June 15, 2024

Sewing Circle: Postcarding Tuesday, Every State Blue, Activist Afternoons

I’ll be doing a postcarding evening on Tuesday, June 18, from about 6-7:30! Let me know if you’re coming and drop by 50 Leonard Street in Waltham and we’ll write postcards and talk shop.

Those of you who wrote postcards for Michael Kripchak in Ohio two weeks ago may be disappointed in his loss on Tuesday. I know I am, and yet:

• Kripchak outperformed Biden by 19 points.

• Kripchak made this challenge with only $20K fundraising, forcing his opponent to spend over $700K.

• Kripchak turned Mahoning County (where Youngstown is) blue for the first time since 2020.

While we can’t take special election turnout as a bellwether for the November election, it does show us that Republican victories are never sure things, that even in red states and red counties there are thriving blue voters. And that gives us leverage.

Make them defend seats they take for granted. Don’t surrender any district preemptively. Make them spend money where they haven’t had to before. And most of all, send the signal to blue and blue-leaning voters in those red states that they are not forgotten and not powerless.

One of the best ways to do this is donations to groups like Blue Ohio or Every State Blue. They’re committed to making sure every race is contested in these states.

Another way is to write for local races through Postcards to Voters. Right now they’re writing for Trisha Calvarese in Colorado - a special election where Lauren Boebert is trying to worm her way in after a “placeholder” candidate. Please join me in writing some postcards and extending a hearty middle finger to Boebert.

There are so many ways to help - Activate America is a great central clearinghouse of phonebanking, letterwriting, and other activities. If you’re local to Boston, there’s also the weekly Activist Afternoons in Cambridge.

In the meantime, here are a few things that have gone right lately…

The Anacostia River in DC is gradually getting cleaner; there’s hope that people may be able to swim and fish regularly.

Despite the worsening climate for abortion rights in the USA, on a global scale there has been considerable progress toward increased access to abortion in the last 30 years.

Connecticut is cancelling medical debt for qualified residents.

Texas just elected its first openly LGBTQ state senator.

Every effort matters. Even if a candidate is unsuccessful, their staff and volunteers have gained experience and connections for the next campaign, and voters know they’ve got a choice. Take a moment to make a difference and remember: You are Not Alone.