As we close out June and head into July—when most of us are looking forward to a much needed break before fall fundraising activity resumes—we wanted to give you some updates on what EWA and our candidates have been working on.
It’s Official: Lisa Blunt Rochester for US Senate in Delaware
We got the official announcement this week that we’ve all been waiting for. On Wednesday, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester launched her campaign for US Senate in Delaware.
Reps. Abigail Spanberger (VA-7), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) speak at the 2022 Electing Women Convening.
She joins a standout class of women running for open US Senate seats that already includes Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Elissa Slotkin and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Retiring Sen. Tom Carper endorsed Lisa last month during his departure announcement. While Delaware is considered safe for Democrats, Lisa needs our support to solidify her place as the clear frontrunner in the primary. We encourage all of our groups to host her in the months to come.
Lisa will also join our upcoming EWA monthly Zoom on July 13th at 2 pm ET. RSVP for the call here.
An LGBTQ Milestone for Pride Month
Now that Lisa has announced her Senate candidacy, candidates will start jumping into the race to fill her House seat.
The potential candidate we’re watching most closely is Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride, who has a good chance of becoming the first transgender person elected to the US Congress. We’re expecting her to officially announce her campaign soon and quickly emerge as a frontrunner.
Before winning a state senate seat in 2020—making her the first openly transgender state senator in the country—she was the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, sat on the board of Delaware Equality, and worked in the Obama White House.
Anniversary of Dobbs
Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson, the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the national right to an abortion.
Since then, 20 states have passed abortion bans—though they have been blocked by legal action in eight—and women are increasingly being denied care in medical emergencies, forced to continue nonviable pregnancies, and prosecuted for seeking abortion care or helping others.
In these times, we draw strength from seeing the people push back on abortion bans and the politicians who support them: In Kansas, in the midterms, in Wisconsin, this week in Virginia, and states across the country.
Take a moment today to reflect on how the work you do through Electing Women is helping restore Roe, and make a plan for how you’ll keep fighting for progress.
The Presidential Campaign is Coming to Town
The 2024 presidential race is in full swing, and the Biden-Harris campaign is already making its way through our Electing Women groups.
Electing Women Seattle is set to host First Lady Jill Biden. Last Friday, Electing Women Denver members along with Rep. Diana DeGette hosted the Vice President—a historic opportunity to support the first woman to run for re-election on a presidential ticket.
And Electing Women Bay Area’s Shannon Hunt-Scott this week hosted President Biden himself, a fundraising decision the campaign made based on her successful fundraiser with Kamala last year.
Other Opportunities to Support Biden-Harris 2024
Why become a presidential raiser? When you sign up, you will receive communications directly from the campaign, as well as other special invitations. This in turn allows you to be a thought leader and activist within your community.
EWA is proud to be stepping up to support the BIden Harris ticket. Plus, we’re closing the gender giving gap: While women made up 38 percent of political donors overall in 2022, we were only 30 percent of presidential bundlers in 2020. We’re hoping to change that with our donors as raisers program.
If you have not yet received a raiser code from the DNC and would like one, please feel free to send Annalise (annalise@electingwomen.org) an email and we’ll get that set up for you. To learn more, check out this recording of last month’s introductory call.
Save the Date for our 2023 Convening: Oct. 24-25, Washington, DC
We will gather on Tuesday, October 24 and Wednesday, October 25 at the National Union Building, a woman-owned event space located at 918 F St NW in Washington, DC. The format will be similar to last year, with a reception on Tuesday evening and main program during the day on Wednesday. We also have some additional activities and meetings planned.
Check out the venue. And stay tuned for a separate email with more details and formal registration information.