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Way to Lead PAC is a hybrid PAC that supports progressive candidates in strategic states across the country, while also supporting other PACs, issue campaigns, and independent expenditures that inspire, persuade and mobilize the multiracial coalition.

Support this work.

To best support our select federal candidates for 2022, Way to Lead PAC created Lead the Way 2022, our joint fundraising committee organized by Way to Lead PAC. By supporting Lead the Way 2022, you are joining with other donors, big and small, to propel the country forward towards a multiracial democracy. Participating candidates are progressive champions who are committed to their communities and to passing progressive policies that lift up those most impacted by injustice.

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Explore Our Work

We support bold leaders.

We seek to make an impact by advancing racial and gender justice and by tackling economic inequality and climate change. We do this by supporting candidates who offer a bold vision and true commitment to addressing these issues, and we support campaigns that seek to expand our base and increase democratic participation.

Our 2022 Federal Candidates

Mandela Barnes

Mandela Barnes

Federal Race, Flip

U.S. Senate / WI

Michelle Vallejo

Michelle Vallejo

Federal Race, Open

U.S. House / TX-15

Odessa Kelly

Federal Race, None

U.S. House / TN-05

Cheri Beasley

Cheri Beasley

Federal Race, Open/Flip

U.S. SENATE / NC

David Segal

David Segal

Federal Race, Open

U.S. House / RI-02

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Federal Race, Hold

U.S. House / OR-05
Way to Lead will continue to endorse candidates, both on the federal level and down-ballot.

Way to Lead’s candidates represent the future of America, and are running campaigns that speak boldly about the egalitarian, multiracial community that is this country’s promise. They represent communities that have often been taken for granted by Democrats, and their campaigns champion the progressive values that are transforming the political landscape. Collectively, they tell the story of how movements for racial and economic justice are growing power across the country, particularly in the South, and lift up the central role of working class women of color. These races are critical to holding the House and Senate in the upcoming Midterms, and represent the variety of electoral fights progressives are up against—from protecting incumbents, to challenging corporate Democrats, to flipping seats in red to blue battlegrounds. Join us in supporting these candidates.

Mandela Barnes

Mandela Barnes

Federal Race, Flip

U.S. Senate / WI

Cheri Beasley

Cheri Beasley

Federal Race, Open/Flip

U.S. Senate / NC

Michelle Vallejo

Michelle Vallejo

Federal Race, Open

U.S. House / TX-15

David Segal

David Segal

Federal Race, Open

U.S. House / RI-02

Odessa Kelly

Federal Race, None

U.S. House / TN-05

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Federal Race, Hold

U.S. House / OR-05
Way to Lead will continue to endorse candidates, both on the federal level and down-ballot.

Way to Lead’s candidates represent the future of America, and are running campaigns that speak boldly about the egalitarian, multiracial community that is this country’s promise. They represent communities that have often been taken for granted by Democrats, and their campaigns champion the progressive values that are transforming the political landscape. Collectively, they tell the story of how movements for racial and economic justice are growing power across the country, particularly in the South, and lift up the central role of working class women of color. These races are critical to holding the House and Senate in the upcoming Midterms, and represent the variety of electoral fights progressives are up against—from protecting incumbents, to challenging corporate Democrats, to flipping seats in red to blue battlegrounds. Join us in supporting these candidates.

We shape the narrative.

Creative content is the field on which the imagination battle is fought, as a new, diverse generation ascends to power. We seek to move hearts and minds by supporting scaled narrative campaigns making effective content that moves the multi-racial coalition of voters we need to win, with a focus on “high-potential voters” (those who have not voted in every election and trend younger and more diverse), who are often not included in the audience targeting of most Democratic political advertising campaigns, online and on TV.

Way to Lead’s video What’s Possible” was the winner of Fast Company’s 2021 Innovation by Design Awards in the advertising category, as well as a 2021 Pollie Award.

The way a society talks to itself determines that society’s beliefs, its politics, its very culture.

— Richard Rorty

The way a society talks to itself determines that society’s beliefs, its politics, its very culture.

— Richard Rorty

Principles of Persuasion

Way to Lead supports organizations and campaigns that follow a set of Principles of Persuasion, including:

  • Turnout requires persuasion. We cannot just expect the Democratic base to turn out in elections without persuasion; we have to invest in speaking to them.
  • Positive stories matter, and good storytelling matters. In general, say what you are for. When you attack, lower barriers with humor, and by using storytelling that may not start with an overtly political message.
  • Lean into research. Use messages, frames, and clear persuasive language based on research that has been proven to be effective with target audiences. Metaphor matters—don’t reinforce conservative frames.
  • Test for effectiveness. Every ad should have clear objectives and a target audience, with whom effectiveness can be tested using a range of available tools.
  • Open source learnings. We believe in sharing research and test results openly and transparently so all can learn and grow in this space together.

Aligned Narrative Organizations

We work together.

We aim to build the power of independent political organizations that represent the multi-racial coalition we need to win, supporting them to build and wield their political influence. We do this by funding PACs and issue campaigns affiliated with progressive community organizations in states and nationally, so that they and their membership base can build relationships with political candidates and work to co-govern to pass policies that improve people’s lives.

Advisors

Alexandra Rojas
Justice Democrats

Anathea Chino
Advance Native Leadership Project

Brooke Adams
People’s Action

Chris Torres
MoveOn

Greisa Martinez
United We Dream

LaTosha Brown
Black Voters Matter

Lauren Maunus
Sunrise Movement

Maria Urbina
Indivisible

Maurice Mitchell
Working Families Party

Michael Kieschnick
Green Advocacy Project

Shannon Talbert
Color of Change

*Disclaimer: Organizations not affiliated with Way to Lead

Aligned Organizational Partners

Statewide PACs

Annie’s List

Asian American Advocacy Fund PAC

Battleground Texas

CASA in Action PAC

Chispa AZ PAC

Down Home NC IE PAC

Dream Defenders Fight PAC

Florida for All/Win Justice PAC

GLAHR PAC

Michigan Action

Michigan Liberation Action Fund

Michigan People’s Campaign Independent Expenditure

Mijente-SONG Power-GLAHR Action Network

New Florida Vision PAC

One APIA Nevada PAC

Our Voice Our Vote Arizona PAC

PA Stands Up State PAC

Planned Parenthood Texas Votes PAC

Progress Michigan Political Action Fund

TakeAction Political Action Committee

TFN PAC

TOP PAC

Workers Defense in Action PAC

National PACS

Black Church PAC

Color of Change PAC

Indivisible PAC

Justice Democrats PAC

Mijente PAC

People's Action PAC

SONG Power PAC

Sunrise PAC

Working Families Party