Local Progress: A National Network of Progressive Local Elected Officials

Founded in 2012, Local Progress is a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities, share bold ideas and policy among our network, and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities.

All across the country, local governments are advancing innovative policy solutions to our largest problems, and are creating new models of governance that work for the many, not just the wealthy and well-connected few. Our network supports and connects these efforts, catalyzing policy change at the local level while creating opportunities for collaboration across our cities. By working together our members are winning change within local governments and impacting policy and governance outcomes at the state and national level.

The guiding principle behind Local Progress is that building political power and winning progressive victories requires “outside” organizing from strong community advocates and “inside” negotiation by elected officials committed to the movement, with tight coordination between the two. Local Progress is building the capacity of “inside” elected officials, while working in close partnership with community-based organizations, progressive unions, movement organizations, and policy advocates to strengthen connections and shared strategy.

Local Progress has three goals:

1. Replicate the best policy and governance practices across cities: We do this by sharing innovative ideas throughout the network, helping legislators and advocates tailor them to their legal and political environment, and together designing strategies to win policy reforms.

2. Engage in strategic leadership development among elected officials: We work to build the substantive skill sets, strategic vision, and coalitions and networks needed to empower members to advance a progressive municipal agenda in their cities. We support their growth as they govern successfully and advance in their careers to higher levels of elected office.

3. Connect elected officials across cities to work collectively to impact state and federal policy: By coordinating campaigns trans-locally, we can influence state and federal policy and build a national movement of elected officials working in close collaboration with progressive movement organizations.

To learn more and to join Local Progress, please visit localprogress.org.

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