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.

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.

Will you contribute $21 today to support our work in 2021?

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.

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.

AOC’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.

As 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.

Rashida 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.

Ayanna 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.

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. 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!