July Beneficiary
Virginia State Legislative Candidates
No question, these are challenging times, but as we celebrate Independence Day, we also feel tremendous gratitude to our Lean Left community, which steps up month after month, defending our democracy and fighting for the rights of our fellow Americans, no matter what state they live in. Thanks to all of you who stay with us and help strengthen our democracy.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to hold the line in Virginia this November. Gun safety legislation, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, climate change mitigation measures, and voting rights are all on the line. A strong Democratic showing this year will create crucial momentum for 2024. Most importantly, we must take every chance we can to make the other side understand that American voters will not sit quietly while reactionaries rip away our rights.
There is an excellent chance of flipping the Virginia House of Delegates and expanding the tiny majority in the State Senate thanks to fairer maps. This month we are supporting two amazing candidates, one for the Senate and one for the House of Delegates. Let’s help them get the resources they need to build effective campaigns!
We supported Lashrecse Aird two years ago and are excited this inspiring woman has chosen to run for the State Senate. The daughter of a teen mom, Lashrecse, understands firsthand the struggles of families trying to make ends meet. Now a mother herself, Lashrecse has proven herself a champion for education, criminal justice reform, and reproductive freedom.
Travis Nembhard is an attorney, former administrative judge, and financial regulator. As the father of two young sons, he understands the importance of strong, safe schools for Virginia families. He is running to flip a winnable district in northern Virginia, and unlike his opponent, he will work hard to protect reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights against the far-right extremist agenda.
Mobilizing Event in Virginia
Tuesday, July 11, 6:30 pm
Sign up here!If an anti-abortion majority is gained in the State Senate and maintained in the House of Delegates, Virginia could see an abortion ban as early as next year. Join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia as they discuss key takeaways from the primaries, analyze the state of play in this November’s elections, and discuss how you can help protect our reproductive freedom for future generations.
Nearly 100 Lean Left Vermont supporters showed up at Barr Hill in Montpelier on Saturday, June 24 for the Mingle to Mobilize event. U S Congresswoman Becca Balint inspired us for the work ahead, and we connected with others in communities across Vermont.
Many thanks to Indivisible Mad River Valley for lending us the Becca Balint cut-out for this event!
Rep. Becca Balint inspired us to think deeply about how we can each have a role in changing the path our nation is currently traveling. Becca reminded us that if we want Congress to put forward progressive reforms, we must support Dems and progressives in other states. Everything we care about—education, reproductive health care, the environment, gun safety, civil rights, voting rights—all of these things are decided at the state level, and those decisions ultimately influence the direction of national policies.
Let’s put this inspiration to work! We have three suggestions to get you started:
- Donate to our Sister District Candidates, Lean Left’s July beneficiary. Donate here.
- Continue the conversation we began at the Mingle by hosting your own gathering. One of us from Lean Left will be happy to attend to answer questions and provide information about ways to get involved in the coming months. Just reply here for more information.
- Take action. November will be here before we know it. Check out the actions here you can do today to secure the election in Virginia.
