RFS feel-good update (6/20): Running for office was "a quiet dream" 🥹🥹
One that came true!
Hi all -
Hope your long weekend was restful and celebratory in whatever ratio you needed.
Today is Election Day, as always! We’ve got three folks up in Missouri — Michael Kelley & Johnathan Duncan’s campaigns in Kansas City are part of a transformative effort to fight for tenants. (Elect! More! Renters!) and if Justin Short wins, he’ll be the first openly gay man elected to the council — plus we’ve supporting 29 people in primaries in Virginia.
Keep an eye on our social media for updates.
If you’re in D.C., join us on Wednesday night (!!) for Party for Something at metrobar — a few tickets are still available and anything up for grabs will be on sale at the door. This is going to be a really fun evening!
In RFS community updates
This is really beautiful: For IN Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, running for office was a “quiet dream” - when she won in a Trump district in Indiana, she made it come true, and in her first term, passed legislation that increased mental health education & training for first responders.
A must-read profile of TX Rep. James Talarico in Politico: “He’s Deeply Religious and a Democrat. He Might Be the Next Big Thing in Texas Politics.” Been saying it for a while: Keep a close eye on young Democrats (like Rep. Talarico and Sen. Kim Jackson in GA especially) who lead informed by their faith.
RFS alum across the country, including NE Sens. Megan Hunt and John Fredrickson, CO Rep. Briana Titone, and MT Rep. Zooey Zephyr, were highlighted in this excellent overview of good fights for LGBTQ equality.
Speaking of: The Colorado Democratic LGBTQ Caucus - led by Rep. Briana Titone - have helped led the state into being one of the safest for LGBTQ folks, and the unique perspectives of folks like Rep. David Ortiz have helped push their policies forward.
In Central York, PA, one of the Republican school board candidates is personally pushing book bans — RFS candidates Amelia McMillan and Benjamin Walker are part of the slate of progressives fighting back.
RI Rep. Karan Alzate is tackling payday lenders - get’ em!
Alum Kelly Krout gave a powerful TedX talk about why it matters to run for office, even if you’re going to lose. Watch!
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler is back to run again for seat on the Cambridge City Council — he was key in passing affordable housing zoning laws during his first term in 2020-2021.
Lansing City Councilmember Peter Spadafore is pushing to roll back laws that prevent schools from starting earlier in the fall - the tourism industry shouldn’t drive decisions about education.
After years of perseverance, Rep. John Bucy has successfully passed legislation that would make it easier for people with disabilities to vote in Texas.
Congrats to alum Samir Paul for his appointment to the Maryland Board of Education. Keep on leading!
Here’s a cool way to celebrate Pride month: Donate directly to LGBTQIA+ leaders running for local office! We have 21 amazing LGBTQIA+ candidates currently running in CO, IN, MA, MS, MO, NY, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA, & WA who could use your support. One donation gets split among them, helping build power & expand LGBTQ+ representation.
In related reading:
Texas has a new law that essentially gives Gov. Greg Abbott oversight over what books kids are allowed to read. This! Isn’t! Freedom!
Democrat-controlled state legislatures have started passing shield laws protecting people who come into the state seeking reproductive health care or gender-affirming care — this kind of leadership is so sadly necessary.
Book ban updates abound: One Kansas City-area library took down their LGBTQ Pride displays in order to accommodate the new rules put in place by the secretary of state.
The right is coming for education offices in New York — they won 40% of the parent advisory councils in last month’s elections.
A few more events to put on your calendar!
June 27th, 8pm ET, 100% free: See Yourself Running as LGBTQIA+ candidates, in partnership with LGBTQ Victory Fund.
July 12th, 5pm CT, 100% free, in Chicago: Ready, Set, Run at Netroots Nation
July 19th, 12-4pm: Statehouse Futures, a free virtual summit for anyone interested in the future of state policy & advocacy
August 12th: We’re hosting a small get-together in Southampton, NY. If you’re in town, reply to this email and I’ll send you details!
Thanks as always for making this work possible. We’re so grateful!
- Amanda
Excellent video, Amanda, and very thought provoking. Thanks for including it in the newsletter. I hope it inspires a whole bunch of people. 😊