John,
It’s been a huge month in the fight for working people — with massive mobilizations, key victories, and critical battles on the horizon.
We’ve pulled together the highlights, the stakes ahead, and how you can take action.
Let’s dive in.
MILLIONS SAY: HANDS OFF!
From April’s actions to May Day’s coast-to-coast marches, a wave of resistance is building across the country.
Across red states and blue, in the biggest of cities and smallest of towns, over three million people have raised their voices over the past month to say: Hands Off!
Together, we are sending a clear message to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire buddies: keep your greedy hands off our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, public services, federal workers, and schools.
Across the country, over 3 million showed up in the streets in April — making it “one of the largest mass mobilizations in U.S. history,” according to researcher L.A. Kauffman. And last week, hundreds of thousands took to the streets for May Day — showing up at 1,300 events in over 1,000 cities across all 50 states.
As WFP National Director Maurice Mitchell put it on MSNBC, Trump’s “flood the zone” strategy is backfiring — and the people are fighting back.
This week, Republicans in Congress are planning to advance their plans to cut taxes for billionaires and big corporations — and pay for it by gutting Medicaid. But they're already feeling the heat from their constituents and afraid to show their faces in district. That’s why we need to keep the pressure on.
Join the mass call this Thursday (5/15) at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT to find out how to dial up the pressure and stop them from taking away our health care:
RSVP: Mass Call »
NJ WFP ENDORSES RAS BARAKA FOR NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR — AND A PROGRESSIVE SLATE TO JOIN HIM:
In April, the New Jersey Working Families Party joined a powerful coalition progressive labor unions and advocates to endorse Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in the hotly contested Democratic primary for governor — as featured in an exclusive with NJ.com.
This is the first statewide race since we helped strike down New Jersey’s corrupt county line system. Now, we’re backing a candidate who’s taken on the machine and won — and who delivers for working people.
“We defeated the corrupt county line system, so we know exactly what it takes to win and reshape the halls of power in Trenton,” said Antoinette Miles, State Director of NJ Working Families Party. “We’ve worked with Ras since his first mayoral run, and we’re going all in to help him win and deliver transformational policies that bring down costs for working families.”
Baraka’s record speaks for itself: community-based public safety, housing justice, and more. And now, he’s bringing that same fight to the governor’s office — to end the gravy train for special interests, and put working families first in Trenton.
On Friday, Mayor Baraka was arrested after attempting to visit a recently re-opened ICE detention facility. This is a shocking act of intimidation, even by Trump standards—one that is straight from the authoritarian playbook.
Join Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman and Mayor Ras Baraka on Monday, May 12 at 5pm ET for an emergency call and learn how to push back against Trump's authoritarian power grab:
RSVP to Monday's call »
NJWFP has also endorsed a slate of candidates for the New Jersey State Assembly — and one bold leader for Camden City Council — who are ready to join Ras in the fight to transform the state. See our full list of endorsed candidates in New Jersey here.
STICKING IT TO THE OLIGARCHS:
When Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took their Fighting Oligarchy Tour to California, CA Working Families Party was right there with them — bringing the heat, the people, and the vision.
- In Los Angeles, 36,000 people packed the streets — the biggest rally ever for Bernie or AOC. WFP champs Ysabel Jurado and Eunisses Hernandez lit up the stage alongside music legends Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers.
- In Bakersfield, thousands packed the arena, with AOC calling out MAGA Rep. David Valadao just one day after WFP champion Randy Villegas launched his campaign to unseat him.
- In Folsom, a GOP stronghold, 30,000 people showed up — in a city of just 80,000. WFP State Director Jane Kim opened the rally and laid out a bold vision for working families.
Jane also joined CBS News to break down what this momentum means — and why our movement is resonating in every corner of the country. Watch the clip here.
DEFENDING WFP INCUMBENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA:
In Pennsylvania, we’ve endorsed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for a third term and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey for a second — because they’ve shown what real progressive governance looks like.
In Pittsburgh, Ed Gainey isn’t just talking the talk — he’s delivering. From taking on greedy developers to prioritizing affordable housing, Gainey has made it clear: Pittsburgh should work for all of us, not just the wealthy few. Now he’s facing a corporate-backed Democrat funded by Republican donors. We need Gainey back in office to keep building a city for the many, not the money.
In Philadelphia, Larry Krasner has been a national leader in rethinking what justice can look like. Since 2017, he’s held corrupt cops accountable, exonerated the innocent, and helped drive down crime — all while standing tall against relentless attacks from the political establishment and right-wing forces. The fight to keep him in office is on, and we’re not backing down.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Across the state — from Erie to Allentown, Lancaster to Pittsburgh — we’ve endorsed 35+ local champions: teachers, nurses, organizers, and neighbors. Not career politicians, but everyday people ready to fight for housing, justice, public schools, and working families.
See the full slate of WFP champions across Pennsylvania here.
A CLEAN SWEEP IN OHIO:
Five candidates. Five wins. In Ohio’s May 6th primary, every Working Families Party–endorsed candidate advanced to the general election.
-
Jesse Vogel, tenant lawyer and neighborhood advocate, advanced to the runoff for Columbus City Council, ready to fight for housing and transit that works for all.
-
Dr. Antoinette Miranda, a lifelong educator, and Mounir Lynch, a proud CCS grad and health organizer, both advanced in the Columbus City Schools Board race — with Miranda winning the highest percentage of the vote.
-
Ajmeri Hoque, running unopposed, is on track to become Ohio’s first Muslim judge, bringing real fairness to Franklin County Municipal Court.
-
Fran Wilson, a fourth-generation Akronite and queer organizer, defeated an incumbent to win the Democratic nomination for Akron City Council (Ward 1) — and is now heading to November.
“We’re proud to support these five candidates who are committed to moving their regions in a more progressive direction that benefits working people,” said Aleena Starks, Ohio WFP State Director. “Now, we’re focused on building the community power and resources needed to win big in November.”
LATEST DROP: “NO ONE LIKES BILLIONAIRES” STICKER:
If you missed it — our brand new “No One Likes Billionaires” sticker dropped last month, and it’s already a favorite.
This bold little statement packs a punch and it’s yours for just $5.
Get your sticker here »
And while you’re at it, don’t miss the rest of our WFP merch!
Visit the WFP Store »
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday 5/12: Phone Bank To Tell House Republicans: No Medicaid Cuts!
Next week, the House committee that oversees health care spending will vote on a Republican budget plan that would slash hundreds of billions from Medicaid and other essential programs — just to hand more tax breaks to billionaires like Trump and Musk. And if it passes, these cuts, affecting millions of Americans, could reach the full House floor for a vote as early as the following week.
We can stop them — but we need to act fast. Join a virtual phone bank Monday, May 12th, 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET. Call voters in key GOP districts to flood their reps with one message: Vote NO.
Join the phonebank »
WFP Welcome Gathering
This month’s WFP National Welcome Gathering is Thursday, May 22nd at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT!
At the gathering, you can hear from WFP organizers who will share what we’re working on nationwide and any ways to get plugged in.
If you’re feeling anxious about this political moment and the fight ahead, the Welcome Gathering is an opportunity to ground yourself in our shared values and community. We hope to see you there! RSVP here.
RSVP: WFP Welcome Gathering »
Thanks for catching up with us, John.
Across the country, Working Families Party members and allies are organizing, mobilizing, and pushing back against Trump, Musk, and their wealthy backers — all while building real power for working people.
We’re up against deep pockets and relentless attacks, but our movement doesn’t back down. Chip in today to help us keep fighting — and winning — in every corner of the country.
Make a donation »
Every contribution helps fuel the work ahead.
In solidarity,
Working Families Party
.svg.png)