John,
State legislatures have always been the foundation of national leadership. Nearly half of Congress—and nearly half of all U.S. presidents and vice presidents, including President Obama—got their start in a statehouse.
And today, that pipeline is more important than ever.
This year, a record number of Latinas are serving in state legislatures. Black, AAPI, and Native women also made historic gains—progress we didn’t see at the federal level.
We still have a long way to go for a truly representative democracy. But one thing is clear: state legislatures are where representation is growing and the future of our democracy is being built.
We support rising leaders early—before the national spotlight—because that’s how we build real, lasting political power. This year, three of our alums are running for higher office, carrying their state-level experience with them.