizabeth Lierman, Maryland Comptroller (MD)
  • Shirley Arriaga, Massachusetts State House (8th Hampden District)
  • Simon Cataldo, Massachusetts State House (14th Middlesex District)
  • John Cronin, Massachusetts State Senate (Worcester and MiddlesexvDistrict)
  • Manny Cruz, Massachusetts State House (7th Essex District)
  • Bill Driscoll, Massachusetts State Senate (Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol District)
  • Pavel Payano, Massachusetts State Senate (1st Essex District)
  • Josh Tarsky, Massachusetts State House (13th Norfolk District)
  • Rebecca Kwoka, New Hampshire State Senate (SD-21)
  • Samra Brouk, New York State Senate (SD-55)
  • Andre Carroll, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (HD-201)
  • Nancy Guenst, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (HD-152)
  • Josey Garcia, Texas House of Representatives (HD-124)
  • Daniella Deseta Lyttle, 261st District Court Judge (TX)
  • Phillip Jones, Mayor of Newport News (VA)
  • Angelito Tenorio, Wisconsin State Assembly (AD-14)


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

“New Politics was built on a simple belief that the people most prepared to lead are those who have already chosen to serve. These 29 incumbents embody that belief. They didn't seek office looking for power. They ran because a commitment to service is fundamental to who they are. Across every level of government represented here, these servant leaders are making decisions that shape the lives of their neighbors, and they are doing it with honesty, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to the people they represent. New Politics is proud to stand behind each of them again in 2026.”

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.

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