Gretchen's List: December 2025

Dear Friends,

It’s been over a year and a half since I last wrote, because wow, losing doesn’t inspire giving, and being let down by leaders for whom you’ve worked really hard doesn’t either. That time has helped me clarify the questions that I think we need to answer as we look ahead.

How do we advance real progressive leadership and galvanize our base? How do we better communicate our values and message? How do we win back young men as part of our coalition? How do we expand the map in rural areas? How do we shift to a new generation and a new vision of leadership? These questions are at the center of what we need to address as a party. The primary candidates I’m sharing below are the answer.

Many donors choose to stay out of primaries, because they just want to secure a majority in November. But primaries are how we shape what we want from the Democratic party, and how we build electoral power for progressive movements for change. In primaries, we have real opportunities to ensure the champions we want are actually on the ballot in the general election. The candidates I’ve shared below not only have a real path to victory (both in the primary, and in the general), but I know they won’t let us down when they get to Washington. And that’s why — after over a year — I am back in your inbox once again, to share these leaders I truly believe in.

Best,
Gretchen

Where to Give Right Now: US Senate

The good news: we have a lot of exciting, qualified, younger leaders running for the United States Senate this cycle. The bad news: the Democratic Senate leadership seems determined to overplay their hand in Senate primaries in favor of moderate, DC-based candidates, and then say that they aren’t doing exactly that even when there are so many receipts. I am very angry with them!

I believe in these primary candidates — Peggy Flanagan (Minnesota), Mallory McMorrow (Michigan), and Zach Wahls (Iowa) — and not just because I’m a contrarian who is sick of current leadership. These senate candidates are coming out of state government, where they’ve been on-the-ground organizers and effective messengers. They’re going to win, and they’re going to bring with them a new generation of Senate leadership that is extremely overdue.

All three could use your money literally right now — and I know they’ve all texted you to tell you this about 87 times this week. But for these three, it’s true. You can give to any/all right here. And yes, those end-of-year deadlines really do matter, so send it while en route to your New Year’s Eve party (or, if you’re like me, while en route to your living room viewing of Taskmaster’s New Year Treat).

Peggy Flanagan (Minnesota)

How do we advance real progressive leadership?

I strongly believe that Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota is our best bet this cycle to send a truly progressive senator to Washington. She has a deep record as a lieutenant governor, a state legislator, and a school board member. She’s led on child care, public education, paid leave, housing, worker protections, reproductive justice, indigenous rights, support for trans people, free school lunches… the list goes on and on. She’s been endorsed by Elizabeth Warren, Deb Haaland, the majority of the Minnesota legislature, and many more. Peggy would also be the first Native American woman in the Senate. (Meanwhile, Chevron is paying for ads for her primary opponent, who also voted for the Laken Riley Act.)

Peggy is leading in polling in the primary, but behind on fundraising. I know that Peggy can be out-raised and still solidly win this race, but she does need to be able to mount a strong campaign. I hope you’ll donate here. (AND! If you’re in the Bay Area! Peggy will be in the town for an event with Senator Elizabeth Warren in February! Save the date(s) of February 17th and 18th until final details are confirmed; and sign up here.)

Mallory McMorrow (Michigan)

How do we better communicate our values and message?

I consider state Senator Mallory McMorrow to be one of the most talented political communicators of our generation. She has the unique ability to make government seem more accessible and accountable to constituents, at a time when faith in institutions is low — a skill set that is very much needed in our federal government. (You might have first heard of her after her viral floor speech in response to a senate colleague calling her a “groomer.”)

Mallory helped build the Michigan senate majority, and then became Majority Whip to make sure Democrats governed on the policies on which they ran. With her leadership, the senate implemented policies protecting abortion access and reproductive freedom, advanced common sense gun policy, promoted workforce training, funded infrastructure, and expanded early childhood education.

Mallory was viewed as an underdog in this race, but she’s closed the polling gap and is leading on grassroots fundraising. You can chip in here.

Zach Wahls (Iowa)

How do Democrats win back young men as part of our coalition, and expand in rural states?

Zach Wahls is the guy who calls you to talk about the campaign, and ends up facetiming with you in the middle of the camping store to share his Eagle Scout opinion on rain flys; he’s the guy who learns you’re a brand new Golden State Valkyries fan, and fills you in on Kate Martin’s collegiate lore from the University of Iowa. But mostly: he’s a huge policy wonk who can fill a conversation about affordable housing and agricultural run-off and labor partnerships and somehow make it fascinating. He was raised by two moms (you might remember his speech from 14 years ago, when he was just 19 years old), and is now married to a feminist-blogger-turned-romance-novelist (which is a story worth watching) with whom he is raising his toddler son.

Zach’s primary opponent gives every indication of supporting the same senate leadership that we currently have, and he failed to secure Planned Parenthood’s support in his last election. Zach is the champion we need on reproductive freedom, and he’s the best choice to help bring in a new leadership vision in the senate. You can support his race here.

FAQ: Can we win back the Senate?

Honestly: probably not? But maybe? We have 47 seats right now, and while we can definitely pick up two, getting that last one will be really, really tough. However, if we want to keep the Senate close, if we want to be able to reclaim it anytime in the next three cycles, we have to expand the map where we can — and 2026 gives us some decent opportunities.

Of the 35 Senate elections in 2026, most of them are solid blue or solid red, and not worth spending a lot of time or any money on. Here are the ones that are:

Leaning Blue:

• NORTH CAROLINA (Open): This is our best pick-up opportunity. Former Governor Roy Cooper will be the Democratic nominee and he’s running a smart campaign. I think it’s his race to lose — which means he could, because we can’t take anything for granted in North Carolina, but I think he’s in a strong position.

• GEORGIA (Ossoff): Senator Jon Ossoff is defending his seat; his polling looks good right now and he’s raised a ton of money already.

• NEW HAMPSHIRE (Open): Senator Jeanne Shaheen is retiring; Congressman Chris Pappas will be the Democratic nominee. I think Pappas should be fine unless something goes really awry.

Most Competitive:

• MICHIGAN (Open): Senator Gary Peters is retiring; there’s a competitive primary (see above) and the general will be a toss-up regardless of who wins the primary because it’s Michigan.

• MAINE (Collins): Oh god, I want to beat Susan Collins so badly. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to beat Susan Collins. Last time we tried we had a solid candidate with zero Nazi tattoos and $75 million dollars and a lead in the polls going into election day, and we lost by nine points. I don’t love the idea of electing a septuagenarian for one-term just to do this all again in six years, and I really don’t like agreeing with Chuck Schumer, but I also don’t think you beat an entrenched incumbent with a deeply flawed candidate.

Who Knows What Will Happen:

• IOWA (Open): Trump’s approval is tanking in Iowa; state Senator Zach Wahls (see above) is a strong candidate; Congresswoman Ashely Hinson (the likely Republican nominee) has some flaws. I think this is our best pickup opportunity after North Carolina and Maine.

• OHIO (Husted): Former Senator Sherrod Brown is in a rematch with Senator Jon Husted to take back his seat. Polls have them both within a point of each other, with Brown outraising Husted at this point. If we’re having a really good night on November 3rd, this could be possible — but the dark money that ultimately doomed Brown’s last run hasn’t entered the picture yet, and I am sure they will.

Long Shots Worth Watching:

• TEXAS (Cornyn): If LG Ken Paxton wins the Republican nomination, I think this race becomes much more competitive. I don’t think I’ll play in the primary because I think both candidates are strong, but I’d support Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett if forced to choose.

• ALASKA (Sullivan): If former Congresswoman Mary Peltola gets in this race, I’ll be very interested to see how competitive she can make it. (I think she will.)

• NEBRASKA (Ricketts): Lots of folks are excited about Dan Osborn, who over-performed as an independent last cycle. I think it still remains a long-shot, but won’t rule it out — I just feel more optimistic about a lot of other places before Nebraska.

• SOUTH CAROLINA (Graham): This race is on my wish list, because Senator Lindsey Graham is so awful and Dr. Annie Andrews, his challenger, is so good. Polling shows it’s tighter than you might expect.

• KANSAS (Marshall): Congressional redistricting might change this senate race; stay tuned.

Donor, sociologist, researcher. Board member at Emerge America, steering committee member at Electing Women Bay Area, and cofounder of the Abortion Bridge Collaborative Fund -- but all content here is mine alone and not on behalf of any organization. My goals are to help others find their networks and feel more comfortable and informed participating in the political giving space.

Currently reading: Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England’s Lost Queen by Alice Loxton.