John -

I can trace my drive for success to the first night I slept on the floor in the apartment my mother got for us after my father left.

Lying there, I could honestly say that my life sucked and I was not going to stand for that.

Growing up poor, I took advantage of the things Democrats championed and the people of our country provided: Pell Grants and school lunch programs to name just two.

Those helping hands gave me (and people like me) a debt of gratitude I worked to pay back through service — first in the Marines, and now in Congress.

The things I want today are not exotic. I am not looking to own a yacht, the Hope Diamond, or to have billionaires throw money at me. I want loving relationships with family, I want to help my constituents, and I want an America that lives up to its ideals.

As I think about the challenge ahead in this Senate race, what I learned growing up and in the Marines is that I can’t do this alone.

I’m going to need your help, because unless we’re in this together we’re going to get swallowed up fast by Senator Sinema’s big money. So please:

Can you please split a $5 contribution between Fight for Progress and my United States Senate campaign today? I would not ask if this was not so important.

The fourteen-year-old kid with tears in his eyes because he had no bed to sleep in wouldn’t believe these last forty-eight hours. I’m not sure I do yet, either.

Thank you, and adiós,

Ruben