John,

Like many of you, we woke up this morning to waves of worry and uncertainty with Trump’s distressing day one executive orders. From pardoning 1,500 January 6 rioters to withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement to baldfaced attacks on transgender people, the news quickly felt like a return to the frightening early days of the first Trump Administration.

But in moments like this, we must remember: despair is not an option. We already knew that Donald Trump would prioritize personal vendettas, catering to the ultra-wealthy, and sowing division amongst everyday Americans. Now that he’s back in office, the headlines are hard to read in black and white. But unlike 2017, this time we know exactly what to do.

We’ve spent the last 8 years building a community of like-minded volunteers and donors, along with organizing infrastructure and deep partnerships across the country, to fight back effectively against the Trump agenda.

For example, because of our strategic, multi-cycle investment in Virginia, Democrats hold critical majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. Ahead of Trump’s swearing-in, Virginia Democrats advanced constitutional amendments to protect fundamental freedoms — including enshrining reproductive rights, guaranteeing marriage equality, and safeguarding the right to vote.

This is the blueprint for standing up to Trump: secure Democratic power at the state level and protect our communities and our rights one state at a time. We’ve already proven that this strategy works – will you help fund this work in 2025, 2026, and beyond?

We know the stakes are high, and feel especially urgent right now. But here’s the good news: you’re not in this fight alone. Together, we can build and expand Democratic power in state legislatures across the country, and ensure our communities are protected by leaders who govern with empathy, compassion, and kindness.

No matter how you feel today, tomorrow we can move forward with hope and determination. 

In solidarity,

The Sister District Team 

Paid for by Sister District Project. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Donations to Sister District Project, a 527 organization, are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.