It’s time for the WFP Newsletter, your monthly update on how we’re fighting for the many — and winning.
Read on to learn what we’ve been up to since our last roundup, and how you can take action to keep up the fight.
Election Updates
Working Families Party activists and supporters threw down in March to help elect Brandon Johnson for Mayor of Chicago and Janet Protasiewicz for Wisconsin Supreme Court. And the results are in!
Brandon Johnson beat Republican in disguise Paul Vallas on Tuesday, a huge upset victory for our movement — and for all Chicagoans looking for strong public schools, good jobs, and communities where everyone can be safe.
.png "Photo of Brandon Johnson celebrating his victory")
Janet Protasiewicz won her race by double-digits against Dan Kelly, an anti-abortion extremist who attempted to steal the 2020 election for Donald Trump. Her win flips control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court ahead of key fights around abortion, gerrymandering, and voting rights.
We also saw major successes for our down-ballot candidates, with ten WFP champions elected to local office in Wisconsin and three candidates endorsed by our local partner United Working Families were elected to the Chicago City Council on Tuesday. Along with endorsed candidates who won their races earlier this year, our movement in Chicago and Wisconsin is growing — and we’re excited to see champions of the working class who will use their power to make our government work for working people.
While we are still waiting for full results to come in for Colorado, we are celebrating victories for Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who won her At-Large Denver City Council seat and Jamie Torres who was re-elected to the Denver City Council, and even more CO WFP candidates are expected to make the runoff in June.
And just a few weeks ago, we were proud to help elect Donya Sartor, an alumna of the Bet on Us training program, as the next Mayor of Jonesboro, Georgia. As a former Special Education teacher for nearly three decades and a progressive voice on the city council, Donya will be a voice for all as the city’s first Black woman mayor.
With the Pennsylvania primary right around the corner in May, we’re keeping up the momentum to elect even more amazing leaders — with the help of supporters like you!
WFP, Rep. Greg Casar, Bartees Strange, and more make noise at SXSW
Last month in Austin, WFP hosted our first show at South by Southwest featuring headliners Rep. Greg Casar and indie rock stars Bartees Strange, Madison McFerrin, and Emmy Meli! We came together and hosted The Politics Stage because we understand that music has always been at the heart of resistance, and that culture shifts politics — not the other way around.
Watch the recap video here.
.png "Image from recap video. Emmy Meli performing with caption reading \"Music was the thing that radicalized me.\"")
Then, read the full review from Rolling Stone: “If this is what the future of progressive politics in this country sounds like, bring it on.”
Maurice Mitchell and Anand Giridharadas in Brooklyn
WFP National Director Maurice Mitchell joined NYT bestselling author Anand Giridharadas for an exciting conversation about our movement at the Brooklyn Public Library.
In the context of Maurice’s article “Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis,” and Anand’s new book The Persuaders, the two talked about how we can take action to strengthen our movement, gain support for the policies we need the most, fight disinformation, and win elections.
You can see the full conversation here.
And if you’d like to read more, you can check out Maurice’s article here and order The Persuaders here or check your local library or bookstore.
Endorsement Alert
We’re proud to announce our support of Elizabeth Warren as she runs for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth is fighting to end Washington corruption, strengthen our democracy, tackle systemic racism, and rebuild the middle class — and we need her leadership in Washington to make the big, structural change that we need.
We’re also excited to share our endorsements for local leaders trying to make a change in their cities:
With WFP champions at the helm, we know we can make our communities work for the many, not the few.
DEWFP’s Karl Stomberg named Delaware’s second most influential person in politics
Delaware Working Families Party Political Director Karl Stomberg has been featured in Delaware Online as the state's second most influential person in politics — right under the Governor! Since joining DEWFP, Karl has been integral to electing WFP champions and building our movement across the state. Here’s what they had to say:
“Karl Stomberg has helped build a progressive wave — that doesn't appear to be going away. The Delaware Working Families Party has become a significant player in state elections. During the midterm primaries, four of its General Assembly candidates won their primaries. These new lawmakers' will be key for upcoming legislation, particularly for affordable housing and recreational marijuana.” – Delaware Online
Congratulations to Karl, and thank you for the great work!
Spotlight on WFP member Laura Kraemer
.png "WFP volunteer Laura Kramer poses outside wearing a black Nike shirt with a white collar")
My journey into becoming politically active began with the Barack Obama for President Campaign in 2007. I immediately fell in love with knocking on doors and having one-on-one conversations with my neighbors.
When WI voters elected Scott Walker as Governor, I quickly understood the consequences. Act 10 destroyed unions, protected wetlands were given to donors for development, and social programs for our most vulnerable were being stripped away. We needed all WI voters to get informed and get involved to protect our state.
In 2023, I saw on social media that WFP was holding a training where I could send a postcard to family members, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. I immediately signed up and after creating "my list," I ended up sending 3000 postcards! All that hard work payed off when I was inundated with texts and posts from family members and friends who received my postcard. And then I received selfies when they voted early or voted on Election Day. WFP made this happen and I think it’s such a valuable way to inform friends about upcoming elections and the candidates who represent our values.
Upcoming Events
Welcome Gathering
It’s almost time for another WFP Welcome Gathering! Whether you’re brand-new to the party or a longtime WFP member, join the call on Thursday, April 13 at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT to meet people who share your vision of a world where we can thrive, and not just survive — and learn how you can get involved in making that vision a reality.
RSVP
Study Group: Reading for the Revolution
You’re invited to join the new WFP Study Group: Reading for the Revolution! For our second ever meeting on April 27 at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, we’ll be discussing Prisms of the People: Power & Organizing in Twenty-First-Century America by Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna, and Michelle Oyakawa.
RSVP
WFP Text Party
Our Tuesday Text Parties are still going strong as we get ready for municipal elections in Pennsylvania, including key races like Helen Gym for Mayor of Philadelphia! RSVP for our next text party on Tuesday, April 18 at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT to help share our message with voters and let them know about the WFP champions on their ballot.
RSVP
Thanks for catching up with us as we reflect on a busy March! But the work isn’t slowing down. To keep up the fight in April and beyond, we need support from people like you.
Can you pitch in $10 or whatever you can to help fuel our organizing for the bold policies and leaders around the country?
Pitch in
Thank you,
All of us at the Working Families Party
