John, I want you to hear this directly from me: I cannot win in California without you. And right now, as I'm coming up short of my end-of-month fundraising goal, I have nowhere else to turn. 

Polling shows that this race is anyone's to win. (A large number of voters are undecided!) But I announced my candidacy later than others and started out with a fundraising deficit, so I need to pick up steam and build up resources quickly – and the only way to do it is to hit my end-of-month fundraising goal. That's why missing this goal isn't an option. 

Running a campaign in California is expensive – and political experts are saying this could be the most competitive Senate primary in U.S. history. With two other candidates in this race pulling in a combined $10 million last quarter, missing my goal tonight could spell disaster for this campaign.

Grassroots supporters like you propelled this campaign launch to monumental heights. Your support helped us raise nearly $1 million last month alone. And this grassroots team is the reason political pundits across the board are saying this race is wide open. 

So here I am, writing to you again, John. I know you hear a lot from me, but it's only because I trust you and believe that I can't do this without you. Please, if you can spare any donation before tomorrow night to help close our fundraising gap, it would mean the world to me.

Thank you so much for your support, 

– Barbara Lee