John,

Local elections are coming up in less than three weeks, and here in Michigan, absentee ballots have already been sent to voters.

So I’m making an urgent fundraising push for my friends and comrades who are running for Detroit City Council: Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell.

Here’s a photo of the three of us supporting local union members, demanding that corporations keep their promises to workers:

Both Denzel and Gaby have been endorsed by major unions and progressive groups such as SEIU Michigan, the Working Families Party, Detroit Action, Michigan United Action, and Michigan Liberation. Detroit Action wrote: “Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell are building deep democracy with the people.”

Gaby, who won her local election after graduating from my Rooted in Community PAC’s first annual Campaign School for candidates, responded by saying:

“We share a vision for Detroit: no matter who you are—your income, race, gender, immigration status, or whether you live with a disability—you should have access to a safe, affordable place to live and reliable public services. Getting there means we need a government that works for the many, not for the wealthy few.”

If you share this vision for your city and our country, please split a donation today between Gaby and Denzel’s campaigns—as well as my Rooted in Community Leadership PAC, which trains and supports the progressive candidates that our communities deserve.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately, split evenly between Denzel McCampbell, Gabriela Santiago-Romero, and Rooted In Community Leadership PAC

SEIU Michigan’s endorsement of these bold leaders stated:

“Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell have stood side by side with working people. From holding corporations accountable to ensuring affordable, quality healthcare for all Detroiters, Gabriela and Denzel are ready to tackle our city’s most pressing challenges on day one.”

Currently serving on Detroit’s City Council, Gaby has resolved over 1,000 constituent cases and is committed to being accessible and accountable to her constituents. She expanded the city’s Paratransit services for seniors, passed an ordinance to reduce pollution and safeguard workers, and worked alongside local Native organizations to put on a historic powwow this week for Indigenous Peoples’ Day (she’s in the middle of this photo):

Having grown up an immigrant in poverty, Gaby is offering “know your rights” trainings and championing policy to limit local police cooperation with ICE. Gaby also helped create the city’s Community Violence Intervention program which has led to a reduction in crime, and she helped create a down payment assistance program to help over 1,000 Detroiters become first-time homeowners.

Like Gaby, Denzel will always put the people first. I’ve worked closely with him for years to deliver results and improve our neighbors’ lives.

He served as a Detroit City Charter Commissioner and a leader of Progress Michigan, and he helped found the Detroit Chapter of BYP100, where he led the fight against police brutality and mass incarceration. Denzel is a champion for better living conditions for every city resident—including affordable housing, equitable public transportation, and clean air and water.

Meanwhile, Denzel’s opponent is anti-choice, has aligned with Republicans on many votes, and squandered our opportunity to pass crucial progressive legislation while our state still had a Democratic trifecta. Denzel was the top vote-getter in this year’s primary election, but by a razor thin margin.

Both Gabriela and Denzel are the only candidates in their races who’ve refused to take corporate PAC money. Their campaigns are grassroots-funded—so any donation you can make today will be essential in getting their messages out to voters, who currently have absentee ballots.

Gaby and Denzel are the progressive powerhouses our city—and our country—need right now. Will you split a donation between their campaigns and my Rooted in Community Leadership PAC, which supports and trains candidates like them?

Thank you so much for helping build a government that truly serves the people, rather than the billionaires.

Gaby and Denzel are out knocking on doors this week, and I’ve been proud to doorknock with both of them.

Here’s a screenshot from a video Gaby and I made about the importance of going door-to-door and talking with community members about their needs and local elections:¹

And here’s a photo from one of the times Denzel and I went door-to-door canvassing together:

I appreciate anything you can contribute to help get these two progressive fighters elected, and thank you for also supporting my PAC to keep building the bench of bold candidates who’ll fight for the people.

Fighting alongside you for a stronger democracy,

Rashida