Dream Big Dreams: From Chicago Roots to Nevada Leadership

By Samantha “Sam” Crunkilton

I’m Samantha “Sam” Crunkilton, and I proudly serve as Nevada’s Democratic National Committeewoman, Vice-Chair of the Nevada Democratic Jewish Caucus, and co-founder of Level Up Politics, a woman-owned consulting firm dedicated to electing Democrats, especially women, across the country. I am also an Emerge Nevada alumna (Class of 2022), an experience that transformed my confidence and career in public service.

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where my love for politics began at the kitchen table with my grandmother, Granzy. She was my biggest supporter, my teacher, and my best friend. One of my earliest memories is watching her talk about politics with passion and purpose. 

When I turned 18, I proudly cast my first vote, for Barack Obama, alongside her. Years before, she had met him as an Illinois state senator and had him sign his book for me: “Samantha, Dream Big Dreams. – Barack Obama.” That message became my lifelong mantra.

In 2016, I lost my Granzy to a brain tumor. During her final weeks, we talked about the upcoming election and her hope to see America’s first woman president. When the results came in that November, on my birthday, I felt crushed, but I also made a promise to myself and to her: I will never stop fighting for progress.

That promise has guided everything since. I moved to Nevada in 2019 and quickly became involved in organizing and political leadership. From serving on the Clark County Democratic Party Executive Board to the Southwest Democrats Club and the Nevada Federation of Democratic Women, I’ve spent countless hours knocking doors, phone banking, and connecting voters to the issues that matter most. I believe in the power of community activism—because real change always begins with people coming together.

My journey came full circle at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where I represented Nevada as a National Delegate. It was surreal to be back in the city where my story began, now standing on the national stage to help nominate Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Every moment felt like a tribute to my Granzy: the energy, the history, and the collective determination to move forward together. When Kamala Harris accepted the nomination and the balloons fell, I looked around the room, feeling the full weight of “HERstory” in motion.

That week also marked my first meeting as Nevada’s newly elected DNC Committeewoman, where I joined Democrats from across the country to strategize, celebrate, and recommit to the work ahead. Our charge was clear: bring the energy home and mobilize voters to protect democracy in 2024 and beyond. As Michelle Obama said, “Do something.” That’s what I intend to keep doing. Every. Single. Day.

As part of that next chapter, I’m honored to share that I have recently been appointed as one of just fifteen DNC members nationally to serve on the DNC Technology Task Force. In this role, I’ll be working to modernize how the Democratic Party uses technology to reach and engage voters: making our systems more inclusive, innovative, and accessible for all. It’s a tremendous opportunity to represent Nevada on a national level and to help build a stronger and smarter Democratic Party for the future.

From the suburbs of Chicago to the bright lights of Las Vegas, my mission has never wavered: to serve, to lead, and to dream big dreams. Because when women rise, communities thrive, and when we organize, we win.

Connect With Sam

www.leveluppolitics.com

Instagram: @samroxatlife247 

X/Twitter: @SamCrunk_NVDNC