I have 15 minutes of free time this evening, John. It may not sound like much – but between voting against the dangerous Republican debt ceiling bill and talking to California voters about why I’m running for Senate – I’m grateful for moments like these.

As I'm reflecting on my journey from my segregated hometown to the halls of Congress, I'd love to take a few minutes to tell you a bit more about my personal story and why as a Black woman I have spent my life fighting for a progressive future for all. And if my story motivates you, please consider chipping in $5 toward my historic campaign for Senate.

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Since coming to Congress 25 years ago, I’ve fought my heart out to advance our shared values. I’ve stood alone to say no to endless wars, pushed to expand access to health care for communities of color and the underserved, and fought to enact our progressive agenda.

Here’s why: My resolve to fight for a progressive future came from growing up in segregated El Paso, Texas. My mother was denied admission to the hospital while in labor with me because of the color of her skin, and I was left with a scar from an emergency forceps delivery. While that scar has faded now, it’s driven me to leave my mark on our country.  

It's why when my mentor, Shirley Chisholm, told me to dream bigger than just fighting to uplift my own community, I took my fight all the way to the California legislature and then to Washington, D.C. In the state legislature, I authored 67 bills and resolutions that were signed into law by a Republican governor, including the state's first Violence Against Women Act as well as the California Schools Hate Crimes Reduction Act.

In Congress, I've stood alone as the sole member of Congress to vote against the Afghanistan War and have fought tirelessly to advance legislation to lift millions of families out of poverty, repeal the Hyde amendment to ensure access to reproductive health care for low-income and women of color, cut wasteful spending from our defense budget, address homelessness and combat systemic inequality.

The fight for justice has never left me, even to this day, John. Now, I'm ready to take that fight to the Senate. But this isn't going to be an easy fight. Last quarter, we were outraised by two other candidates in this race. And with the political experts predicting this could be the most competitive and expensive Senate primary ever, we cannot afford to fall too far behind.

This is why I'm personally asking ahead of my end-of-month fundraising deadline: If you believe in this campaign and want to help me defend our Democratic Senate majority as just the third Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate in our nation's history, will you donate $5 today? Here's the best link to contribute:

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Thank you for being on my team, John. I can't win without you.

– Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee is a proven progressive champion who has spent the last 25 years fighting for our progressive values in the House.

Now, she's ready to take this fight to the Senate. Please chip in now to help elect Barbara Lee!

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