TEAM EXPERIENCE
Here at vertical flow, our team is our power.
Members of our team have, under our umbrella or elsewhere, worked to power campaigns and made an impact that has secured key victories on the campaign trail.
Here are some of our teams greatest hits.
JON TESTER
| U.S. Senate | Montana | 2018 |
Against All Odds in Big Sky Country
One of the most consequential Senate races of the 2018 cycle - and one of the hardest-fought Democratic defenses in the country. Incumbent Senator Jon Tester sought a third term in a state Donald Trump had carried by 20 points, making him a top Republican target. President Trump personally campaigned multiple times against Tester. Despite an unprecedented opposition onslaught and a race rated a toss-up heading into Election Day, Tester held on - winning with 50.3% of the vote against Republican State Auditor Matt Rosendale, the first time Tester had ever won a majority rather than a plurality. The most expensive Senate campaign in Montana history ended in a Democratic hold.
Stats:
- Office: U.S. Senate, Montana
- Margin: +3.5 Points
- Result: Won
STEPHEN JAFFE
| U.S. Congress | CA-12 - San Francisco | 2018 |
Medicare for All Congressional Campaign
An early progressive primary challenge in San Francisco's 12th Congressional District centered on Medicare for All, reproductive rights, and ending corporate influence in elections. Jaffe ran a zero-corporate-money campaign, building a grassroots donor coalition and making universal healthcare a central issue in a district long held by House leadership.
Stats:
- Office: U.S. House
- Platform: Medicare for All
- District: CA-12 SF
SHAHID BUTTAR
| U.S. Congress | CA-12 - San Francisco | 2018–2022|
Progressive Challenger to House Leadership
A nationally recognized progressive congressional campaign challenging the most powerful Democrat in the House across three cycles. The campaign advanced through California's jungle primary in 2020, earning 81,000+ general election votes - the strongest challenge to the incumbent in over 30 years. Built a record-breaking small-donor fundraising operation rooted in civil liberties and grassroots organizing.
- Office: U.S. House
- Platform: Medicare for All
- District: CA-12 SF
KENNETH MEJIA
| City Controller | Los Angeles, CA | 2022 |
Historic Citywide Victory
A groundbreaking campaign that made history: Mejia became the first Filipino American elected official in Los Angeles, the first Asian American to hold a citywide office, and the youngest City Controller in city history. The grassroots operation defeated a longtime City Council member by 23 points, earning more votes than any candidate in LA city history at the time.
Stats:
- Office: City Controller
- Margin: +23 Points
- Result: Won
ANGÉLICA DUEÑAS
| U.S. Congress | CA-29 - San Fernando Valley | 2018 |
Multi-Cycle Progressive Congressional Campaign
A recurring, 100% grassroots congressional campaign in California's 29th District - the East San Fernando Valley. Dueñas ran a zero-corporate-money operation across multiple election cycles, building durable organizing infrastructure across Pacoima, Van Nuys, Panorama City, and surrounding working-class communities. Currently running in 2026 to close the gap and win the seat.
Stats:
- Cycles: 2018
- Funding: 100% Small Dollar
- District: CA-29
JEFF CARR
| Municipal Office | Eagle Nest, NM | 2021-2024 |
Independent Municipal Leadership in Rural New Mexico
A successful municipal campaign in Eagle Nest, New Mexico - a small Colfax County village nestled in the Enchanted Circle region of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Carr, a registered Independent and longtime public educator with over 27 years in New Mexico schools, won the mayoralty in 2021 and took office in January 2022. His tenure included representation of Eagle Nest on the Enchanted Circle Council of Governments and a commitment to transparent, open local government in a community of roughly 315 full-time residents. A multifaceted public servant, Carr also previously served as Municipal Judge, Mayor Pro Tem, and as a New Mexico Public Education Commissioner for District 10.
Stats:
- Office: Mayor, Village of Eagle Nest
- Party: Independent
- Tenure: January 2022–April 2024
INDIVISIBLE SAN BERNARDINO
| Grassroots Org | San Bernardino, CA | 2017-2018 |
Grassroots Organizing & Voter Mobilization
Community-level organizing with the San Bernardino chapter of the national Indivisible movement - one of thousands of grassroots chapters working to elect progressive leaders and build lasting civic power at the local level. Work included voter outreach, phone banking, constituent advocacy, and coordination with statewide progressive coalitions across the Inland Empire.
Stats:
- Type: 501(c)(4) Org
- Focus: Voter Mobilization
- Region: Inland Empire
LIUNA - LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA
| Union Labor Organizing | Idaho | 2024 |
Building Working-Class Power for Harris-Walz
Ground-level labor organizing and voter mobilization work on behalf of the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Idaho, coordinated through LIUNA - the Laborers' International Union of North America, representing over 500,000 workers across construction, infrastructure, and public services. LIUNA was among the first major unions to unanimously endorse Harris following President Biden's withdrawal, citing her role in passing landmark infrastructure investment and securing union pensions. Work in Idaho focused on reaching working-class union households, activating members, and building labor-to-labor organizing infrastructure in a state where union turnout operations carry outsized local impact.
Stats:
- Type: Union Labor Mobilization
- Organization: LIUNA
- Region: Idaho
KANIELA ING
| U.S. Congress | Hawaii's 1st District | 2018 |
Grassroots Progressive Congressional Campaign in Hawaii
A bold progressive primary challenge in Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, run by then-State Representative Kaniela Ing - the youngest Native Hawaiian ever elected to the state legislature and a nationally recognized voice for climate justice, Indigenous rights, and economic equity. A member of Democratic Socialists of America and an early champion of the Green New Deal and universal basic income, Ing ran a grassroots campaign rooted in working-class organizing and zero-corporate-money principles. The race drew national progressive attention and endorsements from members of Congress including Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna. Ing has since served as National Director for the Green New Deal Network and Climate Justice Director for People's Action.
Stats:
- Office: U.S. House, Hawaii 1st District
- Platform: Green New Deal, Universal Basic Income
- Year: 2018
NATURAL MEDICINE ALLIANCE OF IDAHO
| Ballot Initiative | Idaho Medical Cannabis Act | 2026 |
Taking Medical Cannabis to the Voters in the Last Holdout State
A historic statewide ballot initiative campaign to bring medical cannabis to Idaho - the last remaining state in the contiguous West without any form of legal cannabis access. The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho launched in 2025 with a mission to qualify the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act for the November 2026 general election, requiring 70,725 verified signatures across all 44 counties. Despite fierce legislative resistance - including a legislative resolution urging voters to reject the effort and a concurrent push to constitutionally block future cannabis initiatives - the campaign submitted over 150,000 signatures by the May 1, 2026 deadline, more than double the threshold required. If certified and approved by voters, the initiative would allow patients with qualifying conditions including cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and Alzheimer's to access regulated medical cannabis starting July 1, 2027. A people-powered campaign operating in one of the most restrictive political environments in the country.
Stats:
- Type: Statewide Ballot Initiative
- Signatures Submitted: 150,000+ across all 44 counties
- Threshold: 70,725 required
- Election: November 2026
BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT
| Presidential Campaign | Western Montana | 2016 |
Political Revolution in the Rockies
Field and organizing work for Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign in western Montana - a region that became central to Sanders' remarkable primary performance in the Mountain West. Sanders became the first presidential candidate in modern history to hold campaign rallies in the state, drawing thousands to events in Missoula and Billings. He went on to win the Montana Democratic primary with 51.6% of the vote, defeating Hillary Clinton despite having already clinched the nomination by delegate count. The western Montana organizing operation was a signature example of the grassroots, small-dollar infrastructure that defined the Sanders political revolution and helped launch a generation of progressive candidates.
Stats:
- Office: U.S. President (Primary)
- Result: Won Montana Primary
- Region: Western Montana
BRAND NEW CONGRESS
| Political Action Committee | National | 2016-2023 |
Co-Founding Role in a National Progressive Movement
Brand New Congress was founded in April 2016 by former Bernie Sanders campaign staffers with a bold mission: recruit hundreds of working-class candidates - teachers, nurses, and activists - to replace the entire U.S. Congress. The organization helped launch the careers of nationally recognized progressive legislators, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and inspired a generation of grassroots challengers across the country. Our team's involvement came at the founding stage, contributing to the early organizational infrastructure before the PAC formalized its structure. Brand New Congress operated as a federal PAC until ceasing operations in 2023.
Stats:
- Role: Founding Contributor
- Founded: April 2016
- Notable Outcome: AOC & The Squad