Jan 2022 – Dec 2025: 232,498
Red State in Blue New England? Not On Our Watch!!
Help Save New Hampshire in 2022.
by Barbara Head, February 1, 2022. New England epitomizes a political blue alliance – a unified bastion of Democratic values and people. Until 2020, our sister state of New Hampshire fit the New England image by consistently supporting Democratic presidential candidates. And both the New Hampshire Senate and House federal legislators are blue.
But since then, New Hampshire state politics have been jarringly out of step with the rest of New England. In 2020, the Republican party unexpectedly flipped both chambers of the state legislature, creating a trifecta with conservative governor John Sununu – completely transforming the political landscape in the state.
In 2021, NH House Representatives introduced more than two dozen voter suppression bills. A long-shot proposal to secede from the union is currently in committee. And Gov. Sununu, nominally a “pro-choice” governor, has signed a budget including anti-abortion provisions that are considerably stricter than those of neighboring states. The new restrictions:
- Make post 24-week abortions illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, and fetal anomaly;
- Require invasive vaginal ultrasound to determine age of gestation;
- Criminalize health care providers who perform such abortions.
Clearly, the political faction that has spawned draconian abortion restrictions in states like Texas and Mississippi has now taken root in New Hampshire. Can further loss of rights be far behind in this “blue” New England state?
Democratic US legislators Senator Maggie Hassan and House Representative Chris Pappas are also in GOP crosshairs for 2020. Republicans are taking special aim at Pappas, the first openly gay man to represent New Hampshire, to flip his highly gerrymandered seat. There are only two US House seats in the state, so each carries considerable weight. Both vulnerable incumbents need to be defended to maintain our slim majorities in the Senate and House.
Take Action – Help Save New Hampshire!
To find opportunities such as post carding, letter writing, canvassing and phone banking, check out our NH Actions Page. We update our actions regularly, so check back often.
The Planned Parenthood New Hampshire engages in (from their website): educational and electoral activity, including legislative advocacy, voter education, and grassroots organizing. PPNHAF works to pass and defeat legislation, elect public officials, and influence the political climate in New Hampshire to protect and expand access to reproductive health care.
Citizen Action Wisconsin
From Eau Claire to Milwaukee, Citizen Action brings people together across racial differences to make Wisconsin a better place to live and work. Citizen Action employs an integrated strategy of grassroots organizing, educational programming, earned media, civic engagement, and political lobbying to advance progressive solutions and shape the public and political debate around health care, economic development, climate equity and racial justice.
The leadership team at Indivisible Acton Area has curated this list of grassroots groups. These groups have been chosen because they have been recommended by a trusted partner, such as Sister District, or we have vetted them personally. There are several good reasons to support these groups:
Early Money: Early money in a political race is four times more effective than money given in the last two months of the race. But IAA does not endorse out of state candidates before they win their primaries. The best way to support a democratic win early in the election cycle is through a grassroots group.
Education and Persuasion of Voters: Voters who would be democratic voters are are often uniformed about primaries and midterm elections. They also may not see the explicit connection between voting and the policies that affect their daily lives. Unsurprisingly, they respond better to their trusted peers. The best way to empower and turn out intermittent voters is through a grassroots group.
Equity: We want to support the involvement of young people and people of color in government and “politics.” Their voice is needed as candidates, policy makers, lobbyists, and voters. But these same people may not have the means to be a volunteer. The best way to promote equity in our government is to support grassroots groups so that they can pay staff and organizers.
January Spotlight
by Barbara Head, January 10, 2022
There are 36 (20R, 16D) governors races in 2022, and these may be the most interesting political races of all this year! Here are some overviews:
Best races for 2022 might be for governor
TEN INTERESTING RACES AT A GLANCE:
These races and their candidates are summarized below. Right now, most races are too early to call. But as the 2022 election nears and predictions become more accurate, we will add what the oddsmakers are saying about possible outcomes.
Georgia – flip prospect
Dem (likely candidate): Stacy Abrams – lost to Brian Kemp in 2018 in contested race;
GOP (showdown): Brian Kemp – incumbent, Trump ire for losing GA in 2020 vs. David Perdue – lost to Jon Ossoff in Jan runoff elections in 2021
Read: GOP showdown in Georgia, Early Look at GA gov race
Arizona – open seat (was Doug Ducey, R, term-limited)
Dem (likely candidate): Katie Hobbs, AZ Secretary of State
GOP (uncertain): Many, but Kari Lake leading
Read: AZ race
Wisconsin – must defend
Dem (incumbent): Tony Evers
GOP (likely candidate): Rebecca Kleefisch, former WI Lt. Governor
Read: Wisconsin races, WI gov election critical in 2022 for free and fair elections
Michigan — must defend
Dem (incumbent): Gretchen Whitmer
GOP (uncertain): Many
Read: MI gov race polls and predictions
Nevada — must defend
Dem (incumbent): Steve Sisolak (seen as highly vulnerable)
GOP (showdown): Dean Haller (former US Senator) vs. Joe Lombardo (county sheriff)
Read: Dem Sisolak faces challenges
Maryland – flip prospect
Dem (uncertain): Many heavy hitters
GOP (showdown): Kelly Schulz (Sec of Commerce) vs Daniel Cox (state lawmaker with Trump endorsement
Read: Dems face off in primary – can they prevail in red year?
Kansas – reverse flip? Toss-up
Dem (incumbent): Laura Kelly (see as highly vulnerable)
GOP (likely candidate): Derek Schmidt (KS Attorney General)
Read: Who’s running for KS gov
Pennsylvania – open seat (was John Wolf, D, term-limited)
Dem (likely candidate): John Shapiro (PA Attorney General) – very strong candidate
GOP (uncertain): Many
Read: The PA gov race summary
Florida – maybe flip prospect
Dem (showdown): Nikki Fried (FL Agriculture Commissioner) vs Charlie Crist (US Rep and former GOP governor from 2007-2011)
GOP (incumbent): Ron DeSantis
Read: Can Dems defeat DeSantis?
Maine – must defend
Dem (incumbent): Janet Mills
GOP (unclear): Maybe Paul LePage? (former and unpopular ME governor)
Read: Mills vs LePage? Heavyweights contest
HONORABLE MENTION:
Ohio –unlikely to flip
Dem (showdown): Nan Whaley (former Dayton major) vs. John Cranley (former Cincinnati mayor)
GOP: Mike DeWine (incumbent)
Read: Who’s running for OH gov?
Texas – possible flip – or just wishful thinking?
Dem (likely candidate): Beto O’Rourke (former US Rep, narrowly lost Senate race to Ted Cruz and run for president in 2020)
GOP (incumbent): Greg Abbott
Read: TX election 2022
The Critical Importance of Governors in 2022
by Barbara Head, January 9, 2022 (Updated January 26, 2022)
Governors may end up being the star players of the 2022 election! Often hidden from view behind state and federal legislators, governors play increasingly important roles that extend well beyond their states. The failure of federal voting legislation emphasizes the critical importance of democratic governors as our next, essential line of defense against radical GOP policies.
Look at how abortion rights were gutted by Republican governor Greg Abbott in Texas. Consider the anti-Covid policies of Ron DeSantis in Florida, which has the third highest number (right behind Texas) of Covid-19 cases in the country. Their extremist policies affect all of us. It is crucial that we replace these toxic governors with Democrats who will uphold rational policies that will benefit all Americans.
Democratic Governors serve as firewalls against Republican extremism in state legislatures. In 2021, more than 440 bills restricting voter access were introduced across the country. What blocks these bills from passing? Democratic governors and their veto powers.
- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed anti-choice, pro-gun, anti-vax, and election overhaul legislation introduced by a radical Republican state legislature.
- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has vetoed legislation to limit abortion and voting rights. He is the major political force opposing Senator Ron Johnson’s call to the state legislature to seize control of federal elections in Wisconsin.
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed bills aimed at making it harder for people of color and young people to cast their ballots. For her rational anti-Covid policies, she was the target of a kidnapping attempt in 2020 by domestic terrorists.
We must elect and support Democratic governors! With the GOP moving full steam ahead to suppress the vote and obstruct President Biden’s agenda, the 36 governor’s races in 2022 will determine the future of our health care, our jobs, our schools, and American democracy itself.
The only organization that exists solely for this purpose is the Democratic Governors Association, which is led by the governors themselves. From their website: “The DGA participates at all levels of gubernatorial campaigns, from providing resources to fund operations to helping articulate and deliver campaign messages. The DGA also helps governors lead their states. It serves as a clearinghouse of best practices to help governors and their staff share their policy successes and learn from each other.” The DGA is a unique organization with a critically important mission and deserves our strongest support.
Take Action! – Please support the Democratic Governors Association with your donations! You can also donate to 2022 re-election races for incumbent governors, such as WI Gov Tony Evers and MI Gov Gretchen Whitmer. Want to flip states blue? Support TX Gov Dem candidate Beto O’Rourke and GA Gov Dem candidate Stacy Abrams. The Pennsylvania race will heat up later in 2022, as Gov. Tom Wolf is term-limited and cannot run again. The Democratic front-runner to succeed Wolf, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, could continue to hold the fractious Republican state legislature at bay, and he needs our support. We promise to keep you posted with intel on all the key races!
Coming Soon!
Don’t see the type of action you’re looking for? Watch this space for frequent updates. In the mean time, use the dropdown menu to check out our other actions for ways to make a difference now.
Activism in December – Donations
By Barbara Head, December 5, 2021
Is your inbox clogged with desperate appeals from candidates and groups you’ve never heard of to donate before a deadline? Don’t Click! Put your money where it will work hard for the candidates, organizations, and issues you care about. Here’s how to make smart donations that give the most bang for your buck.
To be most effective, make your donations now. The end of 2021 could be the best time, for multiple reasons:
1. Political campaigns – For candidates, “early money” is worth 4x that which is obtained later in the election cycle. Candidates running in 2022 need to raise money now to hire staff, build their infrastructure, plan budgets and implement research programs.
But who to support? Which of us has the time or resources to research the best choices? Fortunately, there are organizations that can come to your rescue by curating good places to donate. For instance,
- Swing Left’s research-based Blueprint, where a single donation endows a personalized portfolio, focuses on the most impactful Senate, House, and gubernatorial races.
- Force Multiplier, an independent, nationSwide, all-volunteer fundraising organization based in Boston, offers targeted funds to ensure that your donations are strategic and effective. Force Multiplier’s US Senate Early Impact and US House Early Impact slates provide early money to political campaigns according to financial need and political weight of their races.
2. Tax-deductions – Looking for a year-end tax deduction for your political giving? While contributions to political candidates are not tax-deductible, many progressive organizations may be– if they are nonpartisan and perform public-service activities such as voter education or empowerment. A tax-deductible example from Force Multiplier:
- Democracy in Action Slate educates, registers, and turns out voters in 5 key states (WI, AZ, NC, NV, and GA).
In general, groups organized as 501(c)(3) charities are tax-deductible, while 501(c)(4) charities are not, so check websites for designations. Political action committees (PACS), or other groups that seek to influence legislation, are not tax-deductible.
After making your donations in 2021, get ready for action in 2022 – writing, phoning, texting, canvassing, whatever it takes to save our democracy!
Bring Back the Blue Wall
By Christine Brown, December 1, 2021
Traditionally the Blue Wall referred to Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin because the union votes of these demographically white states overwhelmingly voted Blue. But with the demise of unions, the devastating impact of globalization, and overt racist messaging, Trump was able to break through and win the electoral college. In 2020, Biden won Wisconsin by only 0.6% and Pennsylvania by 1.2% in two cliffhangers.
The graph above shows the partisan shift in Wisconsin, especially in Latinos and non-college whites. Even though Biden won, there still is a significant shift Republican in their voting patterns.
But as many have remarked, these groups would greatly benefit from Democratic policies and a government that is responsive to them instead of wealthy donors. Why are they voting Republican? Is it conservative media constantly spewing destructive rhetoric? Is it the absence of Democratic messaging? Likely both.
Focus 4 Democracy has singled out Working America as the most important group to fund early. “Working America unites working people who don’t have a union on the job. Founded in 2003, Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, makes sure that the priorities of working people, their families and communities are heard from state houses to the White House, from city councils and school boards to the halls of Congress.
How do they do it? By building a strong relationship with their membership. Because they are there day in and day out, they are able to be heard through the partisan flames.”
Donations now will fund local offices, train canvassers and pay for recurring outreach to “non-college” members. This is something we can do NOW to open people’s minds to policies and governments that can help them live better lives. As Working America recruits more members and strengthens the bonds with their current members, they are growing an electorate that is engaged and ready to participate. This is an investment for both 2022 and 2024. Consider making an early donation to Working America – remember small amounts add up!
Run for Something
Since launching in January 2017, Run for Something has recruited 70,000+ young people across all 50 states who want to run for local office.
We provide a safety net for new and exciting progressive candidates — at all stages of their journey — to help them run efficient, grassroots & voter-contact driven campaigns and not feel alone in the process.
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear about how we help directly from Run for Something candidates, partners, mentors, volunteers, and alumni
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