Friend -- this election is about more than the top of the ticket.

While Democratic candidates for federal offices, like the presidency and the Senate, have seen an influx of grassroots donations, many statehouses still hang in the balance -- and these offices are critical to shaping the future of our country.

Join me in supporting the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and help to flip statehouses across the U.S.

Here are three key reasons why we need Democratic statehouses:

1. State legislatures are making policy on important issues every day.

State legislatures can pass climate legislation like we did in Washington state. They can expand Medicaid and run state exchanges that make it easy for folks to get affordable care. They can protect a woman's right to choose. And they can make it easier and safer to vote, whether by turning to vote-by-mail or by expanding access to in-person voting sites. Democratic state legislatures can make change right now.

Chip in to turn key state legislative seats blue so that states can pass progressive policies.

2. Many state legislatures control redistricting.

In many states, congressional and state legislative districts are drawn by statehouses. Districts are going to be redrawn next year, and before then, we have the opportunity to flip statehouses like North Carolina's, where Republican state legislators have drawn districts so egregious a judge ruled they "target African Americans with almost surgical precision." With Democratic majorities at the state level, we can draw fair districts and achieve a House of Representatives that's truly representative of the United States.

Chip in to help give Democrats a say in new district lines and fight back against gerrymandering.

3. Strong state leaders can become strong national leaders.

State legislatures are a place for young progressives of all different backgrounds to get legislative and political experience. While there are many career paths open to them, we often see state representatives run for federal office or higher state office. When we support young, diverse Democratic candidates at the state level, we are investing in strong progressives for the next generation. I cut my teeth as a state legislator in Washington state before winning a House and Senate seat. Let's grow our bench!

Chip in today to flip state legislatures blue so we can build lasting progressive power.

Thank you,

Maria Cantwell