Run for Something endorses Ben Harman

Run for Something endorses Ben Harman for Newburyport City Council - Ward 4

Changing The Face of Local Politics in Newburyport, MA

September 13, 2023 

Newburyport, MA - Ben Harman, candidate for Newburyport City Council - Ward 4, is honored to receive the endorsement of Run for Something (RFS), the groundbreaking organization that recruits and supports strong voices in the next generation of progressive leadership.

“I am in this race to represent my neighbors in Ward 4, and as an advocate for equality and a member of the LGBTQ+ community I am also here to represent anyone who might not see themselves reflected back by their elected officials. I am incredibly proud of this endorsement and to be in the company of these next generation leaders across the country”

“As we continue to face ongoing threats against schools, democracy, and abortion, I feel hopeful in announcing our biggest endorsement class of the year so far,” said co-founder and co-executive director Amanda Litman. “These candidates understand that local offices are key to enacting meaningful change. We are confident in their commitment to representing the needs of their communities with integrity.”

Harman’s platform and commitment to the community includes improving Newburyport’s climate resilience and mitigation in the infrastructure and waterfront, repairing streets and sidewalks to make them safer and more accessible, increasing affordable housing for seniors and working families, investing in our kids by better supporting school officials and building a home for Newburyport Youth Services.

“These incredible leaders are emblematic of our belief in running good candidates everywhere,” said RFS co-founder and co-executive director Ross Morales Rocketto. “Each of these folks contributes to an expanding movement of thousands of people who are making real change in their communities. I am so excited to welcome all these candidates to the RFS community.” 

RFS September class of 69 candidates:  

• 17 are alumni running for something again
• 46% identify as people of color 
• 22% identify as LGBTQIA
• 55% identify as women or non-binary
• Our class of candidates represent 25 states

As we continue to build the progressive bench from the bottom-up, we are excited to support and amplify more talented, young progressives already making a difference at the state and local level. 

The endorsement process includes an extensive internal review with background check, staff interview and insight from local state experts. 

Amanda Litman and Ross Morales Rocketto launched RFS on Jan. 20, 2017 with a simple premise: help young diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races in order to build a bench for the future. RFS aims to lower the barriers to entry for these candidates by helping them with seeding money, organization building, and access to the training needed to be successful. So far, over 130,000 young people from across the country have signed up to run and gained access to RFS resources.  

Run for Something recruits and supports talented, passionate young people who advocate for progressive values now and for the next 30 years, with the ultimate goal of building a progressive bench.