The New Normal Isn’t Optional: Building the Next Generation of Democratic Leaders

Amanda Litman on local power, political messaging, and rebuilding the Democratic bench At a moment when national politics feels stalled and increasingly disconnected from everyday life, something very different is happening at the local level. In this episode of The Electorette, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Amanda Litman, cofounder of Run for Something, about why Democrats are seeing success in down-ballot races—even as dysfunction persists in Washington. Litman argues that local candidates are able to do something national leaders often struggle with: communicate clearly, connect directly with voters, and deliver tangible results. The conversation explores the limits of policy without messaging, the importance of candidates who can effectively “sell” their work, and why communication is not secondary to governing—it’s central to it. Litman also outlines Run for Something’s long-term strategy of building a new generation of leaders from the ground up, many of whom are already moving into higher office. At the heart of the discussion is a larger question about political identity and direction: what replaces the “old normal” that many voters rejected, and what does it take to build something durable in its place? This is a conversation about power—where it’s shifting, who’s building it, and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices