RFS feel-good update (4/29): 70 new endorsements!

These candidates will knock your socks off

Hi all -

Great news: We have more endorsements to share!!

Some of the amazing 70 new folks we’re working with this year:

• Emily Rodrigues is running for FL state house — her passion for advocacy comes from her experience as a victim of sexual assault; she wants to champion policies benefiting survivors as well as reproductive rights, addressing the property insurance crisis, and promoting public education and affordable housing.

• Bryce Berry could be one of the first Gen Z members and the first public school teacher to serve in the Georgia State House - his journey to politics began when he got involved in Black Lives Matter protests as a young teenager.

• Emily Harris has spent 10 years working in campaigns and government - now she’s running for Montana state house in Helena to fight from inside the halls of power. She’s working to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.

• Giona Picheco, a Navy veteran and sociology teacher, wants to address affordable housing, public education, and health care for seniors & vets; if she wins her state house race, she’ll be the first transgender legislator in Rhode Island.

• Gabby Salinas is a three-time cancer survivor, scientist, and health care advocate running for Tennessee state house. We’ve been working with her since 2018 — she doesn’t let losses set her back.

These folks are incredible. We’re up to over 300 incredible candidates this year running across 41 states. Check out the map to find one (or ten!) near you to help out.

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Before I get into some other community updates…

Last week, I noted in the related reading how for the first time in 30 years, Democrats are fielding a full slate of candidates for state legislature.

We saw in the Supreme Court oral arguments why fighting in Idaho matters: They are considering a case as to whether Idaho’s strict abortion ban still applies in emergency situations. The oral arguments were horrifying, as conservative Supreme Court justices questioned how many organs must be at risk for it to be considered an emergency.

I know we’re in a year where all eyes are on the electoral college and the appropriate competitive battlegrounds.

But that kind of myopic focus — at the expense of also fighting elsewhere — can and will have dangerous consequences.

Consider that losing power in Mississippi state legislature in 2011 led to the Dobbs decision in 2022. Letting the GOP run Idaho without even putting up a fight could lead to more bad decisions this year.

This is why Run for Something works in all 50 states, even when it’s hard, the odds are long, and some people dismiss it as unimportant.

Especially on abortion access, small races can have a big impact. Take a look at some of the state supreme court races that will affect access, and the DA races in Arizona that will shape whether people face criminal charges and prison terms over abortions.

This matters. It all matters. Electing Biden & a Democratic Congress is necessary, but given this Supreme Court, it’s also not sufficient. We have to win more and win everywhere. Your support helps RFS do just that.

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Two other quick RFS community updates:

• We had some amazing wins in PA last week — 11 of our folks in competitive primaries are moving on to the general election! I am a sucker for pics of our candidates with their families.

• Alum Malcolm Kenyatta made history in winning his primary for PA Auditor General - he’s become the first openly gay man to be nominated by a major party for statewide office.

And one piece of related reading:

• We’ve said it once, said it a million times: Reverse coattails will be the story of the 2024 election. We’ve literally proved it.

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Keeping this one quick this week — you’re welcome.

Thanks for making this all possible.

- Amanda

P.S. Some personal news: Thrilled to share my husband and I are expecting baby girl #2 by mid-October! Even more of a motivation to win this fall and ensure that my daughters (and yours, and every woman and person of every age) has the ability to make their own health care decisions. Plus, wow oh wow do we need universal child care. 😵‍💫