Brand New Congress

Brand New Congress
Founded 2016
Website brandnewcongress.org

Brand New Congress is an American political action committee formed by former staffers and supporters of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign to elect hundreds of new Congressional representatives in line with the campaign's political platform.[1][2][3][4][5]

Background

Brand New Congress is a volunteer-led American political organization that intends to completely replace the current delegation of over 400 United States Congresspeople with non-politicians of the organization's choosing by the 2018 midterm elections, regardless of party affiliation.[6] The organization plans to make staffing and fundraising decisions for all of its candidates at once.[7] About 20 volunteers from Senator Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign formed the group in April 2016 as Sanders conceded the primary to Hillary Clinton.[8] They planned the organization to support Sanders's platform and carry its supporters' momentum into policymaking.[9] Brand New Congress plans to announce 50 candidates by March 2017 and over 400 by July 2017.[7][10] Of the 535 total seats in the United States Congress (House and Senate), 468 will be up for reelection in 2018. The group intends to run both Democratic and Tea Party Republican candidates,[11] depending on regional demographics, as well as independents when an incumbent wins the primary. Brand New Congress requires candidates to align on Bernie Sander’s presidential platform, regardless of party affiliation. While there are large differences in Republican and Democratic policy beliefs, the Brand New Congress hopes that people will unify under the goal of reforming Congress.[12]

The grassroots are better qualified to run electoral campaigns than Democratic party operatives ... They just need to be given the tools, the data, the offices and the structure to succeed.

“
”

Zack Exley, former Sanders advisor and a founding member of Brand New Congress[13]

The group attended the July 2016 Democratic National Convention to canvass for support in protestor sites and throughout the city. As of that time, the group had raised $85,000, about 90 percent of which were small donations. Its email list contained 20,000 addresses. Brand New Congress was beginning a tour of 100 cities in mid-2016.[7] Founding members of the group were encouraged by the successful role of grassroots[14] fundraising in the Sanders campaign, which surpassed the Clinton campaign several times in monthly income.[13] As of October 2016, the group is accepting nominations for future candidates and is openly developing its economic platform.[15]

After the 2016 election, the group has been focused on raising awareness of campaign finance issues and partisan politics. As of November 19, the group has a modest 5401 followers on Twitter and 52035 followers on Facebook.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stein, Jeff (May 30, 2016). "The Bernie Congress: meet the insurgents trying to recreate Sanders's movement down ballot". Vox. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  2. ↑ Mahler, Jonathan; Alcindor, Yamiche (May 22, 2016). "Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  3. ↑ Mahler, Jonathan; Corasaniti, Nick (May 5, 2016). "Bernie Sanders's Online Foot Soldiers Weigh Their Next Campaign". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Bernie Won't Get the Nomination. But His Online Army Isn't Done". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Brand New Congress: 535 progressive candidates, 1 ticket". April 26, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  6. ↑ "A Brand New Congress?". www.thenorthstar.info. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "What's next for Sanders backers? Replace the entire Congress". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  8. ↑ SCHMIDT, PETER. "What's Next For College Students Who Backed Bernie Sanders." Chronicle Of Higher Education 62.41 (2016): A13. Education Source. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  9. ↑ Sanders also announced his own organization to run progressive candidates, Our Revolution.[7]
  10. ↑ "Still Feeling the Bern." CQ Magazine (July 25, 2016). http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/weeklyreport114-000004934438.
  11. ↑ GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "The Future Of Bernie Sanders's Grassroots Army." Nation 302.25/26 (2016): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  12. ↑ GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "Clean Sweep." Nation 303.9/10 (2016): 22-24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  13. 1 2 Lachman, Samantha (April 27, 2016). "Former Sanders Staffers Want To Elect A 'Brand New Congress'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  14. ↑ SMITH, DALLAS, et al. "Letters." Nation 303.15 (2016): 2-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  15. ↑ "Brand New Congress". brandnewcongress.org. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  16. ↑ https://twitter.com/BrandNew535?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
  17. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/brandnewcongress/

External links

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