Democrats across America are engaged in an existential conversation about our party’s future.

The question isn’t simply how to win the next election—it’s how to rebuild a movement that addresses Americans’ kitchen table concerns while standing firm against authoritarian threats to our democracy.

We’ve both been in the trenches. We know firsthand what it takes to win in competitive districts. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

And here’s the key thing: there is no silver bullet. Renewal requires a comprehensive national strategy centered on affordability and economic opportunity while vigorously defending crucial programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid against defunding and dismantlement.

Equally important—and often overlooked—is the critical need to cultivate the next generation of Democratic leadership.

Recent elections offer encouraging signs. In addition to the recent victory in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Democrats captured a Pennsylvania state Senate seat for the first time since 1879 in a district Trump won by 15 points.

Similar victories in Iowa and elsewhere demonstrate voters’ growing disillusionment with Trump’s agenda. Leaders who have successfully won in competitive districts have proven that focusing on economic issues that matter to working families can win over voters who might otherwise vote Republican.

The American people are hungry for fresh, effective leadership.

That’s why our organizations—NewDEAL Leaders and The Next 50—are forming a strategic partnership focused not just on 2026 but on building sustainable success for 2028, 2030, 2032, and beyond.

We each have a track record of supporting amazing and effective leaders on their journeys. NewDEAL, for instance, identified and supported Pete Buttigieg as a promising leader when he was the mayor of South Bend, and The Next 50 achieved a 68 percent win rate last year.

Even in 2024, leaders from both our organizations succeeded, including Senator Ruben Gallego (AZ), Representative Sarah McBride (DE), and Representative Janelle Bynum (OR). They took the same approach as leaders like now-Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet – a NewDEAL Leader who “cruised to victory in a Trump district won” – by focusing relentlessly on the kitchen table issues of her constituents.

We see three key steps to identifying and supporting a new generation of strong Democratic leaders that can and should be implemented everywhere: 

First, it’s vital to identify and support compelling individuals with visions for change who are ready to run. When Democrats show up in communities—rural, suburban, and urban—with messages that address local concerns, we win. That’s why we must find, encourage, and invest in candidates and leaders who have a strong vision for the future, especially those who have the potential to win in battleground states and districts.

Second, leadership development must continue after elections. Governing effectively requires different skills from campaigning. Rising leaders need networking opportunities and access to policy expertise and idea-sharing forums to translate electoral victories into governing success.

Third, we must empower officials at every level to craft and communicate a policy agenda that actually effectively addresses Americans’ most pressing concerns and struggles – which is a primary goal for us at NewDEAL and The Next 50. The time for nurturing this next generation of Democratic talent is now. Our partnership represents an urgent response to America’s need for pragmatic, reform-minded leaders who can win tough races and govern effectively once in office.

And we know that this partnership alone won’t solve all the Democratic Party’s challenges. But as we’ve witnessed throughout our careers, investing in talented leaders who can communicate effectively and deliver results for their communities is the surest path to rebuilding trust with voters. 

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Debbie Cox Bultan is the founding CEO of NewDEAL, a selective national network of 200+ state and local Democratic elected officials with a strong track record of delivering progress and advancing effective governance. 

Mari Manoogian is the Political Director of The Next 50, an organization that identifies and invests in 50 next-generation Democratic candidates every cycle.