Knock for Democracy is a left-of-center political action committee founded after the 2016 election of President Donald Trump. It coordinates door-to-door voter canvassing and runs volunteer phone banks and online events in support of Democratic candidates. It is also a member of the left-of-center Declaration for American Democracy Coalition ¹ and receives donations through Democratic-aligned fundraising platform ActBlue. ²

Notable Campaigns and Funding

Knock for Democracy supported the 2022 campaigns of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and state Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-PA). It also supported with the successful congressional campaigns of Reps. Tara Probst (D-PA) and Anna Thomas (D-PA), and the gubernatorial campaign of Josh Shapiro (D-PA). In Nevada it partnered with then-Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) in his failed 2022 gubernatorial re-election bid, as well as helping Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar (D) and Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) in their successful reelection bids. ³

In 2022, the PAC raised a little over $440,000, donating a total of $3,664 to Democratic Congressional candidates Reps. Jevin Hodge (D-AZ), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Susan Wild (D-PA), and Matt Cartwright (D-PA). ⁴ This represents a ten-fold increase in fundraising from the 2020 election cycle, during which it raised just over $40,000, donating to Reps. Antonio Delgado (D-NY), Jackie Gordon (D-NY), Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), and Susan Wild (D-PA). ⁵

In the 2018 midterm elections, Knock for Democracy partnered with New York Democrat Max Rose and Antonio Delgado, successfully flipping those seats from Republican to Democrat. ⁶

Partners and Volunteers

Knock for Democracy saw a significant uptick in volunteer engagement during the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, reportedly due to furloughed and remote employees with a newfound surplus of free time. Business Insider reported that in 2020 Knock for Democracy saw a 50% increase in subscribers, a nearly 100% increase in weekly volunteers, and a five-fold increase in its follower count on social media. ⁷

It is a partner of get-out-the vote groups Turn Pennsylvania Blue, New Georgia Project, and Citizen Action of Wisconsin. ⁸

Knock for Democracy may benefit from association with some members of the entertainment community, having received endorsement from Broadway actress Tedra Millan, ⁹ and partnered with “Helstrom” actress Sydney Lemmon (who was a volunteer), and head of Sony Pictures Tim Rothman. ^{10 11} In 2022, Knock for Democracy received a $30,000 donation from individuals associated with Sony Pictures Entertainment. ¹²

Founders

Alex Kramer is the co-founder and executive director of Knock for Democracy. He is also an actor, having appeared in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “The Path.” ¹³

Mike Adkins is the co-founder and head of finance for Knock for Democracy. He is also the co-founder and chief technical officer for organic meat collective 99 Counties and a staff software engineer for app development company Appfolio. Adkins is a former climate tech fellow of the 10-week On Deck climate startup program. ¹⁴

Lee Taglin is a co-founder and head of operations for Knock for Democracy. He is also a former manager for Disney Theatrical Group. ¹⁵

Elena Scott is the co-founder and creative director of Knock for Democracy. She is also a designer for the racial equity firm Purpose, a former designer for culinary periodical Bon Appetit, and a designer of posters for Women’s Day 2017. ¹⁶

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