Friends –

I've spent more than four decades making films that tell America’s stories, and examining the crises – internal and external – that we have faced as a nation, including threats to our democracy.

From the Civil War to the Great Depression, from the First and Second World Wars to the COVID-19 pandemic, these crises have challenged us to live up to the essential promise of our nation, preserving a democratic system of government that respects the rights and addresses the needs of all its citizens.

Today, challenges to our republic are rampant, the democratic values that make up the very fabric of our nation are under assault and at risk of unraveling. It’s never been more important to safeguard our fragile democracy: as Benjamin Franklin so wisely put it, "A Republic, if you can keep it."  

That’s why I’m reaching out. With a 50-50 split in the Senate, the fate of our Democratic majority—and our very democracy—hinges on what happens in New Hampshire.

Maggie Hassan is a vital voice in the Senate, and we cannot afford to lose her tireless work on behalf of Granite Staters—and in fact all Americans. This November, she's up against a far-right election denier who believes a woman’s most personal decisions about abortion—decisions about her own body—belong in the hands of Republican “gentlemen” lawmakers. 

Our country stands at a crossroads, and it's up to us to decide which direction we’ll take. Either we plunge down the path of extremism that Maggie's opponent has taken, or we choose the other way—the higher road—and come together to support leaders like Maggie who will fight to protect our future.

Maggie won her last race by just 1,017 votes. That was one of the closest margins in American history. And Republicans are targeting her race with almost $60 million in attack ads. With just 17 days left until the election, we need to have the resources necessary to turn out every last vote.  

So I'm asking you now, friend: will you help meet this moment by splitting a donation between Maggie Hassan and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen today?

Thank you,
Ken