49 Messages

  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
August 19, 2022 at 3:23 PM

Hey john, we bought your email

Let's talk about why   john, Hello! You’re probably wondering why you’re getting a random email from me today. Fair Question! Truth is, it’s because my team bought a list of email addresses that belong to voters in the district! I’m Junaid, the Real Democrat running for Congress in I…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
June 13, 2022 at 3:15 PM

Thank you for joining Team Junaid!

  Dear john, Thank you for signing up to volunteer to elect Junaid Ahmed to Congress! Our team will be in contact soon with more information. You can also follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with our campaign. Together, Team Junaid junaidforcongress…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
June 3, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Something has to change.

Our families agree: we deserve better.   John  By now you probably know me as the candidate who supports policies that don’t suck! As it turns out, I am not the only one! I may be a little biased, but I think that my family makes some good points in this video highlighting exactly what our campaign…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
May 30, 2022 at 12:00 AM

I Stand With Senator Bernie Sanders

Healthcare is a human right, one that far too many people in America aren’t guaranteed to. Senator Bernie Sanders recently reintroduced it to the Senate, alongside 14 co-sponsors, a bill to guarantee healthcare to all Americans– otherwise known as Medicare for all.   Healthcare is a…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
May 3, 2022 at 10:16 PM

Say Abortion!

  Last night, Politico reported that an initial draft majority decision from the Supreme Court states that the court seeks to overturn Roe V Wade – the landmark case that guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion. Over the last 24 hours, we’ve watched as politicians across the coun…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
April 5, 2022 at 5:17 PM

Content. A Video. #America

  John, Everything this campaign accomplishes is driven by our supporters. Because of you and our entire grassroots team, we were able to launch our first campaign video! Watch the Video We need leaders who will stand for big progressive policies…policies that don’t …
  Team Ahmed · [email protected]
March 29, 2022 at 6:02 PM

We’re really popular 💁‍♀️

We know we’re making waves when our opponent decides to challenge our candidacy petitions instead of participating in a fair democratic election against us this June   John, This is quite the story! We know we’re making waves when our opponent decides to challenge our candidacy peti…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
March 26, 2022 at 5:30 PM

People Driven–Not Profit Driven

  John, In President Biden’s most recent State of the Union, unity was the theme – the gridlocked Congress was the problem – and virtuous bipartisanship as the solution. But therein lies the problem.  WHEN VOTERS SAY BIPARTISANSHIP, they mean cooperation amongst Democrats and Repub…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
March 8, 2022 at 10:15 PM

John, it took us decades to pay off her debt..

Far too many people have been victims to predatory lending practices, and my wife Shirin is no exception.   John, Alongside tens of millions of Americans, my family has seen firsthand the weight that the student loan system carries. Far too many people have been victims to predatory …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
March 3, 2022 at 1:09 AM

Democracy works

  John, Our communities are losing trust in our government. And for good reason. When I see corporate politicians sell us out to the highest bidder and support bills that clearly benefit their super-donors, it’s easy to feel anger; it’s easy to think that this is the way that it’s …
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
February 25, 2022 at 2:47 PM

You already know what time it is!

  John, Can you believe that winter is over? Spring has always been my favorite season, not only because of the wonderful weather and the sunny skies, but also because it is the perfect weather for door-to-door canvassing! Bring a nice treat, remember to stay hydrated, and join us …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
February 18, 2022 at 2:29 PM

You already know what time it is!

  John, It’s Saturday! The sun is shining and the birds are chirping, which can only mean one thing… It's time for door-to-door canvassing! Join us this Saturday, February 19th at 11 am CST. Sign up here! I am always grateful for the opportunity to talk to voters and discuss the i…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
February 14, 2022 at 7:02 PM

We want to hear from you!

  John, Dialogue has always been an essential part of our grassroots movement. Everything from door-to-door canvassing to volunteering, we are always looking for new ways to communicate to the members of our communities.  Join us this Wednesday, February 16th at 7 pm CST for a virtu…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
February 9, 2022 at 9:35 PM

We all have a common dream.

  John, Growing up, we were all raised to believe in an American Dream that actually comes true for those of us who work hard and never give up.  But if you describe the American Dream to a young person today, it sounds more fairytale than docuseries. They’re working multiple jobs j…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 25, 2022 at 7:32 PM

Before it's too late.

  John, We have less than one week to hit our January fundraising goal and we still need to raise $12,192. Can you chip in now before it’s too late? If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately. Chip in $5 Chip…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 21, 2022 at 1:02 PM

The only thing that can stop us:

  John, Last year, outside special interests groups were already lining up to stop us dead in our tracks. Pro-Israel America, a right-wing group affliated with AIPAC, labeled us a “key race of 2022” for them to target. Then the establishment huddled together, figuring out ways to st…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 19, 2022 at 6:52 PM

I’ll be brief:

  John, The new year is going by fast. We’re already past the halfway mark for January and I’m worried. We are incredibly behind on our fundraising goal for the month. We can’t afford to slow down now.  Are you able to chip in $5, $10, or even $25 to help us get there ASAP? Instead …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 14, 2022 at 6:24 PM

A recurring $5 donation?

  John, we have less than six months before our primary election on June 28, 2022. That means time is ticking and it’s on us to make every second count. Are you able to make a recurring donation of $5 or more to our 100% grassroots campaign today? We know we’re up against a lot this…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 12, 2022 at 1:12 PM

“The world's 500 richest people became $1 trillion richer last year”

  John, Take a look at this CNN headline: That’s right. In the last two years, millions of Americans went without affordable or accessible healthcare. Countless sole earners lost the job they needed to put food on the table. Parents struggled with balancing child care and working f…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 7, 2022 at 1:32 PM

RE: Roadblock to Medicare for All

  John, “Healthcare is a human right.” I often think about why that line is so hard for members of Congress to actually say and commit to. Universal healthcare should be the foundation of our country in 2022, especially after a global pandemic laid bare the inadequacies of our curre…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
January 4, 2022 at 8:26 PM

A new year

  John, I want to take a moment to wish you and your family a happy new year. 2021 felt like it lasted a lifetime for many of us, and we’re excited to look ahead towards the future. Now, our campaign is kicking into full gear. There are just six months until election day, which mean…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 8:48 PM

The truth is...

  John, this time of the year is always a helpful reminder of why I’m running for Congress in the first place. I didn’t start this campaign because I want a career in politics. I don’t care about the publicity or having my name and face on a banner. I’m doing this because our commun…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
December 29, 2021 at 6:49 PM

The truth is...

  John, we’re sure you’re getting a ton of fundraising emails asking you for money right now. The truth is, we really don’t enjoy sending these out either. Our team would rather be out in the field knocking on doors and talking to voters in Illinois’ Eighth than filling your inbox w…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 28, 2021 at 12:15 AM

Four days to change what is possible.

  John, today is the start of our end-of-year fundraising push. We have just four days left to raise $19,400 by midnight Friday. This is our last chance to have an impact on 2021 and start election year off strong. Can you chip in $5, $10, or even $25 now to help us hit our end-of-y…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
December 24, 2021 at 1:22 PM

Goodbye for now...

  John, Over the next few days, our team won’t be sending any emails so that we can spend time off with our families and your email inbox can have a break. It may be goodbye for the next few days, but rest assured we’re getting ready to hit the ground running after the holiday break…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 23, 2021 at 7:47 PM

I'm not exaggerating about this, John

  John, I’m not exaggerating when I say that my opponent, Raja Krishnamoorthi, is the poster child for a “corporate politician”. In just four years in Congress, Raja’s taken almost $2 million from corporations and special interests. That includes: $50,000 from defense contractors t…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
December 21, 2021 at 1:26 PM

Not what you were expecting?

  John, When you think of December, you probably think of the holiday season or spending much-needed time off with your family. You probably don’t think of knocking on doors around Chicagoland to talk to voters. But this past weekend, our team was out doing just that — having conver…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 16, 2021 at 9:24 PM

Good and bad

  As you know, I’m running for Congress in Illinois’ Eighth District to unseat a corporate politician and put power back where it belongs — in the hands of the people. I want to lay out where our campaign is right now, both the good and the bad. Here’s the good news: Our people pow…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 14, 2021 at 6:57 PM

Before things pick up...

  John, I wanted to send you a quick note before our lives get even busier during the holiday season. For the last year, our campaign has been on the ground building the people power we need to win this race next June. It’s hard work, but it’s the kind of long-term grassroots energy…
  Shirin Ahmed · [email protected]
December 10, 2021 at 6:01 PM

Introducing myself:

  Hi John, I’m Shirin Ahmed. Junaid and I have been married for 21 years and I’ve been his better half since we first met in college (just joking 😄). When Junaid first started thinking about running for Congress, I was so excited to see him continue fighting for what he believes in…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 8, 2021 at 6:41 PM

Nervous.

  John, At the end of the month, we’re filing our last financial report with the FEC for 2021. After that, we’re officially in 2022 — election year. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Together, we’ve been building the grassroots energy needed to replace Raja next year. We’…
  Junaid for Congress · [email protected]
December 6, 2021 at 11:21 PM

Raja Krishnamoorthi

  John, Over the last year, you’ve gotten to know Junaid and why he’s running for Congress. In case you missed it, Junaid is a small business owner, community advocate, and longtime Illinoisian who’s tired of corporations and their politicians in Washington getting rich while everyd…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
December 5, 2021 at 2:41 PM

War, what is it good for? Making greedy politicians and defense contractors rich.

  John, Around half of the Pentagon’s total spending since 2001 has gone to defense contractors. That comes out to $7 trillion in just under 2 decades. Think about it. Corporate executives of weapons manufacturers have gotten rich off of wars abroad, then they funnel money to their …
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
December 2, 2021 at 6:22 PM

Read Junaid’s Op-Ed: Lauren Boebert Is Inciting Violence Against Muslims. This Can't Be Tolerated.

  John, Junaid just published an op-ed in In These Times, a national magazine, calling out Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo) for inciting violence against Muslims and demanding Congress take action. As Junaid points out, “bigoted rants like Boebert’s have a clear aim: to incite real-wor…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 30, 2021 at 3:42 PM

Corruption doesn't sleep

  John, Every year, corporate lobbyists spend millions of dollars trying to influence our elected representatives to turn their backs on us. And guess what? Most of the time, they’re successful. They go to work in the halls of our government every single hour of every single day, ar…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 29, 2021 at 2:24 PM

Shattering records together, but we have to keep it up:

  John, I’ll keep this short — we have just two days left before our end of month fundraising deadline and we’re $6,012 short. Can you rush $27 or more to help us catch up to where we need to be? Chip in $27 Remember what we’re up against: a politician funded by corpo…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
November 25, 2021 at 1:03 PM

From our family to yours.

  John, The campaign trail is a long, arduous journey for not just the candidates but their entire families — and it applies for Junaid and his loved ones. Through the long days (and nights) of talking to voters, calling donors, and building the people-powered movement we need to wi…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 24, 2021 at 8:38 PM

I really need you.

  John, As you know by now, I'm running against a member of Congress who stands against almost all progressive legislation. We’re building a people-powered movement that neither him nor his corporate donors can beat, but we have to hit our fundraising goals to stay on track. We’re j…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 23, 2021 at 10:48 PM

Pharma Dems just saved Big Pharma $450 billion:

  John, When centrist Democrats Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and Rep. Joe Manchin launched their attack on the drug pricing plan in the Build Back Better bill — saving Big Pharma almost half a trillion — we knew whose side they were on. They were working for their Big Pharma corporate donors…
  Sheila & Elisa, Junaid for Congress · [email protected]
November 20, 2021 at 3:22 PM

$25 = 125 doorhangers

  John, Last Thursday, we had our first in-person volunteer summit where our group committed to 19 canvassing shifts on the spot! Then, we held a community canvass at the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center to talk to voters heading in to watch a play. Our ground game is ramping …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 18, 2021 at 10:48 PM

Lauren Boebert’s Islamophobic attack on Ilhan Omar is an attempt to incite violence.

  John, did you see this? Yesterday on the House floor, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) went on an Islamophobic tirade, attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar and calling her a member of the “Jihad squad”. This came as she defended one of her GOP colleagues, who posted content online depicting th…
  Sheila & Elisa, Junaid for Congress · [email protected]
November 15, 2021 at 8:05 PM

Our events coming up:

  John, We’re going to send you regular email updates with all of our events (in-person and virtual). Update your information below so we can keep you up to date! UPDATE YOUR INFO   Want to help us pay for field supplies? $5 gets us 25 pieces of campaign literature! …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 14, 2021 at 2:24 PM

If I had just a few seconds, this is what I’d say:

  John, If I had just a few seconds to tell someone what our campaign stands for, this is what I’d say: We’re the only 100% grassroots campaign in Illinois’ Eighth fighting for universal healthcare like Medicare for All, bold climate action, an end to all student debt, and tuition-…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 12, 2021 at 4:44 PM

Are you following the money?

  John, are you following the money corporations and special interests are funneling to politicians in Congress? Well, we all should be: In our government, those contributions often dictate how legislation is written, but more importantly, who it's written for. And the sad reality …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 11, 2021 at 7:18 PM

Veterans deserve more than 20% off mattresses

  John, Today, we’re seeing a lot of this going around: Frankly, it’s frustrating. Veterans put their lives on the line to serve our country, and how do we thank them? A free meal and 20% discount on mattresses. Our veterans deserve more than this — they deserve a life of respect a…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 10, 2021 at 9:49 PM

Right-wing group affiliated with AIPAC is targeting our race

  John, Pro-Israel America — a PAC closely affiliated with AIPAC — called our race a “key race of focus for the 2022 election cycle”. Do you know what that means? A right-leaning lobbying group that spends millions of dollars every year keeping members of Congress in their pocket se…
  Team Junaid · [email protected]
November 10, 2021 at 8:37 PM

It would be heartbreaking

  John, We’ll keep this short — we’re ten days into November and already $1,420 behind where we need to be for the month.  But if just 100 people chipped in $15, we would catch up with our goal instantly. Can you contribute $15 or more to help us get there? If you’ve saved your …
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 9, 2021 at 7:32 PM

The progressive wave in the Midwest

  John, we have a historic chance to continue the progressive wave in the Midwest and replace a corporate-run Democrat with a progressive ready to fight for transformational change with policies like Medicare for All and a Green New Deal. And people like you are giving us the grassr…
  Junaid Ahmed · [email protected]
November 4, 2021 at 10:29 PM

The story of millions of Americans

I’m a father, husband, immigrant, small business owner, and progressive community activist running for Congress in Illinois 8th District.   My name is Junaid Ahmed. I’m a father, husband, immigrant, small business owner, and progressive community activist running for Congress in Ill…