John,
In an important election year like this one, time always seems to fly by once we pass Labor Day — and this year is no different! With just 38 days until Election Day, our September newsletter is packed with updates to keep you in the loop.
Let’s dive in!
WFP’s Research on Working-Class Voters Makes Headlines
For over a year, we’ve been working hand in hand with our sibling organization, Working Families Power, to discover how to win and engage working-class voters now and into the future. This month, NBC News published an exclusive report that shares some of what we’ve learned.
We’ve found that the working class isn’t a monolith. It’s our friends, family, and neighbors, with all kinds of jobs, ideologies, ages, and education levels.
And after over a year of conversations with thousands of working-class people to understand the nuances and competing perspectives of these voters — we’ve taken what we’ve learned and come up with a road map to build relationships with and persuade these voters to turn out for candidates who will fight for them.
Want to dive deeper? Click here to read the Practical Handbook to Winning the Working Class!
Fresh WFP Gear Now Available
This month, we dropped some exciting new WFP merch! Now you can look great, show your party pride, and help defeat Trump all at once.
Visit the WFP store now to check out our newly-released Working Families Party for Harris/Walz gear, including lawn signs, window signs, totes, and hats.
Shop now »
WFP’s Sue Altman is Ready to Flip NJ-7!
On Tuesday, WFP and our allies announced an independent expenditure to back Sue Altman, a four-year leader of the New Jersey Working Families Party, in one of the biggest House races of the year.
Sue is taking on incumbent Tom Kean Jr., a MAGA Republican who has opposed abortion rights, violated the STOCK Act, and consistently votes against WFP priorities like paid sick days.
A former basketball player, a teacher and a coach, who stepped into the role of community activist, Sue raised over $3 million through June and is running a strong campaign. To help her efforts, a coalition — including WFP and several unions — has pledged over $500,000 for digital ads and mail to rally support.
So, if you’re in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, keep an eye out for an airplane banner over Kean’s hometown that reads: “Kean & Trump…Perfect Together…Wrong For New Jersey!”
Going BIG in One of the Biggest Swing States in the Country
In 2023, we knocked on nearly 400,000 doors in Pennsylvania, making it one of our biggest organizing drives ever and leading to one of the largest off-year turnouts in years. But guess what? In 2024, we’re going even BIGGER!
Earlier this month, we announced plans to hit over 500,000 doors and send 2 million texts and calls to voters all across the state.
Pennsylvania is absolutely critical for defeating Trump and keeping our Senate majority. But we’re not just backing Vice President Harris and Governor Walz — we’re rallying for Senator Bob Casey, Malcolm Kenyatta for Auditor General, Eugene DePasquale for Attorney General, Squad Rep. Summer Lee, and other key downballot candidates.
As Salaah Muhammad, our Pennsylvania Organizing Director, put it, "The most effective way to sway undecided voters is through honest, one-on-one conversations."
Make a donation to our nationwide voter turnout project today.
Primary Season Is Over
With primary season officially over — and the general election less than 6 weeks away — we’d like to highlight some of our recent primary results:
In Delaware, WFP candidate Kamela Smith made headlines by defeating the sitting Speaker of the Delaware House, signaling a potential shift away from the long-dominant “Delaware Way” of pro-corporate politics. NPR affiliate WHYY called it the “biggest upset” of the year, reflecting voters' demand for a working families agenda. Meanwhile, despite a $100k spent against WFP incumbents Rep. Eric Morrison and Councilwoman Shané Darby, both won their races by double-digit margins.
In Rhode Island, we went all out to back our WFP champions in the legislature. WFP Reps. Cherie Cruz and Brandon Potter faced down big-money attacks, but voters saw right through it. They sided with our candidates and their proven record of fighting for affordable healthcare and tenants' rights. Cruz and Potter didn't just win — they crushed it by 20 and 50 points respectively! In addition, WFP up-and-comer Kelsey Coletta toppled a conservative incumbent by just 28 votes.
In Minnesota, Rep. Ilhan Omar won her primary, securing support in the 5th Congressional District despite right-wing attacks. She has brought millions to her community, fought for affordable housing, and called for an end to military aid to Israel, marking a setback for Republican megadonors targeting the Squad.
In Michigan, we successfully defended three WFP-endorsed incumbents — Mai Xiong, Dylan Wegela, and Jenn Hill — against well-funded challengers. While we fell short of adding another WFPer, our work will be crucial for mobilizing voters in November.
In Washington, we zeroed in on three key primaries and came out on top in all of them! Molly Marshall is leading against the incumbent for Spokane County Council, while WFP champions Shaun Scott and Alexis Merdeces-Rink are positioned to gain a legislative seat and a city council seat, respectively, in November.
In Wisconsin, three WFP champions, including State Rep. Ryan Clancy, secured their primaries. Our members also defeated two Republican ballot measures that threatened state support during crises. However, WFP member Joe Maldonado narrowly lost his State House race by less than 2%, but retained his Fitchburg City Council seat, where WFP will hold a majority.
In Arizona and Connecticut, two WFP candidates faced nail-biting races that ended in recounts. Raquel Teran in Arizona's 3rd Congressional District lost by just 39 votes, while Laurie Sweet in Connecticut's 91st Congressional District initially trailed by 2 votes but won by 15 after the recount.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that the upcoming general election could come down to a handful of votes in many states — and we need to start mobilizing voters now to ensure our movement comes out on top.
Donate to WFP’s General Election Fund now so we can block fascism and authoritarianism and continue building multiracial political power that puts working families first this November.
Hundreds of New Endorsements Ahead of November!
We're thrilled to announce that WFP has been busy endorsing HUNDREDS of new candidates across the country as we gear up for the November general election! From local races to critical congressional seats, our endorsed candidates are ready to take action and make a difference.
Want to know who we’re backing and if they’re on your ballot? Check out the full list of our endorsed candidates here.
Upcoming Events
Postcard Workshop
Join us this Sunday, September 29, at 7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT for a virtual Postcard Workshop!
In just a few minutes, you can help turn out dozens of voters for November’s historic elections — all you need is your phone, a free app, and your favorite photo!
Our organizers will show you how to create personalized Selfie Postcards for friends and family, reminding them to vote for Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and crucial races down the ballot. We’ll handle all printing and mailing to ensure your postcards arrive by Election Day.
RSVP: Postcard Workshop »
Can’t make it? No worries! Sign up here for instructions on how to create your postcards on your own time.
Send Self-Guided Postcards »
Tuesday Text Party
Join us every Tuesday from now until Election Day at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT for our WFP virtual text party!
Help support our candidates as our organizers and volunteer leaders guide you through our easy program to text voters on behalf of WFP champions in swing states across the country.
RSVP: Tuesday Text Party »
Mass Call: Making Meaning of the Moment
On Wednesday, October 16th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, join us again for a Making Meaning of the Moment Mass Call, where WFP National Director Maurice Mitchell, Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, Abbas Alawieh, and Layla Elabed 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 Welcome Gathering
The next WFP Welcome Gathering is on Thursday, October 24th at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 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, and it highlights the important work ahead as we approach critical elections at every level — federal, state, and local. With just 38 days until Election Day, every effort counts, and we need your support now more than ever.
Can we count on you to contribute $10 or whatever you can to ensure we have the resources needed to organize for our champions and make a real impact in November?
Pitch in »
In solidarity,
Team WFP
