|
+(002).png)
|
John,
Like all of you, I’ve taken the last few days to process the election results.
Very little went our way on Tuesday. First, I’ll state the obvious: Our campaign for ID-02 was not victorious.
But it was still a success, and it’s led to my next project. I’ll talk more about that in a moment.
Of course, we are all reeling from the results of the presidential election and what it means for our country.
It made me think of a conversation I had with a friend recently about Matthew Shepard. Bear with me...this is important.
His murder became a catalyst for enormous change, reviving the LGBTQ+ rights movement and leading to historic wins for civil liberties. But it always felt close to home, Wyoming is not far from my home.
Despite all that progress, 26 years after Matthew’s murder, we haven’t really come that far – and in some ways we are all too quickly sliding back.
The last few years, and particularly throughout this year’s election, Republicans have made attacks on the LGBTQ community, including transphobia, a central part of their electoral strategy.
As an openly gay man running for office, that stung.
Frankly? Running for office while out of the closet is an exhausting, soul crushing, and often lonely experience.
That’s why I worked fervently throughout my last two runs for office to build coalitions among LGBTQIA+ candidates, to create networks of support – not only so we could lift up one another’s campaigns, but also so we could provide safety and emotional support for each other.
I worked to engage national LGBTQ organizations to drive support to my race and others, and often ran into barriers. These organizations certainly have their place, but often overlook candidates who could make an impact even if they might not win this time.
I am not the only one who has experienced this, in fact when I was talking with other candidates about it, many experienced the same challenges. Instead of just talking about it, I decided it was time to do something about it.
A few weeks ago, I officially launched a new PAC, Elect Pride. |
|
|
This PAC will work to increase the number of LGBTQIA+ candidates across the country at all levels through candidate recruitment, and by providing training and support throughout their campaigns. We want to identify candidates who can have long-term impact in their communities even if they do not win right away.
Our goal is to ensure that LGBTQ+ candidates have the resources and training needed to run impactful campaigns, and to build community among LGBTQ+ candidates.
What can you do to help?
First, you can donate! The already tremendous obstacles LGBTQ+ candidates face just got a LOT harder with the incoming Trump administration.
This work is even more important now, and I need to staff up this PAC quickly. A monthly recurring donation would be the MOST helpful. |
|
I ran for Senate in 2022 making history as the first openly gay man nominated in a statewide race by a major party in Idaho. In 2024 I was elected Idaho’s Democratic National Committeeman and nominated for Idaho’s Second Congressional district. In a state like Idaho, that’s a big deal.
But as silly as it may sound, I didn’t run for office because I’m gay. I ran for office because Idaho is my home, and because I believe in two principles: in every race there is an opportunity to win (yes, even in Idaho), and there are no winning candidates without WILLING candidates.
National organizations tend to limit their support for candidates who are already on a path to victory – people who have already overcome the MOUNTAIN of obstacles that we face as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
That is not a path to proportional representation. We need someone to find the people who are WILLING to run, then help them get READY to run, and ultimately help them WIN. Our candidates need hope and help not just more hoops to jump through. Trust me when running for office there are enough challenges.
The last thing I will say is this:
Despite all the horrible news on Tuesday, there were victories for our movement.
First: We received more votes than any Democrat has previously received in ID-02. In fact, in a year of historic losses for Democrats nationwide, and when many Democrats in Idaho saw a decrease in their vote numbers from the previous election, our vote numbers in ID-02 INCREASED.
We continue the trend of always moving forward and gaining ground.
Second: Initiatives to remove language banning same sex marriage from the state constitutions of California, Colorado, Hawaii, and New York ALL PASSED, despite ongoing efforts from far right extremists to strip our rights. Same sex marriage banning constitutional amendments are being removed in those states.
Third: 7 states voted to protect abortion and the right of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions. INCLUDING many states that ultimately went for Trump like Arizona, Missouri, Montana, and Nevada.
Finally: Sarah McBride became the first openly trans member of Congress elected when she won her race to represent Delaware’s At Large Congressional district. This is a MASSIVE victory in the midst of a wave of attacks on the trans community, particularly young people. It also means that she will enter the most rabidly conservative, extremist, hostile Congress in my lifetime.
To everyone who contributed, volunteered, and supported our campaign, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful. This race is over, but we still have work to do.
Remember that there is always opportunity in adversity. And, while there is much fear in the days ahead, I choose to hope that the next few years will be the catalyst needed to bring lasting progressive change to our country. I am choosing to do something to help bring about that change, and I hope you will join me.
More soon,
David |
|
|
|
|
©2024 David Roth for Idaho, all rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: David Roth for Idaho 2184 Channing Way #114 Idaho Falls, ID 83404
We hate to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe from this list using the link below: Click here to unsubscribe.
|
