John —

In 2018, only 1.1% of incumbent Democrats seeking reelection were defeated. Historically, that’s low — but not far from the average.

With this reality, is it shocking that so many corporate Democrats act as if they’re entitled to their seats? Why listen to your constituents if your risk of being removed from office is so low?

But this isn’t the way things have to be. Every single one of the Democrats who were replaced with primary challengers in 2018 lost to Justice Democrat candidates, and already, that’s having an impact on how moderate Democrats conduct themselves.

Just take a look at Eliot Engel. In a few months, his challenger Jamaal Bowman has pushed him remarkably to the left. Just recently, Engel officially came out in favor of impeachment — inching us closer to that critical tipping point to opening an inquiry. Voters in NY-16 have long supported impeachment but it took a primary challenge to get their voices heard.

That’s because people like you made their voices heard, and supported challengers to give these corporate Democrats a wake-up call. But we can’t let that momentum slow down — will you donate $3 directly to Jamaal Bowman’s campaign for NY-16?

Donate

At the end of the day, we’re talking about a fundamental change in our democracy and economy system. That doesn’t happen overnight — it takes a concerted effort, powerful organizing, and a whole lot of sweat.

But it has to happen. As long as there are dozens of corporate Democrats who care more about pleasing their big pharma, private prison, defense contractor, and massive corporation donors, our progressive platform is in jeopardy.

We need progressive leaders like Jamaal Bowman — people who are unafraid to speak truth to power, and who’ll fight for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, housing for all, and an end to this system of mass incarceration and deportation.

Right now, Jamaal Bowman is massively behind Engel’s corporate money. Can you chip in $3 to help him close the gap?

Donate

We don’t expect to outraise Engel — as long as he’s taking $5,000 checks on the regular from lobbyists and corporate PACs, that’s just not going to happen. But if we can get Jamaal the resources to compete, we know he can out-compete Engel on the ground.

And if we can show Engel that people are watching, next time he has to vote, he’ll think a lot harder about whether he supports war, deregulating Wall Street, or building more prisons.

In solidarity,

Justice Democrats