We must modernize, and radically adapt to this moment. If we want to earn votes in every corner of the country — to build a multiracial, big-tent coalition diverse in both people and ideas — then our talent must reflect that, too. And that takes proactive effort, lasting investment and REAL engagement — not relying on underpaid, overworked staff and a revolving door of consultants. Or checking boxes to “staff up” a few months before an election.

We must find new ways to attract and include the most passionate new voices, and provide the resources and training needed to actually retain that talent. We must value ground game experience, those who operate with an Organizer-first mentality. I will lean on experience across industries, disciplines, in nearly every state and every level of government, and recruit staff with experience OUTSIDE of politics– professionals who actually know HOW to enact the change we want to see.

Organizing is a profession and a practice. Online, and offline, State Parties must own our greatest assets. No more lizard-brained campaigns, no more “off-years.” We need digital and field efforts built to last beyond any one cycle. We should incentivize organizers to commit to serving their communities for the long haul — empowering them to actually build the relationships that future campaigns need to win hearts, minds, and votes. 

I have spent my career providing foundational digital tools to state parties, first time candidates, and causes. That work needs to start before campaigns even exist, and it should be offline, online, everywhere, all the time.

A Digital Office of Public Engagement. When the Chicago Tribune’s print circulation is 73,000, and non-primetime MSNBC nets ~60,000 viewers, it’s not enough to crush it on the Sunday shows or build relationships with reporters. The best Press Secretaries (and candidates!) are currently nurturing relationships with Creators that net 500,000+ views daily. I have a plan for a long-term digital engagement and surrogates program that provides immediate value getting our message out and fostering relationships, state x state, at a moment many want to tune out until 2028.

You want a “Joe Rogan of the Left?” We can’t astroturf that level of parasocial relationship a month before Election Day. If we want to persuade voters next cycle, then we need to embed our values in non-political conversations and spaces TODAY. We need to embolden brave, patient, engaging communicators to meet people where they are, all the way down to Rumble and Truth, catering our message to formats native to all platforms and their consumers. D.O.P.E. commits to supporting ongoing surrogate and hyperlocal creator relationships with year-round engagement, curating a CRM at the county and state party level, rather than letting connections with a handful of influencers falter in the wake of each election.

Democrats needs more leaders and communications experts that understand The Internet. And digital staff (responsible for messaging, organizing, and fundraising solutions) must have an early hand in decision-making.

When our candidates and voters (and nation) lose, Machiavellian consultants shouldn’t get to cut huge profits, dust themselves off, and get ready to do it again two years later.

We need new tacticians AND new tactics. No more text blasts asking for $20 accompanied by thirst trap candidate photos. No more scorched earth email strategies that make us all unsubscribe from engaging in any meaningful way. We need to explore new “win-bonuses,” and incentivize agencies to provide foundational support to parties and campaigns, rather than making themselves indispensable, and too often, unaffordable down the stretch. We should explore less reactionary structures that allow our best campaigners to avoid burnout. I know this as a committed staffer stifled by the whims of consultants, and as someone who has benefitted from the current structure. We should provide the resilience to make organizing in communities, and honing skills, a worthwhile career option, rather than these agencies being the logical next step.

With marketing professionals from outside DC and Hollywood fundraisers. If we do not commit NOW to a proper professional process of rebranding our poorly-marketed product of “Democracy” – we are doomed to keep repeating mistakes and squandering opportunities. By this month’s DNC elections, we will already be too reactive shadowboxing the fresh hells of the inbound administration to meaningfully improve. As Vice Chair, I would craft strategic plans that tap the best and brightest communicators, across industries and movements, already clamoring to be given the reigns. I’m not suggesting “disruption” from Silicon Valley, either, and no one jonesing for contracts or bending ears at backyard fundraisers. It’s a regionally, economically diverse cohort, independently committing to the actual research and business marketing practices required to serve the interests of Dems at large, and establish a new identity appealing to the fractured left and furthest middle.