Hi John,

What is the purpose of politics?

Some people think politics is a career pyramid in which the person who has paid the most dues (often literally — to the DCCC) is owed the job of elected official. To these people, I’m disrespectful because I’m challenging Derek Kilmer, who GovTrack ranks as the 13th most conservative Democrat in the U.S. House.

To replace the 13th most conservative Democrat in the House with a staunch working-class candidate who will always fight for Medicare for All and housing for all, chip in with $7 now.

Supporters of the status quo think women like me shouldn’t challenge men like Kilmer, because Kilmer has “paid his dues” — $1.1 million to the DCCC — and I haven’t. Never mind that it’s a good old boys’ club, that a woman has never represented this seat, and that the man who represented this district before Kilmer handpicked Kilmer as his unchallenged successor.

My view is that the purpose of politics is to help people, and that whoever 1) has the best policies and 2) has proven they’ll stick to their principles should win the seat.

I’ve spent my time since my last election with other community organizers occupying empty buildings to get housing for homeless people.

Because of us, Tacoma added 200 beds to the shelter system, saving lives during winter.

I risked arrest by occupying those buildings and by volunteering as the media spokesperson for those actions. Years ago, when I was 22 years old, I volunteered as a human rights observer in indigenous Zapatista villages in Mexico that were being threatened by paramilitaries armed by the corrupt government. My purpose there was to deter violence — because those armed men were less likely to massacre indigenous people with a white American around.

I’ve risked arrest. I’ve risked being shot.

In Congress, I will never sell you out. I’ll keep taking the risks that need to be taken to win real victories. Our climate timeline is simply too short for wasting time. Can you donate $7 now to help me win?

History is made by “disrespectful” people who refuse to bow to the status quo. By supporting my campaign, you’re being “disrespectful,” too. Thank you.

Disrespectfully yours,

-Rebecca Parson
Candidate for Congress, WA-06