John,

This election season has been tough. Between disenfranchised voters,
attacks on women’s rights, attacks on our democracy and no action - NONE -
on gun safety legislation it remains difficult to engage even the most
consistent voters.

But because of the work at DFA and with voters like you, we persist!

[ [link removed] ]As I look at important races this month, I have hope. Maryland’s
primary is this Tuesday, July 19 and the Charlotte, North Carolina general
election is July 26. With two amazing candidates running for Congress and
another two running on the local level, will you help fuel our work to
GOTV today?

Donate: [link removed] 

[ [link removed] ]Donna Edwards - MD-04: Donna first came to Congress in 2008 after
defeating a multi-year incumbent. Even after a diagnosis of Multiple
Sclerosis, she is back to continue her fight for common sense gun safety,
Medicare for All, demilitarization of law enforcement, opioid and
addiction treatment, justice system and democracy reforms, and a host of
other issues. More than a whooping $7M in dark money is being poured into
Donna’s campaign but polls are still showing a tight race in Maryland’s
4th District. Donna is committed to [ [link removed] ]fighting for you.

[ [link removed] ]McKayla Wilkes - MD-05: McKayla is DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia)
born-and-raised. After a tough childhood, McKayla went to community
college, got a government job, and turned her life around. Not one to shy
away from a challenge, McKayla is taking on the number two incumbent in
Congress, Steny Hoyer. She is focused on building worker power through
strengthening unions, raising the minimum wage, a fairer taxation system.
She also supports automatic voter registration, repealing Citizens United,
and granting currently and formerly incarcerated persons the right to
vote.

In Charlotte, the municipal race faces challenges. Midterm elections are
notorious for low voter turnout but with elections in the middle of summer
and no other wider offices on the ballot, it is going to be difficult to
get voters to the polls.

The Charlotte municipal election takes place on July 26. Winning in
Charlotte means building a strong base that could give Charlotte their
first Black woman Senator Cheri Beasley, a victory in November. DFA
endorsed candidates Vi Lyles and LaWana Mayfield are tackling the
sweltering Southern summer heat to get out the vote:

[ [link removed] ]Vi Lyles - Charlotte Mayor: Vi is now in her second term as Mayor of
Charlotte but has been a public servant for more than 40 years. She has
championed affordable housing, transportation, good-paying jobs, and safe,
quality communities. Under her leadership, the City of Charlotte committed
$50 million for affordable housing (matched by the private sector) and
turned it into housing for 5,000 families.

[ [link removed] ]LaWana Slack Mayfield - Charlotte At-Large City Council: As a former
City Council Member, LaWana has been a vocal advocate on issues such as
housing affordability, ending for-profit prisons, small business creation,
and fighting against police brutality. She has worked to build
relationships in Charlotte's communities of color and connect them to
local resources. As a Black, openly LGBTQ+ candidate, she has always been
a champion for ending structural racism, violence against her LGBTQIA+
sisters and brothers, the working poor, and violence against the immigrant
community. I’ve had the pleasure of working with LaWana in the past on
building stronger relationships between local unions and local elected
officials. She is committed to speaking truth to power and serving
underrepresented communities.

I invite you to support these candidates. Donate, volunteer on their
campaigns (both in-person, if you can or via text and phone) and encourage
your friends in these areas to vote. Looking at the races for July, all of
our endorsed candidates are women of color. Thankfully, we are a diverse
organization with an array of candidates, [ [link removed] ]check them all out here. No
matter where you are, we invite you to use your power and make an impact.

With Respect,

- Christine

Christine Senteno
Senior Electoral Manager
Democracy for America




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