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FMR. MICHIGAN STATE REP. MARI MANOOGIAN NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEXT 50

For Immediate Release

Manoogian lays out vision for the 2026 cycle and beyond; building the bench of next generation Democrats who win elections and get things done

Date: May 19, 2025
Contact: blake.r.goodman@gmail.com 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after a unanimous vote, the board of directors for The Next 50 — the leading organization identifying and nurturing the next generation of leadership on the center left — announced that Hon. Mari Manoogian will take the reins as the organization’s new executive director. Manoogian has worked with The Next 50 since 2023, when she joined as National Political Director.

“Since joining in 2023 as our organization’s first political director, Mari has been an integral member of our team, identifying and supporting candidates from state house to the U.S. Senate who align with our values and vision for the next 50 years of our party,” said Zak Malamed, The Next 50 co-founder and board chairman. “At The Next 50, we are proud to be showcasing our commitment to fostering the next generation of leadership, not only through our choice of candidates to support, but also through how we shape our team. Mari will be our second executive director who has succeeded in being the type of next-generation elected official that we seek to support, which along with her success at The Next 50, makes the whole board eminently confident in her as the person to lead us into this next chapter.”

“During my time with The Next 50, we’ve achieved substantial growth, built new strategic partnerships, and achieved a 70 percent win rate in a challenging cycle. None of that would have been possible without Mari’s political insight, her dedication to uplifting the next generation of leadership, and her keen eye for identifying rising talent as our political director,” said Sen. Zach Wahls, outgoing executive director and Iowa state senator. “I am excited to see the continued success that this organization and endorsed leaders will achieve under her leadership.”

A daughter of Detroit’s long tradition of organized labor, Manoogian’s decade of experience in Democratic politics includes serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she successfully flipped Mitt Romney’s hometown blue for the first time in its history, as well as serving as the Midwest Battleground Political Director on Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign for president. A full bio is available for download here.

“I’m grateful to The Next 50’s board for placing their trust in me to lead the organization at this critical time for the Democratic Party and our country,” said Manoogian. “From my own experience as a 24-year-old, first-time candidate who flipped in a historic Republican stronghold in Michigan, I know just how critical the support from organizations like The Next 50 can be for candidates, and I’m excited to get our next-generation Democrats through our country’s toughest races at all levels.”

“With Donald Trump and his top crony Elon Musk tanking our economy and dragging us from one national security crisis to another, the first order of business for Democrats must be to win back power at every level and place a check on Republicans’ reckless leadership. We’re not interested in Democratic Party infighting, navel gazing, or rehashing past elections. At The Next 50, our job is straightforward: to put gavels into the hands of as many Democrats as possible so that every American can have leaders who care enough to listen to their needs and have the courage and know-how to fix their problems,” she continued.

Manoogian’s appointment has been celebrated by a number of leaders across the Democratic political ecosystem:

  • Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of The NewDEAL: “At NewDEAL, we’ve been working with passionate, next-generation leaders across the country for over a decade, and we are thrilled to see Mari take on this role as we partner with The Next 50 in identifying, supporting, and advancing the next generation of center-left talent. From her time as a NewDEAL legislator getting results in a purple state to her work supporting The Next 50’s incredible track record of electing impressive leaders, especially in competitive districts, it’s clear Mari knows what it takes to both win and govern effectively. I’m excited for her, for the organization, and for the opportunity to work with her in her new capacity as we grow our partnership with The Next 50.”
  • Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President at Third Way: “The Next 50 is a vital part of the infrastructure we need to forge and strengthen to beat right wing populism and save America. Their penchant for spotting talent early, helping young dynamic leaders gain attention on the national stage, and supporting these pragmatic progressives in the arc of their career journey is unmatched. We have been thrilled to work closely with them as one of our initial Moderate Power Venture Fund grantees and can’t wait to embark on future collaborations with a star like Mari leading the way. The team at The Next 50, and the leaders they endorse, are exactly the kind of voices we need defining the Democratic Party if we are going to take back majorities and build a broad coalition that can both win and govern.”

For current and former candidates endorsed by The Next 50, Manoogian’s appointment has reaffirmed their belief in The Next 50’s mission:

  • Rubén Gallego, United States Senator from Arizona: “Mari Manoogian represents the kind of bold, forward-thinking leadership our party needs. As the new Executive Director of The Next 50, she brings a proven track record of turning big ideas into real progress, from flipping a Republican district to mentoring the next generation of Democrats. I’m excited to see the impact she’ll make in this new role.”
  • Elissa Slotkin, United States Senator from Michigan: “I am excited for Mari Manoogian, a proud Michigander, to take the helm of the Next 50! Mari has been a force, first in the Michigan State House and then as an advocate for Democratic candidates across the country. I’m excited to continue working with her to elect a new generation of leaders.”
  • Mallory McMorrow, Michigan State Senator and candidate for United States Senate: “Since our first days on the campaign trail together in 2018, it was clear to me that Mari had a vision for what Democrats should be doing to win. From the state legislature to the presidential battlefield, I’ve watched Mari take up the mantle to build candidates — many of them from their very first steps — into winning representatives for their communities. She knows what it takes to build an enduring majority, and her support helped us to do so in the Michigan Senate, allowing us to stand up for vulnerable Michiganders and solve kitchen-table problems from Detroit to the UP. I’m thrilled to see her take on this role with The Next 50.”
  • Cisco Aguilar, Nevada Secretary of State: “I will always remember The Next 50 as the first national organization to endorse my campaign for secretary of state. The financial support, political guidance, and strategic planning they provided us were key to our victory — a victory that has enabled me to fight for safe and secure elections in Nevada and across the country. Mari’s appointment today is another step in the right direction for The Next 50, and I’m proud to continue to be their partner as they recruit, train, and support America’s future leaders.” 
  • Sarah Trone Garriott, Iowa State Senator and candidate for Iowa’s third Congressional District: “The Next 50 has provided me critical support over the past few years. They’ve helped me continue my service to Iowans, and I’m grateful for all of the work The Next 50 does for its leaders. I’m excited about Mari Manoogian’s vision for the future of the organization, and I’m looking forward to continuing working with her in her new role as Executive Director.”
  • Greta Neubauer, Leader, Wisconsin State Assembly Democrats: “For those of us working at the state level — the front lines of our democracy — having a partner like The Next 50 is huge, and having leaders there who know what winning tough races is like is the perfect combination. For candidates to know that they have the backing and support of leaders like Mari and her team at The Next 50 means the world, particularly to those running for office for the first time. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the candidates that The Next 50 helps recruit, support, and get to the finish line.”
  • Mandela Barnes, 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin: “The Next 50 is a proven partner for those of us fighting for our democracy here in Wisconsin, and the results speak for themselves. Mari’s been a key part of that, and her dedication to building lasting bridges and supporting those candidates she’s working with proves that she’s the right person to continue The Next 50’s work. Here in battleground Wisconsin, that dedication will be invaluable for so many candidates running to finally flip our legislature, and I’m excited about the many possibilities that Mari’s appointment today opens up.”

Since 2019, The Next 50 has endorsed and supported nearly 100 candidates for office across the country, with massively successful results. Since Manoogian joined the organization in 2023, the organization’s achievements include:

  • A 70% win rate for endorsed candidates in the 2023-2024 cycle, becoming the number one Political Action Committee investing in the next generation of leaders;
  • A 2.98% average margin of victory, demonstrating how critical The Next 50’s support was in moving the needle for bright stars in tough races;
  • 20% of endorsee races won by 1,000 votes or fewer, including Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott’s win by just 29 votes; and
  • $4.1 million raised and bundled for candidates, including direct investment, donor matchmaking, and the organization’s first ever independent expenditure campaign.
  • Being among the first ever grantees of Third Way’s Moderate Power Venture Fund.
  • Embarked on a strategic partnership with NewDEAL Leaders in 2025,  combining The Next 50’s electoral backing and campaign tools with the network, policy, and skills support that NewDEAL provides to build a robust Democratic pipeline.

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The Next 50 was founded in 2019 to begin the long work of building a parallel infrastructure on the left. We believe building a stronger bench and brighter future requires deliberate investment in identifying and nurturing next-generation leadership. Since our founding, The Next 50 has supported nearly 100 candidates across the country, achieving a nation-leading win rate of 70% in the 2023-24 cycle. Join our movement to support our work at thenext50.us.