John --

If you thought this email might include cute photos from my son's birthday party, you will not be disappointed! However, while he did turn TWO this month (still hard to believe), the big THREE we're celebrating today belongs to Country First, which launched on this day in 2021.

3 ACTIONS you can take right now in celebration...

3 OBJECTIVES for our third year...

1) From now to November 5, 2024, we're working overtime to prevent a would-be dictator from returning to the White House. He, his cult, and their insurrection are a stain on American democracy. We will continue leading reasonable people of goodwill to put our differences aside and work together to push back against the chaos and lies.

2) Expand our first-of-its-kind Primary First initiative to target election deniers, January 6th sympathizers, and conspiracy peddling politicians in the primaries. We empower and educate Americans to realize that in almost all races, the primary is the most important election, and together we can stop extreme voices in safe districts from sailing to victory in November.

3) Provide you with opportunities to defend democracy and have pride of ownership in the work we’re doing together. Country First will be engaged in pro-democracy efforts in every region, and we’re excited for you to be a part of it.

3 FAVORITE MILESTONES from our first 3 years...

ONE massive coalition formed, composed of activists, reformers, bridge builders, deliberators -- all defenders of democracy. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and hundreds of partner organizations over the years for bringing the Country First movement to life.

TWO impactful elections identifying and supporting pro-democracy leaders to run for office and challenge MAGA election deniers across the United States, up-and-down the ballot. Congratulations to all the Members of Congress, Secretaries of State, State Legislators, Local Election Administrators, and Mayors who’ve been elected and good luck to those running in 2024! 

THREE million (and counting!) unique viewers engaged across our social media and digital platforms – broadcasting originally produced content by Country First. Thank you to everyone for attending and sharing our Monthly Campfires, Region Gatherings, Dash for Democracy, and all the special events to come! 

AND AS PROMISED, the other Birthday Boy...

Christian Kinzinger, 2

Ultimately, we do this work for future generations that deserve better. Here's to all we've accomplished in the last three years, and the victories to come! Our kids and grandkids will someday thank us for it.

Country First,

Adam

PS: Did you know Country First volunteers put together our weekly Movement Memo? Check it out below.

INTRODUCING REGION TEAMS! RSVP FOR YOUR REGION'S GATHERING!

February 5 at 8pm ET: Northeast Region Team Gathering

February 7 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT: Southern Region Team Gathering

February 13 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT: Central Region Team Gathering

February 15 at 8pm MT / 7pm PT: Western Region Team Gathering

Each week, Country First and the Communications Working Group will highlight a key volunteer who has demonstrated placing Country over Party. If you would like to submit someone who has made a positive impact on your experience with Country First, please email [email protected]. 

MEET KALAH ESPINOZA

Where are you from? 

I split my time between Northern California (San Francisco) and Western Colorado (Aspen). I was born in Aspen, CO and raised in CA. My father is Mexican and his family was in Downey, CA and my mother moved to Northern CA when I was in grade school. I spent my formative years in Brentwood, CA (where they grow corn, not OJ Simpson Brentwood).  

How did you hear about Country First?

I had a 22 year career in commercial real estate and during the pandemic I had the realization that if more citizens didn't get actively involved with helping to save democracy, our country was going to be in serious danger. I decided to take a sabbatical and focus on trying to help, which has now turned into a career pivot. I was following Adam Kinzinger on Twitter and saw him post about Country First. I found his Chief of Staff and sent him a message, and the rest was history.  

What has been your focus at Country First?

I have had many focuses within the org. I helped establish and coordinate the State Organizing Committees, which have evolved into Region Teams that I am working on now. My main focus at the moment is on the Academy side, which I am really loving. I miss regularly engaging with fellow members, though, so I am excited to get a little of that back in the mix.  

Do you think we can right the ship?

I think we will be a major player in righting the ship. It will take much, much more than just one organization though. I hope that our members absorb our pro-democracy culture and language, and are able to take that into their communities and spread that energy. What our country needs is a full culture shift. It will happen, and I think we all hope it happens sooner rather than later. 

Thank you, Kalah, for all of your har d work and dedication to promoting and preserving democracy!

2024 ELECTION

New York Times: Voting is Bewildering This Primary Season. That Worries Experts.

New Hampshire’s ballot didn’t include President Biden. South Carolina has two primaries. Nevada has a primary and a caucus. A morass of dates and formats could keep some voters away.

The Week: Will the impact of AI on elections this year show up at the polls?

Artificial intelligence appears to be embedding itself into numerous aspects of life, and one area where this is almost certainly going to be the case is in the upcoming presidential election. "Recent advancements in AI-generated content are revolutionizing the landscape of election campaigns," the Brookings Institution reported, noting that the United States has entered "an era marked by extensive digital content creation and dissemination."

ELECTION MISINFORMATION

The Hill: Fake Biden robocall ‘tip of the iceberg’ for AI election misinformation

A digitally altered message created to sound like President Biden urging New Hampshire residents not to vote in Tuesday’s primary added fuel to calls for regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) as the 2024 campaign heats up.

ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Inforum: North Dakota Secretary of State urges people to become election workers

In recognition of Help America Vote Day on Jan. 30, the North Dakota Secretary of State's office is encouraging people to volunteer as election poll workers. First recognized by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in 2022, Help America Vote Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of poll workers in the hopes that more Americans will become involved in the election process, according to a press release from the North Dakota Secretary of State.

AP News: Georgia senators move to ban expansion of ranked-choice voting method in the state

Georgia’s Senate Ethics Committee voted 8-1 Tuesday to ban ranked-choice voting for all voters except for American citizens who vote absentee from abroad, sending the measure to full Senate for more debate.

WATCH the Replay of our first 2024 Live Campfire, with Rep. Adam Kinzinger!

DONATE to support the fight for democracy!

VOLUNTEER today! We only have one requirement: Be a reasonable person of goodwill looking to find common ground with others who want to address our challenges in a healthy, productive way.

JOIN your Region Team Gathering!

Northeast Region |  Southern Region | Central Region |  Western Region