FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2020
CONTACT: Will Mantell | will.mantell@turnoutpac.org
Progressive Turnout Project Launches 2020 Turnout Fellows Program
At least 89 Democratic candidates will receive GOTV boost from largest grassroots-funded Democratic voter turnout organization
CHICAGO — Today, Progressive Turnout Project (PTP) announced its 2020 Turnout Fellows program, which funds and trains local staff on PTP-endorsed campaigns in the final weeks leading up to the election. PTP will donate $5,000 each to at least 89 Democratic campaigns across 33 states; the donations will fund salaries of each campaign’s Fellow(s) in the final weeks leading up to the election. Campaigns are continuing to join the program on a rolling basis.
“The Turnout Fellows program is a true win-win — for 2020 campaigns, for young and aspiring activists who want to work on campaigns, and for the future of the progressive movement,” said Alex Morgan, Executive Director of Progressive Turnout Project. “Young, passionate activists should be able to break into campaigns even if they don’t have lots of connections or can’t afford to take an unpaid internship. The Fellows program gives them a way in — paying them for their work, and giving them high-quality training that prepares them for their future as progressive leaders.”
“The Fellows program also helps campaigns recruit and retain talented, diverse staff members who can make the difference between a win and a loss this November,” said Morgan. “We’re proud to launch this program, and excited to see what our Fellows will do this cycle and beyond.”
PTP works with both U.S. Senate and House campaigns across the country to recruit and train Fellows, who engage voters and deliver electoral victories up and down the ticket. In many cases, PTP Turnout Fellows may have previously joined a campaign as a volunteer or intern before joining the Fellows program. Fellows play a diverse range of roles on their campaigns, including field directors and organizers, finance and deputy finance directors, digital and communications staff, youth vote coordinator, and deputy political director. Fellows start with their campaigns on September 1 or October 1.
In addition to paying Fellows’ salaries, PTP provides Fellows with six training sessions on the fundamentals of different aspects of running campaigns, including how to build field programs from the bottom up, how to build a political narrative, and best practices for direct voter contact and volunteer recruitment.
PTP first ran its Turnout Fellows program in 2018, funding 121 Fellows on 52 Democratic congressional campaigns. 2018 Fellows have gone on to work for other campaigns, members of Congress, and progressive organizations including Progressive Turnout Project.
Reaction from Candidates on Progressive Turnout Project’s Turnout Fellows Program:
“The Turnout Fellows program gives campaigns like mine even more opportunities to connect with constituents and ensure they are empowered to vote in November,” said Senator Tina Smith (MN). “With national Republicans doing everything in their power to defeat me and other progressive leaders, it is important that we rally behind our shared values as Democrats and continue to organize. Together, our voices are strong, but only if we use them. I look forward to working with you to elect Democratic leaders up and down the ballot this November.”
“Our hardworking Fellow from the Progressive Turnout Project is crucial to helping my campaign build the local, grassroots team necessary to reach voters, discuss their concerns and share stories of how I’m fighting for Minnesotans every day in Congress,” said Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02). “With her help, we will continue the important work of connecting with voters across the district and making sure that every single voter is able to cast their ballot this November.”
“I’m glad to have the support of Progressive Turnout Project in our tough race this year,” said Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03). “PTP was a great help to my campaign in 2018, and I know that they’ll do the work we need to get out the vote. It’s going to take everything we’ve got to win and I’m so happy to see more people getting involved.”
“We’re 61 days from a truly pivotal election, and I’m grateful that Progressive Turnout Project is putting in the hard work to turn out voters for Democrats up and down the ticket,” said Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45). “PTP is going to fight the voter suppression and confusion tactics embraced by The President, and empower voters with information. PTP supports grassroots candidates who run in tough races and helped me win in 2018. They’re going to make a difference in November.”
“I am elated to hear NJ-11 will be part of the 2020 Turnout Fellows program,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). “The Progressive Turnout Project helped to engage New Jersey voters in 2018 and had important conversations with residents on issues like lowering the cost of prescription drugs, protecting our environment, and investing in our public transportation network. We need all hands on deck mobilizing voters and sharing information on how to vote safely as we head toward November in this critical swing district.”
“The Progressive Turnout Project Fellows program is an incredible resource for campaigns,” said Dana Balter, candidate for U.S. House in NY-24. “I am thrilled to have a PTP Fellow on the ground in our district this fall, working to boost turnout and absentee voting. Ensuring that everyone has access to the ballot box is critical, and with voting rights under siege by Republicans, PTP’s work has never been more important. I am grateful for PTP’s investment in this program, and know that their Fellows will be an asset to campaigns across the country. “
Turnout Fellows will serve on the following campaigns:
AK-AL (Alyse Galvin)
AZ-01 (Rep. Tom O’Halleran)
AZ-06 (Dr. Hiral Tipirneni)
CA-04 (Brynne Kennedy)
CA-21 (Rep. TJ Cox)
CA-22 (Phil Arballo)
CA-39 (Rep. Gil Cisneros)
CA-45 (Rep. Katie Porter)
CA-48 (Rep. Harley Rouda)
CA-49 (Rep. Mike Levin)
CA-50 (Ammar Campa-Najjar)
CO-06 (Rep. Jason Crow)
CT-05 (Rep. Jahana Hayes)
FL-16 (Margaret Good)
FL-26 (Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell)
GA-SEN (Raphael Warnock)
GA-06 (Rep. Lucy McBath)
IA-01 (Rep. Abby Finkenauer)
IA-02 (Rita Hart)
IA-03 (Rep. Cindy Axne)
IA-04 (JD Scholten)
IL-03 (Marie Newman)
IL-04 (Rep. Chuy Garcia)
IL-06 (Rep. Sean Casten)
IL-13 (Betsy Dirksen Londrigan)
IL-14 (Rep. Lauren Underwood)
IN-05 (Christina Hale)
KS-SEN (Barbara Bollier)
KS-03 (Rep. Sharice Davids)
KY-06 (Josh Hicks)
MA-03 (Rep. Lori Trahan)
MA-07 (Rep. Ayanna Pressley)
MD-07 (Rep. Kweisi Mfume)
ME-SEN (Sara Gideon)
ME-02 (Rep. Jared Golden)
MI-SEN (Sen. Gary Peters)
MI-03 (Hillary Scholten)
MI-06 (Jon Hoadley)
MI-08 (Rep. Elissa Slotkin)
MI-09 (Rep. Andy Levin)
MI-11 (Rep. Haley Stevens)
MN-SEN (Sen. Tina Smith)
MN-01 (Dan Feehan)
MN-02 (Rep. Angie Craig)
MN-08 (Quinn Nystrom)
MO-02 (Jill Schupp)
MS-SEN (Mike Espy)
MT-AL (Kathleen Williams)
NC-SEN (Cal Cunningham)
NC-02 (Deborah Ross)
NC-06 (Kathy Manning)
NC-08 (Pat Timmons-Goodson)
NC-11 (Moe Davis)
NE-02 (Kara Eastman)
NH-SEN (Sen. Jeanne Shaheen)
NH-01 (Rep. Chris Pappas)
NJ-03 (Rep. Andy Kim)
NJ-07 (Rep. Tom Malinowski)
NJ-11 (Rep. Mikie Sherrill)
NM-02 (Rep. Xochitl Torres Small)
NV-03 (Rep. Susie Lee)
NV-04 (Rep. Steven Horsford)
NY-02 (Jackie Gordon)
NY-11 (Rep. Max Rose)
NY-17 (Mondaire Jones)
NY-19 (Rep. Antonio Delgado)
NY-24 (Dana Balter)
NY-25 (Rep. Joe Morelle)
OK-05 (Rep. Kendra Horn)
PA-01 (Christina Finello)
PA-05 (Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon)
PA-07 (Rep. Susan Wild)
PA-08 (Rep. Matt Cartwright)
PA-10 (Eugene DePasquale)
SC-SEN (Jaime Harrison)
TX-SEN (MJ Hegar)
TX-02 (Sima Ladjevardian)
TX-07 (Rep. Lizzie Panill Fletcher)
TX-16 (Rep. Veronica Escobar)
TX-21 (Wendy Davis)
TX-22 (Sri Kulkarni)
TX-23 (Gina Ortiz Jones)
TX-24 (Candace Valenzuela)
TX-32 (Rep. Colin Allred)
VA-02 (Rep. Elaine Luria)
VA-07 (Rep. Abigail Spanberger)
VA-10 (Rep. Jennifer Wexton)
WA-03 (Carolyn Long)
WA-08 (Rep. Kim Schrier)
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Progressive Turnout Project is a grassroots-funded political action committee with a single mission: get Democrats to the polls. PTP designs, tests, and executes specialized voter-turnout programs targeting inconsistent Democratic voters in the most competitive elections across the country.
