The Great Battlefield Building a Stronger Democratic Bench with Mari Manoogian of The Next 50
Feb 9, 2026
Mari Manoogian, former Michigan state representative and now executive director of The Next 50, builds the pipeline for Democratic leaders under 50. She discusses recruiting and supporting emerging candidates, balancing authenticity with political strategy, and scaling focused candidate services. Conversations touch on suburban shifts, campaign lessons, and pragmatic approaches to polarized politics.
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Roots Of Civic Engagement
- Mari Manoogian describes her Armenian family history and civic upbringing that shaped her political engagement.
- She credits church, community, and parents for teaching petitioning government and civic duty.
Athletics Shaped Her Political Grit
- Mari links athletic discipline from figure skating and basketball to persistence in politics.
- She emphasizes both individual responsibility and teamwork as transferable skills.
Give Specific, Actionable Feedback
- Accept feedback when it's specific and focused on a single actionable change.
- Use discrete adjustments to improve performance quickly rather than broad criticism.
