RFS feel-good update (2/28): Tonight's event, Election Day, and more
Everything feels bad. But we're staying hopeful. Here's why.
Hi all -
No bullshitting here: Last week was rough. Between the anti-trans efforts in TX, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill making its way through the state legislature in Florida, and of course, the war beginning in Ukraine, it was hard to read the news (or in some states, live the news) and feel anything like hopeful or good.
And yet, we’ve all had a lot of experience over the last five years finding reasons to be optimistic even when everything going on might contradict that. Much like the subject line suggests, consider this email your "reasons to stay motivated” — an overflowing number of stories in which normal people are stepping up to do extraordinary things to protect our values and make life better for the communities they care about.
The problems seem so big, and doing things like running for school board or city council can feel, well, so small. But it’s the collective force of those small actions that add up to a big impact.
If you’re looking for something concrete to do (besides donating to causes whether here or abroad), consider volunteering for a Run for Something candidate. There are dozens of folks running who have remote and in-person opportunities.
I know it feels weird to pivot to a party. But we have done amazing work together and we’ve earned the chance to connect and take pride in those accomplishments. (Plus, it’s been a long time since many have gathered in-person!) So tonight we’re celebrating five years of Run for Something with an in-person event in D.C. and folks coming together online. Speakers include:
US Senator Chris Murphy [CT]
US Senator Brian Schatz [HI]
Lauren Underwood, Illinois Congresswoman, District 14
Amanda Farías - New York City Council Member, District 18
Malcolm Kenyatta - Pennsylvania State Representative, 181st District, and candidate for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate
Marche’ Johnson - Montgomery, AL City Councilor
Cynthia Mendes - Rhode Island State Senator, District 18, and candidate for Rhode Island Lt. Governor
Briana Sewell - Virginia State House Delegate, District 51
JB Smiley Jr. - Memphis, TN City Councilman, and candidate for Tennessee Governor
Get your tickets now (or at the door if you’re coming in-person!)
It’s Election Week! We have 22 candidates on the ballot in Texas, including folks running for judgeships, state house and senate, justice of the peace positions, county commissioners, and state board of education. We’re also keeping a close eye on RFS alum Jasmine Crockett in her competitive primary — if she wins, she’ll be the first RFS congresswoman!
Check ‘em out and keep an eye out for results.
In other RFS community updates:
Our first electoral win of 2022! Rebecca Like has won her race for Kauai prosecuting attorney - she’ll “work to reduce the number of people who go to prison for one-off, minor crimes and advocate for comprehensive use of mental health and addiction services in the criminal justice system.”
While the state may request otherwise, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee is refusing to prosecute the parents of any kids who receive gender-affirming medical care.
Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill and County Recorder Kalie Work - both RFS alum - have been working to digitize all the county’s property records, a critical step toward allowing residents to look up (then hopefully disavow) any racist convenants in property records.
GA Sen. Kim Jackson — the only queer member of the GA Senate — spoke beautifully and powerfully to her state & community from the chamber floor as the state passed a ban on transgender athletes. Watch this.
Duluth City Councilmember Azrin Awal joins other city leaders in making the case for paid sick leave statewide.
In Wisconsin, Dane County Board of Supervisors chair Analiese Ficher is introducing a resolution to create a committee in charge of reviewing the county’s election security infrastructure. Proactive election security: You love to see it.
Maggie Bornstein, candidate for MT state house, powerfully connects the housing crisis with corporate greed, and urges that “Western Montana cannot become a place where our neighbors who sustain our grocery stores, public schools, nonprofits, and emergency response services cannot afford to live.”
Joshua Simmons, vice mayor of Coral Springs, FL, implores his community to call on the state legislature to stop taking away cities’ abilities to govern themselves. Home rule is a mess.
In TX, Travis County DA José Garza is charging 19 police officers with criminal indictments for using excessive force on protesters during the summer of 2020, as part of keeping his campaign promise to crack down on police misconduct.
In GA, Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson went in-depth about her governing philosophy, how her background as an engineer informs her leadership, how she approaches justice and equity, and more. It’s cool to see leaders think out-loud like this!
In CT: Hamden Councilmember Abdul Osmanu - who took office at only 19 and is currently studying at Southern Connecticut State University - was highlighted as one of seven Black Connecticut residents driving chance in their communities.
Maine senator Chloe Maxim explains why she’s prioritizing legislation that lowers the cost of prescription drugs.
The Austin-American Statesman called Rep. Erin Zwiener “one of the more effective members of the Democratic caucus” as they endorse her in the Democratic primary.
In related reading:
If we’ve talked sometime in the past few weeks, I’ve probably gotten on my soapbox and ranted about why it matters for Democrats to invest in states outside of the dozen or so presidential battlegrounds. Two of the many many many reasons why:
The deep red states are where the worst legislation will come from: “From Florida, Georgia and Tennessee through Texas, South Dakota and Montana, Republican-controlled states are approving a torrent of culturally conservative hot-button legislation at a pace unmatched in recent times, and probably ever. States where the GOP controls both the governorship and state legislature are moving in unprecedented numbers to restrict abortion, limit access to voting, ban books, retrench transgender rights and constrain teachers' ability to discuss race, gender and sexual orientation at public K-12 schools and increasingly at public colleges and universities. …. More fundamentally, these red state moves are remaking the American civil liberties landscape at breathtaking speed -- and with little national attention to their cumulative effect.”
Even in deep red states, it only takes one strong voice to speak up and mitigate the worst harm. You must must must read this story about how one Jewish lawmaker’s passionate speech kept the Wyoming legislature from passing a critical race theory ban. Reminder: There are only 7 Democrats in that entire chamber!
The GOP gets that the way you build and win power begins with recruiting candidates for local office: “Four years ago, Republicans recruited just 54 candidates for county races across South Texas and the border counties. This year, they're running 135 candidates — many of them the first in their party to seek these offices, most of them facing no competition in the March 1 primaries.”
Also happening last week - CPAC, the big conservative conference…
The first session of the day is parents talking about how to take control of school boards and ban books.
They always run their playbooks out loud - none of this is a secret. It’s why we have to go all-in to focus on the positions that build power.
Besides the event tonight, two more upcoming RFS events to put on your radar:
Wednesday, March 9th: We’re hosting a call specifically for folks thinking about running for school board. It’s 100% free - spread the word far & wide.
Thursday, March 10th: Looking Forward To It is hosting a comedy show in New York in support of RFS. If you’re in the area and enjoy jokes, join us!
Thanks for making this possible and keep us hopeful. We’re glad to be on this team with you!
- Amanda