RFS feel-good update (7/22): We're *all* going to win with Kamala Harris
Let's go.
Hi all -
Phew, what a week/month/year.
President Joe Biden has done incredible work for this country – first by beating Trump in 2020, then by leading the nation out of the pandemic, creating 15 million jobs, and passing the largest climate investment in history.
By knowing when to step aside, he has fulfilled his promise to be a bridge to the next generation, and has ensured his legacy will persist as a true patriot who served his country and put the American people and democracy first.
His brave act is the beginning of the end of the gerontocracy – a structural problem of government led by older leaders that, beyond any single individual, has crippled our democracy, isn’t representative of our country, and doesn’t address its most urgent problems.
There is much more we need to do to solve it, but I hope other politicians who have been clinging to power for far too long will take their cues from President Biden and similarly pass the baton to the next generation.
More urgently, having Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket is great news for the hundreds of Run for Something candidates across the country who have been knocking doors and talking to voters about the issues they care about – abortion, voting rights, housing, and more.
The expected reverse coattails effect our candidates generate will help her and all Democrats win.
We’re thrilled to join the party in uniting behind her.
With Kamala Harris as our nominee, our candidates running at the state and local level are now able to focus on drawing a clear contrast with the extreme Republican agenda and Project 2025, and are better positioned to win, especially in red and purple states.
This moment marks a new era in American politics. This November, this team is going to help elect a new generation of young, exciting leaders who will be powerful governing partners with President Harris.
And on a personal note:
My second daughter will by born by the time Election Day rolls around — I cannot wait to bring my girls with me to vote for the first woman president this November.
She can win. We’re all going to win. Let’s go.
In RFS community updates:
I loved KS candidate Christina Haswood’s answer to why she’s running for office. Watch her quick video!
Katie Jones, candidate for Minnesota state house, makes the case for what she’d do in the state legislature to support Minneapolis and make it a city people can thrive in.
Alexis SImmons is part of a small but meaningful group of gen Z leaders running in Kansas this year — she was inspired to step up for a state house seat when the former governor’s deep cuts to public schools directly affected her education, and watching the way older legislators debated marijuana legalization revealed the generational gaps.
In Ohio, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh (a military officer himself) tells the story of how his office partnered with Disabled American Veterans to offer legal services to veterans experiencing homelessness and how they’re celebrating the first ever Hamilton County Veterans Appreciation Day with more access to county services and community partners. This really matters for military families.
Get inspired by FL state house candidate Emily Rodrigues’s story and newest ad.
Milwaukee County Treasurer candidate Ted Chisholm makes the case for his efforts to reform the office, modernize their operations, and improve transparency. This is the kind of position that most people don’t know much about but that directly affects the quality of life for homeowners, small business owners, and all community members.
In related reading:
Teen Vogue dug in on how abortion ballot initiatives — much like state and local candidates — can be powerful drivers for turnout, especially when voters are not otherwise pumped about their options on the ticket.
A few weeks ago, in honor Democracy Fund’s 10th anniversary, I joined their team for a conversation about election administration. Get the scoop on what we chatted about.
A reminder about two upcoming RFS events you can join, both 100% free and 100% inspiring:
On Wednesday, July 31st, Run for Something Action Fund is once again joining forces with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and the Democracy Policy Network for the fourth annual Statehouse Futures virtual summit — a free series of conversations on critical state and local issues.
On Thursday, August 1st, we’re partnering with For The People to host a free conversation about how to protect public libraries.
Finally, while this whole community is just the best, I just want to say a special thank you to the thousands of people who’ve given to Run for Something specifically in the last month. I know things have felt uncertain and at times, paralyzing, but I am so grateful to you all for standing with us.
Let’s go win.
Amanda
P.S. Next week this email will be hitting your inbox on Tuesday as I’m out for a quick vacay (poorly timed or incredibly well timed, you decide) — but our team is here to answer any & all questions at hello@runforsomething.net
As a certified oldster myself, I have to say that the new contrast between our elderly opponent and Kamala Harris is wonderful to see.
Though I have been a Biden admirer for 30 + years, and think he was the most effective and consequential president since the Civil Rights era, I have always felt that the job of president requires great energy and vigor as well as wisdom, experience, and leadership.
I think and hope that the sight of someone as invigorated and exciting as Harris pulls millions of heretofore undecided voters back into the Dem column.