One line, one commitment, zero career politicians.
A decade in elected office — total, across every seat, whether served all at once or spread across a career.
After 10 years in elected office, I will never run again.
Always running. Rarely serving.
Being an elected official should not be a lifetime appointment. But our positions of public trust are now occupied by career politicians who prioritize keeping their job over doing their job. Solving our state's problems means making "serve and step aside" the rule, not the exception.
120
Members of Congress are 70+, a record
Source · New York Times, "The Age Issue" (2025).20 years
Average tenure in public office for a CA statewide elected official
Source · Public Records.1 in 4
House members from CA are 70+
Source · unitedstates.github.io, a public domain project (2026).
One line that commits candidates to a cause greater than themselves.
We will never fix our politics by waiting for once-in-a-generation candidates of heroic virtue. Instead, we need to make virtue the easy choice.
What the pledge prevents
- Lifelong officeholders, insulated from the real world.
- Endless office-hopping, just to keep a job.
- A career of service to lobbyists and donors.
- Locking the next generation out of power.
What the pledge provides
- Politicians who will have to live in the world they make.
- Focus on the job the person was hired to do.
- More freedom to follow one's conscience.
- Fair representation for each generation.
You pledge, we have your back.
To be considered for an endorsement by Us, a candidate must first sign the pledge. Then, we work to level the playing field between you and the career politicians.
Online marketing
We run digital campaigns to put our endorsed candidates in front of voters.
Direct mail
We feature our endorsements, so voters know about the true public servants on the ballot.
Canvassing
We organize canvassing events to help our endorsed candidates win.
Policy ideas
Volunteer to champion policies and reforms from our member-maintained library of ideas.
Validation
Use our brand assets on your campaign materials to prove your commitment to service.
Earned media
We publicize endorsements to the outlets that voters read, listen to, and watch.
Serve the public.Make lives better.Pass the baton.
No career politicians. No blocking the next generation. No job-for-life.
You may serve in public office at various times in your life, but always with the guarantee of returning to live in the world you have made.
Who has signed
Santa Monica City Council
- Signed: Doug Trussler
- Signed: Eli Gill
- Signed: Ericka Lesley
- Signed: Lindsay Davis
- Signed: Phil Brock
- Has not signed: Ashley Oelsen
- Has not signed: Brett Morrow
- Has not signed: Caroline Torosis
- Has not signed: Daniel Ivanov
- Has not signed: Derrick Townsend
- Has not signed: Lana Negrete
- Has not signed: Ryan Blomberg
- Has not signed: Wade Kelley
Santa Monica College Board
- Has not signed: Kera Blades-Snell
- Has not signed: Luis Barrera Castanon
- Has not signed: Oscar de la Torre
- Has not signed: Sion Roy
- Has not signed: Thomas Peters
Santa Monica Rent Control Board
- Has not signed: Heather Thomason
- Has not signed: Kurt Gonska
- Has not signed: Soledad Marcial
- Has not signed: Sue Himmelrich
- Has not signed: Zoë Muntaner
SMMUSD Board
- Signed: Harry Leshner
- Has not signed: Alicia Mignano
- Has not signed: Laurie Lieberman
- Has not signed: Robert “Robbie” Staenberg
- Has not signed: Stacy J. Rouse