John,

This is an important email about our work heading into 2022. It’s long, but please stick with me and read to the end.

In just a few years, Justice Democrats has made a major impact on politics in Washington. In 2016, a bunch of us were Bernie campaign staffers and super volunteers. We had just worked on his inspiring campaign for president and were trying to figure out how to answer one important question: How can we continue Bernie’s vision AND force Congress, and the Democratic establishment, to prioritize a progressive agenda?

We launched in 2017 and it was really tough going at first. It’s not easy to run a grassroots-funded organization fighting for progress — we know how corporate donors and the political establishment will do anything to protect the status quo. Through the initial struggle, the election of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made it all worth it.

When Justice Democrats recruited AOC to run, she was working as a bartender — she even worked as a bartender for many months while running for office. Sometimes that’s what it takes when you’re a working-class candidate.

We helped AOC manage her team, run her organizing program, and make everything we could of our small budget. Then, she won. We toppled one of the most powerful corporate Democrats and elected the youngest woman ever to serve in Congress in his place.

We were still funded 100% from the grassroots and fundraising continued to be a huge challenge for us. The Democratic establishment and the right-wing have unlimited amounts of money pouring in from Wall Street, fossil fuel companies, Big Pharma, and health insurance executives. We’re trying to defeat them with a fraction of the money corporate Democrats have in their campaign accounts.

That’s why your support is so critical, John. Most Congressional races are won by the candidate with more money. Yet, we continue to win primaries with less money because we have the message, organizing operation, campaign experience, and grassroots energy behind us.

The election cycle after AOC won and the Squad took office, we helped elect Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Marie Newman. We also helped defend the Squad from primary challenges backed by Wall Street and the political establishment. We’ve proven we can win.

This year we recruited five working-class progressives to take on the Democratic establishment in 2022. And just days ago, we endorsed a sixth. With your help we can elect Odessa Kelly, Rana Abdelhamid, Kina Collins, Jessica Cisneros, Summer Lee, and Greg Casar, and continue making our mark on Congress.

Together we can raise up a progressive agenda and build our progressive bloc in Washington so we can finally pass Medicare for All and a Green New Deal. Our first 2022 primaries are right around the corner — in-person early voting for our Texas Justice Democrats, Jessica and Greg, starts on February 14.

So today, I’m asking you to help us make 2022 a winning year for Justice Democrats. I promise you that almost no other org will spend your money more efficiently. If we can raise enough this year, I know we can elect more new Justice Dems than ever before.

John, now is the time to chip in and support strong progressive primaries. We need your help to prepare for 2022. We could go from 10 to 16 Justice Democrats in Congress, putting even more pressure on Wall Street-backed corporate Democrats. Can you make a contribution today?

→ Yes, I can donate to Justice Democrats right now to help elect the next generation of the Squad to Congress.

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With your support, we’ll elect the next generation of Justice Democrats to challenge corporate Democrats and start fighting for working people in the halls of Congress.

In solidarity,

Alexandra Rojas, Executive Director
Justice Democrats

Do not worry if you cannot afford to make a contribution — we understand that this is a difficult time. If you’re struggling, you can find a food bank here. We appreciate everything you do to keep our movement strong. Please stay informed and follow the most up-to-date recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and your state public health department.