RFS feel-good update (4/26): ICYMI, last week's amazing events
You can catch 'em all on YouTube.
Hi all -
Good news: If you missed last week’s Front Row Seat events, you can catch up on YouTube! These events were phenomenal - equal parts inspiring, infuriating (in a good way), moving, and hopeful.
Liberty & Justice For…Some: A Candid Look at how a Pandemic Increased Violence and Discrimination Against the AAPI Community. Francesca Hong: Wisconsin State Assemblymember, D-76; Grace Meng, U.S. Congresswoman, D-NY; Priya Bhat-Patel: Carlsbad County, CA City Councilmember; & Tram Nguyen: Massachusetts State Representative, LD-18th Essex
Outside the Lines: How Redistricting and Gerrymandering Could Create a Crisis for Democrats in Federal and State Government. Eric Holder, Former United State Attorney General; & Jasmine Clark, Georgia State Representative, LD-108
Her Body, Her Choice: Access to Health Care for Reproductive Rights, Effective Maternal Healthcare and More. Anna Eskamani - Florida State House Representative, LD-47; Cecile Richards - Supermajority Co-Founder and former PPFA President; Lauren Underwood - United State Congresswomen, D-IL; & Sydney Batch - North Carolina State Senator, SD-17
Crushing Suppression: How State and Local Leaders Can Protect the Vote and Remove Voter Suppression Laws. Garlin Gilchrist II - Michigan Lieutenant Governor; Julian Castro - Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Lina Hidalgo - Harris County, TX Judge; Malcolm Kenyatta - Pennsylvania State Representative, LD-181; & Marc Elias - Founder of the Democracy Docket
The NYTimes did a deep-dive into research on teenagers & political engagement. This stood out to me:
This tracks with what Run for Something has seen: 2021 is on pace to be our best recruitment year yet.
A few updates from Run for Something’s 2021 candidates….
NYC council candidate Felicia Singh argues forcefully for the need to prioritize students with disabilities.
Our mentorship program is one of my favorite low-key things we do.
Alyia Gaskins explains why she’s running for Alexandria City Council in VA: “As the daughter of a single mom who had to make difficult tradeoffs between food, rent and asthma and diabetes medications, I have dedicated my career to ensuring every family has the resources it needs to thrive. My experience working in cities across the country has shown me what it takes to make that happen, and I am ready to bring that knowledge and insight to our city.”
The Boston Globe profiled Alex Gray, a housing activist and policy wonk who, if he wins for his at-large seat on the Boston City Council, would be the first Blind councilmember in city history and one of only two known Blind city councilmembers nationwide.
Swearing-in ceremonies never get old…
Get to know Janneke Parrish, candidate for Round Rock council in Texas.
Julia Forman is currently pregnant while campaigning for NY City Council - her experience is directly informing her platform to make NY better and safer for all birthing parents.
In news from our alumni community…
A must-read powerful story on Rep. Jessica Benham in PA: “When Jessica Benham talks to her fellow members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, she avoids eye contact, focusing instead on their foreheads. That’s not just a personality quirk. It’s a function of autism. “Some of the things that I do to cope are not noticeable to other people,” she says. “Or they might think are a little odd.” Even so, she manages not to feel entirely out of place in the Legislature. “I don’t think you can look at state legislators,” she jokes, “and think ‘these are the most socially graceful people ever.’””
Phoenix City councilman Carlos Garcia has been chosen by his peers to serve as vice mayor, a big step up in leadership.
“I want to be honest in saying that being Black and lesbian in the Georgia State Senate feels scary. I’ve always been out as a priest, but here it kind of feels like I’m walking a careful tightrope to not upset the status quo.” - GA state Sen. Kim Jackson, in a powerful conversation on her first term
DE state Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton is leading on a Green Amendment in the state constitution, which would include a constitutional mandate to protect the state’s “water, air, soil, flora, fauna, ecosystems, and climate.” It also makes it the duty of the state to “serve as trustee of the state’s natural resources” and to “conserve, protect, and maintain” those resources for present and future generations.
The Assembly NC asks: Ricky Hurtado bucked party strategists to run a different kind of campaign. Is he the vanguard of Latinx electoral power and millennial campaigning in North Carolina? (We think yes.)
CO Rep Yadira Caraveo is introducing legislation to restrict the use of ketamine to subdue suspects.
TX Rep. Jasmine Crockett is moving ahead on legislation to ban no-knock warrants.
Juliana Bennett is taking a seat on the Madison City Council, which will be the most diverse in city history.
Right now, more than half of North Carolinians don’t work enough to get access to FMLA — NC Sen. Sydney Batch is part of a crew introducing legislation to get workers much-needed paid time off.
WI Rep. Francesca Hong answers 12 quick hit questions - she’s such a star.
DE Sen. Marie Pinkney has introduced a bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control, making Delaware the 15th state (+ D.C.) which allows the professionals to give out contraceptives.
In Virginia, the Alexandria City Council has finally passed a measure to create a community police review board, led for the last year by councilmember Mo Seifelden.
The GOP is targeting their voter suppression laws at urban communities because they know (1) that’s where Democrats (and voters of color) are and (2) Democratic local electeds like Judge Lina Hidalgo have shown they’ll make the best out of shitty situations.
And in our quick bench-watch: Both Working Families Party and EMILY’S List jumped in to endorse Jennifer Carroll Foy in her campaign for governor. Team JCF is growing-growing-growing!
Would you like some related reading?
We talk a lot about the need to represent diverse leadership who reflect the communities they’re trying to serve. This great story from The 19th illustrates why that matters: Pregnant elected officials and new moms are leading the fight to change how government supports new parents writ large. (Shout out to RFS alum KY Rep. Josie Raymond for being part of that work!)
An on-going theme: The GOP is finding and supporting white supremacists and conspiracy theorists to run for local office. Said another way:
This week on the Run for Something podcast: Housing activist Katie Valenzuela ran against an incumbent member of the Sacramento City Council and won, in spite of being outspent 3 to 1. A few months later, she was joined on the council by organizer Mai Vang, the first Asian American woman to join the body. The two have built a beautiful friendship and in just a few months, revolutionized politics in Sacramento. Listen in as they explain how they won, the "Squad" they've cultivated, and the kind of progress they've made. The episode drops tomorrow!
Next on the RFS events calendar: Tomorrow night, we’re throwing a virtual house party with two amazing New York women - NY state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Kingston Common Council candidate Laura Nordstrom. Tickets start at $25; get yours now.
Thank you for making all this possible. We are on the move, and you’re the reason why.
- Amanda