RFS feel-good update (5/17): The good, the great, & the absolutely infuriating
The hustle continues
Hi all -
The weather is finally clearing, vaccines are working, and things are looking up. We’ve got more than two dozen candidates on the ballot this week and more endorsements coming soon — stay tuned! In the meantime, keep reading for good candidate stories, great alumni updates, and infuriating news from the Republican Party…
In candidate news…
In Teen Vogue, NYC council candidate Jaslin Kaur explains her focus on advocating for sexual misconduct survivors.
“There’s such a stigma around disabilities. Having a disability hasn’t always been easy but it’s a part of your life that shapes you and makes you stronger … it doesn’t have to be something you are ashamed of.” - Alex Gray, who is completely blind and running for Boston City Council
This is a beautiful video from NYC council candidate Adolfo Abreu
Steven Patzer is only 24 but his roots in his community are deep and committed — learn more about his ties to the Brooklyn neighborhood where he’s running for city council.
Some A+ updates from our alumni…
Judge Lina Hidalgo is working with fellow RFS alum Christian Menefee to protect the right to vote in Harris County, TX. This is what it takes.
Carlsbad City Councilmember Priya Bhat-Patel talked with HollywoodLife.com about her campaign for CA state senate; if she wins in 2022, she’ll be the only Democratic AAPI women in the CA state legislature and the first Indian American woman of any party.
Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly called out Arizona’s new voter suppression law: “It is something that does nothing to enhance voter security, ballot security, election security - it does nothing to help voters. And it does nothing to help recorders. It plants the seed of doubt in the integrity of the election's process. It makes voters confused."
Mai Xiong, Macomb County Board of Commissioners, explains how she campaigned door-to-door with her kids in a wagon behind her - she’s part of the wave of young people running for office as a form of public service.
Texas has passed an egregious bill that would ban teaching accurate history in classrooms. RFS alum Rep. James Talarico pushed back in a powerful debate on the floor. I want to call this bill out because it’s the kind of thing that will enshrine Republican viewpoints in students before they even become voters. It’s all part of the wheel of sustainable power.
Out in Colorado, Sen. Julie Gonzales is leading on critical legislation to increase funding for local affordable housing efforts. This will directly make people’s lives better.
Sen. Julie Gonzales and Reps. Iman Jodeh and Yadira Caraveo are part of a cohort of CO state legislators doing incredible work to advocate for vulnerable communities. It’s so cool to see!
Sen. Sarah McBride, the first openly trans state senator, is bringing equity to health care in Delaware.
Rep. Taylor Small writes in the Vermont Digger about the need for equity for working families: “Unemployment insurance is meant to keep our workers out of poverty. By not recognizing the need to support workers during their time of need with enhanced income support like dependent benefits, we jeopardize the integrity of unemployment insurance — a temporary wage replacement program to get Vermonters back to work.
This particularly affects marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic economy.”
TX Rep. Jessica González won her seat in a competitive primary back in 2018; now she’s leading the fight for voting rights in Texas as vice chair of the House Elections Committee. The NYT talked to her about what’s next for Texans.
As always, we’re keeping a close eye on our alum who are running for higher office…
Jennifer Carroll Foy joined Pod Save America - fast forward to ~57 minutes in for her convo with Dan Pfeiffer. She was also endorsed by Gloria Steinem!
Get to know Jevin Hodge, former RFS candidate & now candidate for Congress in Tempe, AZ.
Prepare to be outraged with some related reading:
This is a huge deal: The wave of voter suppression laws moving through GOP state legislatures was not a trend — it was a coordinated effort driven by wealthy Republican donors and organized by the Heritage Foundation. Mother Jones has the video to prove it.
Michelle Goldberg of the NYT asks: “Think about what 2020 would have been like if Trump loyalists had controlled the local and state level counting and certification process.” Spoiler: It’s what will happen in 2024 unless we contest & win state & local elections.
More downer news: Up until the election, old age is one of the biggest threats to the Democratic majority in Congress, as the gerontocracy continues to reign supreme.
In event updates:
If you missed it last week, you can catch up on our amazing Unapologetically Progressive & AAPI panel on YouTube. It was incredibly moving.
On Tuesday, May 18th, we’re partnering with New American Leaders Action Fund to host a training specifically for AAPI folks considering running for office. This is 100% free; help us get the word out!
This week on the Run for Something podcast: Missouri native Rigel Robinson started at UC Berkeley in 2014 as an eager student, ready to learn and to fall in love with the city he'd call home. Four years later, just as he was about to graduate, folks started clamoring for him to run for office. He jumped in the fight, won, and throughout his first term, has already pushed forward necessary reform on policing and housing that is broadening what is possible for municipal government. You're going to love his passion, his intellect, and the contagious love he has for his city. Get the episode wherever you get your shows.
Thank you for sticking with us. Your support has made it all possible.
- Amanda