For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, The Next 50, the leading organization identifying and nurturing the next generation of leadership on the center left, announced its endorsement of  State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott for U.S. Congress in Iowa’s 3rd District and Cait Conley for U.S. Congress in New York’s 17th District. The Next 50 has proudly supported Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott in her previous campaigns and is excited to back Cait Conley in her first run for public office.

“We’re proud to support our TN50 leaders Cait Conley and Sarah Trone Garriot, two proven public servants whose experience, values, and leadership are exactly what Congress needs,” said Mari Manoogian, Executive Director of The Next 50. “Sarah has already proven she can win and lead in one of Iowa’s most competitive districts, standing up for reproductive rights, strong public schools, and working families. Cait’s national security expertise, military service, and deep community ties make her exceptionally ready to represent NY-17. Both of these women are exactly the kind of principled, pragmatic, energetic, and focused leaders who represent the future of the Democratic Party.”

“The Next 50 has a proven track record of identifying and nurturing next-generation leaders in the battlegrounds that can lead the Democratic Party out of the wilderness, and we support them by developing their leadership capabilities and building their political and fundraising networks, and working with them as they take steps to pursue higher office,” said Manoogian. “By building a pipeline of battle-tested candidates like Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and Cait Conley who are the right fit for their communities and the challenges before us, The Next 50 is building enduring majorities and the bench of next generation leadership for the Democratic Party.” 

“I’ve spent my career bringing people together—across faiths, across parties, and across communities—to deliver real results for Iowa families,” said Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, IA-03 Democratic candidate. “In the State Senate, I’ve stood up for Iowa families to defend the core values we hold dear: freedom to make our own choices, fairness in opportunity, and a government that works for all of us. I’ve won tough races before, and with The Next 50’s support, I’m ready to flip this seat and put Iowa’s working families first in Congress.”

“The challenges our country is facing call for a new generation of leaders. Our country is at a crossroads and the politicians that got us into this mess are not the ones who will lead us out of it. My time in service, from the streets of combat zones to the White House Situation Room, has taught me what real leadership demands—accountability, courage, and putting people first,” said Cait Conley, NY-17 Democratic candidate. “Now, I’m taking on my most personal mission yet, delivering for the families of NY-17. I’m running because I refuse to let dysfunction and division define our future. I’m grateful for the support of The Next 50. They know what it takes to win tough races and with their support, we’re going to flip this seat and deliver real results for NY-17 and the country.”

About Sarah Trone Garriott for Congress – Iowa’s 3rd District

Sarah Trone Garriott has always been called to serve her community as a minister, a mom, a nonprofit leader, and a State Senator. She began her career in AmeriCorps, supporting survivors of domestic violence before going on to serve as a hospital chaplain, pastor, and interfaith leader tackling food insecurity in central Iowa. In 2020, Sarah flipped a Republican-held seat in the Iowa Senate, and in 2022, she defeated the sitting Senate President in a district Republican Governor Kim Reynolds won by 7 points. She is the only Democrat in Iowa to flip multiple districts while representing a district won by Donald Trump. In the legislature, Sarah has led on issues that matter to working families—reproductive rights, public education, healthcare, and childcare. Now, she’s running for Congress to ensure Iowans have the strong, principled leadership they deserve in Washington.

About Cait Conley for Congress – New York’s 17th District

Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native and the daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker. She is a decorated combat veteran and national security expert who has spent her life answering the call to serve. That call began on 9/11, when, as a junior in high school, she watched the Twin Towers fall. The next day, she started the process for applying to West Point — earning acceptance and becoming the first in her family to graduate college and then going on later to attend graduate programs at Harvard and MIT. Cait served 16 years as an active duty Army officer, deploying six times to take down the world’s most dangerous terrorists, and later led counterterrorism efforts on the National Security Council and at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Throughout her career, Cait has been called upon to solve the toughest problem and fix things that are broken. That’s why Cait is running for Congress — to fix a broken system and fight for a better future for New Yorkers.