John,

The first few weeks of Trump’s presidency have felt like a year. But while the news coming out of the White House has felt like chaos, there have been a few signs of hope at the state level — and we don’t want to lose sight of them:

Flipping a Senate Seat in Iowa: Last week, Democrat and educator Mike Zimmer flipped a deeply Republican Iowa Senate seat that had previously strongly backed Trump, marking a breakthrough for Democrats in a traditionally conservative district.
Protecting Abortion Access, Marriage Equality, and Voting Rights in Virginia: Earlier this year, we helped elect Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh in Virginia’s special elections, retaining a Democratic majority in the legislature. Now, Democrats are pushing forward historic constitutional amendments to safeguard the rights of everyday Virginians.
Fighting Against Donald Trump’s Attacks on DEI: More than 30 state lawmakers from across the country have signed an open letter pledging to uphold and protect DEI measures from further GOP attacks in the states. This comes in the wake of Donald Trump’s executive order banning DEI initiatives in the federal government.

We know this is a dark time in our national history, but despair is not an option, John.

Now more than ever, state legislatures serve as a critical firewall against the worst of Trump’s policies — standing up for reproductive rights, fair elections, working families, and the progressive values that define us.

We’re gearing up to defend the Democratic majority in Virginia’s General Assembly this year while building the foundation for key victories in 2026. That means safeguarding and expanding state majorities, flipping critical seats, and mobilizing voters early to pave the way for midterm success.

The path to a more just and equitable future starts in the states. Will you chip in now to help power this fight?