Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Victoria Martz, Indiana House of Representatives District 55

Indiana is known as one of the most solidly Republican states in the country. But it does not necessarily need to be. Indiana has a long and proud tradition of manufacturing, supported by labor unions who made the state a notable center of steel production, automotive production, pharmaceuticals, and other heavy manufacturing. Indiana is a state with a large working-class population, and in recent years the rights of working-class people have been rolled back by Republican governors and the legislature through weakening of labor unions’ strength (becoming a right-to-work state in 2012), cutting food aid, and cutting access to child care.

Victoria Martz (she/her) is a bisexual millennial criminal defense lawyer who grew up on a farm in rural southeastern Indiana. Her experiences on the farm taught her the value of hard work and the dignity of owning one’s own labor. Victoria’s campaign focuses on workers’ rights, the legalization of marijuana (building tax revenue for the state to expand social programs), and creating public service programs for mental health.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 58Andrew FApril 28, 2026millenial, farmer, bisexual, marijuana, unionComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Aarika Nelson, Sheriff of Kent County, Delaware

Aarika Nelson (she/her) is a millennial whose progressive views have led her to believe that everyday Americans are suffering under policies enacted by the dual-party system that allows special interests to divide and conquer. A married mother of four, Aarika is the primary income earner in her family, making minimum wage working at Dollar Tree and living paycheck to paycheck, and is enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in order to feed her family. Aarika's life experience as a low-income, working-class woman have made her identify with other marginalized people like her. She is a strong advocate for Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, the legalization of marijuana, and ending the failed War on Drugs.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 45Andrew FOctober 6, 2022police reform, policies, political, politics, Politics, #politics, queer, #queer, Motherhood, economy, Poverty, poverty, marijuanaComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Heather Mizeur, Maryland's 1st Congressional District

This week we are profiling Heather Mizeur (she/her/hers). Heather is a health policy expert, nonprofit leader, and former state legislator currently running for the US House of Representatives in Maryland's First District. She and her wife Deborah live on a 34-acre organic farm in Chestertown, Maryland. During her time in the Maryland House of Delegates, and as a candidate for governor in 2014, Mizeur focused on environmental protection, government transparency, healthcare, jobs creation, marriage equality, and the legalization of marijuana as signature issues.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Taylor Small, Vermont House of Representatives - Chittenden-6-7

This week we are profiling Taylor Small (she/her/hers). Taylor is a millennial member of the Vermont House of Representatives and is the first openly transgender legislator in Vermont, running on the Vermont Progressive Party ticket. She is also the Education Manager at Pride Center of Vermont and has worked in mental health with homeless and runaway youth at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. She promotes youth literacy and local libraries, among other education issues.