2026 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES

There are a total of 17 seats on the Executive Council: 4 officer seats (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), and 13 general Executive Council Member seats. All seats are two-year terms.

This year there are a total of 9 Executive Council positions up for election: President, Treasurer, and 7 general Executive Council Member seats. We are also electing 4 new alternates.

The President and Treasurer will be elected separately from the EC as a whole. The President and Treasurer also serve as members of the Executive Council, in addition to their special roles. Candidates can choose to run for multiple offices but would only be allowed to serve in one role, should they win both.

Alternates do not formally serve on the Executive Council unless they are asked to fill a vacancy, but they do undergo training and may perform some tasks.

Presidential Candidates

Amber Glass

I’m Amber (She/Her) - running for CWG President. I’ve worked as a local organizer, I’ve trained in adult learning and leadership development, and I’ve seen the power of strong, member-led collectives. As a CWG member, I’ve represented our unit as a steward, a member of the LMC, and a member of our bargaining team, and I know how much effort and heart this work can take. My focus as president would be to listen for what’s needed and to do what I can to cultivate and strengthen support infrastructure so members, unit leaders, EC members, and staff feel connected and empowered.

I was raised by farm and labor organizers in the upper midwest, so I’ll probably always have Paul Wellstone ringing in my ears. “When we all do better, we all do better.” Unions forever.

Treasurer Candidate:

Dominique Lee

Dominique Lee (they/them) is currently running to serve as your next CWG Treasurer! After stepping in last July to serve as Interim Treasurer, Dominique hopes to continue serving CWG members in this role. As Interim Treasurer, Dominique facilitated the creation and passing of CWG’s first official budget, in addition to supporting other CWG priorities that included co-leading negotiations for a new bargaining unit, chairing the Solidarity Committee, and serving on the Hiring Working Group that selected and recently onboarded CWG’s second staffer. They are passionate about learning the various function of our union and would love the opportunity to continue stepping in various capacities to support our members.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES:

Ben Silva

I’m asking for your vote to continue the work I’m doing on the Executive Committee. From chairing the National Organizing/Bargaining Committee, to negotiating two of our strongest contracts, to helping spearhead our "Union Wave" Card Check initiative, my passion is organizing to improve the standards for campaign workers.

Brodie Allen

Hello, my name is Brodie! I’ve spent over a decade building campaigns, organizing communities, and advancing grassroots digital fundraising across the country. From 2015 to 2021, I worked in political fieldwork, rising from organizing intern to Deputy Director on statewide programs and presidential campaigns in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Florida, the Carolinas, and Kansas. I have now been with ActBlue for five years as an Outreach Associate, supporting campaigns across Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

At ActBlue, I am proud to serve on the Bargaining Team, Stewards Team, and CAT Team, experiences that have strengthened my commitment to collective action and ensuring every voice is heard. I’m eager to bring that same dedication to CWG, helping members and leaders across all CWG unions thrive, while building a stronger, fair, and democratic union for all.

As President Obama reminds us: “Strong unions are part of what makes our democracy work. They give ordinary people the ability to shape their own futures.”

I would be honored to have your support as a member of CWG’s Executive Council.

Jeff Witter

Hi, I’m Jeff! I’m committed to making the world of campaign politics a healthier, more sustainable profession for those of us who choose to make it a career. As a member of the Executive Committee, I’ll work to ensure that all workers have a seat at the table and can secure contracts with fair wages, healthy workplace expectations, and strong protections.

I currently serve as the union steward at New Blue Interactive (NBI), where I’m helping bargain our next contract. While it’s not my first political consulting firm, it is my first time working in a union shop. I’ve seen firsthand how the Campaign Workers Guild protects our rights and helps establish healthy boundaries and expectations, especially during the heat of election season.

I also believe our industry benefits from perspectives outside the Beltway. I’m a California native and have lived for nearly seven years on the state’s rural North Coast in Humboldt County. I’d be proud to bring the perspective of a West Coast resident and rural progressive to the Executive Committee.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking among the world’s tallest trees, cooking, and spending time with my two cats.

Samantha Lias

I’m Sam! I’m a union steward within CWG, and running to join the Executive Committee. My background is in rural organizing, where I’ve supported working people coming together to fight for better conditions in their communities. Since becoming a steward, I’ve applied those same organizing skills inside my workplace—having the same conversations with coworkers that I’ve had with community members, and using the same accountability language with managers and leadership that I’ve used with elected officials. Whether in a community meeting or a workplace dispute, the goal is the same: identify the issue, organize the people, make a plan, demand change from those in power, and hold them accountable if they fail to act.

My experience as a steward has reinforced my belief that unions are the fastest and most effective way for working people to secure relief, dignity, and protections at work and in life. Doing this work in North Carolina—ranked last for worker rights and protections—has made this deeply personal. I want to strengthen our union in the South by expanding membership and building the power needed to win stronger worker rights and challenge “right-to-work” laws that delay progress. If elected, I’ll bring on-the-ground organizing experience, accountability, and belief that when workers organize, life gets easier.

Jacob Raiford

My name is Jacob Raiford, organizer and Political Director at my state's party. My work has involved everything from leading months-long demonstrations, driving critical local campaigns, galvanizing cities around substantive policy reform, to working alongside my union colleagues as a party staffer, with all that entails. As a musician, I favor the unorthodox approach to problem-solving, recognize the power of a platform, and understand that nothing meaningful is accomplished in silos.

As an EC member, I look forward to working alongside my comrades to help enhance internal engagement and strengthen solidarity with our folks out there doing meaningful work. There is something powerful about lending assistance to our labor family, not only fellow union members, but ones directly engaged in campaign work, as the pathway to systemic resolutions is often through the ballot box. Since joining CWG, I have been fortunate enough to work as a member of the national bargaining unit, which has only furthered my appreciation for this amazing union. Let's change some lives and unify staffers working to build a better tomorrow.

Alissa Hansford

Hi all, my name is Alissa (she/her), and I’m hoping to serve every current and future member of CWG as an executive council member! I’ve been in the campaign fundraising game for 9 years, and I’ve served as an AB1U steward for the past two years. Getting to collaborate with union workers has become the highlight of my career. When I’m not at work (thanks to AB1U’s hard won CBA), find me in NC or DC spending time with my three cats, reading, gaming, and hosting wine tastings.

When I was first approached to become a steward, I wasn’t sure I had the know-how or the gusto. Two years later, I am confident that any and every worker in this guild can become a leader in empowering and standing with their fellow organizers. What I offer is relentless commitment to supporting the labor community. If you choose to vote for me, I will not take that trust lightly. Inviting folks into the union space, engaging and representing my fellow workers, and organizing together is a privilege, and I’d be honored to expand my commitment to CWG by joining the EC.

Ellie Young

My name is Ellie Young (she/her). I’m a member of AB1U where I serve on the Stewards, Bargaining, and LMC teams. I've also been a CWG EC member since August after being an alternate. I’m running for a full term to continue the critical work of advocating for our workers and strengthening our Union.

I worked on campaigns during the 2018-2022 cycles. I know how difficult and exploitative that environment can be, and I would have greatly benefited from the protections of a Union.

At ActBlue, I have gained invaluable experience in representation on discipline and grievances cases. I’ve also been at the bargaining table fighting for a strong contract. I work every day to protect workers against Union busting tactics.

The workers in our industry are facing many serious issues: hostile management, unsustainable workloads, and the rise of AI threatening our jobs. As an EC member, I will continue to ensure that CWG can be a bulwark for our members against these threats.

I am so proud to be a Union member. This is the most meaningful work I have and will ever do. I would be honored to have your vote.

Michael Careccia

I'm Michael Careccia, Regional Organizing Director with the North Carolina Dems. I serve as a steward for my unit, and as we are currently negotiating our successor CBA, I sit at the table for our unit as well.

I've been working in politics since 2018 and have worked in many different roles from Campaign Manager, to finance director, tracker, and organizer.

In 2022 we organized our NCDP Staff Union.

I know the importance not only to organize our state parties, political nonprofits, and campaigns, but to organize them under Campaign Workers Guild. Our union is made up of experienced campaign and political workers, who are passionate about the work they do and how that work impacts real people. Our workers have the power to hold our democratic bosses accountable both on the job site and in public policy.

If elected, I will work to continue growing CWG and finding ways we can collectively show our power.

Maricruz Gonzales-Mendez

Maricruz Gonzales-Mendez was born and raised in a union household. Her grandfather led the first farmers union in his hometown, and her formative years were spent attending her dad's teachers union meetings. Maricruz got her start in politics via organizing Latino voters in Arizona– understanding that every connection made was another chance to make the world a better place. After spending years working for the Arizona Democratic Party as a key member of the Operations team, Maricruz became a founding member of the first state party headquarters to unionize– a feat that took on the ground organizing, strategy, and press engagement. Maricruz believes that every Democratic organization, state party, and campaign should be unionized because a unionized workplace works better and reflects the values of the Democratic Party.

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Maricruz understands firsthand the importance of relationship building and intentional strategy and wants to fight hard for every person to be represented by a fair union. As a member of the Executive Committee, she would combine organizing and operational skills to ensure CWG works like a well-oiled machine. She will always take on any task with a smile and passion because she believes that all work within an organization is worthwhile.

Ian Brady

Jenna Scar

Ngakay Wong

Corey Torpie