John,
We’ve got a lot to catch up on since our last WFP newsletter. Read on for more information on our work around the presidential election, key congressional races, and more — as well as how you can get involved this month!
WFP ENDORSES KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
Last month, Working Families Party members, chapters, and party leaders voted overwhelmingly to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States, with 95% of the total vote in support. WFP National Director Maurice Mitchell explains how electing Kamala Harris is a key part of our plan to win for working people.
.jpg "The Working Families Party is endorsing Kamala Harris for President with 95% of the vote.")
Since then, we announced a plan to knock on 5 million doors to elect Kamala Harris along with with CPD Action and People's Action — two WFP national member organizations — and we're already up and running in Philly!
We are living in uncertain times. But we do know this: we cannot let Donald Trump and MAGA extremists return to power.
Electing Kamala Harris as President is one step — one important step — toward our goal of winning power for working people and building a government responsive to all of us, not just the wealthy few. But it’s going to take a huge team effort to build the biggest possible movement to defeat Donald Trump in November.
Can you please split a donation between Kamala Harris and the Working Families Party’s general election fund today to help kickstart our efforts to turn out voters in races up and down the ballot this fall?
UPDATE ON CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
Over the last month, four of our progressive champions had their primary elections for Congress.
Rep. Ilhan Omar decisively won her primary for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Since her election in 2018, Ilhan has delivered millions for her community, led the fight for affordable housing, and been an urgent voice in Congress in calling for a stop to the flow of bombs to the Israeli government.
In Michigan, Rep. Rashida Tlaib remained uncontested in her primary election, despite a donor involved with AIPAC offering a candidate in another race $20 million if he ran against her instead. Rashida has shown time and time again that she will fight for the people, and we are grateful to have her continue representing Michigan in Congress — unbought and unbossed.
The primary for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District remains too close to call, and is headed to a mandatory recount. WFP champion Raquel Terán remains just 42 votes down against an opponent supported by MAGA donors and a crypto-currency PAC. The next step is a robust legal effort to ensure that every single vote is counted, especially from marginalized young and Latino voters who are more likely to have their votes thrown out. Can you pitch in to Raquel Terán’s legal fund to ensure they have the resources for a successful recount?
Unfortunately, Rep. Cori Bush lost her re-election campaign following $12 million in outside spending from billionaire-backed Super PACs to defeat her. Four years ago, Cori took down a 52-year political dynasty, and in her time in Congress she has been a bold leader standing up for working people. From sleeping on the Capitol steps to extend a federal eviction moratorium, to sponsoring the Ceasefire Now resolution, her voice has made a real impact on our country. We thank her for her years standing up for working families in and out of Congress.
NEW YORKER FEATURE ON WFP’S NICOLAS O’ROURKE
The New Yorker published a piece on Philadelphia Working Families Party City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke and his work organizing Black men and communities for Kamala Harris during this critical election year.
.jpg "Photo of Nicolas O'Rourke and community members")
Read the article here.
PROGRESSIVES FOR HARRIS
The WFP and our National Director Maurice Mitchell joined the Progressives for Harris organizing call with Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, UAW President Shawn Fain, and other progressive leaders and activists.
On the call, we talked with over 150,000 viewers about what’s at stake in November, how a Harris presidency can help us achieve our long-term goals, and the steps we can take to win this monumental election.
Watch a recording of the Progressives for Harris call here.
WISCONSIN ELECTION WINS
The Wisconsin Working Families Party saw some major wins in their primary elections last Tuesday, including voting down two Republican-authored ballot measures that would have prevented the state government from helping people in need during natural disasters and other crises. Three local champions also won their primaries, including State Rep. Ryan Clancy, an outspoken advocate for social and economic justice across the state.
We're so proud of our team, and our sibling organization Working Families Power, for knocking over 60,000 doors and sending nearly 90,000 texts to reach voters in these key elections. As we head into this November's election, we're going to keep up the fight and help elect a government that works for the many, not the few.
ORGANIZING AROUND REAL HOUSEWIVES
The Hollywood Reporter covered the WFP’s cultural organizing around the Real Housewives franchise, engaging existing fans and meeting them where they’re at.
WFP Director of Strategy Nelini Stamp told The Hollywood Reporter: “I don’t watch Bravo for people to be political. But politics is not just about the two-party system. Politics is also what you live up against… These are women at the end of the day and women’s rights specifically now are being attacked.”
Read the full article.
WFP NATIONAL DIRECTOR MAURICE MITCHELL GIVES KEYNOTE ADDRESS
National Director Maurice Mitchell gave a keynote address at the progressive conference Netroots Nation, explaining our goals and vision.
“This is the future: A multi-party democracy, political coalitions, independent political power. This isn't just about blocking the right, it's about building a better, more democratic, more resilient, multi-racial, feminist, and responsive politics. That's our goal at the Working Families party.”
Watch Maurice’s speech here.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mass Call: Making Meaning of the Moment
On Wednesday, September 18 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, join our sixth Making Meaning of the Moment mass call, where WFP National Director Maurice Mitchell and special guests will be talking about recent updates in American politics, as well as the concrete actions we can take to block the far-right and build working class power. RSVP now.
RSVP: Mass Call
WFP Tuesday Text Party
Join us on Tuesday, September 3 at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT for our next Text Party! We’ll be reaching voters about this November's general election and make sure their voices are heard come Election Day.
RSVP to join the text party. Training will be provided at the start of the call.
RSVP: Tuesday Text Party
WFP Welcome Gathering
The next WFP Welcome Gathering is on Thursday, August 22 at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. Whether this is your first welcome gathering or you come every month, we invite you to join us to hear from WFP staff, members, and activists about our vision for a country that works for the many, not the few.
RSVP here.
RSVP: WFP Welcome Gathering
Thanks for reading our WFP newsletter, John!
We know that was a lot to cover. That also means that there’s a lot of work to do.
Can we count on you to pitch in $10 or whatever you can to ensure we have the resources we need as we organize for amazing candidates and important legislation in the coming months?
Pitch in
In solidarity,
Team WFP
