Why Local Seats Matter
If you want to see what the MAGA agenda looks like in action, you don’t need to look to Washington.
Just check your school board meeting.
Across the country, far-right extremists have taken over local seats that used to fly under the radar—passing book bans, targeting LGBTQ+ students, blocking climate curriculum, and criminalizing protests.
They didn’t win by accident. They showed up where we didn’t.
It’s time to change that.
These Seats Aren’t Boring—They’re Powerful
School Boards
These are ground zero for culture war politics. The GOP knows that what kids learn (or don’t) shapes the future.
School boards control:
- Curriculum decisions (e.g. banning Black history or LGBTQ+ books)
- School safety policies and policing
- Contracts with private companies or charter networks
County Sheriffs
Sheriffs decide how laws are enforced—or ignored. They can:
- Refuse to protect abortion providers or enforce federal regulations
- Collaborate with ICE to detain immigrants
- Control jail budgets and policing priorities
Sheriff races are partisan in many states—and Republicans win most of them without competition.
City Council and County Commissions
These bodies control:
- Housing, zoning, and rent laws
- Funding for roads, transit, libraries, and sanitation
- Police and fire budgets
- Environmental regulations
They are where racial justice, climate, education, and labor issues live or die.
The GOP Playbook: Start Local, Build National
The far right learned long ago that the path to national control runs through school boards and county seats.
- Moms for Liberty is running coordinated slates of school board candidates across the country.
- Conservative Christian networks are fielding sheriff and DA candidates aligned with Project 2025.
- ALEC writes “model legislation” for city councils to pass at the local level.
Their organizing is not random—it’s strategic.
What You Can Do Locally
1. Find Out Who Holds Power
Use BallotReady or your county’s election office to find:
- Who is on your school board
- Who your sheriff and city council rep are
- When they’re up for re-election
2. Attend a Public Meeting
Nothing changes your perspective like seeing a school board in action. Go. Listen. Speak during public comment. Invite others.
Even showing up with a notebook sends a message: we’re watching now.
3. Recruit Candidates (or Run)
Many of these seats go uncontested. You or someone you know could win them.
If a far-right candidate is running unopposed, find a challenger now. Contest Every Race can help.
Final Word
You don’t need to look to Congress to see where democracy is being eroded—or defended.
Start with your local school board. Ask who’s enforcing laws in your town. Look at your sidewalks, your parks, your bookshelves.
That’s where the battle is. That’s where we show up.