My First Race

First Guy, Last Guy with Jeff Rotkoff

Monique Alcala — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:00:17 GMT

All eyes are on the Great State of Texas as Primary Day approaches. With early voting numbers looking really good for the Democratic Party and polling all over the place, I brought in expert Jeff Rotkoff to give some insight into what to expect tomorrow night and throughout the cycle.

During this episode, we talk about how Jeff got his start in politics by being the "First Guy, Last Guy" on his first campaign nearly 25 years ago. Since then, he has led in-state and national efforts to build progressive infrastructure at state legislatures, started "The Official Band of the State Legislature," recruited and trained hundreds of rank-and-file union workers to run for office. He is now the newly minted Executive Director for the national donor collaborative Democracy Strategy Partners.

Jeff gives his thoughts on the 2026 cycle and the things he believes need to come into place for Texas Democrats to win statewide.

You can see Jeff play with his band - the Bad Precedents - at 6PM on March 11 at Hotel Vegas at an event benefiting the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee.

THE Most Flippable Seat in Texas with Kristian Carranza

Monique Alcala — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:42:52 GMT

From the congressional level to the state legislature, Texas is an extreme case of Republican gerrymandering. We have a few opportunities to chip away at the GOP stranglehold, including State House District 118. This district is anchored in San Antonio and is THE most flippable state house seat in the entire state of Texas. The Democratic nominee here, Kristian Carranza, is one of the most talented and authentic candidates you could ever meet.

In this episode of My First Race, I interview Kristian and we discuss her her motivations for running and what set off her interest in politics - former State Senator Wendy Davis' historic 2013 filibuster. Our conversation highlights the challenges of grassroots campaigning, the importance of community engagement, and we even talk about the cultural significance of Texas icon, Selena Quintanilla. Kristian shares her experiences and aspirations for her campaign, emphasizing the need for collective action in the political landscape.

You can find Kristian at https://kristianfortexas.com/ and on social media.
Be sure to make a contribution to help her flip this seat

Elected at 18 & Building State Power Today with Sarah Curmi

Monique Alcala — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I talk with the Executive Director of Sister District, Sarah Curmi. We discuss her journey in politics and the vital work of building progressive power at the state legislative level. She shares her early experiences growing up in a politically active family, which inspired her to engage in political service from a young age. She recounts her first race for school board at just 18 years old, highlighting the importance of state and local elections and the impact they have on communities.

You can find Sister District at sisterdistrict.com and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Champagne Finance with Kimberly Wilke

Monique Alcala — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

It's tough to win a campaign when a candidate is just putting in Minimal Effort; All Vibez, especially when it comes to fundraising. In this special holiday episode, I talk with expert Kimberly Wilke and we discuss some of the "most interesting findings in campaign finance reports" and her top 10 fundraising pet peeves.

The Chaos of History Making with guest Hala Ayala

Monique Alcala — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

One time during an all-staff meeting at a national organization I worked for, the head of the org was asked who her favorite candidate was out of that cycle. Her answer?

Former Virginia House of Delegate member and Democratic nominees for lieutenant governor, Hala Ayala.

Virginia has competitive elections every single year. In 2017, a slate of diverse candidates flipped a historic number of seats in the state legislature - one of those candidates was this episode's guest Hala Ayala.

In this episode, I talk with Hala as she shares her struggles as a single mom having $65 in her bank account when she first ran in the 2017 elections and the hardships of political engagement. We explore her remarkable story and the lessons learned along the way.

You can follow Hala Ayala on social media @halaayala

We Can't Look Away with guest Eric Garcia

Monique Alcala — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

We can't look away from the Olivia Nuzzi circus online!

In this episode of 'My First Race', I interview Eric Garcia, the DC Bureau Chief at The Independent and author of 'We're Not Broken, Changing the Autism Conversation'. We discuss Eric's journey into journalism, his experiences covering significant political events, and the current media landscape. Our conversation also touches on the impact of RFK Jr.'s statements on autism, the importance of compassion in politics, and Eric's upcoming book.

You can follow Eric Garcia on social media: @EricMGarcia

Check out his book: "We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation" https://www.harpercollins.com/products/were-not-broken-eric-garcia?variant=39935173328930

Hope Springs Eternal with guest Charlotte Clymer

Monique Alcala — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The Tuesday elections sent shockwaves throughout the country with Democrats delivering resounding victories up and down the ballot. Although Democratic Party leaders and activists are seemingly reenergized and optimistic about the 2026, our guest today was feeling pretty good even before Tuesday's election.

In this episode, I interview Charlotte Clymer, a writer, activist, and veteran from Texas. We discuss Charlotte's journey in politics, her first campaign experience, and the importance of authenticity in political communication. Charlotte shares insights on the evolving political landscape, the significance of grassroots efforts, and her optimism for future elections in Texas. Our conversation highlights the value of relationships in politics and the need for candidates to connect genuinely with voters.

You can follow Charlotte Clymer at:

Substack: https://charlotteclymer.substack.com/

And on Twitter, Bluesky, and IG

Trailer | My First Race

Monique Alcala — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:48:24 GMT

“I had a gun pulled on me!”

“I stopped 4 lanes of traffic a block from the White House to load a podium into the back of a pickup.”

“I actually think I got food poisoning from licking so many envelopes.”

“I was hooked.”

Get any group of political campaigners around a bar or hotel lobby and you’ll hear captivating, hilarious, unbelievable-but-true stories about the first time they worked on an election. “My first race got me hooked,” they’ll say.

My First Race brings those stories to life, with never-before-heard tales from the country’s top politicos about their first campaign – and the latest news in politics and culture.