Friend, let me be frank: This government funding deal is a joke.

Forty-two days ago, Republicans shut down the government because they refused to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that were expiring, which gives millions of Americans access to the health care they need.

And for 39 days, Democrats stood their ground – standing up for working people, fighting back against this all-out assault on our health care, and vowing to keep premiums from skyrocketing.

But a few days ago, that promise was broken. Eight Democrats folded. And now, millions of Texans and Americans will pay the price. 

I’m running for Senate because we need leaders who are absolutely fearless in fighting for working people and affordable health care. And we need them now. If you’re as upset about what’s going on as I am and ready for change, will you chip in today to fuel my grassroots campaign?

You can't tell people you're fighting for their health care and then back down when it gets tough. 

That's what's wrong with Washington – too many leaders who think compromise for the sake of compromise is "good politics," even when it hurts working families.

The biggest divide in politics right now is between those who believe that the old, broken ways of doing things in Washington still work and those who do not. I'm not part of that old guard. I'm part of a group that's come to understand that this moment in our history demands more. More focus. More courage. More fight. Because Texans can't afford to keep paying the price for politicians' cowardice. 

If you're frustrated – if you think we deserve better – I'm asking you to channel that into action. Now is not the time to back down: Will you chip in now to help me keep fighting for Texans and take this fight all the way to the Senate?

Thank you.

– Colin