RFS feel-good update (9/11): Reverse coattails are back!

Here's how they'll make the difference in 2024...

Hi all -

First, a quick election watch update: Taylor Knuth advanced to the general election in the Ogden mayoral race in Utah! This Tuesday we’re supporting five candidates in MA and one municipal race in CT; keep an eye on our social media or your inbox for updates.

We’ll also have more endorsements coming out this week — a whole new crew of amazing young leaders for you to get behind. Get excited!!

Here’s one of many reasons why supporting exciting local candidates matters: The American Prospect makes the case for how reverse coattails can help us all win big in 2024. In case you need a refresher, reverse coattails is the term for how local campaigns can generate enthusiasm and voter turn-out for the entire ticket, especially when the bigger campaigns are either less exciting or less competitive. Keep an eye on this - it’ll be a big deal over the next year+.

---

In other RFS community updates:

• The Miami-Dade School Board voted against recognizing LGBTQ+ History month at a meeting where Proud Boys showed up to intimidate folks - both RFS alum on the board, Lucia Baez-Geller and Luisa Santos, voted in favor. This is gut-wrenching stuff. Watch Lucia Baez-Geller’s remarks after the vote.

  

• Also in FL: Watch FL Rep. Anna Eskamani on MSNBC talking about the state’s use of PragerU content in schools.

• In VA, Susanna Gibson decided to run for office after the Dobbs decision — her GOP opponent has been caught on tape explaining how he wants to change the state’s laws to ban abortion access

  

• Also in VA, our folks are starting their TV campaigns! Watch Michael Feggans’ first ad on his how his service in the Air Force informs his call to serve his community in the state house.

• Alum Sara Innamorato’s campaign for Allegheny County executive is making the stakes of her election clear as she lays out her vision for reassessing an unfair and inequitable property tax system.

• Project Veritas is going after New Jersey school boards, and alum Joe Signorello is not having it — he confronted James O’Keefe at a local meeting for intimidating kids.

• Fabian Nelson’s big win in Mississippi - spurred by his campaign, which knocked every door in his district five times over — is continuing to make headlines. Watch him in MSNBC or read this Q&A in the New York Times.

  

Looking to volunteer? Here’s a quick list of ways you can help RFS candidates right now:

• Phil Hernandez is running for Virginia House, District 94. Phil needs volunteers to phonebank remotely. Sign up here to call voters on September 12, 6:00 – 8:00 pm EDT

• Russet Perry is running for Virginia Senate, District 31. Russet needs volunteers to phonebank in person. Sign up here to call voters on September 14, 4:30 – 7:00 pm EDT

• Cheniqua Johnson is running for Saint Paul City Council, Ward 7, MN. Cheniqua needs volunteers to canvass voters in person. Sign up here to doorknock on September 14, 5 – 8 pm CDT.

• Delegate Irene Shin is running for re-election to Virginia House, District 8. Irene is hosting an interactive workshop where you get to dive into the legislative process. Sign up here to join the workshop on September 14, 7:30 – 9:00 pm EDT.

• Idris O'Connor is running for Coles District Supervisor, VA. Idris needs volunteers to canvass voters in person. Sign up here to doorknock in person on September 16, 10:00 - 4:00 pm EDT.

• Kimberly Adams is running for Virginia House, District 82. Kimberly needs volunteers to canvass voters in person. Sign up here to doorknock in person on September 16, 1:00 - 4:00 pm EDT.

  ---

Finally, in upcoming events: This Thursday, we’re hosting a free event in Manchester, New Hampshire — don’t miss it. Next Tuesday, September 19th, we’ll be in Madison, Wisconsin (and I’ll be there IRL) — join us!

Thanks for making all this possible. We’re all so grateful for your help.

- Amanda