John,
It’s been a big month, John — filled with both major victories and urgent challenges.
We’ve put together this WFP newsletter to update you on what we’ve achieved, the battles still ahead, and how you can stay engaged to defend working people and our shared values.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: REPUBLICANS’ REFUSAL TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS
Trump and Congressional Republicans have pushed the federal government into a shutdown — all because they refuse to address the health care crisis that working families face every day. They don’t care that insurance premiums are spiraling, that prescription drugs are unaffordable, or that life-saving medical research is underfunded — as long as billionaire donors keep giving to their campaigns.
If Republicans get their way, millions of people will lose coverage, premiums could skyrocket, and critical funding for hospitals, research, and essential services will vanish. The choice for Congress couldn’t be simpler: fix health care costs or shut down the government — yet the shutdown proves where Republicans’ priorities lie.
To respond, Working Families Power co-hosted a mass call with allies on Wednesday, to explain what’s at stake, share updates on the shutdown, and organize working families to take action. The call brought people together to discuss strategies and stay informed during this critical moment. Now, more than ever, Democrats must stand firm and negotiate a funding bill that actually lowers health care costs. If Republicans continue to block solutions, it will be clear who is responsible for the shutdown and the harm it causes to millions of families.
Will you make your voice heard too? Text SHUTDOWN to 30403 or dial 833-636-3259 to be connected with your Senator automatically to let them know that we won’t accept a funding bill that takes away people’s health care.
Then add your name to the petition urging your Senators to BLOCK this disastrous funding resolution.
We’ll continue monitoring the situation closely and mobilizing our members where needed. We’ve faced fights like this before — and when working families come together, we win.
BUILDING THE WFP CAUCUS, CHIPPING AWAY AT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY
WFP is turning the tide in Congress — with our candidates and organizers directly shrinking the Republican majority and paving the way for bold progressive action.
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In Arizona, incoming WFP-backed Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva crushed her special election in AZ-7 by nearly 40 points, outperforming even Kamala Harris’s margin in the district last year.
With her win, the Republican margin in the House shrinks to just five seats. She’s already announced she’ll be the 218th vote on a discharge petition to force a vote on the release of Epstein documents — which explains why Republican Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying her swearing-in.
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In Texas, Trump-ordered redistricting put WFP champion and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar into a district with fellow Democrat Rep. Lloyd Doggett. As Politico reported, the Texas Working Families Party was already geared up to go all in for Greg in the event of a contested race, but Rep. Doggett made the right call and stepped aside, clearing the way for Greg.
And in California, we announced our newest Congressional endorsement: Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, who is challenging 81-year-old Doris Matsui for her seat in CA-07.
Mai was born and raised in Sacramento, and is the proud daughter of Hmong refugees. She has been a powerful champion for working people on the Sacramento City Council.
Mai created the Sacramento Children’s Fund to dedicate millions of dollars to kids facing poverty and trauma, secured over $40 million to strengthen neighborhoods, expand youth programs, and improve the quality of life for seniors, led one of the nation’s most linguistically diverse vaccination clinics, and championed Safe Haven policies to protect students and families regardless of their immigration status.
When she gets to Congress, Mai will fight for guaranteed health care for every American, paid sick leave, affordable child care, and safe and affordable housing. She knows that the status quo isn’t working for working people.
Flipping Congress starts with electing working class champions like Mai Vang.
Split a contribution today to help elect Mai Vang and power a nationwide movement to flip the House, defeat entrenched incumbents, and put working people at the center of our government.
PRIMARY POWER
We’re on a roll, John! WFP keeps racking up the wins in down ballot primaries all across the country.
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Connecticut: WFP candidates swept municipal Democratic primaries in New London, Hamden, and Norwalk. In Hartford, our very own Shontá Browdy — elected on the Working Families Party line — just made history as the first-ever WFP member to become the Chair of the Hartford Board of Education. This is the first time ever that the chair isn’t a Democrat, but one of ours — a huge leap toward real governing power.
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Cleveland: Every single one of Ohio WFP’s five candidates advanced in the nonpartisan City Council primaries. They’ll face tough races this November, but they’re carrying real grassroots momentum with them.
We know what’s possible when working families stand together. But to keep building power and send our champions to victory in November — state by state, city by city — we need you in this fight with us.
Donate today to fuel WFP candidates across the country.
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST TRUMP’S RIGGED MAPS
Trump and his MAGA allies are trying to rig our democracy by rewriting congressional maps in Texas, in order to lock in their power. So we’re fighting back — throwing down in California to pass Prop 50 — which would allow Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom the ability to redraw California’s congressional districts — nullifying Republican’s gerrymandering, and serving as a blueprint for other blue states to fight back against GOP’s attempts to tip the scales.
Last week, we held a virtual rally in California to build momentum for Prop 50 featuring Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Lorena Gonzalez (President of the California Labor Federation), Christina Livingston (ACCE Action Executive Director and CA WFP Chair), and Jane Kim (CA WFP State Director) and Irene Kao (Executive Director of Courage California).
And every Tuesday and Thursday through Election Day, we’ll be hosting phonebanks to get out the vote in support of Prop 50. Click here to sign up to help us fight back against Trump’s election rigging.
DISNEY BOYCOTT
When ABC/Disney pulled Jimmy Kimmel off the air in a blatant attempt at political censorship to appease the Trump administration, millions spoke out.
The pressure worked: ABC/Disney quickly reversed course, returning Kimmel to the air, and soon after, Sinclair and Nexstar followed suit.
This victory shows that people still have real power — and that our collective action can stop would-be authoritarians in their tracks.
But the fight isn’t over. Today, just five corporations control 90% of U.S. media, leaving them vulnerable to political influence, and concentrated power. That’s why we launched a petition calling on elected officials to break up Big Media and hold them accountable.
Add your name: Break Up Big Media Companies
FAIR PAY FOR THE WNBA
The WNBA is absolutely booming right now — with record viewership, media rights, ticket sales, and team valuations. The only thing still capped is player salaries.
The people driving this growth — the players — deserve their fair share. Which is why we support the WNBA player union’s call for salary and benefits that reflect players' true value and contributions to the game, the league, and the culture around it.
If you agree, add your name to the petition to show the players of the WNBA that we’ve got their backs.
Add Your Name: Fair Pay for the WNBA
UPCOMING EVENTS
WFP Call Team
Make a real impact in elections and policy fights across the country by joining the WFP Call Team. You’ll get updates on virtual phone banking opportunities, directly connecting with voters to share what we’re fighting for and how they can get involved. Sign up to join the team here.
Join the WFP Call Team »
WFP National Welcome Gathering
Our next WFP National Welcome Gathering is Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT. Hear from organizers about our work nationwide and learn ways to plug in. If you’re feeling anxious about the political moment, the Welcome Gathering is a chance to ground yourself in our shared values and community. We hope to see you there! RSVP here.
Join the WFP Welcome Gathering »
Other Upcoming Events
Get involved with WFP in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Connecticut, California, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Louisiana, Virginia, Maryland, and more. Check out our full map of upcoming events and RSVP to join the fight for working people in your state.
Find an event near you »
Thanks for reading, John.
We’re at a pivotal moment. The federal government is in shutdown, censorship is on the rise, and federal troops are patrolling cities like Memphis and Portland. Republicans are clinging to power — but WFP is breaking their grip, one race at a time.
And people power is working. We’re winning local elections, forcing corporations to roll back their efforts to appease the Trump agenda, fighting to lower health care costs, and more.
WFP members and organizers are on the ground, building the power of our communities and demanding a government that serves working people, not billionaires and extremists.
This is no time to sit on the sidelines. Chip in today to fuel WFP’s organizing, defend our democracy, and build a movement strong enough to win the battles ahead. Every dollar helps us fight, resist, and organize for change.
In solidarity,
Team WFP
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