John, I have good news, and I have bad news: 

One of my opponents for the U.S. Senate, Adam Schiff, outraised me last quarter – but we're making up ground fast. A recent poll shows this race is a statistical tie, and we can't afford to slow down, not even for a second.

This is a make-or-break moment for me, John, and I still need to raise $5,138 to reach my midnight fundraising goal. Will you donate $5 or more now to help me get back on track, pull ahead in the polls and build a progressive future in the Senate?

Now here's a sad truth: Black women candidates on average raise just one-third as much money as white women (and even less compared to white men) – a metric that has become painfully clear in the fundraising deficit in this race. And, while Black women candidates put our campaign contributions to work as efficiently as possible, there are only so many miracles that we can pull off. 

Friend, there is only one reason why a Black woman with my progressive experience in politics would lose this primary: money. 

Because I have proven time and time again, in more ways than I can count, that I will never waver in my fight for progress. Even if it means standing alone as the sole dissenting vote against what I know is wrong, I will always use my voice to defend those who have been voiceless for far too long.

But I'm not naive, friend. I know that if I don't have the money to compete in this race, I can't win – and I know that as a Black woman, fundraising will always be harder for me. But that doesn't mean that we should give up. Because, as the most progressive and experienced candidate in this race, I know my voice is sorely needed in the Senate. 

But to get to the finish line in this race, it's absolutely critical that I reach my daily fundraising goal before midnight tonight.

So I'm turning to my supporters in this difficult moment to ask: Will you rush $5 or more – anything you can spare – to help me reach my midnight fundraising goal and help me speak out for progressive values in the Senate?

I'm so grateful for your support. Thank you for coming through when it matters most. 

– Barbara Lee