Dear Friends -

As we are quickly approaching the November midterm elections, I would like to tell you about some events I attended out west to rally our movement around an agenda that addresses the needs of the working class.

If Democrats are going to win the midterm elections and gain support from working-class voters, they must talk about a rigged economy, massive income and wealth inequality, and corporate greed – and take on powerful special interests.

That was my message on the road this past weekend.

OREGON

Our first stop was last Thursday in Eugene, Oregon, where I joined a rally with Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, Congressman Peter DeFazio, gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek, and Commissioner Val Hoyle who is running for Congress in Oregon's 4th District.

More than 3,000 people came to the rally. If we turn out and vote in HUGE numbers in these midterm elections, we can take on the billionaire class and the forces of corporate greed to finally build an economy for all.

Later that day, I traveled to Portland for a rally with Senator Jeff Merkley, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and Tina Kotek.

CALIFORNIA

After that, we traveled to Los Angeles to hold a get out the vote rally with Karen Bass ahead of her important mayoral election. She's taking on a billionaire developer who is way out of touch with the challenges facing low-income and working families. Karen will work to end homelessness, make housing more affordable, create good-paying jobs, and build a diverse coalition that brings people together to take on the challenges that the city faces.

NEVADA

Our next stops were in Nevada on Friday where we attended rallies in Reno and Las Vegas, plus a community event in Las Vegas. We were joined by members of progressive organizations including MoveOn and NextGen, as well as members of the Culinary Union.

Which party controls the House and the Senate will control the future of our country, and it may come down to Nevada. That is not an exaggeration.

That is why our job during the days ahead is to knock on doors, make phone calls, and talk to our friends and neighbors about how we can create an economy that works for all of us, not just the top 1%.

TEXAS

On Saturday we continued on to Texas where we met candidate for Congress Greg Casar, first for a get out the vote rally event and then for a labor rally at the Texas AFL-CIO. We ended the day with a rally in Austin.

Our final stops on this GOTV tour were in McAllen, Texas where we attended a community event with Jessica Cisneros and candidates for Congress Michelle Vallejo and Greg Casar, followed by a canvass launch for Michelle Vallejo.

With Michelle and Greg in Congress, we can continue our fight for good-paying union jobs, Medicare for All, and protecting a woman's right to choose.

The reason that I went on this GOTV tour was because we need to elect more candidates who will fight for the working class of this country. We need more progressive leaders in Washington and across the country with the guts to take on the billionaire class and large corporations.

Given the economic pain facing working families, many voters are asking themselves which party will better fight for legislation that will improve life for ordinary Americans. We have got to make clear that if Republicans regain majorities in the House and the Senate, it would be an absolute disaster for the future of our country and for the well-being of working families. And we must put forth an agenda that addresses the many crises we face, including making the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, addressing the climate crisis, and guaranteeing health care as a right for all, to name a few.

I was proud to stand with members of our movement this past weekend in Oregon, California, Nevada, and Texas. Later this week, I will be traveling again for a second GOTV tour, this time to Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. I hope you will join us at an event, or tune in online.

In solidarity,

Bernie

---