RFS feel-good update (2/12): "An ice-cream truck for voting"

Just trust me.

Hi all -

We’re back at it with 60 amazing new endorsements across 21 states — 51% for state legislature seats, 30% for municipal offices, 10% for education positions, and 1% for legal roles. More than half of these amazing leaders identify as women, and more than half identify as people of color. Scroll through this list and find one or ten to get inspired by.

In other RFS community updates:

• The NYT profiled Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, one of the most powerful women in Texas, as she shares her challenging mental health journey — her vulnerability and bravery in this experience will save lives.

• One incredible example of why it matters to elect people of different lived experiences: “Rep. David Ortiz is using his own experience as a lawmaker with disability to push legislation that he said would level the playing field for candidates seeking to appear on Colorado's ballot either through the caucus process or by gathering signatures. 
  

  The bill requires the state's General Assembly, Secretary of State, and all registered parties that their caucus process — or in any future alternative system to get on the ballot — is accessible to candidates with disabilities.”

• AZ Sen. Eva Burch, a health care professional herself, is leading on legislation to create a new prescription drug affordability division that would make sure pharmacies are clear about prices and protect consumers from price-gouging practices. Huge.

• NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif sponsored a bill to give domestic violence survivors across the city access to a free and speedy lock change — domestic violence is one of the city’s leading drivers of homelessness.

• Minneapolis City Councilmembers Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Aurin Chowdhury (all RFS alum!) are introducing ordinances to create “safe outdoor spaces” and adjust the city’s public health response to encampments to make things safer for people experiencing homelessness.

• In Washington, Burien mayor Kevin Schilling is taking similar proactive steps to help people experience homelessness, providing shelter and services as much as they are able to.

• In VA, Albemarle County Supervisor Mike Pruitt is fighting to bring broadband and telehealth infrastructure to his community, because as he says, “Growing up country consistently consigns you to lower health outcomes and higher mortality rates — a fate we cannot accept as a community.”

• Rhode Island Rep. Brandon Potter is proposing legislation to effectively legalize mushrooms.

• Another RFS alum has been appointed to serve in the Arizona state house!! Congrats to Sarah Liguori.

• In Manchester, NH, RFS alum Bryce Kaw-uh is serving as city planning board chair, pushing a bicycle master plan to improve the area for cyclers.

---

Winning the small elections gives us the power to win the big ones, episode one zillion and three: You must read this story about RFS alum Neil Makhija, a new member of the Montgomery County Commission in PA who won in 2023.

And you must read this overview of the scenario planning the Biden administration did ahead of November - another important reminder of how critical it is to elect pro-democracy leaders at the local level…

In both scenarios, federal officials favored a muted public response, largely choosing to let state and local governments take the lead. That points to a deep-seated dilemma they face: How does the federal government protect voters from election threats when many of those voters don’t trust the federal government in the first place? State and local officials run elections and are more trusted voices in their communities, but how can federal officials act decisively to support them?

Some other related reading:

• From a new study just out: In 2020, Republicans invested more than $120 million in pipeline organizations — compare that to Democrats, who invested barely $26 million. Not great!

• We promised you back in 2023: If Democrats control the legislature, they’ll stop abortion bans in their tracks. Promise kept! All proposed abortion bans have failed in the Virginia House of Delegates.

---

Thanks for sticking with us, and for the kind words and generosity after our news last week. It means to lot to know you’re on our side.

- Amanda

P.S. If you’re interested, we’re hosting an exclusive briefing on our 2024 plans tomorrow, February 13th, at 1pm ET. Just reply to this email and I’ll send you the info!