Here we go! Last day to vote in CA Recall is TODAY!
Who knew that 9 months after Georgians saved American Democracy, Californians would have to step up and do so, too.
And that’s not hyperbole. With someone like Larry Elder as California’s Governor, not only would our state’s policies on social service, climate change, civil rights, labor, choice, immigration and so much more be eviscerated, but he would have been able to appoint the replacement for Diane Feinstein if the need arose, thereby giving Republicans the Senate majority, and would have meddled in our 2022 congressional races which are crucial for the Democrats to sustain their House majority.
Well, Californians are stepping up to put this recall down. Those Californians are led by many of our roughly two dozen grantees, who have spent $3.5 million we raised, plus a million or so they’ve gotten from the campaign, to turn the tide by reaching more than 9 million voters in 9 languages, who are often ignored by Democrats but not ignored by the Right’s voter suppression and disinformation campaigns. These are often low-income voters of color most impacted by CoVID and feeling most frustrated with our government and institutions. They are the key to protecting California’s Democracy and moving our state forward. And they are the exact communities that our partners work with day in and day out, making them the best messengers for this fight.
It’s not just the group leaders that stepped up. CA Donor Table members, plus members of other state and national donor networks, stepped up. You gave robustly. You told your friends and networks to do so. You gave to our groups even when the Governor was calling to say to give it to his campaign instead. Some of you engaged with the Governor and his campaign staff to urge them to spend more on people of color, more in Inland California, and more on direct voter contact. Your expenditures — financial, time and reputation — are a significant reason the groups could dig in, the campaign refocused, and the polls turned around.
As Professor Manuel Pastor said on our first recall briefing, this isn’t the fight we chose but this is the fight we’re in. And fight, we did. On behalf of many communities across the state, as well as CDT staff’s 4 kids of color, we thank you. And we believe we will win. Not just the recall, but win in such a way that builds momentum for 2022. And the years after that.
Thanks again,
Ludovic and the (growing!) CDT team
