Friends -

Now that all the FEC reports are in, I need to ask you to make a donation to our campaign. Today’s request is especially important, so let me explain.

The contrast in our campaigns’ FEC filings could not be clearer. While we are running a true grassroots campaign, our opponent is doubling down on his big-money strategy. Now, we know why he didn’t want to share his average donation.

This is what we’re facing: According to FEC filings, Joe Kennedy’s average donation in June was about $150 — nearly triple our average.

Now, we’re never going to be able to cash in on a family name or donor network like that. So we have two choices for how to fight back:

• We need more individual donations
• Or we need to ask for slightly larger donations.

Usually we ask folks making their first online donation to chip in $3. But now that you understand the challenge we’re facing, I need to ask if you can do a bit more:

If you can afford it, would you please contribute $5 today to help us fight back against Joe Kennedy’s big money? This campaign is fueled by grassroots donations, so we cannot win this race without your support.

Joe Kennedy may have a max-out machine, but that’s no match for our small-dollar movement. We have the grassroots enthusiasm and strength to beat him — just so long as we can keep up our momentum.

- John Walsh
Campaign Manager