Hi friend,

I'm Verlene Warnock, Raphael's mom. I wanted to reach out on this Mother's Day with a very special request. But first, I hope you'll let me share a little bit about myself and why your support for Raphael's reelection campaign is so important.

I grew up during Jim Crow segregation. I spent my summers picking cotton on land I didn’t own, and then went on to become a pastor. My husband – also a pastor – and I taught all 12 of our children the importance of not just dreaming about change and impact, but making it. Raphael took this to heart and never let the circumstances we faced as a family keep him from thinking big.

I always knew Raphael was going places, but I never imagined one of those places would be the U.S. Senate. Last year, folks like you came together and made history by electing my son as Georgia's first-ever Black senator – and I can't express how grateful we were for your support.

But Raphael is back on the ballot this year, and political experts at CNN say that he's the most vulnerable Democratic senator up for reelection. In a race this close, he won't be able to defend his seat and keep fighting for working families without grassroots folks like you by his side.

Raphael is so committed to making positive change for our state and our country – and I couldn't be more proud. As a mom and a Georgian, this fight is personal to me. That's why I have to ask:

In honor of Mother's Day today, friend, will you chip in what you can to help my son defend his seat in the Senate, win in Georgia, and keep on fighting for families like yours and ours?

Thank you so much for your support. Warmest wishes to you and your loved ones.

– Pastor Verlene Warnock