Friend, in a high stakes, toss-up race like this, it's easy to get sidetracked by the numbers – whether it's a poll showing me neck-and-neck with my GOP opponents or our latest fundraising goal.

But today, I hope you'll join me and take a minute to remember everything we're fighting for and why our race in Ohio is so important.

I've spent my whole life fighting for the Dignity of Work – the idea that all work has dignity and that it should pay off for everyone. Whether you punch a clock or swipe a badge, earn a salary or make tips, are caring for children or an aging parent, I will always fight for you and for every hard working American's right to live their version of the American dream.

In next year's elections, we're also fighting to protect and restore our fundamental rights, including abortion access. Each of my opponents supports a nationwide abortion ban, but I will always fight for reproductive freedom and women's right to make their own health care decisions.

Here's the truth, though: I'll need your help to wage this fight and win – so please, friend, will you chip in to help us hit our $250,000 end-of-quarter goal before the FEC deadline?

The thing is, with Senate control hinging on this seat, if we lose one of my opponents could wind up casting the deciding vote on a national abortion ban – or any number of the issues we care about most.

Unfortunately, CNN is calling me one of the most vulnerable senators in the country, and Mitch McConnell has personally named me a top target in his quest to flip the Senate red. I'm already facing attacks from my GOP opponents and Washington Republicans.

That's why I have to bring us back to the numbers for a minute. You see, polls show this race is in a dead heat, and we need to hit every single fundraising goal to respond to the GOP's attacks and defend this critical seat. But right now, we're coming up on a critical FEC filing deadline at midnight tonight, and I'm $13,293 short of my goal. So I'm personally asking:

Will you chip in $5, or any amount, to make sure I can keep fighting for our fundamental rights, the Dignity of Work, and so much more in the Senate? I simply can't win in Ohio and keep the Senate blue without your grassroots support.

Thank you so much.