When Republicans Go Low
We Go Lower
Progress Action Fund runs hard-hitting ads to defeat Republicans in swing districts, including the viral ad “Keep Republicans Out Of Your Bedroom.” When Republicans go low, we go lower, because in politics you have to put your opponent on defense & shape the narrative.
In 2022, we ran 92.1 million ads and won 10 of the 12 competitive races we chose to invest in. This includes two major upsets in Ohio’s 1st district & in New Mexico’s 2nd district, which were 2 of the only 3 races in America where a GOP House incumbent lost. For the Georgia Senate race, we partnered with comedy legend Cedric the Entertainer to “roast” Herschel Walker, which went viral and received critical acclaim from numerous media outlets and political experts.
In 2023, we released “Keep Republicans Out Of Your Bedroom” for the Ohio ballot measure to enshrine Roe v. Wade into the state constitution. The ad had at least 32.6 million organic views and received widespread praise and coverage, such as from CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, on local TV stations across Ohio, and during the televised debate. We also released “Republicans Watching Your Daughter,” which was highlighted by The Washington Post as one of the most influential ads for the Nov. 7 elections, leading to decisive victories in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
For 2024, we’ll start running ads early in the cycle to help set the narrative of the elections. We’ll run our viral ads in states President Biden must win that also have competitive House & Senate races (e.g., AZ & PA). In these toss-up states, we’ll focus on persuading independent voters and turning out Democrats to vote, as low turnout in 2016 greatly contributed to Trump’s victory.
Joe Jacobson
Founder + Executive Director
Joe Jacobson is a political strategist with eight years of electoral, lobbying, and government experience. Prior to founding the Progress Action Fund, Joe worked for the Service Employees International Union, where he oversaw endorsements, independent expenditures, and government relations operations in four purple counties in Southern California. In response to COVID-19, he co-founded a bipartisan task force to persuade the GOP led San Diego County Board of Supervisors to allocate $10 million for free childcare for essential workers
Before SEIU, Joe worked at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, DC, where he devised strategies with union leaders in 21 states to support local, state, and federal candidates. Joe also has a variety of policy experience, including for President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers and Senator Ron Wyden.
Joe’s start in politics began at 6 years old, when his Grandma Judy gave him a book about the presidents. Grandma Judy was Joe’s inspiration for politics, the two of them talking on the phone every few weeks about progressive politics. During her life Grandma Judy was involved with Seattle’s League of Women Voters, 33rd District Democrats, and Planned Parenthood. The Progress Action Fund is dedicated to her memory.
Kyle Richards
Deputy Executive Director
Kyle is a veteran political operative, lending his expertise to multiple campaigns across the nation. Prior to Joining PAF, Kyle helped lead local candidates to fundraising success, including Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley, raising over $1.5 million for his Cleveland Mayoral race.
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Kyle got his start in politics working for Hillary Clinton Campaign’s in 2016. In 2017, Kyle helped elect Ralph Northam and down ballot Democrats in Virginia. A polling expert, Kyle founded Pathway Polling, a next generation social media polling company, and he provides invaluable statistical insight to PAF for both fundraising and electoral targeting.
