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.
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
Federal Race, Flip
U.S. Senate / WI
Michelle Vallejo
Federal Race, Open
U.S. House / TX-15
Odessa Kelly
Federal Race, None
U.S. House / TN-05
Cheri Beasley
Federal Race, Open/Flip
U.S. SENATE / NC
David Segal
Federal Race, Open
U.S. House / RI-02
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
Federal Race, Flip
U.S. Senate / WI
Cheri Beasley
Federal Race, Open/Flip
U.S. Senate / NC
Michelle Vallejo
Federal Race, Open
U.S. House / TX-15
David Segal
Federal Race, Open
U.S. House / RI-02
Odessa Kelly
Federal Race, None
U.S. House / TN-05
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
Support this work.
Support Lead the Way 2022
Support our endorsed federal candidates through Lead the Way 2022, a Joint Fundraising Committee that includes Way to Lead PAC and endorsed candidate committees. Lead the Way 2022 currently includes Mandela Barnes (WI-Sen), Jamie McLeod-Skinner (OR-05), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Michelle Vallejo (TX-15); and with these four endorsements, has a limit of $16,600 per individual. Contributions in excess of $16,600 will go to Way to Lead PAC’s non-contribution account, which supports other PACs, issue campaigns, and independent expenditures that drive smarter narratives and organize communities, with a particular attention to moving millions of “high potential” voters.
Get in Touch
If you are a candidate or organization who is aligned with the vision and values of Way to Lead PAC, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at: