John,

I wanted to start something new — a semi-regular note, straight from me. Here we go:

Let's start with something I know is hitting your wallet hard: gas and diesel prices just hit record highs. Diesel costs are the highest they’ve ever been, full stop. That's not just a huge blow for our farmers. It increases the price of moving groceries, building materials, and just about everything else you buy.

Why is this happening? The war in Iran that Donald Trump started is cutting off oil supply and driving up prices at the pump. Add on his tariffs, and you've got working families getting squeezed from every direction: higher costs to fill up the car, higher costs to fill the fridge, higher costs just to get through the week.

Here's the thing, though — I think this is a turning point. Families are feeling the impact of this administration, and they want new leaders who will deliver real results.

I've traveled to a lot of places this year that don't always vote for Democrats, and I'll tell you — I'm optimistic. I think we're going to win big this November, and I think some of those wins are going to come from places nobody expects.

That's why I'm spending the next two months on the road, doing everything I can to help good candidates get across the finish line, in red states, purple states, and everywhere in between. Democrats can win anywhere, and we ought to be showing up everywhere.

One more thing before I let you go, my new book, Go and Do Likewise, comes out next week. It's about reclaiming faith as a force for good, and it's the most personal thing I've ever put my name on. I hope it's a conversation starter, whatever your faith looks like. I also hope that if you live near any of the stops on my book tour, you’ll come say hi.

Now here's my ask — and it's not for money. Just hit reply and tell me: how are rising costs hitting your family right now? How are you feeling about the election this November? Are you knocking doors, phone banking, or helping a candidate in some other way this year? Or honestly, whatever's on your mind — let me know!

Talk soon,
Andy