BIG: @Everytown just launched #DemandASeat—a program to train @MomsDemand and @StudentsDemand volunteers and gun violence survivors to become successful candidates and campaign staff for elected offices up & down the ballot. The goal: Demand. Run. Change. nytimes.com/2021/08/10/us/…
Our more than six million-strong grassroots army is one of the largest advocacy and political volunteer networks in the country, with highly engaged volunteers who have successfully changed the political calculus on gun safety.
#DemandASeat is harnessing this energy, helping these volunteers take the next step in their gun safety advocacy, going from shaping policy to making policy.
Our volunteers are not new to elected office: In 2020, over 100 volunteers ran and 43 won, demonstrating an ability to win races for city councils, school boards, and state legislatures across the country. With #DemandASeat, we will build on this success and expand our power. 
Two former Moms Demand Action volunteers are also now in the U.S. Congress — @RepLucyMcBath (GA-06) and @RepMarieNewman (IL-03). #DemandASeat is building on this organic success to support volunteer candidates and draw on lessons learned from previous cycles.
Put simply, our lawmakers have failed us too many times, so we’re going to replace them with candidates that have a proven track record of fighting the gun lobby.
#DemandASeat will recruit, provide opportunities for mentorship, and train at least 200 grassroots volunteers to run during the 2021-2022 election cycle and will invest at least $3 million in these candidates over the next two election cycles.
We’ve been investing in training our volunteers for more than eight years and they’re among the best advocates in the country. Our volunteers have spent years passing laws, and now they’ll be writing them.
In addition to candidates, #DemandASeat will help identify, match and train volunteers who want to serve as campaign managers on races. Volunteers can join the program even if they are just thinking about running.
Longtime campaign experts will train participants on the nuts and bolts of building and running a successful campaign. Training will focus on a range of topics, including organizing, messaging, and fundraising best practices.
Participation in #DemandASeat is open to any Moms Demand Action or @StudentsDemand volunteer or gun violence survivor, focusing primarily on first-time candidates. Many of the candidates will run for local offices, such as school boards and city or town councils.
Polling shows that gun safety is a top issue for voters. #DemandASeat will help build a deep bench of gun safety candidates at all levels of office and help create a pipeline of future gun sense champions for higher office. Our volunteers are moving from advocacy to lawmaking!
Learn more about #DemandASeat ⬇️ everytown.org/demand-a-seat/
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