WASHINGTON—Today, People For the American Way’s Next Up Victory Fund announced endorsements of state and local candidates in California and Colorado. Next Up supports young progressive candidates forty and under running for state and local office across the country. The program helps candidates win races in the short term while creating a pipeline of leaders to run for higher office in years to come.

Our endorsed candidates in California are:

• Wendy Carrillo – California State Assembly, District 51
• David Diaz – El Monte Union High School District
• Christy Holstege – Palm Springs City Council
• Caro Jauregui – Whittier City School District Board of Education

Our endorsed candidates in Colorado are:

• Tay Anderson – Denver School Board, District 4
• Suzie Brundage – Thornton City Council
• Kyra deGruy – Lakewood City Council, Ward 1
• Jackson Dreiling – Westminster City Council
• Allison Hiltz – Aurora City Council, At-Large

Michael Keegan, People For the American Way president:

“The purpose of the Next Up Victory Fund is not just to encourage progressive candidates forty and under to run, but to help them win. We know that supporting extraordinary candidates at the grassroots level is the best way to help build a country that truly lives up to the values of our Constitution. We’re thrilled to stand with these candidates who have demonstrated their commitment to equality and justice for all Americans.”

Lizet Ocampo, People For the American Way political director:

“At a time when we face so many challenges, it’s more important than ever that we think about the future. That means supporting younger candidates who have shown that they have the vision and energy not just to start making a positive change in their communities right now, but to build careers of public service that will allow them to help us build a strong, safe, fair country in the years and decades to come. The Next Up Victory Fund is proud to support these candidates who have already demonstrated that they’re the kinds of leaders that will help us tackle our biggest problems head on.”

More information about the Next Up Victory Fund and the candidates can be found here.

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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