Thomas Higdon, a lifelong politics fanatic, had dreams of working in government, but his substance use issues hindered his chances for years. After years of struggling with addiction, he found himself living under an overpass in 2014. Even after getting clean, he felt he had ruined his chances of running for office. However, in 2023, he learned about the Recovery Advocacy Project’s “Run for Recovery” program and realized that working in public office might still be possible.
The “Run for Recovery” program was developed by Courtney Gary-Allen, a former addict who successfully ran for office in Maine. The program, designed specifically for individuals in recovery, aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to run for political office. The inaugural class, consisting of individuals from both major parties and independents, received training on various aspects of campaigning, including finance laws, drafting position statements, and addressing their history of substance abuse. The program provides a bipartisan space tailored to the recovery community’s specific experiences and needs.
The program has already seen success, with graduates like Thomas Higdon considering running for political office. Despite fears of judgment and stigma, participating in the program has changed Higdon’s perspective and has given him the confidence to pursue his political ambitions. Other participants, like Ryan Hampton, who is campaigning for a seat in Nevada’s state assembly, have faced attack ads bringing up their history of substance use. However, the lessons learned through recovery and the Run for Recovery program have helped them navigate these challenges and continue their campaigns.
While there is no compiled list of individuals in recovery running for office, the momentum is growing. Graduates of the Run for Recovery program are considering running for various positions, and others in recovery are also making strides in politics. The program aims to empower individuals in recovery to not only get involved in politics but also to create solutions to substance use issues in their communities. The movement is gaining traction, with hopes for more graduates to start their own campaigns and for recovery advocates to contribute to policy-making at various levels of government.
Courtney Gary-Allen, the driving force behind the program, sees a bright future for individuals in recovery in the political arena. She hopes to see more graduates of the program and other individuals in recovery make the leap into politics, creating a new wave of advocates and policymakers who understand the challenges of addiction. The movement is on the brink of significant change, with a growing number of individuals in recovery actively participating in voting, advocacy, and political campaigns to address substance use issues across the country. Exciting times lie ahead for the recovery advocacy movement in politics.
