Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/17

May 17, 2023

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

And it’s happy, indeed! As most of you already know, we had some big wins yesterday—in fact we had almost nothing but! Donna Deegan won her mayoral race in Jacksonville, FL—she’ll be the first woman ever to hold the seat and only the second Democrat in thirty years to do so. Thanks to everyone who volunteered for her, and thanks to

Simon Rosenberg

for bringing this race to our attention.

But there’s more: Heather Boyd won her statehouse race in Pennsylvania, ensuring that Democrats will keep their hold on the House majority there. Three cheers to all who helped turn out voters for this race! Nice work, team!

And, in a race to which I apparently wasn’t paying enough attention, Yemi Mobolade, a Nigerian immigrant and businessman with no political experience, will be the first elected Black mayor of Colorado Springs after he defeated Republican Wayne Williams last night! HUGE!1

Simon Rosenberg has a good recap of all of these victories and why they’re so encouraging here.

Jay Kuo

has an equally exuberant take on them here. Suffice it to say that Republican strategists must be getting very nervous. These seats were not supposed to go to Democrats; they did because a) we run strong candidates b) we have a massive, seasoned, and engaged volunteer base c) we’re exceptionally good at field work and d) the GOP has become a party of violent extremism which is stripping away our freedoms; it’s hemorrhaging voters because of it.

All of the above will remain true heading into 2024. See the Republicans’ problem?

So today’s a day to feel good, and proud, and even hopeful. But it’s not a day to rest on our laurels. (No day is.) We have more battles to win and lots more elections in which to prevail.

The good news is we keep outperforming expectations.

As Simon Rosenberg says, “I would rather be us than them.”

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

[If your Senator is a Democrat:]

I’m calling to ask Democrats in the Senate to quickly confirm the outstanding judicial nominees awaiting votes. Some of these nominees include Dale Ho, Natasha Merle, and Nancy Abudu, but there are several more. Each is long overdue for a final vote; the Senate should move swiftly to confirm them. I also want Juli Su to be confirmed as Labor Secretary as soon as possible. Thanks. [H/T]

[If your Senator is GOP:]

I’m calling to ask the Senator to vote yes on the confirmation of Juli Su for Labor Secretary. The Senator claims to support workers—Su is the most pro-worker nominee imaginable. As a person who supports workers’ rights and strong unions this vote is really important to me. I will be watching it closely. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I’m calling to ask the Congressmember to to say no to any deal that expedites fossil fuel production in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. I want to be clear: climate change is an urgent crisis and I expect my lawmakers to act like it. That means prioritizing climate action and the transition to clean energy—which is where all the jobs are—and away from fossil fuels. No dirty deals—in fact no more negotiations. Just get this done, no strings attached! America doesn’t default on our debts.

[If GOP add:] If Republicans continue to push us towards default they will pay for it at the ballot box next year.

Extra Credit ✅

The White House switchboard is even more difficult than usual to reach. So here’s a Resistbot letter about the debt ceiling that’ll go to POTUS through his “Contact the President” page—just text SIGN PETEIU to 50409. [H/T]

If you want to edit it, simply copy and paste the below into the comment field on the White House Contact page, then add what you like.

You have the power, and the solid economic record, to put an end to this cynical Republican debt-ceiling blackmail. MAGA extremists are still threatening to shatter the economy. It’s time to play hardball. You have options:
—Enforce the 14th Amendment, which has higher priority than the bogus debt-ceiling law, rather than defaulting on payments.
—Circumvent the debt-ceiling law by minting trillion-dollar coins.
—Delay the debt ceiling financial catastrophe by selling higher-yield premium bonds to investors.
America does not negotiate with violent terrorists—and we shouldn't negotiate with economic terrorists either. Hold strong—we’ve got your back! Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

On Sunday, May 21st, 2pm - 2:30pm PT / 5pm - 5:30pm ET please consider coming to see David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party and the author of Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines, talk about rural organizing!

From the invite:

Learn about growing local movements that recruit, support and celebrate the courageous Democrats who run for office and the local Democratic committees who support them. Feel free to stick around after the meeting to discuss how we can help rural organizers.
RSVP today.

David is incredible and this should be a great event. Hope some of you can make it!

Give 💰!

I know you share my outrage at what the North Carolina legislature did yesterday on abortion. I know you want to see change in NC as badly as I do. I believe that change is possible, and that it’s closer than we think. That’s why I’m co-chairing a Zoom fundraiser for some of the best grassroots groups in North Carolina next Tuesday evening—and we’d love you to come. Also, you can donate to it TODAY! Everyone who gives will get an automatic invite to the event.

The incomparable Jamie Raskin will speak, as will I and four important NC grassroots organization leaders. It’s going to be amazing.

Please give any amount to avenge women (and other people with uteruses) in North Carolina, fund grassroots organizing in NC, AND help Joe Biden win the state in 2024!

P.S. If you want to come to the Zoom event but don’t feel able to give email me and I’ll get you invited.

Win Races! 🗳

We’ve shown what we can do when we all work together to win downballot races. Now it’s time to pivot to Virginia! I’ve signed up for a phonebank with Sister District this Thursday from 4-6 ET. We will be calling to help elect Joshua Cole, whom I adore. Can you join me? Sign up here. These are easy calls and Sister District has EXCELLENT trainings.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PNYWBI to 50409 or share.]

As your constituent, I urge you to become a co-sponsor of S 1138 / HR 2443 the Fossil Free Finance Act immediately.

Big banks continue to gamble on risky dirty energy projects that are incompatible with science-based emissions targets and put communities and our financial system at risk. Congress has the power to rein in this reckless behavior. The Fossil Free Finance Act would allow the Federal Reserve to enforce protections requiring banks with over $50 million in assets to:

- Stop financing new or expanded fossil fuel projects after 2023;

- Cut their financing of greenhouse gas pollution by 50% by 2030; and

- Stop all financing of fossil fuels by 2050 and prioritize removing funding from projects that harm already-vulnerable communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Big banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Bank of America continue to make empty climate commitments while pouring millions of dollars every year into polluting industries that threaten financial stability and destabilize communities. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, big banks have collectively financed at least $4.5 TRILLION in fossil fuel projects.

Shifting money from risky fossil fuel investments by requiring science-based transition plans will not only help create a more livable climate for our kids and grandkids – it will also protect our economy from a major threat to financial stability.

Please take climate risks to the financial system seriously and co-sponsor the Fossil Free Finance Act now. Thanks!

OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water