Hi John, welcome to the May edition of our newsletter!

Every month, we will continue to share updates on the important work we’re doing to build enduring political power in states across the country and keep you informed about what role you can play to fight for a progressive future. 

Thank you for being a critical part of our grassroots community. ❤️

📣 Meet Our First 7 Virginia Endorsements for 2025!

Last month, we unveiled our first slate of 2025 endorsements — and we couldn’t be more fired up! These seven powerhouse Democrats are ready to defend seats we’ve won before and flip the districts that will decide control of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Democrats currently have a one-seat majority in the state house. These are the races to watch and win: 

🔵 Kimberly Pope Adams (HD-82) – Lifelong Virginian and community leader who lost by just 53 votes in 2023. She’s mounting a powerful comeback to finish what she started.

🔵 Delegate Nadarius Clark (HD-84) –  Community organizer turned powerful legislator. He is fighting for housing access, economic justice, and a climate-resilient future.

🔵 Delegate Joshua Cole (HD-65) – A dedicated pastor, proven legislator and four-time Sister District endorsed candidate, he’s fighting for working families.

🔵 Delegate Michael Feggans (HD-97) – Proven legislator, Air Force veteran, and Sister District alumnus who flipped a competitive red district in 2023.

🔵 Lily Franklin (HD-41) – Fifth-generation Virginian, former teacher and legislative staffer who lost by 183 votes last cycle. She’s ready to flip this district for her community. 

🔵 Elizabeth Guzman (HD-22) – Union member, Virginia Green New Deal coalition co-founder, and three-time Sister District endorsed candidate who is ready to flip this seat.

🔵 Delegate Phil Hernandez (HD-94) – First-term Delegate who passed 15 bills in his rookie year. He is up against an anti-choice Republican. 

👉 Want to power these candidates to victory? Chip in to support them now.

 ☎️  National Phonebanks are LIVE for 2025!

Last year, Sister District phonebankers made an average of 80,000 calls per top-target candidate — helping us reach over 2 million voters and make thousands of vote plans with our candidates' target voters!

Now, Sister District and our National Phonebank partners are back in action to help elect top-priority Democrats to the Virginia House of Delegates, drive votes up the ticket, and help flip the Governor’s mansion blue.

Every call helps us send a clear message to Trump and the GOP: Democrats are organizing, energized, and ready to win.

👉 Sign up for a phonebank shift and help us win big in Virginia.

🏆  We’ve Been Nominated — and You Can Help Us Win!

We’re thrilled to share that three of Sister District’s programs and projects have been nominated for GAIN POWER’s POWERFUL IDEA Awards, which honor the work that strengthens progressive politics, advocacy, and our democracy.

🎉 Our 2024 nominees:

• State Bridges Program – Convenings (State Bridges is a past winner!)
• 2024 Impact Report – Creative Print/Collateral (Two-time winner!)
• Historic Firsts of 2024 – Digital Content (Brand new category!)

We’re so proud of this recognition, and we’d love your help bringing home the gold (again)! 

👉 Vote here: PowerfulIDEA.Vote
📝 Make a GAIN account
🔐 Log in and click “Judge” at the top to cast your votes!

💪 RECAP: Bridge Walks

Sister District teams across the country laced up their sneakers and hit the pavement to participate in a Bridge Walk for State Bridges.

Eleven teams — including South Bay, CA Peninsula, San Francisco, DC Metro, Portland+, Puget Sound, MA-RI, NYC, Chicago, Sonoma County, and Sacramento — came together for a joyful, powerful day of action in support of our 2025 State Bridges partners. Each walk was a moment to build community, raise critical funds, and show our commitment to investment in long-term power in key battleground states.

✨ Want to know more about the amazing grassroots orgs these walks supported? Check out our 2025 State Bridges partners.

📰 Featured Readings + Podcasts

• The Hill | Record numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native women elected to state legislatures
• Sister District Blog | Trump Attacks ActBlue: Sister District Responds to Assault on Grassroots Fundraising
• The Guardian | Virginia elections will test the backlash against Musk – and Democrats are ready with a plan

That’s all for now, John! We hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter. We’re grateful to have you as part of our collective fight to win permanent progressive power in the states for our communities.

Thank you, and enjoy your weekend!

— Sister District 

Paid for by Sister District Project. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Donations to Sister District Project, a 527 organization, are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.