RFS feel-good update (5/31): We need new leadership
And we need it everywhere - winning in DC isn't enough
Hi all -
In what feels like a back-to-back-to-back series of bad weeks, last week was one of the worst yet. The school shooting in Ulvade was devastating.
We’re thinking of and grieving with the families in Texas and the broader community affected by this tragedy. We’re outraged and unsurprised by the GOP’s reaction — and nearly as outraged by leaders in Washington who (for the most part) aren’t showing the kind of fury we all feel and don’t seem to be feeling the urgency to finally act on gun safety, even as 21 people, nearly all kids, are dead from a tragedy that could have been prevented.
On guns — just as on abortion, and climate change, and nearly every other issue — winning in Washington just isn’t enough. Democratic control of the federal government alone will not give us the progress we need. (At least, not Democratic control as it currently exists…)
It was admittedly hard to focus last week. But I’m glad and grateful that our work specifically is centered on fostering a new class of leaders who will have the backbone to fight to reduce gun violence, no matter the odds.
Every single candidate we work with has affirmed “reducing gun violence” as a value integral to their campaign, whatever that looks like for their office or community. Until we change our leaders, we will not change the outcomes.
With that in mind, a few updates from the Run for Something community:
In the midst of everything, there were elections last week, some primaries and some generals or special elections. Congrats to Phil Olaleye (GA state house), Staci Childs (TX state board of education), Dexter McCoy (TX - Fort Bend County Commissioner), Wesley Thompson (AL state house), Ruwa Romman (GA state house), Jasmine Bowles (GA - Clayton County Board of Education), Lisamarie Bristol (GA - Gwinnett County Solicitor), Venton Jones (TX state house), & Diijon DaCosta Sr. (GA - Dekalb County Board of Education) for their big wins.
And in a big first: Congrats to TX state Rep. Jasmine Crockett for winning her special election for the House of Representatives — she’ll officially be the first (but not the last!) Run for Something alum in Congress!
We also announced a new class of 57 endorsements - 67% people of color, 44% women, and 30% LGBTQIA+ leaders. 46% of these folks are running for state legislature, 30% are running for municipal office, 19% are running for school board, and 5% are running for legal offices.
Two other highlights from RFS alum:
For RI State Rep. Leonela Felix, the fight for automatic expungements around marijuana possession is personal - tens of thousands of past convictions may disappear because of her leadership.
FL Rep. Fentrice Driskell will make history as the first Black woman to lead the House democratic caucus.
In related reading:
The GOP is mobilizing an army of grassroots to make absolute hell for local election officials and undermine the upcoming elections. Once again: This is why our Clerk Work effort to save democracy by electing election administrators matters: We need people with backbones and integrity who can stand up to these agitators.
This morning on NPR: We talked about why people really really want to run for school board — and why we’re here to help them.
In upcoming events:
Tomorrow night, June 1st, we’re hosting Run for Roe, a powerful free conversation about what local leaders can do to protect and expand access to abortion. Help spread the word and RSVP now if you want to join.
Then in a few weeks on June 15th, we’re hosting Party for Something in D.C., a fun and inspiring night to celebrate what we’ve accomplished and the work coming up. Get your tickets now!
Thanks for making all this possible. We’re lucky to work with you.
- Amanda