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The Rookies: Stories of Candidates Running Democracy's First Lap

The Rookies: Candidates Running Democracy's First Lap

The Takeaway profiles five people who are running for local and state elected office for the first time. “The Rookies” includes voices from across the country—from a district school board election in Colorado that is marred with controversy, to a candidate who grew up as a migrant farm worker and is now seeking to become the first Latino representative on the Seattle City Council. We hear why these candidates, many of whom have never had political aspirations, are taking the plunge into politics.

  • First Time Political Losers and Winners

    Nov 12, 2015
    After their October and November elections, The Takeaway checks back in with the first-time political candidates profiled as part of our series, "The Rookies."

  • The Rookie Candidate: Lorena González

    Sep 25, 2015
    One of six children from Mexican immigrants, Lorena González grew up as a migrant farm worker in a small town in Washington State. And now she is seeking political office in Seattle. 

  • The Rookie Candidate: Letty Hardi

    Sep 24, 2015
    Letty Hardi never thought of herself as having the qualities of a politician. She's just one of five candidates The Takeaway is profiling in our new series, "The Rookies."

  • The Rookie Candidate: Paul Lalley

    Sep 23, 2015
    In the hype of elections, the courts are often overlooked, and often overlooked in Pennsylvania, is the Commonwealth Court. That’s where Paul Lalley hopes to spend his next 10 years.

  • The Rookie Candidate: Amanda Stevens

    Sep 22, 2015
    Last year, the politics of the local school board in Jefferson County, Colorado turned national. Parent Amanda Stevens was left with the consequences when she decided to take action.

  • Running Democracy's First Lap

    Sep 21, 2015
    Erich Caulfield, a former White House Fellow who's running for elected office for the first time, is vying for a seat in the Louisiana State Senate. But his aspirations go further.