John,
We’re back with the WFP Newsletter — your inside look at what’s happening in our party, and how we’re organizing towards a world where our elected leaders have working people’s backs.
There’s a lot to catch up on since our last roundup, so let's get to it!
OUR RESPONSE TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA
Following recent attacks in Israel and Palestine, we expressed our heartbreak at the thousands of civilian lives lost and joined courageous champions in Congress in support of a resolution calling for immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine and to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza.
If you haven't yet, take a minute to send an email to your member of Congress urging them to call for a ceasefire and de-escalation in order to save as many lives as possible.
Or text CEASEFIRE to 30403 to be connected to your member of Congress' office via phone and urge them to support a ceasefire now.
You can also read our latest statement on the attacks here.
A BOATLOAD OF NEW ENDORSEMENTS
With the 2023 General Election less than three weeks away, and the 2024 election cycle just around the corner — we’re officially in the thick of election season, John. And we’re continuing to endorse and organize on the ground for candidates who will fight for our values.
First up, we announced over a dozen new endorsements in Virginia, where we have a crucial opportunity to take back power from Republicans and protect abortion access this year.
With newly drawn districts and every seat in the legislature up for election, Virginia is one of the biggest battlegrounds of the year. We’re gearing up for a showdown against MAGA Republicans who will ban abortion if they’re allowed to win a trifecta next month. And we’re throwing down to elect leaders who can kick the GOP out of power. To see our full list of endorsed candidates in Virginia click here.
We’re also excited to share our endorsements for local leaders on the ballot this year who are trying to make a change in their cities in Georgia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina and Washington.
You can check out all of our endorsed candidates here.
Finally, looking ahead to the 2024 election cycle, we were also proud to roll out our support for Rep. Summer Lee — one of the most progressive members of Congress to ever serve Pennsylvania — as she runs for re-election in the U.S. House.
Whether it’s co-sponsoring legislation to raise hazard pay and strengthen protections for health care workers, or advocating for a federal CROWN Act to ban discrimination against Black hairstyles at work and school, or rejecting exorbitant military spending sprees and tax breaks for the richest one percent — Summer has been an invaluable ally to our movement. And like many of our WFP champions, she’s fighting tirelessly to bring us closer to the fairer world we all believe in.
And that’s your update on our latest endorsements, John!
PHILADELPHIA'S KENDRA BROOKS AND NICOLAS O’ROURKE NAB MAJOR ENDORSEMENT
In Philadelphia’s closely-watched City Council race, Democratic U.S. Senator John Fetterman announced his endorsement of WFP's Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke.
He told Philly Mag, “I’m proud to support this slate and join the big coalition they are building. As Senator, I want partners in government in Philadelphia and throughout our commonwealth who are champions in putting working families over billionaires and corporate donors.”
Over the next two months, we’ll keep working hard to elect Kendra and Nic on the WFP line to build a city for many — and kick Republicans off the City Council!
WFP’S FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA
This month, we held our first-ever national convention in Philadelphia — where more than 70 elected officials, and hundreds of attendees, including labor representatives, organizers, activists, and artists from around the country joined us to chart the next chapter for our party.
Notable speakers throughout the weekend-long event included Rep. Summer Lee (PA), Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL), Rep. Greg Casar (TX), Mayor Brandon Johnson (Chicago), and more.
You can view recordings of the live-streamed sessions from the convention here.
INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS OF TEAM WFP
This month in Georgia, New York, and Wisconsin we welcomed four new incredible progressive leaders to Team WFP to take our movement in these states to the next level:
Karen Rene' joined the Georgia Working Families Party as the chapter's first state director. With years of municipal leadership experience as a City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem in East Point, Georgia, Karen is uniquely positioned to lead the Georgia WFP team in a consequential election year.
Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper joined the New York Working Families Party team as the chapter’s new Co-Directors. Ana María and Jasmine bring years of executive and organizing experience and we couldn’t be more excited to have them lead our New York party.
Their experiences — one a daughter of Queens who has organized working class parents, the other a proud Colombian immigrant who has fought for workers’ rights — have made clear to them the need for a party that reflects the hopes and aspirations of New York’s multi-racial working class. Read more about their backgrounds and sign a card welcoming them to the party.
And last but not least, Corinne Rosen joined the Working Families Party team as the new State Director for Wisconsin.
Corinne is a dedicated organizer and respected labor leader hailing from Milwaukee. With over 15 years of experience spearheading progressive campaigns at all levels of government, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role.
As State Director, Corinne will focus on expanding WFP's reach across Wisconsin. She plans to build a diverse, statewide board to lead endorsement efforts and recruit more working-class, Black, brown, and progressive candidates to run for office.
Spotlight on WFP Member Brigith Rivera
My first encounter with WFP was through my organizing work in support of healthcare for all immigrants in Connecticut. CT WFP has been an ally in this fight and through this advocacy work I realized the importance of electing leaders who would support basic human rights.
As both a proud Hartford resident and WFP ally I was excited to learn that CT WFP was supporting three amazing candidates for Hartford City Council, Josh Mitchom, Tiana Hercules, and Alex Thomas. During this election cycle, I've enjoyed knocking doors and making calls to Hartford voters in support of the WFP slate and sharing the importance of this year's election.
The party has become a space where I can advocate for my community at the legislature and at the ballot!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WFP Welcome Gathering:
Today, October 21st at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT, join WFP members for our monthly Welcome Gathering!
Whether this is your first Welcome Gathering or you never miss a meeting, we’d love to see you as we build community and get concrete about how we’re growing the power we need to have an impact locally and nationally in this political movement.
RSVP: WFP Welcome Gathering
WFP Tuesday Text Party
This Tuesday, October 24th at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT, our national text team will be reaching voters about priority races coming up, and the amazing candidates working to make this a country where everyone can thrive.
No experience necessary! We’ll provide all the training you need to get started, and our organizers will be on deck for any questions you may have.
RSVP: WFP Tuesday Text Party
Thanks for joining us for another busy month building this people-powered movement!
To keep up the fight, we rely on people like you pitching in $10 or whatever they can to make sure that we have the resources to win these campaigns and pass the legislation that our communities need.
Can you make a contribution today to help fuel our organizing for bold policies and leaders around the country?
In solidarity,
Team WFP
