RFS feel-good update (10/16): Our final 2023 endorsements
Our last endorsements before Election Day
Hi all -
Last week we announced our final endorsement class before the November elections! 62 amazing candidates across 22 states who will inspire you with their stories.
This class includes both 2023 and 2024 candidates — we’ve got firefighters, first- and second-generation Americans, union leaders, teachers, parents, current college students, and more. Scroll through and read about some of these amazing leaders.
More broadly: We’ll have 312 candidates on the ballot in November — half women, half people of color, and 25% LGBTQIA+ — across more than half the country.
Here’s a few folks you can help right now:
Kristine Crook is running for St. Clair Shores City Council, At-Large, MI. Kristine needs volunteers to phonebank virtually. Sign up here to call voters on Saturdays 12:00pm–12:30pm EDT or Wednesdays 6:00pm–6:30pm EDT..
Katie Cashman is running for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 7, MN. Katie needs volunteers to canvass voters in person. Sign up here to door-knock on October 19, 5:30 – 7:30pm CDT.
Shawna Ambrose is running for Arvada City Council, District 2, CO. Shawna needs volunteers to write postcards, text bank, phone bank, and canvass. Sign up here to support Shawna on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Nithya Raman is running for Los Angeles City Council, District 4, CA. Nithya needs volunteers to phonebank and canvass. Sign up here to support Nithya.
If you’re looking for other local campaigns to volunteer on now, search on our RFS Candidate Map using the “Volunteer Now” checkbox to find links to sign up directly with one of the races near you.
In other RFS community updates:
Congrats to Samantha Perlman for moving out of the primary for mayor of Marlborough, MA
Another win: alum Leonardo Williams won first in the primary for mayor of Durham, NC - he’ll move on to the general.
Yet another reminder of how important Virginia is: “If you go southwest from Virginia, you have to go all the way to New Mexico until you reach a state that doesn’t have an abortion ban in effect.” That’s why we’re proud to support candidates like Kimberly Pope Adams, who’s been knocking doors across her district talking about the abortion she got after a miscarriage 16 years ago. This is personal.
The Houston Chronicle has endorsed Chris Hollins for City Controller: “We want someone to invigorate the controller's office in the same way Hollins took what he called a "sleepy, restrained agency" and transformed it into a "champion for democracy" as county clerk.”
Take a look at VA candidate Lily Franklin’s first TV ad on why she’s the right person for the job.
Boston City Councilor Gigi Coletta explains how the nuts-and-bolts issues (like making sure city agencies have the resources to comply with mattress pick-up regulations!) are at the core of what really drives her: Making government work better for her constituents.
TX Rep. James Talarico is pushing hard against voucher legislation that would ultimately underfund public education. He says it well: “The legislature cannot be the arsonist and the firefighter at the same time.”
FL candidate Sarah Henry’s incumbent opponent accepted money from “Vote Men PAC” - usually they’re more subtle about this shit, so I guess points for honesty.
Watch Aurin Chowdhury’s quick 2 minute explanation to ELECT MPLS on why she’s running for city council. Get inspired!
This is a must-watch minute explanation from TX Rep. Jaes Talarico on how GOP mega-donors are trying to dismantle public education in Texas.
In related reading & listening:
I joined RFS alum IL Rep. Nabeela Syed on a panel at the 92nd Street Y in NYC for a conversation on gen-Z leadership.
ProPublica goes deep on the wave of book bans in Texas in particular — a reminder of why the 50 State School Board Strategy is so important.
Repeat after me: What happens in a red state does not stay in a red state. The famous Scholastic Book Fair is self-censoring and facilitating the exclusion of books by/about LGBTQ+ folks and people of color everywhere under pressure from red state leaders.
“Election denial is a campaign platform, it's a fundraising strategy, and it's not going anywhere.”
In upcoming events: Our next Unapologetically Progressive event will be This Wednesday, October 18 in Houston, TX, hosted in partnership with Emerge TX, Blue Horizon Texas, Texas Working Families Party and Somos Tejas in Houston for a candid discussion and reception!. RSVP here to join us in person or virtually.
Thanks for being part of this team. I know things are hard right now — we’re grateful to keep focusing on work that makes a difference and builds a brighter future.
- Amanda