Friend, it's Kirsten. Since I started a life of public service, I've been focused on achieving progress for families everywhere — and I've been looking ahead to the future. But there would be no future without a past, so I want to take a moment to share my family's story and tell you why I'm in this fight.

I grew up in Albany, New York. Back then, it was still uncommon for a mother to have a career of her own. But my mom was a lawyer — one of just three women in her law school's graduating class. And my grandmother, Polly, was a political powerhouse in her own right, fiercely committed to Democratic campaigning and organizing.

These strong, independent women raised me to believe in myself, to be bold and to always fight for my community. When I was making the decision to run for Congress, they were the first people to believe in me.

That first campaign wasn't easy — Republicans outnumbered Democrats two to one in my district. But I knew my community, and my grandmother raised me on the bread and butter of campaigning. I was confident that if I ran an honest campaign that spoke to the issues families really cared about, I could flip this district blue.

I ran on bringing transparency to Washington, on ethics reform, on ending the Iraq War, and making health care affordable and accessible for all. I knocked countless doors, made endless phone calls and put in the elbow grease it takes to win these tough races. And when the polls closed, we came out on top. After I was sworn into office, I got to work delivering on the promises I made to voters. And two years later, I won reelection by 25 points.

As New York Democrats head into a critical election year in 2024, I'm leaning on those same lessons again. You see, last year, we lost four congressional seats to GOP challengers — enough to give Republicans control of the House. And now the GOP is targeting my seat to flip the Senate, too.

As the only statewide Democrat at the top of the ticket this year, I'm working overtime to retake these House seats and defend my seat to keep our Senate majority. But on that very first campaign, I learned that you can't do anything alone. That's why I'm asking: Please, will you make a donation today to help me defend my seat, save our Senate majority and lead New York to a bright future? I'm counting on grassroots people like you to stand with me in this fight, friend.

Thank you for believing in me and for investing in the values we share.

With gratitude and love,

Kirsten