Our Revolution
| Our Revolution | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Founder(s): | Bernie Sanders |
| Year founded: | 2016 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Connections | |
| The Sanders Institute | |
Our Revolution is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that advocates for the policies of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The organization was founded in August 2016.[1]
Background
Our Revolution was founded on August 24, 2016, as a nonprofit organization designed to advocate for the policy agenda of U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sanders first discussed the group with USA Today in July 2016 after endorsing Hillary Clinton (D) for president. The paper reported that the organization would "help recruit, train and fund progressive candidates' campaigns. And a third political organization may play a more direct role in campaign advertising."[2] In early August 2016, Sanders began fundraising for the group, writing in an email that "election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice continues. Together, we built something special and unprecedented through our presidential campaign. Now, we are going to take the next steps for our political revolution."[3]
The organization was officially founded on August 24, 2016, when Sanders hosted a kickoff party that included a livestreamed address.[1]
Work
An initial email from Sanders indicated that Our Revolution would primarily work to "recruit progressive candidates and support their bids through campaigning efforts and, presumably, fundraising," according to Bustle. The group also indicated that it would be involved in educational activities aimed at teaching the public about progressive policy solutions.[4]
Political activity
Endorsed candidates
2018
Below are candidates for U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and statewide executive offices that were endorsed by Our Revolution through September 2018. To see candidates endorsed for state legislative, judicial, and local offices, click here.
2017
In 2017, Our Revolution endorsed the following candidates for office.[6]
| Our Revolution endorsed candidates, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State | Office |
| Randall Woodfin | Ala. | Mayor of Birmingham |
| Vincent Fort | Ga. | Mayor of Atlanta |
| Andrea Jenkins | Minn. | Minneapolis City Council Ward 8 |
| Jillia Pessenda | Minn. | Minneapolis City Council Ward 1 |
| Michela Skelton | Mo. | State House |
| Larry Krasner | Pa. | Philadelphia District Attorney |
| Elizabeth Guzman | Va. | State House |
| Lee Carter | Va. | State House |
2016
Our Revolution endorsed the following candidates during the 2016 election cycle.[7]
| Our Revolution endorsed candidates, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State | Office |
| Greg Jones | Alaska | State House of Representatives |
| Aaron Baumann | Ariz. | State House of Representatives |
| Adrian Fontes | Ariz. | Maricopa County Recorder |
| Juan Mendez | Ariz. | State Senate |
| Martin Quezada | Ariz. | State Senate |
| Raul Grijalva | Ariz. | U.S. House |
| Ben Choi | Calif. | At-Large City Council |
| Jane Kim | Calif. | State Senate |
| Melvin Willis | Calif. | At-Large City Council |
| Joseph Salazar | Colo. | State House of Representatives |
| Eva Bermudez | Conn. | State House of Representatives |
| Josh Elliott | Conn. | State House of Representatives |
| Ken Gucker | Conn. | State Senate |
| Mary Jane Lundgren | Conn. | State House of Representatives |
| Robyn Porter | Conn. | State House of Representatives |
| Dwight Bullard | Fla. | State Senate |
| Tim Canova | Fla. | U.S. House |
| Kaniela Ing | Hawaii | State House of Representatives |
| Tulsi Gabbard | Hawaii | U.S. House |
| Gary Kroeger | Iowa | State House of Representatives |
| Teresa Meyer | Iowa | State House of Representatives |
| Tim Kacena | Iowa | State House of Representatives |
| Miranda Gold | Idaho | State Senate |
| Carol Ammons | Ill. | State House of Representatives |
| James Eldridge | Mass. | State Senate |
| Mary Keefe | Mass. | State House of Representatives |
| Mike Connolly | Mass. | State House of Representatives |
| Pat Jehlen | Mass. | State Senate |
| Jamie Raskin | Md. | U.S. House |
| Paul Clements | Mich. | U.S. House |
| Erin Maye Quade | Minn. | State House of Representatives |
| Ilhan Omar | Minn. | State House of Representatives |
| Keith Ellison | Minn. | U.S. House |
| Rick Nolan | Minn. | U.S. House |
| Zach Dorholt | Minn. | State House of Representatives |
| Brian Whitecalf | Neb. | Board of Supervisors |
| Dan Quick | Neb. | State Senate |
| Vernon Miller | Neb. | School Board |
| Peter Jacob | N.J. | U.S. House |
| Brittney Miller | Nev. | State Assembly |
| Devon Reese | Nev. | State Senate |
| Nicole Cannizzaro | Nev. | State Senate |
| Anthony Eramo | N.Y. | State Assembly |
| Sara Niccoli | N.Y. | State Senate |
| Zephyr Teachout | N.Y. | U.S. House |
| Marcy Kaptur | Ohio | U.S. House |
| Carmen Yulin Cruz | Puerto Rico | San Juan Mayor |
| Luis Vega Ramos | Puerto Rico | At-Large Representative |
| Manuel Natal | Puerto Rico | At-Large Representative |
| Jeanine Calkin | R.I. | State Senate |
| Justin Bamberg | S.C. | State Senate |
| Terry Alexander | S.C. | State Senate |
| Clara Hart | S.D. | State Senate |
| Jared Cates | Texas | Nacogdoches County Commissioner |
| Julie Nitsch | Texas | Austin Community College Board of Trustees |
| David Zuckerman | Vt. | Lieutenant Governor |
| Mari Cordes | Vt. | State House of Representatives |
| Tim Ashe | Vt. | State Senate |
| Pramila Jayapal | Wash. | U.S. House |
| David Bowen | Wis. | State House of Representatives |
| Jonathan Brostoff | Wis. | State House of Representatives |
| Russ Feingold | Wis. | U.S. Senate |
| Sarah Lloyd | Wis. | U.S. House |
Support for Tim Canova
In August 2016, Our Revolution sent out an announcement stating that "[t]his race is very important for Our Revolution because if we can win this tough fight in Florida, it will send a clear message about the power of our grassroots movement that will send shockwaves through the political media establishment."[8] Canova lost to Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the Democratic primary.
Ballot measure activity
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details Our Revolution’s stances on ballot measures through 2018:
Leadership
In June 2017, Nina Turner replaced Jeff Weaver as the group's president.[11][12]
Staff departures prior to launch
Initial reports of the organization indicated that Claire Sandberg, a digital organizing director for Sanders' presidential campaign, was involved as Our Revolution's organizing director.[1] Sandberg, digital director Kenneth Pennington, and at least three other staffers quit before the group's launch when former Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver was brought on as the group's president, according to Politico.[11]
Weaver was initially slated to be the group's legal advisor, and the staffers for Our Revolution told Politico that they joined on the understanding that Weaver would not be further involved. Sandberg explained the group's differences, saying, "It’s about both the fundraising and the spending: Jeff would like to take big money from rich people including billionaires and spend it on ads. That’s the opposite of what this campaign and this movement are supposed to be about and after being very firm and raising alarm the staff felt that we had no choice but to quit."[11]
Finances
Our Revolution was created with the remaining funds from Sanders' presidential campaign. Donating to or founding a nonprofit are two courses of action some politicians take with their unused campaign funds. Charitable contributions are defined as donations to groups described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes contributions for use by the state, recognized nonprofit organizations, and other organizations not designed for private interests.[13] Barack Obama similarly turned his presidential campaign into a nonprofit with the establishment of Organizing for Action, as did Howard Dean with Democracy for America and Ron Paul with the Campaign for Liberty.[14][15]
Decision to register as 501(c)(4)
In an interview with Vermont Public Radio on October 7, 2016, Jeff Weaver commented on the organization's decision to register as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. In response to a question about the potential for large and corporate donations that could go undisclosed, Weaver said the decision was based on the organization's commitment to political activities. He also said that large donations to the organization would be disclosed, explaining, "We will be disclosing donors above a certain level. ... There will be transparency that people can see who is donating to the c4. I think what people should do is look at the work we are doing. If people are supportive of the work, that will be the real test."[16]
The Sanders Institute
The Sanders Institute, a 501(c)(3) think tank, was launched by Sanders' wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, in June 2017. According to the USA Today, $100,000 of startup funds for the Sanders Institute was provided by Our Revolution with the understanding that the money would be repaid to Our Revolution once the Sanders Institute raised its own funds.[17]
Tax status
Our Revolution is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) status refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning social welfare organizations.[18] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[19] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections listing specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, however, donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the contribution. 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. This includes donations to political committees that support or oppose ballot measures, bond issues, recalls, or referenda.
- See also: 501(c)(4) organizations on Ballotpedia
Noteworthy events
DCCC blacklist
On March 22, 2019, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced that it would no longer do business with firms who also worked with primary challengers to Democratic U.S. House members and encouraged House members' campaigns to do the same.[20]
In an interview with National Journal, Rep. James Clyburn (D) praised the policy change. He argued that the existing policy had been unfair because it meant that the DCCC was providing funds to firms who were working to oppose the re-election of dues-paying House Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) criticized the policy on Twitter, calling it "extremely divisive & harmful to the party". She urged supporters to halt donations to the DCCC and give directly to candidates instead.[21]
Following the announcement, influencer groups opposed to the decision, including Justice Democrats, Democracy for America, and Our Revolution, launched DCCC Blacklist. The website's purpose is "to fight back and provide potential primary challengers with a database of go-to vendors, organizations, and consultants who will continue to support efforts to usher in a new generation of leaders into the Democratic Party."[22]
On March 9, 2021, the chairman of the DCCC, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D), reversed the policy. "This policy change means that the only criteria for a vendor to be listed in the directory are our standards for fair business practices," said Chris Taylor, a spokesman for Maloney.[23]
| Click [show] to view a full list of sponsoring organizations. | |||
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Common Dreams, "Not Alone, But Together: Sanders Campaign Declares Creation of 'Our Revolution,'" August 8, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "Bernie Sanders will launch organizations to spread progressive message," July 15, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "Bernie Sanders seeks contributions for 'Our Revolution,'" August 3, 2016
- ↑ Bustle, "What Is 'Our Revolution'? Bernie Sanders' New Organization Is Keeping The Movement Going," August 10, 2016
- ↑ Tlaib was defeated in the August 7, 2018, Democratic primary for the remainder of Jon Conyers' unexpired term. However, she won the Democratic primary on the same day for a seat in the 116th Congress.
- ↑ Our Revolution, "Candidates," archived June 29, 2017
- ↑ Our Revolution, "Candidates," cached August 31, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Sanders political machine raising for Wasserman Schultz opponent," August 9, 2016
- ↑ Our Revolution, "Yes on Ohio Drug Price Relief Act: Lower Drug Prices," cached July 29, 2017
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Our Revolution, "Ballot Initiatives," cached August 31, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Politico, "Bernie Sanders' new group is already in turmoil," August 23, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Turner replaces Weaver as Our Revolution president," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Legal Information Institute, "U.S. Code section 170(c)," accessed July 22, 2016
- ↑ CNBC, "Sanders launches 'Our Revolution' to press campaign's work," July 26, 2016
- ↑ Vanity Fair, "Inside Ron Paul's Counter-convention," September 2008
- ↑ Vermont Public Radio, "Former Sanders Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver On 'Our Revolution,'" October 7, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "'The Sanders Institute': Jane Sanders launches new progressive think tank," accessed June 14,2017
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ Huffington Post, "DCCC Promises To Blacklist Firms That Work With Candidates Challenging Incumbents," March 22, 2019
- ↑ The Hill, "Progressives hammer DCCC over blacklist targeting primary challenges," March 30, 2019
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 DCCC Blacklist, "Home," accessed September 19, 2022
- ↑ New York Times, "The D.C.C.C. Blacklist Is No More." March 31, 2021
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