Federal Political
Shaping Policy Platforms and Elevating Historically Marginalized Candidates
V4P’s political programming is doubly efficient. The first focus is to inform V4P members about federal candidates across the country, from the dynamics of their races and chances of winning, to candidates’ specific fundraising needs, to their policy positions. If they choose, members may use this information to make strategic choices about which candidates to support based on their own individual political priorities.
Simultaneously, V4P’s political programming works to advance actual policy changes after elections are won. Candidates are encouraged to research policy areas important to V4P for their candidate questionnaire and interview when seeking the V4P endorsement. V4P staff then provide additional information in policy areas in which the candidates can strengthen their positions.
Throughout the campaign cycle, V4P staff facilitate relationship-building between members and candidates through candidate events, interviews, endorsements, and other political programming. This relationship-building is to ensure that V4P members can effectively inform and persuade candidates about needed policy change, and after those candidates are elected, continue their advocacy with the relationships they built through personal connections during the campaign.
V4P Political Program Goals
Support candidates who champion V4P’s core issue areas by featuring them to V4P membership
Educate and persuade candidates on specific policies within V4P’s core issue areas
Prioritize candidates from historically marginalized & underrepresented communities who might otherwise have fewer connections to V4P members and their peers
V4P’s Impact in Election Cycles
V4P has successfully honed this approach over several cycles with strong results each time. For example, in the 2022 cycle in the U.S. House, V4P prioritized Reps. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Susan Wild (PA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Chris Pappas (NH-01), who successfully defended their seats from very competitive challengers. And V4P-endorsed candidate Emilia Sykes (OH-13) was elected as the first Black woman to represent her district in the battleground state of Ohio!
Political candidates seeking an endorsement can contact V4P’s political team at: political@voicesforprogress.org.