Hi John,

The results are in: State Rep. Aftyn Behn did not win her special election in Tennessee. But what she accomplished still shocked everyone.

She closed the gap in a Trump +22 district after Republicans poured 3.3 million dollars into protecting this seat. They had the establishment, the name recognition, and the cash.

Aftyn had something different: a campaign focused on affordability, deep community ties, and people-first leadership. These are the same qualities that define so many Run for Something alumni like Aftyn.

This race was never supposed to be competitive, but she made it competitive anyway. This race proves exactly why investing early in young progressives matters, so we are extending our Giving Tuesday match for one more day. 🚨

Until midnight tonight, every donation is DOUBLED to support young leaders who are running in tough districts just like this one.

Aftyn’s race shows our theory of change in action:

• We build a deep bench of young, local leaders long before anyone thinks they can win.
  
  

• We find organizers, renters, teachers, and caregivers who love their communities and we give them coaching, mentorship, and real campaign tools that the establishment never offers.
  
  

• Then we support them as they take big swings in places that everyone else has written off.

Last night’s results prove something important: When we invest early, long-shot races stop looking impossible and start looking competitive. This was not a fluke. This was a preview.

Let’s keep going. Let’s keep forcing Republicans to spend millions to defend what they consider safe seats. Let’s keep doing this everywhere.

We are pushing toward our 26,000 dollar goal to power our 2026 bench-building program. Every dollar you give until midnight is matched 2X.

Your matched gift supports the next wave of young leaders. These are the social workers, renters, teachers, caregivers, and organizers who decide to run in places where no one expects them to win… until they do.

If Aftyn’s fight fired you up, this is the moment to act. Your support reminds our candidates that there’s a whole movement standing behind them.

Thank you for being part of this community,

Melanie Rose
Eastern Regional Director
Run for Something

We change the system by changing who’s in it. We start local, build the bench, and shape the future from the bottom up. Together, we’ve already helped win over 1,000 elections.

This work is made possible thanks to thousands of grassroots donors who give a little each month to fuel big change. Become a monthly donor today and help our candidates keep running — and winning.

Interested in volunteering or mentoring young, first-time candidates running for local office? We’ll connect you with our amazing candidates! Click here to find out more about volunteering and mentoring opportunities.

Throw everything you know about politics out the window. You’re qualified to run for local office — we’re here to help! Click here to find out more.

Privacy Policy