John, I'm asking for just $5.

I'll tell you why: Black women running for office only raise one-third as much as white women. With this race becoming one of the most expensive in the country, I have to fight for every single dollar to pull ahead in the polls.

$5 doesn't seem like much. But if every person reading this pitches in $5, we can build a powerful grassroots movement that can go toe to toe with the millions my opponents have raised from out-of-state donors and special interest lobbyists.

That's why my team and I set a daily goal to raise $25,000 by midnight, and we're still falling short. So I'm personally asking: Can you chip in $5 to help me spread my message of a progressive future to voters everywhere? My opponents outraised me last quarter, and we can't afford to fall short again.

John, recent polls show that I am statistically tied for second place. But with my opponents bringing in millions that they can use to drown out our grassroots message, I need to make sure I'm hitting my goal each day to stay competitive.

Here's the good news: I'm the true progressive in this race. If we can just reach enough California voters with my vision of progress and justice, I'm certain we can build a country that works for all of us.

But I can't do it without this movement powering my fight, $5 at a time. Please: Will you give $5 right now so I can hit my $25,000 daily fundraising goal to pull ahead and take the lead in this race. With just hours left, we're still falling short – and I'm counting on you to close the gap.

Thank you for everything,

Barbara Lee