(DCNF)—Gun control activist David Hogg’s efforts to help revamp the Democratic Party have been off to a rocky start thus far and some fellow Democrats are noticing, the Washington Post reported on Friday.
Leaders We Deserve — a political organization co-founded by Hogg — announced in June that it was backing Irene Shin in the special election to replace late Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, and also privately vowed to shell out $400,000 to help get Shin elected, the Washington Post reported. Despite this, Leaders We Deserve backed out of its financial commitment just days later, multiple anonymous Democrats told the outlet.
One anonymous Democrat told the Washington Post that the situation was “shocking.” Leaders We Deserve notably did not explain its reasoning for reversing course on its financial commitment, the anonymous sources told the outlet. Shin went on to lose the June 28 Democratic Primary for the special election to James Walkinshaw, Connolly’s former chief of staff, by a landslide margin of 45 percentage points.
Hogg was notably ousted from his position as a vice chair for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in June. His ouster came after he drew intense criticism from fellow Democrats for unveiling a plan in April for Leaders We Deserve to spend $20 million to primary “out-of-touch, ineffective” older House Democrats in 2026.
“He [Hogg], clearly, not the mission, is front and center. And much of this money seems to be going toward self-promotion,” New York state Sen. James Skoufis, who ran for DNC chair in early 2025, told the Washington Post. “It’s not what we need right now as a Democratic Party.”
Yet, Kenneth Pennington, the digital director for Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and a partner at Middle Seat, one of Leaders We Deserve’s top consultants, told the Washington Post that the group’s efforts to elect younger leaders are “very smart.”
“What Leaders We Deserve is doing is not only not unusual, it’s very smart,” Pennington told the outlet. “And because David’s message is catching on, they are seeing massive grassroots funding success.”
Leaders We Deserve describes itself as an organization “dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and State Legislatures across the country to help defeat the far-right agenda.” Just four of the candidates that Leaders We Deserve listed on its website as 2024 endorsements actually won their campaigns, according to the Washington Post.
Leaders We Deserve’s 2026 endorsements featured on its website include far-left Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, as well as Deja Foxx, who lost to Adelita Grijalva in the July Democratic primary for the special election to replace Grijalva’s father, late Democratic Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Shin is also listed under the organization’s 2026 endorsements, along with Democratic Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters, who is running in a crowded primary for an open Chicago-area House seat in 2026.
Still, Hogg insisted that his group’s objective is “not to simply throw money at candidates and hope they win.”
“On top of that, we’re making major investments into our grassroots donor network and capacity ahead of the election year,” Hogg told the Washington Post.
The 25-year-old also told the outlet that Leaders We Deserve is working with dozens of 2026 Democratic candidates “launching their campaigns very soon.”
The report comes as many Democrats have been expressing the need for new, younger party leaders. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released June 19 found that 62% of Democrats said they agreed with a statement that “the leadership of the Democratic Party should be replaced with new people.”
Moreover, DNC Chair Ken Martin, who had clashed with Hogg during the activist’s tumultuous four-month tenure as one of Martin’s vice chairs, told Fox News in late July that while the Democratic Party has “hit rock bottom,” there is “only one direction to go, and that’s up.”
Leaders We Deserve did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
