|
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 fighting for you.
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:
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.
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, 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
