Hi all -
It’s very very hard to feel good right now. I won’t pretend this email will make you forget what else is going on across the world and here in the U.S. But I hope you’ll be at least a tiny bit inspired for as long as it takes you to read this note, because there are good people stepping up to lead all across the country. You’re helping make their leadership possible.
We’ve got more than 300 candidates on the ballot next week — a few snapshots of these leaders to give you hope:
Boston City Council candidate Henry Santana’s experience exemplifies both his grit and why it’s so hard for working class candidates and candidates of color to run for office: In order to make ends meet while campaigning, he took a job working the night shift as a security guard/concierge in a local apartment building.
In Cambridge, MA, Burhan Azeem proved that in spite of being the youngest city councilor ever elected, he could be incredibly effective, and he’s running for re-election — he’s led on changes that revoked minimum parking requirements for housing and is currently pushing to raise height limits and remove setback requirements, all in service of making Cambridge a more affordable place to live.
Sheena Barnes is up for re-election on the Toledo (OH) School Board — she’s being challenged by an anti-diversity candidate.
Across Minnesota, city council candidates like Katie Cashman (Minneapolis), Saura Jost (Saint Paul), and Jenna Yakle (Duluth) are bringing new fresh energy to municipal races.
Get inspired by Blaizen Bloom’s campaign for Virginia Dare Soil & Water Conservation Board in the Chesapeake Area. Blaizen is a senior at a local university with expertise and passion for conservation and deep ties to folks across the partisan spectrum in their community.
Anna Albi is the only non-incumbent on the ballot for Cincinnati City Council — she’s a gun violence prevention and community safety advocate.
As a hopeful member of the Broomfield, CO, city council, Kenny Nguyen wants to prioritize affordable housing for both buyers AND renters.
Keep a close eye on football coach and teacher Madison Irving’s race for school board in Virginia — right wing activists are trying to take him down.
Also in Virginia, the GOP is sending explicit mailers about Susanna Gibson because they know if she wins, she’ll stand up against an abortion ban. This is wildly fucked up.
It’s my favorite time of year: RFS candidates voting for themselves season!
In other RFS alumni updates:
One of the biggest structural issues keeping young people from running for office is the pay — in KS, Rep. Lindsay Vaughn has helped advocate for an increase from a $29k annual salary to a $58k annual salary, making it more accessible for non-wealthy people to serve.
WI Assemblymembers Greta Neubauer and Kristina Shelton are standing strong against legislation that hurts trans kids.
A big issue of RFS alum Sara Innamorato’s campaign for Allegheny County Executive is how the office will oversee elections. If you care about democracy, you care about this race.
RFS alum including AL Rep. Phil Ensler, AZ Rep. Laura Terech, CO Rep. Meghan Lukens, IA Rep. Megan Srinivas, IL Rep. Bob Morgan, and TX Rep. Salman Bhojani were all named as NewDEAL Leaders.
If you need some listening material:
I joined the Daily Kos podcast “The Downballot” to talk about what we’re up to this year and share stories of some of the candidates I’m super excited about.
I also took some time to talk with The Great Battlefield about our 2023 races and what’s on tap for 2024.
And a quick horrifying reminder of why it matters to elect local pro-choice leaders everywhere, even and especially in red states: The county commissioners court if Lubbock County, TX — home to more than 300k people — became the largest county yet to ban women from traveling to have abortions in nearby states.
Thanks for sticking with us. We’re so glad and grateful for this team.
- Amanda
Incredibly inspiring as always!