Hi friend – Congresswoman Demings encouraged me to reach out to her grassroots team as we close in on Election Day on Jan. 5. My Senate runoff race in Georgia will determine whether Democrats take back the Senate, and I could sure use your grassroots support in these final days. But first, I'd like to explain why I'm running and why your support is so crucial. 

You see, people like me aren't "supposed" to run for office. My 11 brothers and sisters and I were raised in Savannah's housing projects – often short on money, but always long on love and faith. I became the first in our family to graduate from a four-year college. I went on to earn my Ph.D. Then, 15 years ago, I was called to Martin Luther King Jr.'s pulpit to serve as the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In those 15 years, I've always held on to this sacred fact: My impact doesn't stop at the church door – that's just where it begins. Affordable health care, fair wages, voting rights – these are issues I've advocated for my entire life, because they are critical to everyone being afforded the same opportunities to thrive in America.

Here's how I see it: The opportunities that made my journey possible, from Kayton Homes to Dr. King's pulpit, are growing further and further out of reach for far too many across this country. We can change the tides for the better – there's already so much hope ahead with Donald Trump out of the way. But we need a Democratic Senate, and with Georgians already voting, I'm writing to you. I have to ask:

Will you pitch in $5 or more to win this runoff election in Georgia and flip the Senate blue? We're in the midst of our final FEC quarterly deadline, so whatever you can contribute will make a huge impact toward our $25,000 grassroots fundraising goal.

This is it, friend. Democrats' last hope for reclaiming the Senate from obstructionist Mitch McConnell is here and now, and it all hinges on Georgia. And a new poll shows me down 1 point to my opponent, unelected Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R).

With this race in a dead heat, Republicans are bombarding us with $100 million in spending and dishonest attack ads. My opponent even sunk $23 million of her personal wealth into this race. But even though I don't have corporate PAC donors, I've got something much better – grassroots folks like you.

But if we don't hit these goals, especially as Georgians are voting right now, then we won't have much more than a hope and a prayer of winning, So please, can I count on you to rush a contribution of $5 or more now? Congresswoman Demings thinks the world of this team, and I know, with your support, we can flip Georgia blue and take back the Senate.

Thank you very much. 

Rev. Raphael Warnock