The Candidate with Dave Kerpen

Dave Kerpen
  • 5.0 (7)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ever wondered what it really takes to run for local office? In The Candidate, follow entrepreneur Dave Kerpen's journey from business leader to political hopeful. With unprecedented access to strategy sessions, fundraising calls, and behind-the-scenes decisions, discover the challenges and triumphs of a first-time candidate. Dave's mission isn't just to win - it's to inspire others by showing that stepping into politics is challenging, scary, and absolutely possible for anyone ready to make a difference.

  1. 09/27/2025

    They’re Playing Dirty. Dave’s Building a Movement.

    Dave gets real about the nasty, dishonest political mailers being sent out against him—and how he’s choosing to fight back not with more lies or mudslinging, but with truth, transparency, and creativity (wait ‘til you hear what he did with DeceitfulDave.com 👀). We talk about how low the discourse has gotten, how broken the system feels—and why Dave believes local government doesn’t have to be partisan. He’s not just talking about problems—he’s building a movement. One that’s focused on saving taxpayer dollars, restoring trust, and serving people over party. You’ll hear stories that’ll make you shake your head—and moments that’ll leave you inspired by what real leadership looks like in 2025. What We Talk About in This Episode: The real impact of smear campaigns—and how Dave’s flipping the narrative $2M of taxpayer money spent on political attacks (yep, really) The deeper cost of normalizing political lies “Save with Dave”—what it means, and why it’s catching fire How to lead with values, even when the attacks get personal Connect with Dave Kerpen: www.votedavekerpen.com DumpsterFireDesena.com

    14 min

  2. 08/28/2025 · BONUS

    Dave Fights Back

    This week was supposed to be one of the proudest, most emotional moments of my life—dropping my daughter off at college and setting up her dorm room. But in the middle of all that, my phone lit up with texts. Friends, neighbors, supporters—everyone sending me photos of a giant, deceitful, and frankly outrageous political mailer with my face plastered next to radioactive symbols and police tape. At first, I laughed. It was so absurd it looked like a bad comic book. But then it hit me—tens of thousands of people across North Hempstead, including my 10-year-old’s friends’ families, were going to see those lies. And that’s not funny. That’s wrong. I didn’t sign up to roll over. I signed up to lead. If my opponents go low, I’m going to fight back—with truth, with facts, and with a vision for a better North Hempstead. Because at the end of the day: radioactive Hulk imagery? That’s fiction. My commitment to this town? That’s real life. Paid for by the Friends of Dave Kerpen

    20 min

  3. 08/06/2025

    $160K, Elvis Drama, & the Hardest Job I've Ever Had

    Running for office is the hardest thing I’ve ever done — harder than starting my first company, harder than fundraising for my first startup, and yes… even harder than writing my first book. In this season finale of The Candidate, I share an unfiltered look at my first few months as a first-time candidate in North Hempstead, New York. From hitting my first filing deadline and raising $160,000… to being called out on the dance floor by an Elvis impersonator… to discovering just how much national politics can impact a local race — this journey has been eye-opening, humbling, and at times, completely surreal. I talk about the real #1 factor in winning local elections (hint: it’s not what I thought when I started), how I’m balancing an all-consuming campaign with showing up for my family, and the lessons I wish I’d known from day one. Most importantly, I end this season with a call to action: support the local candidates in your community. Even $10 can make a difference in getting great people — not career politicians — into office. This one’s personal, candid, and a reminder that no matter how tough the fight, you can’t stop me from being me. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Hitting my first campaign filing deadline and raising $160K Why fundraising matters more than anything else in local politics The Elvis “Fun Day Monday” incident and what it taught me about competition How national politics can ripple into local races — for better or worse Balancing community events with my commitment to family Why small donations have a big impact on democracySupport the Campaign:Want to help me keep going? Contribute here: Let’s Go Dave

    27 min

  4. 07/16/2025

    He Fought in Iraq. He Patrolled NYC. Now He’s Taking on Local Politics.

    Running for office can be a lonely, uphill journey  but it doesn’t have to be. In this very special episode of The Candidate, I sit down with Joe Scianablo, a fellow Democrat running for Town Supervisor — not in my town of North Hempstead, but right next door in Hempstead, New York — the largest township in the entire country. Joe’s story is incredible. He’s a Marine combat veteran, a former NYPD officer, a prosecutor, and most importantly — a dad. He’s running not because he wants power, but because he and his wife were tired of watching the news and feeling helpless. So they stood up. They got involved. And now, Joe is fighting to bring integrity and accountability back to local government. We even swap stories about our first intimidating meetings with party leaders, and Joe shares some leadership wisdom straight from his time serving in Iraq. This one’s honest, heartfelt, and full of the kind of civic optimism we all need right now. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Breaking down the Town Supervisor role (finally!) Why Joe got off the sidelines and into the race Corruption, appointments, and the cost of doing nothing Running as a Democrat in a red-leaning town — and building bridges anyway What military service taught Joe about leadership and collaboration Connect with Joe Scianablo: Website: https://www.joeforhempsteadsupervisor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joefortownofhempstead/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-scianablo-009b58127/

    21 min

  5. 06/25/2025

    A Masterclass in Local Leadership with Jon Kaiman

    In this episode, Dave sits down with Jon Kaiman: five-term former Town Supervisor, Deputy County Executive, statewide recovery leader after Superstorm Sandy, and current President of New York’s Tax Appeals Tribunal. But for Dave, he’s something more personal—a mentor, a friend, and the first person he called before deciding to run. Jon doesn’t hold back. He shares the emotional and strategic realities of running for office—the vulnerability, the message, the money—and why it’s one of the hardest (and most meaningful) things a person can do. They dig into what Jon learned from losing his last race, how timing and national politics shaped the outcome, and what he’d tell every candidate stepping into the arena for the first time. Plus: how he built one of the first suburban 3‑1‑1 systems in the country, launched Project Independence for seniors, and found ways to save taxpayer money while making local government actually work for people. This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered what really goes into a campaign—and what happens on the other side of it. Topics Discussed in the Episode: Why vulnerability is the price of admission in politics How to run your campaign like a startup—with timing, strategy, and story The inside story of 3‑1‑1 and why it changed how local government operates Project Independence and what it taught him about listening to seniors What Jon would do differently—and what every candidate should know Want to support Dave’s run for Town Supervisor? Every contribution—big or small—helps power this people-first campaign. Chip in here to fuel the movement: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dave-kerpen-1

    33 min

  6. 06/18/2025

    When Politics Gets Personal: Lisa McArdle on Running for the Town She Loves

    What happens when a lifelong educator, advocate, and proud Williston Park resident gets tired of the division—and decides to do something about it? In this episode, Dave sits down with Lisa McArdle, candidate for North Hempstead Town Council in District 3. Lisa’s not your typical politician. A registered Republican running on the Democratic line, she’s challenging the idea that party labels should define how we serve our neighbors. Lisa opens up about what it’s really like to run for office for the first time, how her family roots, her father’s mental health struggles, and her years in the classroom shaped her views on leadership. She shares why transparency in local government matters more than ever—and what needs to change so young people can afford to come home again. This episode is a heartfelt, hopeful look at what public service can be when it starts with people—not politics. Topics Discussed in the Episode: The decision to run—and what it's really been like Why party affiliation shouldn’t stop us from working together How teaching helped her understand the power of the “why” The mental health crisis most towns aren’t ready for A five-year vision for a thriving, unified North Hempstead Connect with Lisa McArdle: https://www.friendsoflisamcardle.com/

    19 min

  7. 06/11/2025

    What Public Service Really Looks Like

    What happens when someone with zero political ambition gets asked to run—and actually says yes? In this episode, Dave sits down with Mariann Dalimonte, North Hempstead councilwoman and fourth-generation Port Washington resident, for a conversation that’s equal parts heart, hustle, and hard truth about local leadership. They get into everything: what really drove her to run, how she became the rare leader loved across party lines, and why her inbox is both her superpower and her biggest battle. You’ll hear stories about door-knocking that turned into lifelong friendships, a now-legendary newsletter, and the kind of public service that doesn’t make headlines—but absolutely makes a difference. If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes on behind the scenes in local politics—or what it takes to be a truly likable leader—this one’s for you. Topics Discussed in the Episode: The surprising moment that pushed Mariann into public service How she built trust in a deeply divided political climate The invisible workload no one sees (and no one thanks you for) Why listening beats party loyalty—every time What to know before you decide to run

    20 min

  8. 06/04/2025

    Election Law, Local Power, and What Most Candidates Get Wrong

    In this episode, Dave sits down with Tom Garry—election law expert, longtime strategist, and First Vice Chair of the Nassau County Democratic Committee—for a fast-paced, deeply insightful look at what really goes on behind the scenes of a campaign. The conversation starts with a personal twist: Dave’s name on the ballot wasn’t legally his name. Enter Tom, the calm-in-a-crisis counsel who assured him everything would be okay—and then stuck around to share decades of political wisdom. Together, they explore Tom’s path from Bay Ridge to the heart of New York politics, the impact of national discourse on local races, and the one thing every smart candidate must get right (spoiler: it’s credibility, not charisma). Tom also shares what separates great public servants from political opportunists—and how to earn trust that actually lasts. The episode wraps with practical advice for anyone thinking about stepping into public life and a candid conversation about the state of our political discourse. Topics Discussed in the Episode: The legal ballot-name drama that almost derailed Dave’s campaign Tom Garry’s early political roots (and a chance meeting with Michael Dukakis) Why local elections feel more national than ever How to build credibility that opens doors and wins respect The most common—and costly—mistake first-time candidates make Connect with Tom Garry and the NY Democratic Committee: Nassau County Democratic CommitteeNY State Democratic Committee

    20 min
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5
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About

Ever wondered what it really takes to run for local office? In The Candidate, follow entrepreneur Dave Kerpen's journey from business leader to political hopeful. With unprecedented access to strategy sessions, fundraising calls, and behind-the-scenes decisions, discover the challenges and triumphs of a first-time candidate. Dave's mission isn't just to win - it's to inspire others by showing that stepping into politics is challenging, scary, and absolutely possible for anyone ready to make a difference.

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