ABOUT US
MISSION STATEMENT
Defend The Vote will fight to preserve our most valuable American right: the right to vote.
WHO WE ARE
Defend The Vote is a political action committee dedicated to preserving our democracy through ensuring voting access, education and protection. Under the Trump administration, we experienced an assault on our democratic values and most explicitly our right to vote. Notwithstanding, the 2020 election had the highest voter turnout in our nation’s history — a reminder that without the right to vote, nothing else matters.
Following the 2020 election, when the Trump administration and officials at every level of government attempted to overturn the results in predominantly Brown and Black communities, it exacerbated the existing inequalities and injustices that are so deeply rooted in our voting system. This is nothing new. There have been several strategic attempts to disenfranchise voters throughout our history. It is abundantly clear that ALL of our rights hinge on our right to vote. Defend The Vote will fight to protect our most sacred American right: your voice, our vote.
Brian Lemek
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and Founder
Brian began his career working on human rights and conflict resolution initiatives in the United States, Southern Africa, and the Middle East. His experience bringing higher education to young women, working to end poverty in vulnerable populations, and providing life skills and after school initiatives to children in conflict zones shaped his appreciation for healthy democracies.
In 2017, Brian joined the Brady Campaign with the goal of ending American gun violence. He later helped found BradyPAC and served as its first Executive Director. BradyPAC’s first full cycle was 2020 and it contributed more than $4.2M to gun violence prevention champions and democracy initiatives.
In his role at Defend the Vote, Brian fosters long-standing relationships on Capitol Hill and is committed to electing leaders who will preserve and protect our democracy. He has appeared on television and in print regularly, including Yahoo Finance, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, PBS, Politico, Real Clear Politics, and more.
He earned his BA from Colgate University and his MBA from Babson College. Hailing from Providence, RI, he resides in the DC suburbs.
