October 2021
Takeaways from the CA Recall --
Including who really defeated it...
It looked like neck and neck for a while on the California recall but in the end sanity and democracy prevailed.
Of the significant takeaways from the election, one that has largely gone under-reported is the major role played by voters of color who were activated by our partners on the ground.
As California Donors Table wrote immediately following the election:
“Early data shows what we already know--this win was thanks to a multiracial coalition of Latinx, AAPI, Black, white, and youth voters, led by organizers on the ground who were able to scale and implement their programs right when it was needed most. The funding that this community...helped move to support leaders on the ground was critical--we are so grateful to everyone who jumped in!“
Airlift is part of that donor community and many of you stepped up to support our partners. THANK YOU again if you were one of them. Here is what our partner Communities for a New California (CNC) had to say the day after the recall went down:
“Celebrating tonight. Thank you so much to Airlift for your support of CNC! Totals so far show we have won a significant portion of the San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire where we worked... CNC was able to call over 500,000 families, distribute 15,000 door hangers, send over 500,000 texts to voters with election information, mobilize residents to rallies, saturate social media with digital ad campaigns highlighting the issues that matter to us, conduct polling that will guide future programs, and collaborate with diverse radio and television stations in the Central Valley and across our state. Moreover, they were in touch with California families in English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Hmong in 13 counties. This was possible because of OUR support and the tireless efforts of volunteers, phone bankers, outreach coordinators, ethnic media partners, and everyone fighting for progress to continue in California.
The other significant takeaways from the recall are:
This was a morale booster for Democrats nationwide, one small step in beating back the Republican assault on democracy
Orange County’s defeat of the recall may be a bellwether for that county’s congressional midterm elections
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told the New York Times he feels bullish after studying the recall results in Orange County. He added that he also sees the region as an indicator of what’s to come. The Cook Political Report, on the other hand, sees California as “too blue” to be a national bellwether. Even if that’s the case, the Orange County results do clearly bode well for winning back the two congressional seats Dems lost in Orange County in 2020.
And just for fun, here’s Borowitz’s take: “California Republicans Flee to Florida and Texas in Search of Dumber Governors.”
First Event of Airlift
New Fall Series:
“Developing New Leaders”
Meet three dynamic young leaders of the Carolina Federation and learn how they excite and expand their political base. Mel Norton, Darnell Tingle and Jenn Frye are using extensive training and leadership development activities to expand their political base and to create permanent engagement teams. Their work will directly contribute to the growth and expansion of multi-racial working class members and chapters across the state.
We often talk about engaging people to turn non-voters into voters, but how exactly does it happen? Listening to people is essential. But so is inviting them to get involved, take action, become leaders, and inspire others to get involved. That’s how our partner groups build communities, movements, and lasting change. Member-leaders of Carolina Federation will share their stories at this event.
Here's just a taste of the stories in store:
“...As I got involved, tasks and responsibilities kept being given to me, and that grew into leadership. I didn't necessarily step into this thinking, ‘Oh I want to be a leader.’ I actually felt kind of conflicted about that word--that it represented a dominating force. But through training programs and real honest conversations with the organizers, I started to see how leadership could mean opening up space for others to achieve things, and that really spoke to me.” - Youngmee (member-leader with Carolina Federation affiliate Durham for All)
“I was drawn to the Carolina Federation because I witnessed a true plan to make structural change--not just lip service. As I engaged, I was able to make genuine changes for the better in my community! And as I made changes in the community, I found myself gradually becoming a better organizer, unity member, and a better person working to transform my community. The Carolina Federation has allowed me to become a leader in the fight for a better world!” - Tyler Walker (member-leader in Carolina Federation chapter Guilford for All)
Watch these videos from our meeting:
In Arizona, LUCHA and CASE Prepare to Hold Sinema Accountable
Kyrsten Sinema continues to block Biden’s legislative agenda, the passage of which is critical to Democrats maintaining their tenuous hold on power in 2022 as well as millions of Americans whose lives it will impact. She has reportedly been holding meetings with businesses who oppose the Build Back Better bill. She has objected to reducing drug prices even though this is something she ran on. She started a joint-fundraising committee to increase the amount of contributions she can accept from corporations. We and other progressive funders have had enough. We are seeking to raise funds that will not be given to a candidate but will go towards building the infrastructure needed to prepare to primary Sinema. It will be a clear sign to her that she has something to worry about. Sinema needs to change course or we need a change of Senators!
The good news is that Biden’s agenda is still afloat and has a chance of passage, according to Politico.
SPOTLIGHT ON PENNSYLVANIA STANDS UP
Opening doors and listening. That’s what Eliza Booth, Lead Organizer for the Lancaster Chapter of Pennsylvania Stands Up, does so well. Not just because she cares so much about the issues, but because of a promise she made to her son, Kordell.
“I’ve always had an unhealthy interest in politics,” laughs Eliza. She knocked on doors for Bernie’s 2016 campaign with Kordell, then eight, because she couldn’t find a sitter. Reluctant at first, Kordell quickly caught his mother’s enthusiasm, running up to ring the doorbell and starting conversations.
Then came Trump and his race-hate-filled campaign. “What if Trump wins?” Kordell asked his mom. “He won’t,” replied Eliza. When Kordell was traumatized by the unexpected outcome, Eliza promised to protect him. It took the fear aroused in her son by Trump’s victory to ramp up her involvement to a visceral “Politics is me” commitment. But how? Within days, Eliza found what she was looking for in Lancaster Stands Up.
Eliza started out by bringing cupcakes to meetings. Before long, she was a progressive spokesperson statewide and on national TV. Soon she and Kordell were back on doors, this time on behalf of Eliza’s own campaign for a Lancaster City Democratic Committee seat. Kordell accompanied Eliza into the voting booth, where he watched her vote for herself. (That’s your name on the ballot, Mom!) She won.
Eliza brings her considerable “mom” skills to her work with Lancaster Stands Up. “When people ask you for help,” she says, “they’re not asking you to do it. You teach them how to help others.” Eliza’s organizing style is “inclusionary populism,” sharing concerns and building relationships. The warmest smiles come when Eliza agrees with her neighbors’ frustrations with politicians: “They’re just not listening to us,” she frequently hears. But people see that Eliza listens.
Eliza doesn't see herself as a gatekeeper who funnels people into pre-set issues and activities. She engages people where they are, clarifies their concerns and depth of feelings, and links them to others who share them. After the murder of George Floyd, Eliza helped organize a dozen BLM protest rallies, as well as one after Ricardo Munoz, a young black man with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, was shot and killed by a Lancaster police officer.
Right now in Lancaster County, passions run high about vaccination and masks--sometimes frighteningly so. Small-town residents tend to know one another, and activists advocating for safety at school board and community meetings are sometimes followed or targeted by local militia members. Eliza prepares and debriefs participants, helping them weather the disappointment of defeats with coffee and conversation, reminding them that “it’s all about building relationships.”
The efforts of the Pennsylvania Stands Up network are earning success in statewide and national races. Victory in local politics is a bit further away. Republicans out-register Democrats 3-2 in 80% white Lancaster County. The city itself, though, is 40% Latino and 17% African American, with a heavily Democratic registration. Eliza sees local progress in growing registration numbers and changing voting patterns in Lancaster’s nearby suburbs. Now she’s preparing to join forces with Fair Districts Pennsylvania to have a say in redistricting. It’s another long slog, but Eliza’s up for it. So is Kordell. Eliza knows that it’s one step at a time, from concern, to commitment, to seeing a path toward change.
People will let you know which fight they want to fight. They just need to know the fight can be won, with steps they can take now. It worked when Eliza promised Kordell. It’ll work again.
Before you go, Be Inspired
Award-winning Ad by our funding partners and mentors, Way to Win.
The ad “What’s Possible” ran before the 2020 election and tells a story rooted in hope during a time of overwhelming fear-based politics. It reflects what Airlift funded groups and our donors stand for. It was the brainchild of Jen Ancona from Way to Win and last month won Fast Company’s 2021 Innovation By Design Award (beating out Google, Nike and a Reddit Super Bowl ad)!
“We have to fight like hell to keep our majority -- and our democracy.” --Billy Wimsatt, Executive Director, Movement Voter Project
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