One thing you can do for democracy this weekend

Let the rise of Tim Walz inspire you to think down-ballot

THING ONE:
Send money to targeted state leg races in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
All the money that Harris/Walz, which sounds like it could be any business in the Midwest, is raising ensures the campaign will be in the air–TV, radio, and web. Enhance their efforts by donating to this targeted slate of candidates for state legislative seats who, by necessity, are doing almost nothing but groundwork–knocking on doors, putting up signs, and building the Democratic brand. 

THING TWO:
Spend your early Sunday evening texting and virtual phone banking for democracy.
Make every Sunday (and Thursday) your day to unwind with a little democracy with the Harris/Walz campaign. They’ll train you up quickly and then set you loose to defend freedom. Gather a loved one or a few and make it a 2024 tradition you won’t regret.

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REMINDER: WAKE UP EVERY DAY TO WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR DEMOCRACY AT ERLYWRM.COM

The rise of Tim Walz has many people thinking: Where has this joyful embodiment of non-toxic masculinity been my whole life?

The answer is doing the work in a swing state. And verily, I tell you there are many, many, many more Democratic candidates like him doing the work right now. Well, they aren’t exactly like him. But they’re like him: they’re dedicated, inspirational, and breaking the mold of what we expect of a typical politician. And I’m not just talking about our Gretchen Whitmer, Jocelyn Benson, or Mandela Barnes.

Let’s look at that roster from the Give Smart state leg link above. 

Daniel Mahoney is the first Black mayor of Jackson, Michigan–the literal birthplace of the Republican Party back when it opposed slavery or at least its expansion. 

There’s LuAnn Bird, whose record includes making our school buildings accessible for people with disabilities, bringing sewer service to underserved neighborhoods, and organizing a fundraising team to build a Fisher House at the Milwaukee VA for veterans.

Matias Rosales is a rural realtor in Arizona who has been on the San Luis City Council for 12 years. He has an excellent chance of picking up one of the House seats needed to help create a trifecta in the state.

Ryan Spaude graduated from Princeton in 2016 and has returned to Wisconsin, where he was raised by his welder dad and dental hygienist mom. Thanks to new maps, he has a chance to beat a guy who was caught on tape saying that Republicans “should cheat like Democrats” to win future elections and that he wanted to “punch” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, maybe the least punchable guy in America.

There’s Sharifa Wahab, born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to America 30 years ago. She’s a dentist who moved into senior care after her experiences as a single mom and a caregiver for her aging relatives.

Alison Page is a nurse who broke through the glass ceiling to become CEO of Western Wisconsin Health. Rural healthcare has been her whole life, and now that Wisconsin resembles a democracy again, she’s taking on MAGA Republicans who want to take away women’s right to choose while ignoring their own constituents' medical needs.

Nobody knows state races like the States Project, and by supporting their Give Smart efforts, you can improve the odds of holding key houses in Michigan and Nevada and flipping them in Arizona and Wisconsin–all at once! Plus, you help with the presidential ticket AND the US Senate candidates up ballot in all these states.

Looking down-ballot isn't good politics and the best use of our money. It's a way to stay inspired about democracy.

And thanks to everyone who voted. We are announcing our next state to target with our Giving Circle soon. Join the earlyworm society to help us make sure freedom wins.

What are you up to that people should know?