Overview:

 

David Pepper emphasized that 2026 is a historic inflection point in the fight for democracy. It’s not just about winning seats—it’s about halting authoritarian drift, restoring democratic norms, and rebuilding long-term competitive infrastructure across all 50 states.

 

Essential Steps Proposed:

 

Treat 2026 as Part of a Long-Term Fight

 

• Frame 2026 as a continuation of John Lewis-style democratic resistance.

• Push back against creeping "competitive autocracy" like Hungary’s under Orban.

 

Engage Beyond the Ballot Box

 

• Mobilize year-round via vote-by-mail registration, local action, and peer-to-peer influence.

• Leverage trusted non-partisan networks for democratic outreach.

 

Compete in Every District

 

• Run candidates everywhere—even in deep-red areas—for visibility, accountability, and organizing capacity.

• Support underdog candidates via crowdfunding (e.g. Blue Ohio model).

 

Support Authentic Local Candidates

 

• Recruit candidates who can speak credibly to rural and working-class voters.

• Invest in training, visibility, and infrastructure for local races.

 

Modernize Messaging Channels

 

• Shift away from TV ads alone—engage voters via social media, podcasts, creators.

• Use data to target and tailor messaging, especially to young and disaffected voters.

 

Create Friction Against Extremism

 

• Use organized outreach (calls, emails, public protests) to expose GOP extremism and erode support.

 

Expose Trump’s Corruption

 

• Highlight the corrupt billionaire alliances and Trump’s history of self-dealing.

• Show how that corruption harms regular Americans.

 

Capitalize on GOP Policy Failures

 

• Spotlight unpopular Republican policies (e.g. school vouchers, FEMA/NOAA cuts).

• Localize the impact: school closures, storm recovery delays, and insurance hikes.

 

Warn About Surveillance State Overreach

 

• Educate the public about aggressive data collection (e.g. DOGE, Palantir).

• Frame it as authoritarian creep and a civil liberties issue.

 

Use 2026 as a Democratic Reset

 

• Midterms under unpopular presidents historically favor the opposition—2026 is our moment to reclaim ground.​​