Dear Friend,

We have so much to celebrate in California right now!

We reelected Alex Padilla as the first Latino senator from California, defended progressive stalwart Representative Katie Porter in a district that was two-thirds new to her, and voted in Malia Cohen as the first Black controller for the state.

Voters overwhelmingly approved adding the right to reproductive freedom to the state constitution, as well as increasing education funding. And we elected one of the most diverse state legislatures in our history, with at least 10% LGBTQIA+ representation, which is a record number of women, and a record number of people of color.(1)

And with many votes left to be counted, many of our endorsed candidates, including newly elected mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, have declared victory!

However, electing progressive candidates is only half the battle -- now we need them to pass the priority legislation that will create a more just and equitable California and country.

Courage California is doing the work that's necessary to hold our representatives accountable to their campaign promises. In this season of giving, will you donate to support our campaigns?

Nearly every political pundit predicted a massive Red Wave this year, even in California.

Don’t count on it.

But we knew that voters cared too much about issues -- including a women’s right to choose, a rapidly warming planet, skyrocketing prices and housing costs, and threats to our democracy -- to let corporations and election deniers take over. It was a matter of informing voters and urging them to turn out the vote, which is exactly what Courage California did.

Our team hit the ground running on November 9 to ensure that the new legislatures work for the people, not for special interests. Here’s what we’re working on right now:

• We are pressuring the House and the Senate to make the most of the last days of this fully Democratic-led legislative session. Congress must pass critical legislation before it expires, including the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Respect for Marriage Act, raising the debt ceiling, shoring up environmental protections, and more.
• We are preparing our 2023 Courage Score, which will reveal how our state legislators are voting on key progressive bills and who they take money from -- one of California’s only consistent measures of holding our legislators accountable.
• We are preparing several lobby days in the state legislature with our partners to bring our members’ concerns about key issues -- from labor to family to the environment -- right to our representatives’ desks.

Courage California makes a huge impact with a small team, and the only way we can get your voice heard is with your support.

Will you donate to Courage California today?

Yours in solidarity,

Irene, along with Angela, Annie, Isidra, Jay, Lindsay, Mai, Mai, Raquel, and Scottie (and the rest of the Courage team)

PS: Courage California is fighting for equity and justice across the state and country. Will you become a monthly donor and help sustain our work?

Donations go to support all of Courage California's work for a more progressive California and country. Follow us now on Facebook or Twitter!

Footnote:
1. https://calmatters.org/politics/election-2022/2022/11/california-legislature-diversity/