Brand New Congress

Brand New Congress is an American political action committee formed by former staffers and supporters of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign to elect hundreds of new congressional representatives in line with the campaign's political platform.[2][3][4][5][6]

Brand New Congress
Founded2016
FoundersSaikat Chakrabarti
Zack Exley
Alexandra Rojas
Corbin Trent[1]
Executive Director
Robb Ryerse
Websitebrandnewcongress.org

Background

Brand New Congress is a volunteer-led American political organization that intends to run hundreds of campaigns for United States Congress with candidates of the organization's choosing[7] by the 2018 midterm elections, regardless of party affiliation.[8] The organization plans to make staffing and fundraising decisions for all its candidates at once.[9] About 20 volunteers from Senator Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign formed the group in April 2016 as Sanders conceded the primary to Hillary Clinton.[10] They planned the organization to support Sanders's platform and carry its supporters' momentum into policymaking.[11] Brand New Congress planned to announce 50 candidates by March 2017 and over 400 by July 2017.[9][12] Of the 535 total seats in the United States Congress (House and Senate), 468 will be up for reelection in 2018. The group intends to run both Democratic and Republican candidates,[13] depending on regional demographics, as well as independents when an incumbent wins the primary. Brand New Congress requires candidates to align with Sanders's presidential platform, regardless of party affiliation. While there are large differences in Republican and Democratic policy beliefs, Brand New Congress hopes that people will unify under the goal of reforming Congress.[14]

The grassroots are better qualified to run electoral campaigns than Democratic party operatives ... They just need to be given the tools, the data, the offices and the structure to succeed.

—Zack Exley, former Sanders advisor and a founding member of Brand New Congress[15]

The group attended the July 2016 Democratic National Convention to canvass for support in protester sites and throughout the city. By then the group had raised $85,000, about 90% of it in small donations. Its email list contained 20,000 addresses. Brand New Congress began a tour of 100 cities in mid-2016.[9] Founding members of the group were encouraged by the success of grassroots[16] fundraising in the Sanders campaign, which surpassed the Clinton campaign several times in monthly income.[15] As of October 2016, the group is accepting nominations for future candidates and openly developing its economic platform.[17]

In March 2017, Brand New Congress announced that it had teamed up with Justice Democrats to further its goals.[18]

Candidates

2018

In the 2018 primary season, Brand New Congress officially endorsed 30 candidates:[19]

Candidate State Party Office Primary date Primary result % General result[20] %
Robb Ryerse Arkansas Republican Arkansas's 3rd congressional district May 22, 2018 Lost 15.8% Did not qualify N/A
Roza Calderon California[n 1] Democratic California's 4th congressional district June 5, 2018 Lost 6.2% Did not qualify N/A
Ryan Khojasteh California[n 1] Democratic California's 12th congressional district June 5, 2018 Lost 4.6% Did not qualify N/A
Chardo Richardson Florida Democratic Florida's 7th congressional district August 28, 2018 Lost 13.8% Did not qualify N/A
Michael Hepburn Florida Democratic Florida's 27th congressional district August 28, 2018 Lost 6.1% Did not qualify N/A
Anthony Clark Illinois Democratic Illinois's 7th congressional district March 20, 2018 Lost 26.1% Did not qualify N/A
David Gill Illinois Democratic Illinois's 13th congressional district March 20, 2018 Lost 14.4% Did not qualify N/A
Brent Welder Kansas Democratic Kansas's 3rd congressional district August 7, 2018 Lost 33.9% Did not qualify N/A
James Thompson Kansas Democratic Kansas's 4th congressional district August 7, 2018 Won 65.3% Lost 40.2%
Zak Ringelstein Maine Democratic U.S. Senator from Maine June 12, 2018 Won[n 2] 100% Lost 10.3%
Rob Davidson Michigan Democratic Michigan's 2nd congressional district August 7, 2018 Won[n 2] 100% Lost 43.0%
David Benac Michigan Democratic Michigan's 6th congressional district August 7, 2018 Lost 21.3% Did not qualify N/A
Cori Bush Missouri Democratic Missouri's 1st congressional district August 7, 2018 Lost 36.9% Did not qualify N/A
John Heenan Montana Democratic Montana's at-large congressional dsitrict June 5, 2018 Lost 31.7% Did not qualify N/A
Amy Vilela Nevada Democratic Nevada's 4th congressional district June 12, 2018 Lost 9.2% Did not qualify N/A
Mindi Messmer New Hampshire Democratic New Hampshire's 1st congressional district September 11, 2018 Lost 9.7% Did not qualify N/A
Peter Jacob New Jersey Democratic New Jersey's 7th congressional district June 5, 2018 Lost 19.1% Did not qualify N/A
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez New York Democratic New York's 14th congressional district June 26, 2018 Won 57.5% Won 78.0%
Richard Watkins North Carolina Democratic North Carolina's 4th congressional district May 8, 2018 Lost 6.5% Did not qualify N/A
Jenny Marshall North Carolina Democratic North Carolina's 5th congressional district May 8, 2018 Lost 45.6% Did not qualify N/A
Marc Whitmire Tennessee Independent Tennessee's 2nd congressional district N/A N/A N/A Lost 0.2%
Danielle Mitchell Tennessee Democratic Tennessee's 3rd congressional district August 2, 2018 Won[n 2] 100% Lost 34.5%
J. Darnell Jones Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 2nd congressional district March 6, 2018
First round		 Lost 22.1% Did not qualify N/A
Vanessa Adia Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 12th congressional district March 6, 2018 Won[n 2] 100% Lost 33.9%
Adrienne Bell Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 14th congressional district March 6, 2018 Won 79.8% Lost 39.2%
Rick Treviño Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 23rd congressional district March 6, 2018
First round		 Advanced 17.5% Runoff N/A
May 22, 2018
Runoff		 Lost 33.2% Did not qualify N/A
Linsey Fagan Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 26th congressional district March 6, 2018 Won 52.7% Lost 39.0%
Dorothy Gasque Washington[n 1] Democratic Washington's 3rd congressional district August 7, 2018 Lost 4.9% Did not qualify N/A
Sarah Smith Washington[n 1] Democratic Washington's 9th congressional district August 7, 2018 Advanced 26.9% Lost 31.2%
Paula Jean Swearengin West Virginia Democratic U.S. Senator from West Virginia May 8, 2018 Lost 30.3% Did not qualify N/A

2020

U.S. Senate
Candidate State Party Office Primary date Primary result % General result %
Jessica Scarane Delaware Democratic U.S. Senator from Delaware September 15, 2020 Pending Pending Pending Pending
Kimberly Graham Iowa Democratic U.S. Senator from Iowa June 2, 2020 Lost 15% Did not qualify N/A
Charles Booker Kentucky Democratic U.S. Senator from Kentucky June 23, 2020 Lost 42.6% Did not qualify N/A
Betsy Sweet Maine Democratic U.S. Senator from Maine July 14, 2020 Lost 23.2% Did not qualify N/A
Maggie Toulouse Oliver New Mexico Democratic U.S. Senator from New Mexico June 2, 2020 Withdrew N/A Did not qualify N/A
Paula Jean Swearengin West Virginia Democratic U.S. Senator from West Virginia June 9, 2020 Won 38.8% Pending Pending

U.S. House
Candidate State Party Office Primary date Primary result % General result %
Eva Putzova Arizona Democratic Arizona's 1st congressional district August 4, 2020 Lost 41.2% Did not qualify N/A
Kimberly Williams California[n 1] Democratic California's 16th congressional district March 3, 2020 Lost 5.7% Did not qualify N/A
Peter Mathews California[n 1] Democratic California's 47th congressional district March 3, 2020 Lost 11% Did not qualify N/A
Jen Perelman Florida Democratic Florida's 23rd congressional district August 18, 2020 Pending Pending Pending Pending
Michael Hepburn Florida Democratic Florida's 27th congressional district August 25, 2020 Withdrew N/A Did not qualify N/A
Nabilah Islam Georgia Democratic Georgia's 7th congressional district June 9, 2020 Lost 12.3% Did not qualify N/A
Michael Owens Georgia Democratic Georgia's 13th congressional district June 9, 2020 Lost 13.2% Did not qualify N/A
Robert Emmons Jr. Illinois Democratic Illinois's 1st congressional district March 17, 2020 Lost 10.3% Did not qualify N/A
Anthony Clark Illinois Democratic Illinois's 7th congressional district March 17, 2020 Lost 13.0% Did not qualify N/A
Rachel Ventura Illinois Democratic Illinois's 11th congressional district March 17, 2020 Lost 41.3% Did not qualify N/A
Jim Harper Indiana Democratic Indiana's 1st congressional district June 2, 2020 Lost 10.1% Did not qualify N/A
Shelia Bryant Maryland Democratic Maryland's 4th congressional district June 2, 2020 Lost 18.8% Did not qualify N/A
Mckayla Wilkes Maryland Democratic Maryland's 5th congressional district June 2, 2020 Lost 26.7% Did not qualify N/A
Alex Morse Massachusetts Democratic Massachusetts's 1st congressional district September 1, 2020 Pending Pending Pending Pending
Ihssane Leckey Massachusetts Democratic Massachusetts's 4th congressional district September 1, 2020 Pending Pending Pending Pending
Jon Hoadley Michigan Democratic Michigan's 6th congressional district August 4, 2020 Won 52.3% Pending Pending
Rashida Tlaib (inc.) Michigan Democratic Michigan's 13th congressional district August 4, 2020 Won 66.3% Pending Pending
Cori Bush Missouri Democratic Missouri's 1st congressional district August 4, 2020 Won 48.6% Pending Pending
Kara Eastman Nebraska Democratic Nebraska's 2nd congressional district May 12, 2020 Won 62.1% Pending Pending
Zina Spezakis New Jersey Democratic New Jersey's 9th congressional district July 7, 2020 Lost 14.9% Did not qualify N/A
Melanie D’Arrigo New York Democratic New York's 3rd congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 25.5% Did not qualify N/A
Shaniyat Chowdhury New York Democratic New York's 5th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 23.1% Did not qualify N/A
Mel Gagarin New York Democratic New York's 6th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 21.2% Did not qualify N/A
Isiah James New York Democratic New York's 9th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 9.4% Did not qualify N/A
Lindsey Boylan New York Democratic New York's 10th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 25% Did not qualify N/A
Lauren Ashcraft New York Democratic New York's 12th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 13.3% Did not qualify N/A
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (inc.) New York Democratic New York's 14th congressional district June 23, 2020 Won 72.6% Pending Pending
Tomás Ramos New York Democratic New York's 15th congressional district June 23, 2020 Lost 2.6% Did not qualify N/A
Jamaal Bowman New York Democratic New York's 16th congressional district June 23, 2020 Won 55.5% Pending Pending
Morgan Harper Ohio Democratic Ohio's 3rd congressional district April 28, 2020 Lost 31.7% Did not qualify N/A
Nick Rubando Ohio Democratic Ohio's 5th congressional district April 28, 2020 Won 51.4% Pending Pending
Albert Lee Oregon Democratic Oregon's 3rd congressional district May 19, 2020 Lost 16.8% Did not qualify N/A
Doyle Canning Oregon Democratic Oregon's 4th congressional district May 19, 2020 Lost 15.4% Did not qualify N/A
Mark Gamba Oregon Democratic Oregon's 5th congressional district May 19, 2020 Lost 22.9% Did not qualify N/A
Corey Strong Tennessee Democratic Tennessee's 9th congressional district August 6, 2020 Lost 14.8% Did not qualify N/A
Michael Siegel Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 10th congressional district March 3, 2020
First round		 Advanced 44% Runoff N/A
July 7, 2020
Runoff		 Won 54.2% Pending Pending
Adrienne Bell Texas[n 3] Democratic Texas's 14th congressional district March 3, 2020 Won 61.8% Pending Pending
Peter Khalil Washington[n 1] Democratic Washington's 3rd congressional district August 4, 2020 Withdrew N/A Did not qualify N/A
Chris Armitage Washington[n 1] Democratic Washington's 5th congressional district August 4, 2020 Withdrew N/A Did not qualify N/A
Rebecca Parson Washington[n 1] Democratic Washington's 6th congressional district August 4, 2020 Lost 13.2% Did not qualify N/A

Notes
  1. California and Washington use a jungle primary system, where all candidates run on one primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and the top two finishers advance to the general election.
  2. Ran unopposed
  3. Texas uses a two-round primary system. If a candidate receives above 50% of the vote in the first round, they become the party's nominee; otherwise, the top two finishers advance to a second round.

Platform

Their platform contains many progressive priorities, with the following overarching goals:[21]

  • Rebuild the economy through infrastructure and community investment.
  • Fix the healthcare mess with Medicare for All and increased access to medical services.
  • End mass incarceration by ending the War on Drugs and demilitarizing police.
  • Fight for families through fixing schools and family leave.
  • Clean up Washington D.C. by cutting taxes for middle and low income people and removing money from politics.
  • Reform our immigration system with employment verification systems and global legal immigration centers.
  • Stop fighting reckless wars and instead support economic development as with the Marshall Plan.
  • Address climate change through building a green economy and a 100% renewable energy system.

Summer for Progress

Several progressive organizations, including Our Revolution, Justice Democrats, Democratic Socialists of America, National Nurses United, Working Families Party, and Fight for 15, announced in July 2017 a push to encourage House Democrats to sign on to a #PeoplesPlatform, which consists of supporting "eight bills currently in the House of Representatives that will address the concerns of everyday Americans."[22] These eight bills and the topics they address are:

  1. Medicare for All: H.R. 676 Medicare For All Act[23]
  2. Free College Tuition: H.R. 1880 College for All Act of 2017[24]
  3. Worker Rights: H.R.15 - Raise the Wage Act [25]
  4. Women's Rights: H.R.771 - Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2017 [26]
  5. Voting Rights: H.R. 2840 - Automatic Voter Registration Act[27]
  6. Environmental Justice: Climate Change Bill - TBD
  7. Criminal Justice and Immigrant Rights: H.R. 3227 - Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2017[28]
  8. Taxing Wall Street: H.R. 1144 - Inclusive Prosperity Act[29]

See also
  • Our Revolution – the official political action organization spun out of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign
  • Justice Democrats – a PAC dedicated to replacing corporate-backed Democratic Congressional representatives

Notes

    References
    1. "Political Group 'Brand New Congress' Modeled After Bernie Sanders". YouTube. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
    2. Stein, Jeff (May 30, 2016). "The Bernie Congress: meet the insurgents trying to recreate Sanders's movement down ballot". Vox. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    3. Mahler, Jonathan; Alcindor, Yamiche (May 22, 2016). "Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    4. Mahler, Jonathan; Corasaniti, Nick (May 5, 2016). "Bernie Sanders's Online Foot Soldiers Weigh Their Next Campaign". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    5. "Bernie Won't Get the Nomination. But His Online Army Isn't Done". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    6. "Brand New Congress: 535 progressive candidates, 1 ticket". April 26, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    7. "FAQ". Brand New Congress. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
    8. "The Plan". Brand New Congress. Archived from the original on November 20, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
    9. "What's next for Sanders backers? Replace the entire Congress". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    10. SCHMIDT, PETER. "What's Next For College Students Who Backed Bernie Sanders." Chronicle Of Higher Education 62.41 (2016): A13. Education Source. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
    11. Sanders also announced his own organization to run progressive candidates, Our Revolution.[9]
    12. "Still Feeling the Bern." CQ Magazine (July 25, 2016). http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/weeklyreport114-000004934438.
    13. GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "The Future Of Bernie Sanders's Grassroots Army." Nation 302.25/26 (2016): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
    14. GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "Clean Sweep." Nation 303.9/10 (2016): 22-24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
    15. Lachman, Samantha (April 27, 2016). "Former Sanders Staffers Want To Elect A 'Brand New Congress'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
    16. SMITH, DALLAS, et al. "Letters." Nation 303.15 (2016): 2-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
    17. "Brand New Congress". brandnewcongress.org. Archived from the original on November 20, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
    18. Tom McKay (January 23, 2017). "Cenk Uygur, Bernie Sanders staffers team up to take over the Democratic Party". Mic.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
    19. "Brand New Congress Official Candidates". Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
    20. https://elections.ap.org/ballotpedia/election_results/2018-11-06/. Associated Press. Retrieved November 8, 2018
    21. "Brand New Congress Official Platform". Archived from the original on June 18, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
    22. "Summer for Progress Petition". Retrieved July 23, 2017.
    23. 115th Congress (2017) (January 24, 2017). "H.R. 676 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act
    24. 115th Congress (2017) (April 4, 2017). "H.R. 1880 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. College for All Act of 2017
    25. 115th Congress (2017) (May 25, 2017). "H.R. 15 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Raise the Wage Act
    26. 115th Congress (2017) (January 31, 2017). "H.R. 771 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2017
    27. 115th Congress (2017) (June 8, 2017). "H.R. 2840 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Automatic Voter Registration Act
    28. 115th Congress (2017) (July 13, 2017). "H.R. 3227 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. To improve Federal sentencing and corrections practices, and for other purposes.
    29. 115th Congress (2017) (February 16, 2017). "H.R. 1144 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2017
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