I’ll never forget the look in my parents’ eyes the day I graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. I think every student understands that graduation is really a day for your parents and family, but it’s especially true when you’re a first-generation college graduate.

My Mom and Dad worked so hard to make sure that one day I could walk across that stage and receive my diploma. All of the late nights studying in Getchell Library were worth it to make sure that I didn’t let them down.

I’ve had a lot of firsts in my life, friend. If you had told me back then that I would become the first woman from Nevada and first Latina in history to be elected to the U.S. Senate, I would have laughed.

There are many moments in the Senate that feel like that graduation day, and I know I’m making my parents proud. But there are challenging days too, just like there were in college. Being a first-generation college graduate was hard at times, but my family gave me the love, support and determination to succeed. Today, what keeps me fighting in the Senate is grassroots supporters like you, friend.

Today is one of those challenging days. New polling shows me trailing my Trump-endorsed opponent by 3 points and I’m currently $8,450 short of today’s fundraising goal. Top election forecasters have officially declared Nevada a toss-up, so I urgently need your help to close the gap.

Please, friend, will you chip in $5 right now to help me defeat my Trump-endorsed opponent and defend our Democratic Senate majority?

Mitch McConnell’s allies have already spent over $4 million to flip Nevada red, and CNN is calling me one of the most vulnerable Senators in the country. The GOP is going all in to try to defeat me, but I want to make it clear – I’m not afraid of this fight.

As a woman, as a Latina, as the first to attempt many things, I’ve confronted challenges my entire life. But I’ve always had a dedicated group who believed in me and supported me when it mattered most.

So please, friend, will you chip in $5, to help me hit my $25,000 goal before tonight’s critical deadline so we can protect Nevada and defend the Democratic Senate majority?

¡La lucha sigue! The fight continues!

Catherine