Hi all -
A quick update from DC elections:
Last week, just before the election Aparna Raj wrote in Jacobin on housing justice in DC — talking about what got her into politics and what she's fighting for on the council.
This is emblematic of the kind of campaign she ran, focused aggressively on cost of living and the problems renters specifically are facing. She officially won last night!!
While RFS did not work in the mayoral election in DC, I’m not surprised to see yet another millennial fighting for change taking over the executive office — as part of a broader generational shift in power in mayorships across the country.
Fun fact: We have had RFS candidates and alum serve as mayors in Cleveland, Newport News, Little Rock, Long Beach, Laramie (WY), Durham, Terre Haute (IN), Danbury (CT), Berkeley, Alexandria, and more, along with one in the running for mayor of L.A.
This week, we have 33 candidates up in contested elections (and a bunch of our alum running for higher office.) Stay tuned for results!!
In RFS community updates:
MN Council Member Aisha Chughtai issued a statement on the federal charges against 15 Twin Cities residents connected to anti-ICE demonstrations, calling out the administration's use of the federal courts to target protest.
CO Council Member Isabel Cruz successfully got Lakewood City Council to pass a resolution on federal immigration enforcement, adding language that explicitly protects city residents from being used as instruments of federal enforcement.
VA Mayor Alyia Gaskins of Alexandria saw the Housing 2040 Plan pass, a 15-year roadmap she called "years in the making."
NC Sen. Sydney Batch starred in a bleep-filled parody video mocking the state budget process that sent Republicans into a full meltdown.
RI Rep. Megan Cotter helped shepherd the first statewide self-checkout regulation bill in the country through the Rhode Island legislature.
MD Council Member Kristin Mink co-sponsored a two-year data center moratorium bill in Montgomery County.
PA Sen. Katie Muth introduced a three-year pause on hyperscale data center developments statewide.
WV Del. Kayla Young pushed back on WV's data center tax structure, pointing out that communities in line for centers are losing millions in expected tax revenue under the current deal.
WI Council Member Garner Moffat of Superior got a data center moratorium passed at the local level, saying communities are being "blindsided."
CA Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez had two insurance bills advance through the Assembly — SB 877 and 878 would require insurers to actually pay out to fire survivors.
VT Rep. Emilie Krasnow's legislation expanding survivor benefits for first responders killed in the line of duty was signed into law. "
FL Rep. Michele Rayner wrote an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times on why Florida's push to declare itself a "Christian and one-family state" should alarm everyone.
In our regular bench watch:
AL Rep. Phillip Ensler won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and got a profile in The Hill acknowledging he's a long shot in Alabama but is running like he intends to win.
Read up on how SC Rep. Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic primary for South Carolina governor and plans to win the general.
Two upcoming RFS events:
Our next call for people thinking about running for office is July 22nd at 8:00 p.m. ET. RSVP now and save the date.
On Wednesday, July 29th, join us for Claim Your Seat: Disability Pride Month — a conversation specifically for people who identify as disabled and are considering a run for office. We’re hosting this in partnership with Disability Victory.
Thanks for making all this possible. Happy summer!
- Amanda
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