In a special series, The Takeaway profiles five people who are running for local and state elected office for the first time.

“The Rookies” includes voices from across the country—from a district school board election in Colorado that is marred with controversy, to a candidate who grew up as a migrant farm worker and is now seeking to become the first Latino representative on the Seattle City Council.

We hear why these candidates, many of whom have never had political aspirations, are taking the plunge into politics.

Click here to learn more about each candidate in the series.