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John,
Leading up to the launch of this campaign on July 1st, I was nervous – I almost didn’t go through with it. There were so many unknowns, including the threat of getting crushed by the political machine. But I trusted my gut: the people of OH-3 are ready for a new generation of bold leadership willing to fight for a country that works for all of us.
I’m glad I didn’t give into the doubt. Interest in our campaign is building each day, and I am writing today to let you know:
We’ve got momentum.
I. #MORGANIZING
This is a grassroots campaign. To win and deliver transformative change, all of us have to do our part. Within days of our July launch, 100 people signed up. Today, we have over 400 volunteers.
Last Saturday, we hosted our first #Morganizing event at our new HQ – 139 E. Main St. For a first-time candidate 8 weeks in, the turnout was incredible: 102 #Morganizers showed up to build our movement. We knocked on 523 doors and spoke to people who had never enegaged with a political campaign.
Thanks to each and every one of the volunteers who helped #Morganize on Saturday – you're bringing our grassroots campaign to life! For those who couldn’t make it, check out the kickoff video!
II. ENDORSEMENT
On August 7th, we received an endorsement from the Justice Democrats. It was a significant moment for our campaign. Justice Democrats is building a grassroots movement prioritizing people over corporations. We have to be free of corporate money to fight for policies that protect the environment, address racial injustice, end economic segregation and provide quality healthcare to every American. More to come from our partnership!
III. @MH4OH
Before we announced, I had 232 followers on Twitter. Today, I have 8,860 (shout out to Roxanne Gay and Talib Kweli). The exposure we’re getting on social is allowing us to reach more people, faster. I now regularly run into people around town who have heard about the campaign through social media. It’s been exciting to see our movement build!
IV. MEDIA
I never expected this level of media attention. Conventional wisdom says a grassroots campaign up against the political establishment will not get any coverage until weeks before the election, if at all. But, conventional wisdom has nothing on the energy and excitement our campaign is generating.
V. ACTIVISM
I'm using my newfound platform to deliver immediate change. I’m not waiting until I get elected.
I met Edith Espinal the first week of the campaign. Despite coming to the United States as a child in the 90s and raising her own children here, Edith received a deportation order from ICE in 2017. That same year, she made the difficult decision to enter sanctuary at the Columbus Mennonite Church. On July 2, 2019, ICE levied a $500,000 fine against her.
Edith and her team decided their next step was to deliver a Stay of Removal application to the Columbus ICE office. Though some ICE offices allow others to deliver applications on behalf of those living in sanctuary, the Columbus office has maintained that the person facing deportation has to hand-deliver the application – clearly putting Edith at risk of being detained. Edith and her daughter Stephanie have called on elected officials to submit the application on Edith’s behalf. They declined. When they reached out to me, I knew I had to help.
So, on Tuesday, August 27th, Stephanie and I, along with many of the community members who have been supporting Edith and her family, gathered outside the ICE office to deliver the application. After some back and forth, ICE agreed to accept it. Though they have since denied the application, Edith, her team and our campaign will continue to fight until she can go home.
VI. FUNDRAISING
I'm talking to people in OH-3 everyday who wonder if this is actually possible: to win without corporate PAC money or establishment support. They want to believe but have never seen it happen here. This is our chance to show it can be done.
So I need you, our founding #Morganizers, to donate $25 right now.
If you donate $25 today, we can meet our fundraising goal and show everyone:
This our race to win.
Thank you,
Morgan
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