Host Erika Washington talks with organizer and author Tomás Garduño about his book, "Fundamentals of Electoral Organizing," and why organizing is “reorganizing” power so working-class people can speak with one voice and govern in their own interests. Garduño, born and raised in Albuquerque with deep New Mexico roots and 25+ years of organizing experience, defines democracy as working-class power and argues elites divide people by identity to weaken the 90% working-class majority. He shares key lessons for organizers—humility, reassessing the time/place/conditions, and taking risks with courage—and explains why electoral organizing is urgent to protect elections and counter authoritarian tendencies. They discuss that 70% of U.S. elections go uncontested and encourage people to run for office or support campaigns in roles that match their skills, with a focus on the midterms and flipping Congress. The book is available at fundamentalsofelectoralorganizing.org
