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Dear John,
Like millions of Americans last night, I was up late hoping to get a sense of who would win the most critical presidential election of our lives. The outcome wasn't clear then, but it is coming into focus now. Biden's road to securing the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency looks promising and I say with cautious optimism: we are headed for a win.
The Iranian-American community joined Americans across the country to break just about every election record on the books, despite a global pandemic and Trump's efforts to undermine confidence. We made our voices heard yesterday, but now the hard part: we wait.
We are joining allies to call on all state governors and election officials to ensure every vote is counted. Please add your name to the petition so our pro-democracy message is heard loud and clear.
>> Take Action: Demand every vote is counted
President
So long as Biden hangs on to his leads in Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona -- he has the 270 votes. If he picks up Pennsylvania, which looks promising, and Georgia, which is still in play, it will add to his margin and make it even more difficult for Trump to attempt to overturn and steal the election.
Congress
Flipping the Senate looks less promising. Currently, Democrats have netted 1 pickup and need at least three more for a 50-50 tie that would give the majority to the winner of the White House. The remaining races are: Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina where the Democrats are running behind, along with the Georgia special election that is going to a run-off in January.
Thankfully, House Democrats have secured another two years in the majority and 8 of NIAC's 11 endorsees have won election. Two of our challengers came up short and one (Harley Rouda, CA-48) is neck and neck with ballots still being counted.
Iranian-American state and local candidates
Our slate of NIAC Action endorsees have secured, or are on track, for some huge wins! Here is where they stand:
- Anna Eskamani won her reelection for Florida House of Delegates
- Shireen Ghorbani fended off her challenger and won reelection for Salt Lake County Council
- Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson won her race for Santa Cruz City Council
- David Emami secured a big win over his opponent for Happy Valley City Council in Oregon
- Renee Kazemipour-Paquier won her election to the Saratoga City Council in California
- Yassamin Ansari placed first in a five-way race for Phoenix City Council in District 7! She is now heading to a runoff election scheduled for March 2021
- Sepi Shyne is leading by two points in the race for West Hollywood City Council
- Marjan Philhour is narrowly leading in the race for San Francisco District
- Siamak Khadjenoury is narrowly trailing for Utah State House
So take a deep breath and take action to ensure all the votes are counted. Like you, I wish it was a blowout for Biden last night and that we had flipped the Senate but -- once all the votes are counted -- I’m confident Trump will be sent packing and we will have made important strides in building political power with our Congressional allies and electing a record number of Iranian Americans to office.
In solidarity,
Donna Farvard
Organizing Director, NIAC Action
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