John – It's back-to-school season, and Republicans are still pushing their far-right agenda on students across the country. 

Right now, local Republican officials are banning books, enacting anti-LGBTQ+ policies and trying to silence conversations about racism. With these fights happening at the local level, it's never been more important to empower Democrats in down-ballot races. 

That's why we want to introduce you to two incredible Emerge candidates running for local office:

Heather Reynolds: In suburban Philadelphia, the Central Bucks School Board has implemented anti-LGBTQ+ policies, considered banning over 60 books, and censored speech on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Heather, a mother of two children who go to CBSD schools and an Emerge PA alum, is fighting back against these policies by running for school board herself. 

Atoosa Reaser: Over the last couple of years, conservatives in Loudoun County, Virginia, have called for book bans and anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Atoosa, a school board member and Emerge VA alum now running for the Virginia House of Delegates, has been fighting to make school a safe, inclusive place where all students are free to learn.

These aren't the only incredible Emerge candidates running for local office to make a difference in education and beyond. This past spring, Emerge candidates won 6 school board races in Vermont and 17 in Oregon – and 16 more candidates are on the ballot in November.

Across the country, Emerge is recruiting, training, and empowering incredible local candidates – but if they are going to win and make a difference in their communities, they need your support. 

So we're asking Emerge members like you to rush a donation NOW to help recruit more Democratic women to run in local elections and WIN: Will you make a $5 donation now to help Emerge candidates fight for more equitable, inclusive policies in education and beyond?

Thank you for being a part of our community, 

Team Emerge