About me

I’m a regulatory lawyer with a PhD in health policy who fell backwards into state politics in 2016, when I co-founded Sister District. Nearly a decade of organizing at the state level showed me both the possibilities and the deep gaps in how we support state policymakers who share our values. With State Futures, I’ve returned to my roots in policy, bringing the lessons of organizing to help state leaders govern with clarity, courage, and purpose. State Futures builds state-level capacity to govern boldly in the public interest, by creating spaces for values-aligned policymakers to learn from one another, act together, and strengthen the institutions that shape our daily lives.

I write and speak often about the growing importance of state policy, and the urgent need for the center-left to invest deeply and permanently in state strategies, policies and leaders.

Op-eds and articles

Blue State Dems are Having an Overdue Reckoning with their Own Power
Talking Points Memo, August 12, 2025

Republicans are Systematically Blocking Cities’ Ability to Protect Abortion
The New Republic, June 20, 2023 (With LiJia Gong)

Many Democratic Voters are Skipping Down-Ballot Races
CNN, October 25, 2022 (With Mallory Roman)

Small Races with Huge Implications for Democracy
Democracy Docket, September 20, 2022 (With Bela Tringali)

Democrats Have Seized Momentum - Now That Needs to Flow Down-Ballot
Salon, August 24, 2022 (With Mallory Roman)

After Dobbs, Taking the Fight to the States
Salon, July 6, 2022

Will the Independent State Legislature doctrine Literally Mean the End of Democracy?
Salon, March 9, 2022 (With David Daley)

After Roe v Wade: The Fight for Reproductive Justice in our States
Salon, January 23, 2022

The Insurrection Will Be Decentralized: The Next Jan. 6 Will Happen in the State Houses
Salon, January 6, 2022

Virginia’s Urgent Lesson: Democrats’ Downballot Enthusiasm Gap
The Hill, November 22, 2021 (With Mallory Roman)

Virginia Democrats Must Beware the Enthusiasm Gap
Washington Post, October 15, 2021

Beware the ‘Independent State Legislatures doctrine’ - It Could Checkmate Democracy
Salon, September 27, 2021 (With David Daley)

For Abortion Access, Look to Your State House
Ms. Magazine, September 2, 2021

America’s ‘Democracy Deserts’ ahead of Redistricting
The Guardian, August 13, 2021 (With David Daley)

In the Repro Justice Fight, State Legislatures Now More than Ever
Ms. Magazine, July 13, 2021 (With Jennifer Driver)

John Roberts is Wrecking Voting Rights
Salon, July 5, 2021 (With David Daley)

Turning 2020’s Down Ballot Losses into Down Payments on Future Wins
Common Dreams, March 20, 2021 (With Krithika Harish)

We should have seen the Capitol riot coming
CNN, January 14, 2021 (With David Daley)

Did gerrymandering hurt Democrats down ballot in 2020? Yes and no.
Roll Call, December 17, 2020 (With Mallory Roman)

Vote the whole ballot. The next decade depends on it
CNN, October 29, 2020 (With David Daley)

To protect our democracy, Democrats must win state legislative elections
The Guardian, September 22, 2020 (With Meaghan Winter)

Beyond the White House, the coronavirus may be a lasting threat to politics
The Hill, March 27, 2020 (With David Daley)

The fight for a fair census is not over
The Hill, July 1, 2019

Flipping Virginia blue will not be a walk in the park
Washington Post, May 2, 2019

Washington Is Not the Short-Term Answer to Securing Democracy. Your Local Statehouse Is.
Rewire, January 17, 2019 (With Jiggy Athilingam)

This Is the Year to Care About State Legislative Races
Rewire, September 28, 2018

After demise of Supreme Court, states are the last line of defense for democracy
The Hill, October 16, 2018