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John --
Recently, we urged you to stay tuned for more critical updates. Here they are. Our latest data has Country First confident, that the upcoming election will pivot crucially around two states: Michigan and Pennsylvania. We are preparing to roll out an aggressive, unparalleled grassroots campaign. Our dedicated teams on the ground are poised to educate voters not only about the candidates but to shed light on Donald Trump's dubious record—his portrayal as a frightened & weak man, his threats to democracy, and his sad record as President.
Thanks to your invaluable support in 2022, we successfully countered a MAGA takeover of the Michigan General Assembly with our Country First Michigan initiative. This year, our ambitions are even greater—to defend the very fabric of our democracy. The initiatives we have planned in Michigan and Pennsylvania will require all hand on deck. They will demand grassroots mobilization and a judicious deployment of resources, but together, we are capable of creating an enduring legacy—one that will resonate through history. We will look back on this with immense pride, knowing the unity and resilience we shared brought us victory.
MAGA has consistently tried to silence me and our mission because we confront them with the truth—a truth they fear. This truth unveils their weaknesses, their warped interpretations of democracy, and their tarnished imprint on American history. Trump’s efforts to intimidate us are not new. I've faced his attempts at intimidation head-on, from my vote to impeach him to my role in exposing his crimes during the January 6th Commission. And I assure you, his intimidation will be as evident as ever as we make our mark in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
I am fully committed to leading this charge with you. Remember, Trump is a weak and tired man. When we stand together victory is attainable. Let’s stand united and win!
Country First,
Adam
PS: Country First has an action packed week ahead.
Upcoming Events:
April 17th - 19th: Ukraine Days of Action [[link removed]]
April18th: Book Club [[link removed]] Barbara McQuade
April 22 and 23rd: Join your Team Gathering [[link removed]]
April 25th: Country First Campfire featuring Adam Kinzinger, Founder of Country First
Help Fuel the Mission [[link removed]]
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Each week, Country First will highlight a key member 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] [[email protected]] .
Meet Jacki Abbey:
What has been your focus at Country 1st?
My focus at Country 1st has been political research. I started by identifying election deniers in various offices (e.g. members of the US House and Senate, state legislators, attorneys general, etc.), then I moved into researching the highly coordinated election manipulation efforts happening on the right, under the auspices of “election integrity”.
What was your motivation for joining and how did you hear about us?
I followed the January 6th hearings very closely, and had great respect for the whole team of people who made those happen. I set out to find a place to help to take that very important work that was done by the committee and built on it, as a means of protecting our democracy.
What are your hopes for America in the coming years and generations?
My hope is that we as a nation can move through this period of turmoil & divisiveness, and that in the next several months millions of Americans, who currently are not paying attention, will wake up to the fact that we have an aspiring authoritarian on the ballot. I hope that American voters understand that our fragile democracy is indeed at stake, and they will see that it is a bigger issue than their particular policy preferences. Policies can shift back-and-forth, but once a functioning democracy is lost, it’s very difficult to get it back again. My hope for generations to come is that the United States America remains a functioning democracy and that we all get to take advantage of the freedoms that it provides.
Do you think we can right the ship?
I’m optimistic by nature, so I believe there is a good chance that over time we can right the ship. However, I have visited several countries run by authoritarian leaders, and I lived in one for a year, so I know the threat and reality of authoritarianism. For the first time, I believe that it is a real threat here in America, where we have built strong democratic institutions, but we have a leader of a major party, who is intent on tearing those down for his own personal pay-off. It is my abiding hope that the majority of Americans will vote down that threat this November.
Thank you Jacki, for your contributions to Country First, and democracy more broadly!
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2024 PRIMARY FIRST
Business Insider [[link removed]] : Lauren Boebert’s fundraising took a huge plunge after she switched districts
Lauren Boebert just had her worst fundraising quarter in years.
DEMOCRACY
BBC News [[link removed]] : House could vote on Ukraine aid this week, Speaker says.
Fresh US aid for Ukraine will be put to a vote separately, to the question of new military assistance for Israel, House Speaker Mike Johnson says.
Journal of American Democracy [[link removed]] : America’s Crisis of Civic Virtue
The world is witnessing a loss of faith in both capitalism and democracy, which seemed nearly unimaginable just a generation ago. Many blame “the other party.” Others blame capitalism’s flaws. In this essay, Arthur Brooks lays out his diagnosis and prescriptions for change.
Voice of America [[link removed]] : Biden tells China's Xi to stay out of US elections
President Joe Biden again warned Chinese President Xi Jinping against meddling in the November U.S. presidential election during the two leaders’ phone call this week. The call is part of U.S. efforts to maintain “open lines of communication to responsibly manage competition and prevent unintended conflict,” the White House said.
VOTER REGISTRATION
NPR [[link removed]] : Why there's a long-standing voter registration gap for Latinos and Asian Americans In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color. In this piece, NPR offers a deep dive into the “why” of this gap.
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WRITE [[link removed]] a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, demanding your Congressional Representative fund Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Putin’s tyranny.
DONATE [[link removed]] to Primary First and help support the simple, bold plan to take-on and take-out the most toxic partisans in Congress.
SHOP [[link removed]] the cause by ordering our “Defend Democracy” yard sign. Show your neighbors your commitment to putting country over party today!
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Support the Mission [[link removed]]
Wear the Cause [[link removed]]
Country First
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Ottawa, IL 61350
United States
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