Election Day countdown: 96 days
Hi Friends,
You have all energized me, during these dark and turbulent times, by the commitment you have made to justice and democracy. Based on the amount of Trump paraphernalia that I have seen over the past week, we have a lot of work to do to win in November and heal our country thereafter. With you engaged, we can make that happen.
Learn and Act
We are organizing a blowout event with 10 of the most consequential candidates who can flip the U.S. Senate blue in November. This is the first time these candidates will all be together. Join us for this historic event on Tuesday, August 11th at 7pm ET.
This is your only one-stop-shop to meet all of the candidates and help flip the Senate for RBG! Winning will take all of us.
Shout outs
Caroline Spears and Eliza Nemser launched Climate Changemakers to help people support climate candidates!
Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden are coming together for a grassroots fundraiser on Friday, July 31st at 7:30pm. Pay whatever you can!
Henry Schulz started his internship with the Mellman Group.
I was recently interviewed on Nancy Bynum’s New Faces of Democracy Podcast.
Candidate of the Week
Rep. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)
About the candidate: She is a lifelong Iowan, the youngest woman to ever flip a U.S. House seat and tied for first woman to represent Iowa with Rep. Cindy Axne. In 2007 she worked for VP Biden’s presidential campaign, leading to a career in public service. Like many of us, she is still paying off of her student loans and uses her Millennial experience to lead on youth issues in Congress as the Vice Chair of the Future Forum Caucus.
About this contested election: In 2016, The incumbent Republican won this race by 8 points. Rep. Finkenauer flipped the seat, winning by 6 points in 2018. Finkenauer, if re-elected, could help flip the State House, win the U.S. Senate, and win the state for Biden.
Support her here.
What we are reading
Rep. John Lewis’ parting message: “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war.” (The New York Times)
The U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. election: “It is a testament to how thoroughly Trump’s norm-shattering, autocratic leadership has permeated Washington that even the sleepy Post Office has become politicized and thrust into a position where its capacity for independence and professionalism is being tested, and will help determine the story of the United States’ most consequential election in generations.” (The New Yorker)
WTF!?!?!?!: “The Oakland County prosecutor’s office has told the Michigan Court of Appeals that it supports the release of a 15-year-old high school student who has been in a juvenile facility since May when she violated probation by not completing her schoolwork.” (ProPublica)
In solidarity,
Zak
P.S. You can recommend a friend and provide feedback here.