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"A CRISIS MOMENT": NEW POLITICS LAUNCHES $20 MILLION PUSH TO RECRUIT SERVICE-ORIENTED CANDIDATES

New Politics, a group founded in 2014 that supports candidates from service backgrounds (military, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps alums), is launching a $20 million effort, called "The Next Mission," to recruit 5,000 candidates over the next four years, aiming to address a "crisis moment in political leadership."

Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), an Army veteran and co-chair of the recruitment effort, believes there's a fundamental lack of leadership, integrity, courage, authenticity, candor, and honesty in the country. He previously worked with New Politics during his own congressional runs.

Emily Cherniack, founder and executive director of New Politics and an AmeriCorps alum, describes the campaign as having an "Uncle Sam needs you" vibe.

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo) is also co-chairing recruitment efforts for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and participating in the New Politics recruitment committee.

New Politics is bipartisan but primarily works with Democrats, though it has worked with some Republicans. It maintains a "very red line around pro-democracy" and is not currently working with GOP candidates for Congress. Potential candidates include federal workers affected by the Trump administration's efforts to reduce government size, or those fired from their jobs. The group aims to "bake risks early on the right candidates" rather than being cautious.