The Long Climb: First-Time Candidates Taking On Safe Seats
A new wave of independents is running in districts that haven't changed hands in decades. Most will lose. Some already matter.
Safe seats are called safe for a reason. In many districts, the winning party's candidate is effectively chosen at the selection meeting, months before a single vote is cast.
Why they run anyway
First-time independents say the point is to make the incumbent campaign. A credible challenger forces debates, local press coverage and promises that might otherwise never be made.
Crowdfunding and social media have cut the cost of entry. The hard part, candidates say, is the doorstep: thousands of conversations with voters who have never been asked for their vote before.