John,
Democracy for America is more than just a PAC, we’re a family. We love our
candidates and for 17 years we’ve become known as “first movers,”
supporting candidates early, doing the work on the ground and navigating
the world of politics together personally one-on-one with each candidate
to help their campaigns succeed.
We believe that representation matters and that the amazing candidates we
endorse have been bold, fearless, unapologetic trailblazers who truly
represent the people they work so hard to serve.
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And just like the candidates we work with, DFA is fighting for everyone,
fighting to make this country and this world a better place. This work
continues, and is more important than ever; we need your help to recruit
and support the next generation of candidates from local offices to the
President; candidates who will make our country better.
This work is not possible without your support. DFA is a million + member
organization and the advocacy and training work we do is supported 100% by
small dollar donors like you.
[ [link removed] ]Will you contribute $21 today to support our work in 2021?
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The 2020 election cycle was a great one for DFA and our candidates, so we
are spending the next few weeks highlighting the incredible stories to
give you a sense of why we do this work and your critical role in helping
us carry out our mission.
As we say goodbye to the rollercoaster that was 2020 and count down to the
hope of a better 2021, we want to showcase some of our candidates, issues
and actions that we have been supporting this past year.
Today we are starting with the “Squad”.
These 4 women have all been trailblazers that have broken the ceiling in
their own way and have become forces in the progressive movement, and in
Washington.
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DFA was the only organization that endorsed all 4 representatives in their
primary elections in 2018 setting us apart from everyone else. We get in
the game early to help build strong grassroots power and partnerships for
our candidates.
Representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib are just like most
of America. They all come from working class backgrounds with unique
stories and real life experiences that help them relate to the people of
their districts.
[ [link removed] ]AOCAOC’s story isn't much different than many of our stories. She grew
up with working class parents who at a young age helped her understand
income inequality. When the markets crashed in 2008, Alexandria’s father
passed away from cancer. He was only 48 years old. Her family was suddenly
thrown into crisis—having lost its primary source of income in the middle
of a recession. As the financial reality caught up to her family,
Alexandria found herself working two jobs and 18-hour shifts in
restaurants to help her family keep their home. She is now a force to be
reckoned with in Congress as the youngest woman ever elected advocating
for key issues like climate change, police accountability, and income
inequality.
DFA saw a powerful progressive leader in AOC early on and we’re honored to
be one of the few organizations to endorse her in her first primary
election.
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[ [link removed] ]Ilhan OmarAs a Somalian refugee, Ilhan Omar has broken down existing
racial and social barriers her whole life, most recently becoming the
first refugee and first Somalian American elected to the U.S Congress.
Many people don’t know her history. She was just 2 years old when her
mother died and 8 when her family fled Somalia’s civil war. She spent four
years in a refugee camp in Kenya. In 1995, they sought asylum in the
United States. And tragically, this year, Ilhan’s father passed away from
complications due to Covid-19 bringing the real hardships of this pandemic
to her first hand.
DFA was proud to have elected Representative Omar to Congress and honored
to stand with her in the fight against xenophobia and racism -- as our
opponents on the right will stop at nothing to try and tear down this
powerful leader.
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[ [link removed] ]Rashida TlaibRashida Tlaib was born and raised in Detroit. She is a
proud graduate of Detroit public schools and the daughter of Palestinian
immigrant parents. Rashida made history in 2008 by winning her race for
State Representative and becoming the first Muslim woman to ever serve in
the Michigan Legislature. When families get to know Rashida, they have no
doubt that she will work tirelessly to knock down barriers for real
change, and whether by policy or by action, she will roll up her sleeves
to make sure her residents are cared for, no matter how big the challenge.
DFA has a long history with Representative Tlaib, as DFA Members voted her
our Grassroots All-Star in 2018. This year, DFA and Team Tlaib worked
together to increase voter turnout in Michigan to flip the state blue.
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[ [link removed] ]Ayanna PressleyAyanna Pressley is an advocate, a policy-maker, an
activist, and survivor. Raised in Chicago as the only child of an activist
mother who instilled in her the value of civic participation, Ayanna
understands the role that government should play in helping to lift up
communities that are in need of the most help.
Ayanna is no stranger to breaking down barriers in public service. Her
election to the Boston City Council in 2009 marked the first time a woman
of color was elected to the Council in its 100-year history. And after 8
years of engaging community voices and making sure they have a seat at the
table at the city council level, she brought this approach to Congress
when she was elected as Representative for Massachusetts’ 7th
Congressional District.
DFA members were proud to endorse Ayanna in her primary against a sitting
Democratic member of Congress, because America needs progressive leaders
who will fight for change every day, not sit back comfortably accepting
the status quo.
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We made the elections of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida
Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley a priority because they are exactly the kind of
bold, unapologetic, progressive fighters our country needs.
DFA is already endorsing and working closely with candidates for elections
up and down the ballot for the next cycle. [ [link removed] ]Will you help us recruit
and support the next generation of fighters?
Donate $21 or more today to fund this work for 2021!
Thank you for your support,
— Yvette
Yvette Simpson, CEO
Democracy for America
P.S. Be on the lookout for emails highlighting more amazing candidates
this upcoming week!
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