*Content Warning: This email discusses gun violence.*

John,

When I was a college athlete, I spent most of my time in classes, in the library, or practicing with my team and working out with other college athletes. This meant a lot of my friends were athletes because their schedules — class, practice, workout, eat, occasionally sleep, repeat — mirrored mine.

I became good friends with a woman on the college soccer team. She was incredibly talented. An all conference-player, three-year starter, a member of the US women's U21 soccer team, and a great person to be around!

Twenty years ago, on the night of the end-of-spring season party, she was shot and killed. The cops referred to her death as "being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

In 2023, when Republicans decided to allow more guns on college campuses, I shared this story and derided this bill for what it is: Not giving a shit.

That's how much Republican leaders in Iowa don't care about gun safety and preventing tragedies like we saw in Des Moines this week. At a time when we don't just mourn the most recent mass shooting but anticipate the next, Iowa's Republican House, Senate, and Governor have been actively deregulating guns.

And in spite of the human cost, this year's legislative session will be more of the same. Guns made readily available, abortion restricted, books banned, and education defunded. Not because Iowans want that, but because the Republicans in charge don't give a shit*.

There is only one way we can make a change; Elect more Democrats.

The reason Kim Reynolds and her National MAGA Agenda can do whatever they want is because Iowans have lost their voice in Des Moines. But this year, we can change that!

We are building a grassroots coalition to take on the Republican machine and elect more Democrats here in Iowa. Can I count on you to donate $11 today and give Iowans a stronger voice in Iowa?

This is our chance to make a difference, but we can only do it together.

Stand Tall for All,

J.D.

*Sorry for cursing, Mom, but I am really upset.