Congressman Hoyer: Gentleman from Maryland:

Join GAIN Power in Celebrating Steny Hoyer's Leadership & Legacy

Join us for the in-person celebration of the Powerful IDEA Awards and Democracy Expo on June 24th and 25th. The awards celebration is on the evening of June 25th.

We wrote a more formal post about this award and Congressman Hoyer’s accomplishment here. But I want to share a more personal post about my experience with him.

Reflection on 28 Years of Leadership, Mentorship, and Building Tomorrow's Progressive Movement

When I first met Congressman Steny Hoyer almost three decades ago, I had no idea I was encountering someone who would fundamentally shape not just my career but the entire infrastructure of progressive politics in America. Working as a regional political director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), I was assigned to travel the Midwest with Mr. Hoyer as he worked tirelessly to recruit candidates for Congress. What I witnessed during those travels changed my understanding of what authentic leadership looks like.

The Gentleman Who Carries the Bags

In an era when political leadership often gets reduced to soundbites and photo ops, Steny Hoyer embodied something increasingly rare: genuine courtesy coupled with unwavering principle. I watched him carry bags, hold doors, and treat every person we encountered—from potential candidates to hotel staff—with the same respect and consideration. This wasn't performative; it was who he was. As a young woman working in political campaigns, seeing a senior member of Congress model this behavior made an impression that has lasted decades.

But his gentlemanly nature never overshadowed his effectiveness. During our recruiting trips, I watched him convince people to take the enormous personal and professional risks that come with running for Congress. His approach wasn't high-pressure sales tactics or political arm-twisting. Instead, he spoke with genuine conviction about the importance of public service and the difference that principled leadership could make in people's lives. He understood that democracy works best when good people are willing to step up and serve.

The Hidden Infrastructure Builder

Most people think of Steny Hoyer's legacy in terms of his legislative achievements—and rightfully so. As someone who shepherded the Americans with Disabilities Act through the House, guided the Help America Vote Act to passage, and served in the most senior leadership positions for decades, his policy impact is undeniable. However, what fewer people recognize is his role as one of the most important architects of progressive political infrastructure in America.

After I left the DCCC, Congressman Hoyer asked me to serve as his treasurer—a role I still hold today, though admittedly a minor one. What struck me most about this relationship wasn't the formal duties but the culture of his entire operation. His team operates on principles of trust, support, and genuine respect. They don't just work for Steny Hoyer; they embody his values in how they treat everyone they encounter.

The entire Hoyer operation has consistently supported not just the DCCC but also the Maryland Democratic Party and countless individual campaigns and causes. They understand that sustainable progressive power requires nurturing talent at every level.

The Leader Who Steps Back to Lift Others Up

Perhaps what I respect most about Congressman Hoyer is something that happened more recently. When GAIN Power decided to revive RootsCamp—our signature "unconference" for progressive professionals—just months ago, we were taking an enormous financial risk. The post-election period had left many of us uncertain about the future, but we felt strongly that our community needed to gather, connect, and find renewed energy for the work ahead.

When I reached out to Mr. Hoyer about supporting this effort, his response was immediate and generous. This was my "most enormous ask ever," as I told him, and the fact that he responded so quickly - and personally to call me meant everything. It wasn't just about the financial support—though that was crucial—it was about his understanding that investing in progressive infrastructure and community-building is essential work that deserves support.

This support exemplifies something remarkable about Steny Hoyer's leadership style: his willingness to step back and create space for others to lead while continuing to mentor and support them. His decision to step down from leadership positions to allow new voices to emerge while maintaining his commitment to building the next generation of leaders demonstrates the kind of selfless leadership our movement desperately needs.

Why the Lifetime Achievement Award Matters

The Powerful IDEA Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose entire professional journey has been spent empowering others in the progressive movement. By this definition, few people deserve this recognition more than Steny Hoyer.

For over four decades in Congress, he has worked tirelessly—often behind the scenes and without fanfare—to build campaigns, nurture talent, and champion policies that have made our democracy more inclusive, just, and equitable. His greatest legacy isn't just the legislation he's passed but the countless leaders he has mentored, supported, and empowered to make their own mark on progressive politics.

Most people don't think of Steny Hoyer as a name they associate with progressive movement-building—but that perception misses something critical. He has been one of the most important investors in our progressive talent pipeline, understanding long before it became fashionable that sustainable movements require nurturing the people who run them.

The Personal Touch in Politics

What has always set Congressman Hoyer apart is his genuine care for the people who do this work—the staff, the campaign volunteers, the candidates who put themselves on the line for public service. In a political environment that can be brutal and dehumanizing, he has maintained his fundamental decency and respect for others.

This personal touch extends to his understanding of what people need to build sustainable careers in progressive politics. He has supported not just individual campaigns but also infrastructure organizations, training programs, and community-building efforts that help talented people stay in the movement long-term. His support for GAIN Power and RootsCamp represents his understanding that democracy work should be a respected, sustainable profession.

Building for the Future

We're not just looking backward as we celebrate Congressman Hoyer's lifetime of achievement. His model of leadership—combining principled conviction with genuine respect for others, legislative effectiveness with infrastructure-building, personal ambition with selfless mentorship—provides a blueprint for how progressive leaders can operate in any era.

The challenges facing our democracy today are unprecedented, but they're not insurmountable when we have leaders who understand that sustainable change requires building strong institutions, nurturing talented people, and maintaining our fundamental values even in difficult times. Steny Hoyer has demonstrated this kind of leadership for more than four decades.

An Invitation to Celebrate

On June 25th in Washington, DC, we will gather to celebrate not just Congressman Hoyer but all the extraordinary leaders who power our democracy. For those who have been close to him over the years, witnessed his leadership and benefited from his mentorship and support, I hope you will join us in expressing our gratitude for his contributions to our movement.

This evening will also recognize eight other remarkable leaders through our marquee awards, and 50 more who will receive our community awards highlighting the collective efforts and achievements that make progressive victories possible.

But for me, honoring Steny Hoyer represents something special: recognition for someone who understood long before many of us that building sustainable progressive power requires investing in people, creating pathways for new leaders, and maintaining our highest values even when political winds shift.

After 28 years of knowing Congressman Hoyer, I remain grateful for his personal and professional support, his model of principled leadership, and his unwavering commitment to empowering others. He truly embodies what we mean when we talk about lifetime achievement in service of the progressive movement.

The gentleman from Maryland has earned my forever recognition, gratitude, and continued commitment to the values he has championed throughout his remarkable career.