New National PAC Supports Democrats with small business and entrepreneurial backgrounds
Tomorrow’s Jobs PAC launch includes three new endorsements in competitive House races: Rebecca Cooke (WI-03), Jeremy Gray (AL-02), and Derek Tran (CA-45).
Washington, DC (December 12, 2023) — Today, Tomorrow’s Jobs—a new national hybrid political action committee (PAC)—is officially launching to support Democratic candidates with small business and entrepreneurial backgrounds.
The overall Tomorrow’s Jobs effort includes recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates who have experience creating jobs in communities, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profit executives, and more.
Brett Broesder, the committee’s founding executive director, said that Democrats with small business and entrepreneurial backgrounds connect with independent and persuadable voters uniquely due to their focused experience creating jobs, building a business, and investing in communities.
“Research is clear: Confidence in small businesses—which employ nearly half of U.S. workers—remains high even as faith in public institutions, including Congress, dwindles,” said Broesder, pointing to findings from a recent Gallup survey.
Broesder added: “Democratic candidates with small business and entrepreneurial backgrounds know what it takes to create jobs, innovate, and roll up their sleeves to get things done when necessary. However, candidates with these backgrounds often fall short due to a lack of financial support and strategic guidance. To address this problem, we’re launching Tomorrow’s Jobs PAC today to help recruit, train, and financially support candidates with entrepreneurial backgrounds.”
Achim Bergmann, a top Democratic strategist and founding senior advisor to Tomorrow’s Jobs, said the group will be a key player in helping Democrats win majorities in Congress and state legislatures.
"Democrats with small business and entrepreneurial experience are not just strong representatives and policymakers," said Bergmann. "They are appealing candidates for voters, particularly independents. Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington State is a good example. Democrats could use more candidates like her."
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), who owns an auto repair and parts shop, noted that now more than ever, we need organizations like Tomorrow’s Jobs that support small business Democrats who can authentically connect with voters in their communities.
"We need more Democrats in Congress who have run small businesses in their communities and can authentically connect with voters, regardless of their family name, wealth, or zip code," said Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). "Doing so will require organizations to do more than pay lip service about backing Democrats who understand the issues that working-class voters are struggling with daily. That's why the Tomorrow's Jobs PAC's mission of supporting small business Democrats who get it—like Rebecca Cooke who is running in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District—is so important."
The three endorsements in competitive House races that the group is making today are as follows:
Rebecca Cooke (WI-03): Small business owner and non-profit leader.
Jeremy Gray (AL-02): Entrepreneur and small business owner.
Derek Tran (CA-45): Small business owner.
Rebecca Cooke, a small business owner and non-profit leader running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd District, said she’s thrilled to have Tomorrow’s Jobs PACs support.
“Entrepreneurs and small business owners work in all departments — accounting, human resources, marketing, inventory, and more,” said Cooke. “Launching a business, and keeping it going is full of grit and glory. We need more lawmakers who know what it's like to be both the employer and the employee, and who can balance a budget and make tough decisions that impact people's lives.
Cooke added: “When small business owners legislate, we can pass laws that enforce antitrust laws on larger corporate players, advocate for healthcare that works for entrepreneurs and their employees, and revitalize our rural main streets.”
In Alabama’s new 2nd Congressional District, State Representative Jeremy Gray—an entrepreneur and small business owner—stated that he’s excited to have Tomorrow’s Jobs support.
“I’m humbled and grateful to receive the endorsement of Tomorrow’s Jobs in my campaign for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District,” said Gray. “As an entrepreneur, I understand how local businesses can power economic growth for small communities and make major local impact beyond their bottom line. I’m running for Congress to champion policies that will uplift our communities, especially small businesses that create jobs across the district. I have a proven record of working on a bipartisan basis to get things done, and that is a skill I will tirelessly employ in the halls of Congress to deliver tangible results for the betterment of our district and all Alabamians."
In California’s 45th Congressional District, a seat currently Republican-held yet Biden won in 2020, small business owner Derek Tran said that helping to elect more Democrats with small business backgrounds will be helpful for our country and communities nationwide.
"I'm honored to be endorsed by Tomorrow's Jobs," said Tran. "My wife and I are the proud owners of a local pharmacy. We know what it's like to start a business and serve our community. This country was founded upon entrepreneurial spirit - and I look forward to advocating for small businesses like ours in Congress. Republican Michelle Steel sells out to large corporations and gives them tax breaks; I'm always going to be in it for the little guy."
The organization plans to make additional endorsements of entrepreneurial Democrats running nationwide in the coming weeks. Democrats with entrepreneurial and small business backgrounds interested in being considered for support from Tomorrow’s Jobs are encouraged to apply at https://tomorrowsjobs.org/endorsement-application.
About Tomorrow’s Jobs
Tomorrow’s Jobs is a hybrid political action committee (PAC) that supports entrepreneurial Democrats running for office nationwide. The group does this by recruiting, training, and supporting Democrats nationwide with backgrounds creating jobs in communities, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profit executives, and more. Learn more at tomorrowsjobs.org.
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