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.
John,
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.
WFP-ENDORSED PROGRESSIVES CLAIM MAJOR VICTORIES IN NEW YORK, VIRGINIA, AND COLORADO
We celebrated a big primary night in Virginia last month, where WFP defended three progressive reformer district attorneys and won eight legislative races, including:
Lashrecse Aird who took on the last anti-choice Democrat in the State Senate and defeated him by a more than 2-to-1 margin; Jennifer Carroll Foy who defeated an opponent backed by the state’s dirty energy monopoly; and Buta Biberaj who retained her seat for Commonwealth's Attorney after facing a bipartisan barrage over her restorative justice policies.
Together with our partners on the ground, we were able to knock on 32,000 doors, make 120,000 phone calls, send 1 million texts, deliver 200,000 mailers, and reach over 2 million voters with digital ads.
Now, we’re expanding our organizing in Virginia through the general election in order to reform our justice system, flip the House of Delegates, defend the Democratic majority in the State Senate, and ensure abortion access is protected in the commonwealth.
Meanwhile in New York, WFP helped protect vulnerable progressive incumbents that conservative Democrats sought to unseat, and powered over a dozen primary wins for first-time candidates across the state — rooting out some of the entrenched power of special interests.
A notable victory includes Democratic nominee for New Rochelle Mayor: Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who ran a campaign that spoke to the needs of her community, focusing on affordable housing and climate resiliency, and now stands to make history as the first woman of color elected as mayor in New Rochelle.
Other wins include: Celeste Friend for Utica Mayor, a former teacher, union member, and City Councilor; Maurice Brown for Onondaga County Legislator, a veteran, college coach, and former WFP staffer; and Kayla Matos for Ithaca Common Council, the Deputy Director of a treasured community center.
And finally in Colorado, WFP led the charge to capture four seats for progressive candidates on Denver’s 13-member city council.
While one of our longtime champions, incumbent Denver City Council member Candi CdeBaca, fell short against her corporate opponent after being outspent by a six-figure smear campaign launched by Denver’s real estate and landlord lobby — we notched wins for Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Shontel Lewis, Sarah Parady, and Jamie Torres.
As a result, this will be the most progressive city council in Denver’s history.
WORKING FAMILIES POWER ORGANIZES TO TAKE COP-CITY TO A CITY-WIDE REFERENDUM
Working Families Power is at the center of a new effort to stop ‘Cop City’ — a proposed $90 million urban warfare training facility that would tear down part of the Weelaunee Forest to build a mock city for police forces to test weapons and explosives, helicopter landings, and further militarize law enforcement against communities.
Working Families Power has teamed up with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and other partners for a ballot initiative to take Cop City to a city-wide referendum and block construction of the planned site for good.
Over the next two months, organizers will need to gather tens of thousands of signatures to achieve the 70,000 necessary to qualify for the referendum process — in the process building a more educated, engaged, and empowered city.
WFP’S KENDRA BROOKS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL
In 2019, we made history in Philadelphia when we ousted one of two Republicans on the City Council and elected Kendra Brooks in their place on the Working Families Party ballot line — the first third-party city council member in generations.
The victory broke a streak of nearly 100 years of Republican control over the seat, and proved everyone who counted her out wrong.
Now, Kendra is gearing up to do it all over again, officially kicking off her re-election campaign last month at Ile Ife Park — a North Philly community garden filled with public art and youth programming that represents the enduring power of neighbors coming together:
After running a groundbreaking campaign in 2019, we're thrilled Kendra is continuing her fight for working people in Philadelphia.
NEW WFP ENDORSEMENTS TO SHARE
In the Pacific Northwest, Regional Political Director Vanessa Clifford is leading the charge to build out a bigger statewide WFP effort in Washington.
The first step of that effort is using this year to explore local elections in a few more medium sized cities, beyond the well-resourced progressive infrastructure of the Seattle metropolitan area.
The first stop is Spokane — a pretty purple territory — where WFP brought together an endorsement committee jointly with FUSE Washington.
We’ve released five new endorsements for local office in the area: Lisa Brown for Mayor of Spokane, Betsy Wilkerson for Council President, Lindsey Shaw and Paul Dillon for City Council in Districts 1 and 2, and Jaime Stacy for Mead School Board, just outside of Spokane.
Spotlight on WFP member, activist, and Campaign Camper Merika Goolsby
I’m 48 years old, born and raised in San Francisco. I grew up in a community that preached voting “blue no matter who” and for "the lesser of two evils.”
That was until I decided that I would rather make an educated vote instead of a blind one straight down my party’s line.
That’s what brought me to WFP. After being an active leader in grassroots organizing with ACCE around housing issues, I found that WFP offered the political education I was looking for — one that really empowered me, and gave me the space and ability to build on the work I was doing.
Recently, I participated in WFP’s Campaign Camp program where I sought guidance, asked questions, and found my answers after deciding to run for City Council in Oakland.
What I appreciated about WFP’s Campaign Camp program is that they’re trying to even the odds by equipping people like me with the skills, knowledge, and tools we need to win.
I’m running a campaign to address the cost of living crisis that’s exacerbating our already dire housing crisis, and forcing thousands of people, not just in Oakland, but everywhere, to make difficult decisions about whether to buy food, pay their rent, or heat their homes.
And now, after learning more with WFP on how to craft a clear campaign message, fundraise as effectively as possible, and just talk to people about issues I’m passionate about — I feel confident that I can win.
Tomorrow, July 13th, join WFP members old and new for our monthly Welcome Gathering! On the call, you’ll have the chance 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.
Collect petition signatures from Atlanta residents in support of the ballot initiative to stop Cop City, or help get out the vote for Mai Xiong for City Clerk in Warren, Michigan at our Tuesday Text Party on July 18th at 6PM ET!
You can also join us on July 25th at 6PM ET as we text voters in Ohio to vote NO on Issue 1 to stop anti-abortion Republican lawmakers from taking power from voters, and get out the vote for Aaron Regunberg for Congress in Rhode Island.
Whether you’re a first-time texter or an experienced pro, you can make a real difference by sharing our message with voters and let them know about the WFP champions and issues on their ballot.
In July’s edition of the WFP Study Group: Reading for the Revolution, we’ll be discussing No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies by Julian Aguon. As a group, we’ll talk about what the book means for our work and how we can apply its lessons to our own advocacy work.
Thanks for catching up with us as we reflect on a busy month! But the work isn’t slowing down. To keep up the fight in July and beyond, we need support from people like you.
Sent via ActionNetwork.org.
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.jpg "Let Atlanta Decide, Join Us to Stop Cop City")
