APPLY TODAY! JOIN OUR 2026 READY TO WIN® COHORT

Hi John,

In moments of unrest, we have to keep reminding ourselves that the resiliency of New Americans and the power of the people will always prevail.

Minnesota State Senator Zaynab Mohamed (NAL EAON Member) is giving us exactly that hope by fighting to safeguard the livelihood of immigrants and residents of Minnesota.

“For the first time, I feel the weight of the job,” she told The Washington Post. “I have to work on policies that bring trust back to the system and integrity. I have to fight for community, and be a person young people can look at who is comfortable in her own skin. I have to be strong for them.”

Mohamed’s dedication is a reminder why we need to elect leaders who understand our concerns. Our communities are stronger when we show up and stand up for one another.

News You Can Use

It’s never too early to start preparing for elections, especially with the 2026 midterm elections fast approaching this November—and primaries for some states starting as early as March. With potential changes to who controls the House, there’s a lot at stake this year. 

Whether you’re running for office, supporting a campaign, or looking for ways to mobilize and protect your community, learn how you can stay ahead of important voter registration deadlines and get your neighborhood educated and ready to show up for leaders who will represent your voices!

People Like Us

With a new year comes the start of new legislative sessions. We send our best to all our alumni in office—as well as to our 22 newly elected alumni enjoying their swearing-in ceremonies! 🥳 We’re excited to see how you will continue safeguarding our communities and democracy in 2026.

We’re so proud of our alumni who are doing incredible things:

• Ignasio Castillo (Ready to Lead® Northeast and Ready to Win® 2025) introduced his first-ever bill on the California State Assembly Floor! AB1618 aims to implement a statewide food hunger survey to assess the need for food insecurity since the USDA has discontinued it. 

• Carol Gonzalez (Ready to Win® 2022) launched Latina Advocates, a new social media account focused on demystifying the political process in California, championing equitable policy solutions, and amplifying the voices of historically underserved communities across the state. 

• Julie Gonzales (Ready to Win® 2015) is running for the U.S. Senate for Colorado!

• Georgia State Senator Nabilah Parkes (Ready to Lead® Georgia 2019) introduced SB 391, a bill that aims to codify into Georgia law that schools, hospitals, places of worship, libraries, and family violence shelters are off-limits to immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. 

• Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang (Ready to Lead® Michigan 2012) and Detroit City Council Member Gabriela Santiago Romero (Ready to Win® 2018) working together to find new ways to engage the community on public safety, while also exploring legal avenues to protect people’s privacy rights and restrict the impunity of law enforcement officials.

• Mussab Ali (Ready to Lead® Midwest 2024) is running for Congress in NJ-08.

• New York State Senator Julia Salazar (NAL Elected and Appointed Officials Network Member) released a report called “Built on Brutality,” which highlights an urgent need for transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system, and how the current Prison Reform Omnibus Bill—while a step in the right direction—can be further enhanced to protect human rights.

• New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan (Ready to Win® 2019) was named Chair of the New York City Council Oversight and Investigations Committee.

• Audrey Nath (Ready to Lead® AAPI 2025) is running for a vacant seat in a special election for Houston City Council.

Know someone who should be included in this list? Let us know! We're so inspired by our NAL family for taking action to create a stronger, more inclusive democracy and would love to give everybody a shoutout!

Are You Ready to Win?

Ready to Win® 2026 applications are now live! Join us this summer during the weekend of August 28th!

During this unique training weekend, you’ll gain the hands-on campaign skills needed to run and win, including how to develop a comprehensive campaign plan and build a sustainable community-based movement that fosters civic engagement and a commitment to voting.

Don’t have concrete leadership plans for the next two years, but still want to make a difference? Applications for our Ready to Lead® trainings for our AAPI, Midwest and Central Valley (CA) cohorts are still open.

Join our Elected and Appointed Officials’ Site Visit Program!

We are accepting applications for our 2026 Elected and Appointed Officials’ Site Visit Program! 📣

If you are an elected or appointed official (or know of someone!), we hope to see you in San Francisco, Miami, or Chicago this year. We’ll be covering topics from immigration and land use to climate change and organized labor.

Our site visit program is a unique program that will enhance your knowledge and connect you with other New American leaders also committed to building a brighter future for their communities.

Thank You for Helping Us Keep the Momentum Going 🙌

For a second year in a row, we were awarded with the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid! ✨ We are grateful to all of you for ensuring that our movement to build a more inclusive democracy thrives. Keep the momentum going and donate today!

In solidarity,

New American Leaders