Feel-good update: Fury & hope
I hope you’re hanging in there & healthy. This is horrible. But/and: the work continues.
I hope you’re hanging in there & healthy. This is horrible. But/and: the work continues.
Later today, we’ll announce 81 new endorsements for 2020. This brings our grand total since 2017 to more than 1000 endorsed candidates — a huge milestone. Keep an eye on your inbox for the full list & a little bit of optimism for the future.
For those candidates & everyone else, we’ve been updating resourcesforcampaigns.com every single day with new trainings & info.
One thing we heard from a lot of campaigns: “What does [insert tactic here] look like in practice?” So we’re compiling real-life examples of things like virtual town halls, community service projects, and more in a crowdsourced public database. This resource continues to grow, with materials for 30+ organizations & counting.
Our alumni & candidates continue to lead when it matters most:
TX: Rep. Erin Zwiener is furious — rightly so — that TX Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick encouraged seniors to sacrifice themselves the economy. Her op-ed is must-read rage.
VA: Del. Danica Roem heard from her constituents that they were running into issues with a USDA guideline that said students needed to be present to get meals from pick-up sites while schools are closed, putting undue pressure on parents. She took on the USDA and won a waiver, making it easier for millions of students across the country to get food during this crisis. Local news called it “Danica vs. Goliath.”
IA: Dr. Megan Srinivas ran for office in 2018 and came up short. But as the only infectious disease specialist within 70 miles of her area, she’s leading her community response, using the skills she learned as a candidate.
NY: State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is fighting for first responders to get the protections they need. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie is thinking about how to use his role as chair of the Senate Elections Committee to ensure functioning elections this fall.
IN: Evansville City Councilmember Alex Burton is working directly with the local foodbank to get food for students & the homeless who need it.
MA: State Rep. Tram Nguyen is encouraging folks to do two key things: stay home and complete the census before April 1.
MA: Cambridge City Councilmbmer Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler introduced and got passed an ordinance that prevents landlords & brokers from doing in-person showings of occupied apartments during the pandemic.
PA: State Sen. Lindsey Williams explained how the state legislature met remotely & used Zoom to conduct business and pass four critical bills, including changes to unemployment insurance and the state tax deadline.
CA: Berkeley City Councilmbmer Rigel Robinson helped pass local ordinances protecting tenants against eviction, creating funds for gap assistance & housing, and more.
MD Delegate Lesley Lopez and others talked to the Washington Post about the difficulties of campaigning in this environment. I talked with the Atlantic about how this is affecting our candidates, noting that since most are not full-time candidates, this whole thing just got 100x harder.
Not exactly coronavirus-related but worth flagging: Alum Sean Elo, currently sitting on the San Diego Community College Board, is now running for San Diego City Council. Read this on the grassroots anti-corruption campaign he’s running.
Nida Allam, the first Muslim woman woman elected in the state of North Carolina, talked about how her role on the county gov’t will change given the crisis.
Finally: Tomorrow night, we’re doing our first virtual fundraiser, called “Drink for Something,” with special guests including Jason Kander, former Beto senior staffer Abe Rakov, Castro/Warren staffer Natalie Montelongo, Kamala senior staff Emmy Ruiz, Warren staff Chris Hayden, NextGen director Ben Wessel, Warren staff Suzy Smith, and many other campaign alum to share our most embarrassing campaign stories & enjoy each other’s virtual company. Jump on & hang out with us.
I’m so glad to be busy & grateful to be in this with you. Reach out anytime.