What’s Next? Recovering and Moving Forward After a Policy Loss

Losing a big policy campaign is tough. It can feel disheartening, frustrating, and even overwhelming. After investing so much time, energy, and passion, it’s natural to wonder: What now? While a setback like this is difficult, it’s not the end of the fight. In fact, it’s an opportunity to regroup, learn, and strategize for what comes next.

We’ve seen devastating policy losses before, and we’re seeing them now. Just last week, the Iowa Legislature and Governor removed gender identity from Iowa’s Civil Rights Code—a cruel and unprecedented move. This marks the first time a state has stripped an entire protected class from its civil rights protections. This wasn’t just a policy loss; it was an attack on the fundamental rights of transgender Iowans, and its impact will be felt for years to come.

Other movements have faced similar painful setbacks. Gun control advocates have fought for stricter regulations after mass shootings, only to see common-sense reforms stall in legislatures. Immigration advocates have battled against policies that tear families apart, such as harsh border restrictions or rollbacks of DACA protections. Those fighting for SNAP benefits and other safety-net programs have seen eligibility cutbacks, leaving vulnerable families struggling to put food on the table.

These moments hurt. But history has shown us that advocacy doesn’t stop after a loss. The movements that make lasting change keep going, even when the road gets harder.

1. Acknowledge the Loss and Thank Your People

First and foremost, recognize the hard work that went into the campaign. Advocates, volunteers, donors, and community members dedicated their time and energy, and they deserve to hear that their efforts mattered. Even though the policy didn’t pass, the movement built along the way has value.

Just as important, acknowledge and thank the lawmakers who stood with you. In a tough fight, it’s easy to focus on those who worked against you, but it’s critical to lift up those who voted the right way, spoke out, and stayed firm—even if they were in the minority. If they took a political risk to support your cause, let them know it was worth it. They’ll remember that support the next time this issue comes up.

Send a message to your supporters acknowledging the loss, thanking them for their contributions, and reminding them that change doesn’t happen overnight. Assure them that this setback was not due to a lack of effort but rather part of a larger, ongoing fight for progress.

2. Give Your Team and Volunteers Time to Process

A loss takes an emotional toll. Before jumping into the next steps, allow staff and key volunteers some time to process and recover. This could mean a few days of reflection, a team debrief where people can express their feelings, or simply encouraging self-care. Taking this time prevents burnout and ensures that people come back with renewed energy for what’s ahead.

Taking this time prevents burnout and ensures that people come back with renewed energy for what’s ahead.

3. Evaluate What Worked—and What Didn’t (Even When Nothing Could Have Worked)

Once emotions settle, it’s important to take a hard look at the campaign’s strengths and weaknesses. What messages resonated? Where did opposition gain traction? Did outreach efforts connect with key audiences?

But sometimes, nothing would have changed the outcome. In Iowa, the numbers simply weren’t there. No amount of messaging, organizing, or last-minute lobbying would have prevented the removal of gender identity protections from the civil rights code. When an opposition majority is determined to pass or repeal something, sometimes the best campaign in the world still won’t be enough.

That doesn’t mean the effort was wasted. Advocacy isn’t just about winning individual fights—it’s about building movements. The passion, stories, and energy from this campaign will carry into future fights, whether on the same issue or another. The relationships built and skills honed will matter down the road.

This evaluation shouldn’t be about finger-pointing or dwelling on mistakes. Instead, it’s a way to learn and improve for the future. Document these insights, not just for your team but also to share with advocates in other states who might be working on similar issues.

The movement is bigger than one campaign, and sharing lessons learned helps strengthen advocacy efforts nationwide.

4. Consider Next Steps: Legal, Enforcement, or Future Legislative Avenues

Just because the policy didn’t pass or you didn't stop a harmful bill doesn’t mean the issue is over. Consider:

• Legal Avenues – Are there legal challenges that can be pursued? For example, when states have passed anti-immigrant legislation, organizations have sued to block enforcement. In Iowa, civil rights advocates are already exploring legal options to fight the removal of gender identity protections.

• Enforcement Strategies – If the policy involved an existing law, are there ways to ensure better enforcement? For instance, when federal protections for SNAP benefits were rolled back, state and local governments worked on alternative support programs.

• Future Legislative Efforts – If this isn’t the right time or political landscape for your policy, when might it be? Gun reform advocates, for example, often build long-term strategies that prepare for future legislative windows when momentum shifts.

Thinking strategically about next steps keeps the movement alive and focused.

5. Keep the Community Engaged

One of the biggest risks after a policy loss is losing momentum and engagement. People who were deeply involved in the campaign might feel discouraged or unsure of what to do next. It’s essential to maintain communication and keep them engaged.

Some examples include:

• Hosting community meetings or debriefs to discuss what’s next.

• Providing clear ways for people to stay involved in advocacy efforts.

• Highlighting small wins along the way to keep morale up.

• Shifting efforts to other related policy work to keep people connected to the broader mission.

For example, in the wake of Iowa’s rollback of gender identity protections, LGBTQ+ organizations are focusing on mutual aid, legal advocacy, and building support for future legislative action. Similarly, when SNAP benefits have been cut, food security advocates have doubled down on local solutions like expanding food pantries and state-level policy changes.

The community impacted by this policy still needs support, and keeping people engaged ensures that the movement doesn’t fade.

6. Look Ahead: The Fight Isn’t Over

Every major policy victory is built on a history of setbacks, lessons learned, and resilience. The repeal of gender identity protections in Iowa is devastating, but it’s not permanent. Gun control advocates didn’t stop after the failure of federal background check legislation. Immigration rights activists didn’t quit when DACA was rescinded.

While this loss may sting, it’s part of a longer road toward meaningful change. The most important thing is to keep moving forward.

Take time to reflect, appreciate the work done, and then refocus on what’s next. Whether it’s reintroducing the policy later, shifting to a new strategy, or strengthening your organization for future fights, the work continues.

Your efforts matter. The movement isn’t over. And together, we will keep pushing for a better future.

How Snyder Strategies Can Help

If your organization is navigating the aftermath of a tough policy loss, Snyder Strategies can help you move forward with clarity and purpose. With deep expertise in advocacy strategy, coalition building, and post-campaign recovery, we provide tailored support to help you analyze what worked, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and develop a roadmap for next steps.

Whether it’s crafting effective messaging to keep supporters engaged, identifying new legislative or legal strategies, or ensuring your movement stays strong for future fights, we work alongside you to turn setbacks into opportunities for long-term impact. A loss doesn’t mean the fight is over—let’s build what’s next, together. Reach out today to see how we can support your advocacy work.

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