A Record of the American Progressive Movement, Circa 2018

The 2018 Progressive Candidates List is finally complete. Including more than 800 candidates, you could call it comprehensive.

Progressive Candidate Selection Process

The selection of candidates was based on two criteria. The minimum standard meant a candidate must prioritize at least one of the following progressive causes on their campaign platform:

1. Universal healthcare (i.e., Medicare for All, single-payer)
2. Getting money out of politics

Simple. Objective. Long. (The 2020 list will be based on only one progressive cause.)

The candidates range from grassroots activists to members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Some candidates run in highly progressive areas. Others run in ultra-conservative areas — where you can hardly blame them for espousing a toned-down progressive message. (We don’t want them run out of town!) The candidates demonstrate different strengths, and see varied visions. Candidates may not be equally progressive, nor equally prepared for public office. In short, there is variety, and some will shine more brightly in future races.

2018 Progressives on Record

But the list isn’t about judging candidates, nor predicting which ones will make it to the General Election. Neither is the list merely an information resource, though that was my sole intention at the beginning. About halfway through the project, I realized something. The list was turning out to be a record of the American Progressive Movement, circa 2018.

Compiling the list was a long endeavor, but a fascinating task. The candidates are interesting, vibrant, and earnest. At times, so struck by their words, I had to quote them right on the list, or share an outstanding campaign ad, or embed a striking tweet. When a candidate states he or she refuses corporate PAC donations, or expresses a revolutionary idea, it is noted on the list.

I urge anyone interested in progressive politics to browse the list when they have a little spare time. The sheer magnitude of numbers, and the overall quality of 2018 progressive candidates, will blow your socks off!

For the record, the list is updated with state Primary Election results, and the last update will record the November 6th General Election results — unless something relevant and noteworthy should spring up in the aftermath. Nothing will surprise me. We are living in interesting and progressive times.

The Times They Are A-Changin’ 

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.

~ Bob Dylan

Progressives on the Record