Hey John, I wanted to take a moment to talk to you about why this work is so important to me personally. I really hope you’ll read the whole thing and consider chipping in $3 to support my work in Congress.

I’m not a typical Congressman, John.

I’m not a millionaire who was born into powerful connections.

I’m a kid from the Bronx who was raised by a single mother on the minimum wage, so I’ve lived the experiences that many other politicians just talk about.

I’ve experienced food and housing insecurity.
I’ve faced racism and homophobia firsthand.
People I love have been ensnared by the criminal justice system.

John, people like me don’t usually end up in the halls of power.

But despite all of the odds, I won and became the first openly gay Afro-Latino to be elected to Congress.

And every time I walk into my office, I feel the weight of history on my shoulders -- because I know how much work we have to do.

We were given a mandate by the American people last November, and it’s our duty to make the most of it.

We have a duty to end child poverty.
We have a duty to create safe housing.
We have a duty to protect our nation’s most vulnerable.

But Republicans want to take our mandate, John -- which is why they’re targeting 47 seats in the House next year.

So we need to prepare now to protect it.

I’m in Congress to fight for the people of this country, not large corporate PACs. So I really need help from grassroots donors like you.

My team wants to raise $20,000 this month, and at our current pace, I don’t know if we’ll make it. Can you rush $3 to help get us where we need to be to win?

John, if you made it all the way to the end of this email, thank you.

I really appreciate your support,

Ritchie