‘Run for Something’ Endorses Portland State House Candidate Charles Skold
Skold Among 141 Endorsements For Young Diverse Progressives Running For Local, State Offices Across Country
PORTLAND – Yesterday, House District 38 Candidate Charles Skold announced that Run for Something, the groundbreaking national political organization supporting the next generation of progressive leadership, has endorsed his campaign to become Portland’s next State Representative. Charles joins a select group of Maine candidates endorsed by Run for Something since the group’s formation in 2017, and is the only candidate running for the Maine State House to be endorsed by Run for Something this year.
“We all need each other in this fight for our future, and I’m honored to have the support of a progressive group like Run for Something as we move our campaign forward. Across the country and here in Maine, the next generation is stepping up to fight for our future. I’m humbled to be counted among such an impressive and dedicated group of changemakers,” said Charles Skold.
Along with Charles, Run for Something announced its endorsement of Maine State Senate District 15 candidate, Kalie Hess. Earlier this year, Run for Something endorsed State Representative Chloe Maxim’s bid for State Senate, and last year endorsed Safiya Khalid in her successful 2019 campaign for Lewiston City Council.
Charles, who is openly bisexual, joins a diverse group of candidates endorsed by Run for Something around the country. According to the organization, 54% of these newly endorsed candidates are women, 48% are people of color, and 18% identify as LGBTQ+. In the announcement for their May 2020 class of endorsements, Run for Something commended the 141 candidates for representing the best of the new wave of young progressives who are rising up to the challenges of our day—one election at a time.
“The stakes have never been higher or more clear. COVID-19 has shown us we need new solutions to both old problems and to emerging challenges,” said Run for Something co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto. “These are candidates who are going to run grassroots, community-led campaigns. We are at a critical time in history and the momentum these candidates generate will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
Rocketto and co-founder Amanda Litman launched Run for Something on Trump’s inauguration date with the goal of electing young diverse progressives in down-ballot races to build a bench for the future. Since then, the organization has endorsed more than 1000 candidates around the country. The endorsement process includes an extensive review with background check, staff review and insight from local state experts.
Originally from Freeport, Charles returned to Maine after completing a Master in Public Administration and a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard University and after working for five years in religious ministry with college students. He now lives on State Street and attends St. Luke’s Episcopal Cathedral. He is a member of the West End Neighborhood Association and the climate advocacy groups Portland Climate Action Team and 350 Maine.
"I’m running for State Representative because our future is not guaranteed,” said Charles Skold. “Here in Portland, the threats of climate change, unaffordable housing, and growing inequality are already at our doorstep. But I believe we still have time to fight for our future. We still have a window of opportunity to come together and create a future for all of us.
“When Janet Mills became Governor, she put a new sign on the road. It says, ‘Welcome Home.’ To me, that sign means our state is once again a place for progress and possibility. It means that everyone—from longtime residents to recent New Mainers—should be able to live without fear of displacement. And it means that young people like me, who went away for schools and jobs, can come home and help fight for Maine’s future.
“I want to be Portland's strongest advocate up in Augusta—to fight for Portland’s future, to live out our best values of 'welcome,' and to work with the entire state to solve our common challenges. Because this is home for all of us, and I believe it’s worth fighting for."
###