John,
Hello, somebody!
We’re back with another installment of 21 to Watch in ‘21 – a biweekly series where we spotlight and introduce you to some of the people and issues to keep your eye on in the progressive movement this year.
Our fourth spotlight belongs to none other than Nina Turner, former Ohio state senator and current candidate for Ohio’s 11th Congressional District. As a former elected official, previous co-chair for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, and former head of the progressive group Our Revolution, Nina has been a relentless champion for working families and a movement leader for decades.
Nina is no stranger to the DFA family; we’ve fought alongside her for over a decade and have supported her work since day one. In fact, when we heard she was running in this OH-11 special election, we actually endorsed her before her formal campaign announcement! When we say we go first – we mean it!
We know you love Nina and the admiration is mutual; therefore, in addition to our interview with her below, we’re giving you the chance to meet her yourself next Tuesday, March 30th at 7:15 PM EST via ZOOM! Spots are filling up fast, so be sure to sign up today. RSVP HERE
Check out her entire interview HERE:
Check out a few highlights from her interview below:
On receiving DFA’s endorsement:
[DFA is] really the gold standard... You are a standard-bearer in this space. When DFA signs on to a candidate, that makes people take notice of that candidate because of all the work that you all have done over the years to submit the progressive agenda in the hearts and the minds of people, and to stand up for what is just, right and good.
On her decision to run for Congress after being a movement leader for decades:
The needs are so great, and being able to carry my district with me everywhere that I went over the last 5-6 years has really reminded me how the people do need champions, particularly in elected office. Not that that’s the only place that champions reside, but when you are elected and you have a people's power in your hands, you can help do so much…
Part two
My mother died at the very young age of 42 years old... [she] died with her dreams deferred... So I run in many ways for her, you know – in this moment, with the pandemic, just reminded me of how almost a hundred million people don't have healthcare... [Almost everyone is] one health scare away from ruin.
On her DFA values:
[To quote the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan,] ‘What the people want is very simple. They want an America as good as its promise.’ Those are DFA values. Those are my values... Medicare for All, it's about creating an America as good as its promise... Canceling student debt is part of creating an America as good as its promise... We know that we have places in this nation where people don't have clean water, where the dirt is laced with LEDs, our children can't play in the playground. Those are my values, and this is why I run – because the needs are great.
Thank you for checking out Nina Turner in 21 to Watch in ‘21.
Sign up for our meet and greet with Nina Turner on March 30th at 7:15 PM EST.
You heard it here first!
Being first is how we roll. Always have. Always will.
- Kelley
Kelley Jackson
Communications Director
Democracy for America
