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Friend,
I was recently asked in an interview if I was planning to run for office.
My answer? Hell, no.
The idea for Leaders We Deserve started back in 2022 when now Congressman Maxwell Frost was first running for office and I came on board to help him raise money.
He was a young candidate, driving Uber at night so he could afford to spend his days campaigning and talking to voters. He didn't have the resources or family wealth connections that were practically required if you wanted to run a serious campaign.
I didn't have family wealth either, but I had a network (including donors like you, who I didn't know personally but who were aware of my work on gun safety and could give Maxwell $10) and knew I could help him fundraise and win his race. As you know, he beat all the odds to win his election and become the first Gen-Z member of Congress.
So, yeah I could run for office and, if elected, join Rep. Frost as one of only two Gen-Z members of Congress.
But here's the reality: I think constantly about how to strengthen the progressive movement and advance gun safety so we can prevent the next Parkland from ever happening.
If I ran for office and won, nearly everything I care about would be blocked by the filibuster. I would be just one vote at best, while Republicans would raise millions by fear-mongering about me "taking people's guns." Rather than pouring enormous resources into my own campaign to become a single vote, my efforts are far better spent helping elect exceptional young leaders across the country so that no matter what, the work continues.
That is why I know I can make a much bigger difference through our work at Leaders We Deserve, where we're helping elect dozens of incredibly talented young leaders every year. Young leaders all across the country who will give hope to a generation that has been ignored, who will combat gun violence and the climate crisis, and who will energize the Democratic Party and turn us back into a winning coalition in 2026 and beyond.
I also know that this movement goes far beyond the impact any one person can have. We are not building a cult of personality at Leaders We Deserve, we're building a lasting movement that is ushering the next generation of leaders into power. If something were to happen to me, this work would continue — and the bench of progressive champions we're supporting would keep on fighting for our future.
My focus is 100% on electing the leaders who will transform the Democratic Party into the force it should be. But I need your help to do that. With the support of people who give $5, $10, $20 we can give our candidates something rare: the independence to represent their constituents instead of special interests. And with your help we are also giving a generation something we have not had for most of our lives: the hope that just maybe the best is still yet to come for America. Hope that while the system is broken there are actually a few good younger people who are fighting for the right thing.
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Mark Kelly
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10:05 AM (6 hours ago) 10:05 AM
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We’ve been in some tough fights before, but this one is different. The President of the United States threatened my life, personally. I’ve got the entire executive branch bearing down on me right now.
Hold the Line champions the next generation of Democratic leaders committed to protecting our democracy, defending voting rights, and fighting back against the rise of authoritarianism in America. If you’d like to unsubscribe from our email list, click here.
Hey, it’s Mark Kelly.
Seven years ago, I was making a decision about whether I was going to run for the Senate.
I knew it would be a lot of work. A lot of time away from home. A lot of time away from family. I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
But after two years of Donald Trump and a Republican-held Senate doing just about everything he wanted, I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines. I had to do something.
So, I ran. And, somehow, we won. And then we had to turn around and run all over again to win a full term after that. But thanks to your support, we won that one, too.
I’m grateful every day that I get to wake up, walk out the door, and defend our people, our democracy, and our Constitution. It’s one of the greatest honors of my life. And I’ve never forgotten that I wouldn’t be here without your help.
We’ve been in some tough fights before, but this one is different. The President of the United States threatened my life, personally. I’ve got the entire executive branch bearing down on me right now.
After everything you’ve already done for me, I shouldn’t have to ask you for more. But that’s what I need to do.
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