The policy discussions happening in Washington aren’t abstract. They’re deeply personal. They touch people’s daily lives. I know it because I’ve lived it. 

I remember what it was like to be a young mom trying to juggle a big new teaching job with two little ones at home. That meant serving dinner late (lots of boxed macaroni), doing laundry at 11 p.m., starting class prep at midnight. I could handle all that — but not having good, reliable child care almost knocked me out of the game. 

One night, I was on the phone with my Aunt Bee. She asked me how I was doing. “Fine,” I said. But my voice was high and thin. And then I burst into tears. I told her I was going to quit my job.

And then she said eleven words that changed my life: “I can’t get there tomorrow, but I can come on Thursday.” She showed up with seven suitcases and a Pekingese named Buddy and stayed for sixteen years.

But not everyone has an Aunt Bee. And two generations later, families are still struggling to find quality, affordable child care and make ends meet. That’s why we desperately need to create universal child care, raise the minimum wage, ensure affordable housing, and crack down on corporate profiteering and price gouging so that working families don’t wince every time they look at their grocery store receipt. 

I’m running for re-election for all of the struggling parents, the Aunt Bees, and everyone who is doing what they can to build a better life for themselves and their families. They need big, bold action from Washington — and that’s what my plans would deliver.

Will you pitch in $20 or anything you can to power this fight right now? I’m running for re-election to continue to help working families and fight for big, structural policies in the Senate. But I can’t do this without your support.

I never expect you to donate to every email, and I’m grateful for your support no matter what.

Thanks for being a part of this, 

Elizabeth