RFS feel-good update (8/22): Join us in TX, GA, PA, MI, or AZ in September

We're hitting the road - let's hang out!

Hi all -

Big news: Our team is hitting the road! For the last two years, we’ve hosted Unapologetically Progressive events over Zoom - we are thrilled to bring this events into the “real world” and have amazing candidates, partners, and special guests coming together in five cities throughout September.

Thanks to our incredible sponsors, these events are 100% free. We’ll have both in-person and virtual options.

A quick rundown of where we’ll be and who we’re working with:

• San Antonio on September 15th - in partnership with Blue Horizon Texas

• Atlanta on September 20th - in partnership with Represent GA Action Network

• Philadelphia on September 22nd - in partnership with Promote the Vote PA & the PA Working Families Party

• Lansing (MI) on September 27th - in partnership with GLPA-Lead

• Phoenix on September 29th - in partnership with Maricopa County Democrats

Our regional directors will be at each of these events so if you’re able to come out, make sure to say hi.

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Meanwhile, we’ve got 22 candidates on the ballot tomorrow in Florida, New York, and Oklahoma. Take a look at who we’re rooting for, then keep an eye on social media and this space next week for updates.

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In other RFS community updates:

• Michiganders got a big win last week when judges blocked county prosecutors from enforcing an archaic abortion ban from 1931. County attorney (and RFS alum!) Eli Savit helped litigate the case. (You can read more about the case and how abortion access could be determined county by county in Rolling Stone.)

  Eli Savit @EliNSavit

  For the past three days, we’ve been in court litigating against Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban—alongside @GovWhitmer’s team from @MIAttyGen’s office, and @KarenMcDonaldMI. Today, we won. A judge just issued a ruling BLOCKING county prosecutors from enforcing that archaic law. /1

  

• Kate Turner, candidate for KY state house, explains how the state’s abortion laws are pushing her to seek fertility treatment outside state borders. This is a personal fight for our folks.

• Austin is fighting to decriminalize abortion, led in part by DA Jose Garza and city councilmembers Paige Ellis and Vanessa Fuentes. RFS alum are leading when it matters most.

• In FL, Sarah Henry explains why her state house campaign is focused on voter contact: “We hear at least once or twice every single canvas: ‘A politician has never come to my neighborhood. A politician has never asked me what keeps me up at night. What am I concerned about?' … We’re out there getting support, but we’re also there because there’s no better way to know what folks are struggling with than to ask them.”

• Also in Florida, Janelle Perez could be the first LGBTQ+ woman in the state senate — her story as a mom, small business owner, and cancer survivor will inspire you.

• Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins joined Alex Wagner on MSNBC to talk about the real aims of those protesting CRT and other equity issues in schools: To build political power.

  Alex Wagner Tonight @WagnerTonight

  Jennifer Jenkins, a member of a school board in Florida who has experienced harassment by right-wing activists first hand, observes their real motivation to be political power, not the cultural issues they use as cover.

• Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb’s comprehensive violence prevention strategy included a very cool program: Hoops After Dark, a six-week basketball tournament for 140 young men, in partnership with the Cavaliers.

• This is a great story about NE state senator Terrell McKinney’s trip to Ghana and how it informed both his own deeper understanding of self as well as Nebraska’s treatment of Black residents.

• We partnered with actress/writer/producer Francesca Ramsey for an in-depth convo with a ton of RFS candidates in Florida, her home state. You can watch a quick clip here or find the whole convo on her Instagram account.

  Eunic Ortiz @eunicortiz

  A public school teacher - and most working people - can’t afford the average cost of rent in Florida. That is a crisis. We just need leaders who are bold enough to take action. We can do better. Thank you to @chescaleigh & @runforsomething for holding the space for this convo!

In related reading:

• An election denier is likely to be the Wyoming Secretary of State — as we’ve seen over and over and over again, what happens in a red state does not stay in a red state. This is dangerous shit.

• Relatedly, we’re likely to see more of it after November. The Washington Post notes: “In the 41 states that have held nominating contests this year, more than half the GOP winners so far — about 250 candidates in 469 contests — have embraced Trump’s false claims about his defeat two years ago, according to a Post analysis of every race for federal and statewide office with power over elections.”

• Educational gag orders have increased 250% over 2021, and only one of the 137 bills have a Democratic co-sponsor. Read more from PEN America.

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We’re still hiring for just a ton of jobs — new ones posted include openings for a Chief Diversity Officer, an Elections & Endorsements Manager, an Institutional Giving Senior Manager, state directors in MI, NH, PA, TX & WI, and a staff software application engineer. Help us find the best folks to join the team.

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Thanks for making all this possible. You make our world go ‘round!

- Amanda

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