John,

During my time in Congress, I've fought tirelessly to make peace, justice and equality a reality for all people across our country. But my drive to help my community didn't start in Congress. It comes from the very beginning.

It comes from growing up in segregated El Paso, Texas – where my sisters and I were the only Black kids at our Catholic school. It comes from working alongside the local NAACP to integrate my high school cheerleading squad. It comes from trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, who inspired me to vote for the first time and who later became a mentor and friend.

And it's this activism that has driven my career in public service, from my time as a community advocate to the California State Assembly and then on to the halls of Congress. I've never stopped fighting to build a state and a country that works for every single person – no matter what zip code you come from. And I never will.

But the challenges our country is facing need bold, progressive solutions. We need to tackle the climate crisis so that we leave the planet better than we found it, not worse. We need to increase access to affordable housing and raise the minimum wage so that our communities can thrive. We need to secure and expand our civil liberties – from reproductive freedom to voting rights – so that we can build a progressive future that works for everyone. 

Now, as I reflect on how I can best continue this fight, I want you to hear this from me personally: Today I told my colleagues I'm exploring a run for Senate and asked for their support. And now I am asking you for yours.

If I’m going to become the only Black woman serving in the Senate, I'll need the strongest possible grassroots team behind me. That's why I'm personally asking you, John: If you're with me in this fight, will you chip in $5 or more right now to join Team Barbara and help me build a progressive future for us all?

[link removed]

I'll be following up with an update soon. But for now, I want to thank you for standing with me.

In solidarity,

Barbara Lee



--------

This email was sent to [email protected].

To unsubscribe from this email list, please click here: [link removed]