This month, a Democratic state representative in Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark Hortman, were assassinated in their home, and a Democratic state senator, John A. Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot and wounded. The Academy Commission that produced Our Common Purpose emphasized the collective responsibility we share to foster a stronger sense of common purpose in American civic life and to have faith in our fellow citizens.

[link removed]


** OCP Network Organizations, Civic Leaders Condemn Political Violence in Minnesota
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This month, a Democratic state representative in Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark Hortman, were assassinated in their home, and a Democratic state senator, John A. Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot and wounded. The Academy Commission that produced Our Common Purpose emphasized the collective responsibility we share to foster a stronger sense of common purpose in American civic life and to rebuild faith in our fellow citizens. This message was underscored in a webinar ([link removed]) on political violence the Academy convened last fall with Rachel Kleinfeld (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Paige Alexander (Carter Center) and Marty Smith (ABA Task Force on American Democracy). In July 2024, the Our Common Purpose Co-chairs shared reflections that remain apt in this moment:
* Danielle Allen, President, Partners in Democracy ([link removed]) : “A peaceful and prosperous democracy depends on each of us committing to non-violence in the conduct of our politics. And even our words matter. We should raise our arguments against ideas, not people.”

* Stephen Heintz, President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund ([link removed]) : “Community is the only antidote to the deep divisions again threatening our democracy.”

* Citizen University ([link removed]) : “Our nation needs a culture shift — a shift in our collective, civic culture away from permitting violence and polarization, and towards healing and connection.”

Following the violence in Minnesota, OCP champion organizations and other civic leaders offered statements pointing toward a more hopeful future:
* Partners in Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to Non-Violence ([link removed])

* Common Cause: Statement on Shooting of Two Minnesota Lawmakers ([link removed])

* PBS News Hour: Understanding Political Violence, and How to Fix It ([link removed])

* Just Security: How Communities Can Respond to the Climate of Hostility Facing Public Officials ([link removed])


** Stories from the Field
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** National Archives Foundation Launches New Game in Preparation for 250th.
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In commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the Academy is working ([link removed]) to engage Americans in conversations that account for all aspects of our history and find common hopes for the future of our country. This month, the National Archives Foundation ([link removed]) launched a new online history game – America's 100 Docs – that invites all citizens to take 100 of the country’s most historically significant records and vote for their top picks. Players’ votes will help determine the top 16 documents that make it to a final voting challenge in early 2026, when only one will be voted as America’s most significant document. Visit 100docs.vote
([link removed]) to be part of the action.


** Civic Season Returns from Juneteenth to July 4.
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The fifth annual Civic Season, ([link removed]) the flagship program of OCP Champion Made by US, which takes place between Juneteenth and Independence Day, kicked off with over 2,000 activities that facilitate Gen Z-led engagement with local museums, historic sites, and libraries. Find ([link removed]) events and civic opportunities near you.


** Edward M. Kennedy Institute and Dole Institute of Politics Publish Report on Bolstering Election Administration.
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The Edward M. Kennedy Institute and the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas published a new report ([link removed]) that calls on policymakers to implement needed changes to fund and support election administration.


** Five Ways Humanities Councils Serve Everyday Americans.
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Responding to the termination of federal funding to humanities councils, the Federation of State Humanities Councils outlined concrete ways ([link removed]) humanities councils serve everyday Americans and support local cultural infrastructure.


** Campaign Legal Center: Hidden Provisions in the Budget Bill Will Undermine Our Democracy.
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Campaign Legal Center (CLC) ([link removed]) identified two provisions in the House’s reconciliation proposal that would harm voters and threaten the rule of law.


** 10 Takeaways from Business for America's Bipartisan Convening in DC.
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OCP Champion Business for America convened corporate leaders, members of Congress, and public affairs veterans for a candid conversation ([link removed]) about the role of business in politics.


** Business Leaders Defend Universities Against Federal Overreach.
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More than 200 CEOs, founders, and executives signed an open letter ([link removed]) from OCP Champion Leadership Now Project that underscores the essential role of higher education in U.S. competitiveness and calls for restored research funding, due process, and academic independence.


** In the News
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** NYC Mayoral Election Uses Ranked Choice Voting.
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New York City used ranked choice voting in its primary elections for the third time, picking nominees for mayor, City Council, and other offices. OCP Champion FairVoteanalyzed ([link removed]) how RCV gave New York City voters more choice, promoted friendlier campaigns, and produced more representative outcomes. Meredith Sumpter, FairVote president and CEO, released a statement ([link removed]) lauding the use of ranked choice voting in the election.


** Colleen J. Shogan and John Bridgeland: America Needs a Civic Education Moonshot, Before It's Too Late.
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Writing in The Hill ([link removed]) , Colleen J. Shogan and John Bridgeland argue for a back-to-basics approach for rebuilding civics education ahead of the 250th anniversary of the American founding.


** The Chronicle of Philanthropy: As Washington Brawls, Communities Fix What's Broken.
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The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Drew Lindsay highlights the work of OCP champions and partners to demonstrate how place-based democracy practitioners ([link removed]) are solving problems in their communities.


** Ted Johnson: Real Patriots Know There is Room for Both Shame and Pride.
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Writing in The Washington Post ([link removed]) , Ted Johnson, who leads New America’s US@250 initiative, reflected on the June 14 military parade and its broader connection to civic pride and the politics of anniversaries.

** Read the Report
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READ THE REPORT
Learn more about the Academy's current efforts to advance reforms to reinvent American democracy and read the Our Common Purpose
report here [[link removed]

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