Hi there: In a moment, I'm going to ask you to split a donation between my campaign and Maggie Hassan’s so we can protect our Democratic Senate majority. But first, let me explain why your support is so critical — and what could happen to the future of our progressive agenda without it.

My journey to becoming Georgia's first-ever Black senator was an unlikely one. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth — I had 11 brothers and sisters and grew up in public housing. But through hard work and the support of my community, I went on to become the senior pastor at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s church. Now, this kid from public housing is fighting in the Senate to build a government that works for everyone — not just those at the top.

Since day one, I've made my priorities clear: Pass the For the People Act to defend voting rights and strengthen our democracy, raise the minimum wage and build an economy that works for everyone, and expand affordable health care so filling a prescription doesn't break the bank. But here's the honest truth: I simply can't win these critical fights for justice without grassroots folks like you by my side — so I have to ask:

With the Senate split 50-50, Republicans need to flip only one seat to put Mitch McConnell back in power — and election experts from The Washington Post to CNN confirm that Senator Hassan and I are the GOP's top targets for defeat. This means that Democrats' razor-thin majority in the Senate will be in serious danger if we don't have the resources to keep vulnerable seats like Georgia and New Hampshire blue.

But right now, we're not on track to raise the $15,000 we need to fight back against GOP attacks. The ONLY way I can close this budget gap is with your grassroots support, friend.

My last election was one of the most expensive races in history, and there's no question that the GOP will spend MILLIONS on top of millions to try and crush our people-powered movement again. We can't let them. If we want to keep the Senate in Democratic hands, we can’t lose a single seat. So please, I'm personally asking:

Thanks for fighting alongside me at moments like these — I appreciate you.

— Raphael