Chop Wood, Carry WHOOOOOO! 11/8 🎊🍾🥳

We smashed it!

Nov 08, 2023

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! Look at that beautiful headline!

I don’t even know how to convey my happiness and pride this morning. It’s indescribable. Is there relief there, too? Absolutely! And sheer glee? YES!

You guys did it, and you did it in a big way. We pulled off huge wins—not just in Ohio and Kentucky, where I was cautiously optimistic we would prevail, but in Virginia, where I was far more worried, and in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Race, where I honestly didn’t know what to expect!

I haven’t yet heard the results of the election administration races we were watching in PA but I will get that info ASAP. In the meantime I know that we had a spectacular night in school board and municipal races across the country. I haven’t been able to compile a list of every one yet, but I do know that Moms For Liberty candidates had a very bad night.

In fact, to quote Occupy Democrats on Instagram:

In Pennsylvania alone, ALL five of its candidates were defeated last night after running on a platform of banning books that teach students about slavery and LGBTQ+ inclusion — and it wasn’t even close. Democratic candidates swept every single election. In Virginia, three Moms for Liberty school board candidates candidates got swept by even larger margins. In Iowa, a whopping NINE Moms for Liberty candidates lost their races after accusing local school districts of “disseminating pornography to children” simply for having two books that discuss LGBTQ+ acceptance. In Minnesota, all four Moms for Liberty candidates got wiped out by their Democratic opponents. In North Carolina, their only candidate also suffered a stinging defeat.

As for Run For Something’s young downballot candidates? They had an incredible night! Just smashed it! There’s an entire post’s worth of wins just from that amazing organization. (I’ll try to cover it all on Sunday.)

It just goes on and on. So. Much. Winning.

Speaking of Run For Something, I would argue that they and the States Project are fundamentally and concretely saving the country. Let’s all support them to the greatest extent possible, please. I’ve said many times before that I believe these two organizations, along with the Movement Voter Project, are where the majority of our donations should be going. I believe it even more strongly after last night. So if you’re feeling like doing some celebratory giving, you know where to click! 👆🏼

There will be a lot more to say about all of this, but I’ll leave you with this: forget the polls. Seriously. FORGET THEM. The outcome of elections is up to us. Us, of course, and the American voters, who apparently hate having their freedoms taken away a lot more than they feel ambivalent about Joe Biden’s age.

Do we have work to do? Absolutely. A massive amount. But will we win? If last night is any indication—and I 100% believe that it is—and if we keep doing what we’re doing, we will.

To every single one of you who wrote postcards, sent letters, volunteered to talk to voters, gave money, or simply reached out to friends and family about these elections THANK YOU. This victory—and the giant refutation of GOP policies it represents—is yours. Celebrate it. Own it. Crow about it!

And then get ready to make more.

P.S. — Totally understand if you want to take the day off today. I (sort of) am. But if you don’t there are a few softball actions below.

P.P.S. — I made two VERY exuberant TikToks last night, one of which is me literally dancing over the results. If you want to see me basically as happy as I’ll ever be click here and here.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I know that emergency funding that saved the child care industry during the pandemic has expired and millions of children are at risk of losing access to care. I also know that President Biden has requested an emergency aid package of $56 billion for domestic disaster aid, child care, broadband, and more. I want the House to pass that package immediately. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Anti-wildlife politicians are trying to gut the Endangered Species Act, despite the fact that - or perhaps because - it's one of the most important pieces of environmental legislation in the country's history.

In one week alone, right-wing members of Congress proposed some horrific changes to the ESA. Some of the proposals include slashing funding for the act's enforcement by over $200 million. They also suggest removing and preventing protections for numerous species, including the beloved gray wolf, the dancing lesser prairie chicken, and the northern long-eared bat.

These dangerous proposals also include blocking exciting programs to facilitate the reintroduction of species to the wild, such as bringing the grizzly bear back to the North Cascades. Please sign this petition to Congress demanding that they back off. I partner with the folks at Care2 and they will be sending this petition to the relevant lawmakers.

Get Smart! 📚

Movement Voter Project just put out their Fall Newsletter (with some analysis of the elections today, plus some state-level policy victories), and they're having an open-to-public national debrief tomorrow from 11-1 PT / 2-3 ET.

These MVP events are always informative, encouraging, and inspiring, so please consider coming!

Win Races! 🗳

Black Voters Matter is looking for volunteers!

Black Voters Matters works to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. And while effective voting is an important way for a community to determine its own destiny, that’s only one way the organization strives to build power. In addition to voting and electoral organizing, Black Voters Matter supports community-based organizations working on a wide range of issues such as mass incarceration, gentrification, health care, education and more.

They are looking for volunteers who want to join their power building team and make a real impact. If you believe in their mission, take the next steps by joining them at their hours of power on Tuesdays where they host their volunteer orientation at 5pm ET and their texting event at 6pm ET.