Friend, Washington, D.C., should be a state. Period. 

For too long, the nearly 700,000 residents of our nation's capital – nearly half of whom are Black – have had to pay taxes, contribute to society and be subject to its laws, all without representation in our Congress.

Let me be clear: This historical refusal to grant Washington, D.C., statehood is voter disenfranchisement, and we must end it now. I've dedicated my entire career – first as a pastor and now as a senator – to fighting for everyone to have a voice in our democracy. Ensuring that the tax-paying people of D.C. finally have representation is a critical part of that fight.

With Democrats in control of the Senate, now is the best chance we've had in years to make this a reality – but the GOP is doing everything in its power to obstruct our movement, and the only way we can fight back is with overwhelming grassroots support.

That's why I'm counting on another 10,000 members of this team to sign my petition by midnight tonight demanding statehood for Washington, D.C. – but we're just hours away from the deadline, and I still don't see your name. So please, friend:

Will you add your name alongside mine to demand statehood for D.C. so that every American can have a voice in our democracy? If you believe that all of us deserve equal representation in Congress, I need you to make your voice heard right now.

This is important – so thank you for speaking out.

– Raphael