Our Mission

Winning the U.S. House:
We endorse more candidates earlier than ever before with challengers that will flip enough seats blue to win a Democratic majority.

Tony Vargas joins as Executive Director:
As a former Square One candidate for Congress and the first Latino state lawmaker in Nebraska, Tony steps in to guide the organization forward. Read his vision for the future of Square One here.

Winning Against the Odds:
During a much anticipated red wave, Square One candidates flip 2 House seats, send a Democrat from the Deep South to Congress, and help elect 2 trailblazing U.S. Senators.

Square One launches Power Breakers with Maya Rupert, a new Substack interview series that focuses on the people and ideas that matter in elections.

Expanded Endorsements:
Square One rolls out 11 endorsements — the most candidates ever endorsed in the off-year. We continue to invest in diverse candidates in competitive districts in Montana, Nebraska, and more.

Square One releases Power Brokers, a report on Congressional campaign spending that highlighted an investment gap in the closest races.

Senate Candidates Added:
We expand our strategy and support to two Senate for the first time. On the House side, our candidates over-perform and win historic races. In Colorado, we send a new leader to Congress who had been given just a 9% chance of winning by the pundits.

Square One relaunches its Leadership Board with national movement leaders.

The New Campaign Playbook Released:
Square One launched The New Campaign Playbook, a resource for candidates and campaign staff focused on empowering women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ candidates. The organization also begins endorsing candidates early for the 2022 election cycle.

Adaptation is Required
Square One adapts its campaign support during the COVID pandemic. The organization expanded its work in red states like Texas.

All Square One incumbents win reelection. Its work is featured in the documentary SURGE, and a Square One Politico op-ed becomes the site's most-read article that day.

New Leaders go to Washington:
Lauren Underwood is sworn in as the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress. Square One supports new members during the transition from the campaign trail to Capitol Hill.

Ahead of 2020, Square One releases a new slate of endorsements including trailblazing moms Katie Porter (CA-45) and Lucy McBath (GA-06).

First (and Historic) Election:

All Square One endorsed candidates win their primaries. Antonio Delgado (NY-19), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Lauren Underwood (IL-18) flip their red seats blue — helping Democrats win back the U.S. House.

Liuba Grechen Shirley successfully pushes the FEC to allow campaign funds to be used for childcare.

Launch
Square One is founded by Miti Sathe, Will Levitt, and Brian Bordainick.

Using data to identify overlooked districts, the team begins endorsing and recruiting candidates including Lauren Underwood (IL-18) and Liuba Grechen Shirley (NY-02). We develop our signature high-impact, hands-on support model.