Democratic officials, strategists, and activists are preparing for a significant gathering as they convene in Washington on Friday for the first ‘Crooked Con.’ This event, hosted by the influential podcast ‘Pod Save America,’ has been branded as the ‘CPAC for the left,’ marking a clear ideological contrast to the traditional Conservative Political Action Committee gatherings. The lineup features prominent figures such as Senators Chris Murphy and Ruben Gallego, along with Governor Andy Beshear from Kentucky and Representative Ro Khanna from California. Influencers like Brian Tyler Cohen and Hasan Piker are also set to be central figures, alongside esteemed political leaders like DNC Chair Ken Martin and representatives Pramila Jayapal, Janelle Bynum, and Sarah McBride.
Shaniqua McClendon, the vice president of political strategy at Vote Save America, emphasized the event’s purpose, stating that they aimed to create a space for discussing essential changes within their political sphere. McClendon pointed out that the group’s focus on infrastructure development is due to the lack of consistent funding these organizations have received in recent years, particularly after the 2024 elections when President Trump retook the White House and the Republicans controlled Congress. With a goal to address these gaps, Vote Save America is planning to invest $1.5 million into various grassroots organizations, hoping to encourage donors to prioritize long-term political investments rather than one-time election expenditures.
Vote Save America was founded during President Donald Trump’s first term and has since raised over $70 million for Democratic candidates and organizations. The organization now boasts a substantial email list of 600,000 volunteers, showcasing its growing influence in the political landscape. As the group moves forward, its initiative to support Democratic infrastructure presents an important opportunity for the party to strengthen its grassroots networks and prepare for the upcoming midterms.