RFS feel-good update (5/1): One person is all it takes
How young legislators in red states are fighting back.
Hi all -
Last week, the Montana GOP removed Rep. Zooey Zephyr from the House floor for speaking up for LGBTQ+ kids, and in effect, disenfranchising her entire community.
This is shameful authoritarianism at its worst, and a continuation of the trend we’ve seen from the GOP as shown in OK, TN, and now Montana. (Teen Vogue connects the dots.)
GOP lawmakers are going to new extremes to punish their opponents, using “decorum” as a weapon.
In response, a new generation of young leaders is rising up to fight back.
I joined MSNBC to talk about the surge of candidates signing up in the wake of all this bullshit - more than half of them from red states.
Within red states, young leaders — often from under-represented communities, representing progressive voters in blue-ish cities — are showing up at hostile work environments. Their people are under attack. These folks understand the GOP isn’t on the level; they aren’t waiting for permission to fight back. The movement they’re inspiring has the potential to be groundbreaking.
And more broadly, it’s worth keeping in mind that the GOP has pissed off young people particularly in Nebraska, Montana, and Tennessee — all of which have U.S. senators on the ballot in 2024. 👀👀👀
I want to specifically highlight NE Sen. Megan Hunt, who has been through the ringer over the last week:
She’s been continually filibustering anti-LGBTQ bans, holding her ground, even in the face of a bullshit “conflict of interest” complaint that accuses her of having a conflict of interest by HAVING A TRANS KID.
In response, she’s using the floor to draw attention to the thread of authoritarianism and discrimination across the country. This speech is hot fire.
Her long effort to stop the abortion ban succeeded!! By a one vote margin, abortion remains legal in Nebraska. Watch this and try not to cry
We talk a lot here at RFS about the importance of even one person stepping up to run, to lead, to fight — Sen. Hunt is the quintessential example of how a leader can make a difference, even and especially in a red state.
As a whole, Nebraska Dems — including RFS alum Sens. Jen Day, Terrell McKinney, Elliot Bostar, and John Fredrickson — are collectively showing us just how powerful we can be, even when we don’t have the majority.
We announced a new class of 65 incredible endorsed candidates across 18 states.
It includes teachers, organizers, parents, basketball players, lawyers, non-profit leaders, engineers, union members, EMTs, immigrants and children of immigrants, Girl Scouts, renters, gen-Z’ers and millennials, and folks who’d make history if they win. It’s a transformative group who’ll be leading us all forward.
We’ve also got 10 candidates on the ballot this week — because reminder, it’s not an off year, just an odd year! — including municipal offices in Indiana, Texas, and Ohio, and a school board race in Pennsylvania.
In other RFS community updates:
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in Vogue! With photos by Annie Leibovitz!! You truly love to see these.
WI Rep. Alex Joers makes the compelling case that create more jobs, we need to invest in child care. (Also a reminder how important it is to elect parents of young kids!)
DE Sen. Tizzy Lockman’s legislation requiring permits to buy handguns is moving through the legislature.
MD Del. Joe Vogel, the youngest lawmaker in the chamber, has been leading on bills around the opioid crisis, mental health, abortion access, gun violence, and LGBTQ issues. He’s not shying away from the big issues.
Sen. Mallory McMorrow in MI makes the compelling case for how state legislators aren’t just “the bench” — they’re the present leaders of the Democratic party, getting stuff done right now!
San Antonio Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez is dealing with some horrific anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and homophobia as part of his re-election campaign. We’ve got his back!
PA Reps. Jessica Benham and Malcolm Kenyatta have successfully led on legislation which extends anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people across PA. Historic!
RI Sen. Tiara Mack’s law has come to fruition: Rhode Island has published their first Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights.
In related reading:
Moms for Liberty is dangerous both politically and practically: Their harassment tactics are scaring people out of running for school board. RFS is fighting back.
The book bans keeping coming, especially in Florida, where Ron DeSantis is making them a key part of his administration. They’re coming for Nora Roberts!
A few Clerk Work stories for you:
In Virginia, the GOP took control of a local elections board and in effect chased the election administrator out of her job.
In Cochise County, AZ, the county board of supervisors (which has historically tried to undermine democracy in a number of ways) has hired an elections director who believes the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Notttttt great.
Allison Campolo, an RFS alum who now runs the Tarrant County Democratic Party in Texas, is on the county election commission looking for a new election administrator — a contentious search as some Republicans on the commission are looking for someone to subtly undermine democracy…
Finally, if you’re in D.C., keep an eye out for one of these stickers around the city — upload it and share it on Instagram and you’ll get a free ticket to Party for Something!
Thank you for making all this possible. The fight is hard but it’s worth taking on.
- Amanda