🤝 Finding Common Ground

Critics often claim there's no middle ground left in American politics — that you're either all-in on one side or the other. But recent Gallup polling tells a different story, and I've spent much of my adult life in that middle space, along with millions of Americans.

The numbers speak for themselves: 37% of Americans identify as conservative, 34% as moderate, and 25% as liberal. 

We're not a nation where everyone fits neatly into boxes. We're a nation where a sizable constituency falls somewhere in the middle.

People often ask where I fall on the political spectrum — and the honest answer is, I'm a moderate. But not in the way people sometimes mean it.

Being a moderate doesn't mean being neutral, passive, or afraid to take a stance. It means being grounded in lived experience, not just party lines. It means rejecting purity tests in favor of practical solutions. It means making decisions based on what works for people, not what fits an ideological or partisan talking point.

I understand what it means to live on a tight budget, to make a dollar stretch, and to want efficient, not bloated, systems. However, I also believe more money should be directed toward social programs that help hardworking, contributing everyday members within our communities.

I've witnessed firsthand how injustice manifests in education, housing, childhood experiences, and community health. While I've always voted Democrat, I don't embrace partisan politics - I believe in supporting policies that work, regardless of which side proposes them.

The middle ground isn't empty — it's where a good percentage of Americans live. We're not living examples of the horseshoe theory; we're not extremists bending back toward each other. We live in neighborhoods, not ideological silos. We care about outcomes, not outrage. And we want leaders who will show up, listen, and build something better for our communities — not just score points on social media or pass ideological purity tests.

That's what moderation means to me: clarity, compassion, and a commitment to what actually works.

🌱 Causes I'm Passionate About

Sustainability & Climate Change – Building policy and culture that protect our environment, promote clean energy, and ensure a livable planet for future generations.

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – Supporting early childhood development and family systems that reduce trauma and promote resilience.

Consumer Advocacy – Holding corporations accountable, protecting working people from exploitation, and pushing for transparency in the systems that affect us all.

Affordable Housing & Tenant Rights – Addressing housing instability through policy that centers people, not profit.

Education Equity – Advocating for strong public schools, student-centered funding, and access to higher education without lifelong debt.

Economic Development – Supporting local economies, small businesses, and workforce strategies that provide dignity, opportunity, and upward mobility.

With dual master’s degrees in Political Psychology and Program Evaluation & Data Analytics from Arizona State University, Randy combines academic expertise with practical political experience. He builds voter models, writes code to turn data into actionable insights, and develops internal systems that keep campaigns efficient, focused, and aligned with their mission. Whether managing a city council race or consulting on voter engagement strategy, he brings precision, empathy, and evidence-based thinking to every process step.

Why I Started Blue Monsoon?

I didn’t come into politics through connections or credentials — I came in as a parent, a student, and someone who had to build opportunities instead of waiting for them.

I went back to school at 22, later than most of my peers, and I couldn’t afford to take unpaid internships or low-wage “starter” jobs just to get a foot in the door.

Even before becoming a parent, I was already working full-time, driving for Uber, and navigating college with no safety net. After becoming a young dad during undergrad, that urgency only grew and when I finally landed my first job in politics, it wasn’t because someone opened a door for me. It was because I found a way to break through it.

Blue Monsoon came from that grind.

I wanted to use data, strategy, and grounded communication to uplift candidates with good ideas; people who are willing to work as a civil servant who attend to the needs of their community, not just a targeted demographic or partisan narrative. I’m not interested in helping someone “look the part.” I’m interested in helping leaders communicate authentically, organize effectively, and resonate with the people they want to serve.

Blue Monsoon blends real organizing experience with data, strategy, and a deep respect for working-class communities — because that’s where I come from. This firm is my way of making sure more people like us get a real shot at shaping the future.

Twitter Randy Clarke (@rclar_) on X

Instagram (@rclar_)

Randy’s Linkedin

With over a decade of campaign experience, Hayden has led everything from voter outreach and volunteer infrastructure to compliance, finance, and field logistics. He’s worked on gubernatorial and local races across Arizona, helping candidates scale smart, people-centered operations. Known for his sharp political instincts, deep local relationships, and ability to keep projects moving (and Randy grounded), Hayden ensures every campaign stays strategic, cost-effective, and on point.

🌱 Causes I'm Passionate About

Environmental justice and climate resilience. I believe that a livable future requires investing in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and frontline communities. It’s not just about policy—it’s about survival, especially for those who’ve long been pushed to the margins.

LGBTQ+ rights and trans justice. As a queer person, I know how vital it is to fight for the dignity, safety, and joy of LGBTQ+ people—especially trans folks, who are being targeted across the country. This isn’t abstract for me. It’s personal, and it’s urgent.

Reproductive freedom and gender equity. Women and people of all genders deserve full control over their bodies, lives, and futures. That means access to abortion, healthcare, economic opportunity, and leadership—not just symbolic support, but tangible, material backing.

Fair Maps and anti-gerrymandering. I’ve worked in red, blue, and purple states, and I’ve seen firsthand how manipulated districts silence voters and rig outcomes. Democracy doesn’t work when the map is drawn to protect power. I support independent redistricting and structural reforms that put voters first.

Healthcare that actually works for people. No one should have to choose between going to the doctor and paying rent. I support major healthcare reform rooted in access, equity, and affordability—because our current system is broken, and working people are paying the price.

Rebuilding the middle and working class. We need an economy that rewards work—not wealth. That means protecting unions, investing in small businesses, raising wages, and creating pathways to stability for people who’ve been shut out of opportunity for far too long.

Twitter Hayden Samples (@HaydenSamples23) on X

Instagram (@haymasterday)

Hayden’s Linkedin

Why Did You Start Blue Monsoon?

After working in politics for nearly a decade—managing campaigns, running budgets, leading field teams, doing research, and building infrastructure—I got tired of being passed over for roles I was more than qualified for. Instead of waiting around for someone to hand me an opportunity, I decided to create one for myself. That’s how my consulting firm came to be—born from both frustration and a strong belief in the value of my work.

Starting my own firm gave me the space to do things differently. I’ve always believed this work should be strategic, grounded, and responsive—not driven by ego or outdated playbooks. I’ve worn just about every hat in a campaign: field, finance, digital, comms, operations, research. I know how to build a team, respond to challenges, and stay focused on what actually moves the needle. Blue Monsoon Strategies was my way of channeling all of that into something useful—for candidates and causes that need experienced, steady hands to get across the finish line.

More than anything, I believe in working across lines—whether political, regional, or ideological. I’ve collaborated with people from a range of perspectives, not because I shy away from my own values, but because I know durable change requires more than just agreement. In a time of increasing division and extremism, I believe that building coalitions and finding common ground is not just helpful—it’s necessary. That belief has always guided my work, and it’s one of the core reasons I started this firm.

🤝 Progress Makes Perfect

I consider myself a Pragmatic Progressive—someone who believes deeply in progressive values but also understands the importance of strategy, compromise, and meeting people where they are. I’m not in this work for purity tests or political theater; I’m in it to make change that lasts. That means advocating boldly for what’s right, while also building the coalitions and infrastructure it takes to actually win. I’ve seen too many good ideas die on the hill of ideological rigidity, and I’m far more interested in progress than posturing.

My beliefs are grounded in lived experience and years of political work: I support environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, healthcare reform, and economic policies that uplift the working and middle class. I believe in Fair Maps and ending gerrymandering because I’ve seen how distorted political systems can drown out the will of voters. But I also believe that values alone aren’t enough—you need a path to victory, and you need to be willing to do the hard, often unglamorous work of building power block by block.

That’s why I value working across lines—partisan, ideological, generational. I’ve collaborated with people outside my own political comfort zone, not because I’m willing to compromise on justice, but because I know real wins come from unlikely partnerships and shared ground. In a time when extremism is rising and polarization dominates every headline, I think the most radical thing you can do is build consensus. That doesn’t mean watering things down—it means leading with both principle and practicality.

Being a Pragmatic Progressive means I’m not just dreaming about a better world—I’m actively working to shape it, using every tool available. It’s a belief in systems change and in the small, everyday fights that get us closer. My ideology is about showing up, staying grounded, and refusing to settle for symbolic progress when tangible results are on the table. I want justice, equity, and sustainability—but I also want a clear, achievable roadmap to get us there.