SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Last week, the Utah Democratic Party kicked off a statewide campaign to recruit hundreds of Democratic candidates to run for local office in the Beehive State. This candidate recruitment drive is a key part of a national movement led by Contest Every Race to rebuild Democratic strength in downballot races in areas where Republicans often run uncontested. 

The 2025 candidate recruitment program aims to fill over 700 offices in communities across the state — including city council, town council, and mayoral seats — by seeking and supporting new Democratic candidates before the June 7th filling deadline.

“To ensure progress in our state, we have to be persistent with voters. That means no contest is too local and no race is too small,” said Diane Lewis, State Democratic Party Chair. “Our pathway to victory is to find local leaders to run for office everywhere.”

“In local races across the country, we are seeing voters turn out in red districts and vote for Democrats,” added Zoë Stein, Executive Director of Contest Every Race. “That’s why we’re so excited to partner with Utah Democrats and ensure voters have a choice — because when they do, they vote blue. 

The recruitment drive includes direct outreach via text messaging, organizing meetings, and coaching support to help first-time candidates navigate their campaigns. Outreach will prioritize rural and small-town communities where Republicans most often face no challenger.

Since its founding in 2018, Contest Every Race has recruited over 11,000 Democrats to run for local office across the country. In 2022, the organization found that Democrats failed to contest more than 50% of all partisan races, underscoring the need for continued investment in grassroots candidate recruitment.

To speak with leaders from the Utah Democratic Party, contact thansen@utdem.org.

#####

Contest Every Race, a project of Movement Labs, recruits Democrats to run in otherwise uncontested local races and operates a national rural organizing support program to net votes for Democrats in the 2025 election.

‍