WelcomeFest 2024 Recap:
Building A Big Tent & Winning the Middle

July, 2024

Welcome to a new kind of political discourse—one that elevates the real voices of Americans, especially young voters, and brings the focus back to everyday concerns like the economy, education, and future policy that works for all.

Watch all videos on YouTube here.

John Avlon,
(D) NY-01, author, former CNN Political Commentator

Sarah Longwell with Janelle Stelson,
Democratic nominee in PA-10, former news anchor

Insights on Modern Voters and Campaign Strategy

Watch an interview with Jamal Simmons, Political Strategist & Communications Expert, Former VP Communications Director and CNN Commentator

Political Campaigns, Voter Engagement, and Future Leadership

Will Rollins, former federal prosecutor, Janelle Stelson, seasoned journalist, and Lauren Harper Pope, communications expert, engage in a dynamic discussion on leadership, justice, and the role of media in shaping public discourse.

Progressive Truths
& Lies

How Advocacy Groups Misrepresent Key ConstituenciesJosh Barro moderates panel with Olivia Julianna, Rachel Janfaza, and Lauren Harper Pope

Campaign Integrity
& Voter Trust

Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, and Janelle Stelson, former journalist turned political candidate, engage in a discussion on defeating extremism, voter engagement, and restoring political trust.

Building a Patriotic Coalition to Defend Democracy

“There's no secret sauce to winning us over, you just have to listen to us and meet us where we are, which is the middle.”

— Milan Singh

“I did leave CNN in February to run for this office. I didn’t want to talk about this election. I didn’t want to observe this election. I felt it was important to do everything any of us can to really defend democracy.”

— John Avlon

“The center-left can—and must—win by offering solutions that unite rather than divide. It’s about practical answers to real problems voters face.”

—Matt Bennett

Social media misleads the public about how left students are today.

— Olivia Julianna

“I think we’ve seen some shifts, even at the Presidential level of understanding that people are in the middle - that young people are in the middle…”

— Lauren Harper Pope

EVENT AGENDA & SPEAKERS

Welcoming a Big Tent: Protecting Democracy by Practicing It Remarks

John Avlon, Democratic nominee in NY-01, author, former CNN Political Commentator

Partisan Faction Building: The Rise of Progressive Conservatives
Keynote - Representative Jared Golden (ME-02)

Depolarizing Through The Art of Persuasion Winning with Credible Messengers Sarah Longwell with Janelle Stelson, Democratic nominee in PA-10, former news anchor

Progressive Truths & Lies - How Advocacy Groups Misrepresent Key Constituencies
Josh Barro moderates panel with Olivia Julianna, Rachel Janfaza, and Lauren Harper Pope

Winning over Republican Voters in a Blue State
Remarks - Will Rollins, Democratic nominee in CA-41, former staff of CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jan. 6 federal prosecutor.

For The People in the Middle - The Border & Beyond: Navigating Key Issues to Win Swing Voters - and the White House
Matt Yglesias interviews Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Michael Bennet, and Jamal Simmons, CNN Political commentator and former Communications Director for Vice President Kamala Harris

Center Left Happy Hour