Hi John, welcome to the August 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. ❤️

🚨 Special Election Alert

For the first time ever, Sister District is endorsing a candidate in Iowa: Catelin Drey, a community advocate and working mother running in the August 26th special election for Iowa’s State Senate District 1!

If we flip this seat, we would break the Republicans’ veto-proof supermajority in the Senate.

Here’s how you can help:

👉 Make a grassroots donation to Catelin Drey’s campaign.
👉 Sign up to join our weekly phonebank and help turn out Iowa voters.

🌟 Team Spotlight

Sister District volunteers are showing up in joyful, creative ways to power this movement.

Sister District teams from left to right: South Bay, Sonoma County, Southern Vermont

In South Bay, the team hosted an Around the World Dinner Party for 45 supporters featuring a curated international tasting menu with dishes from three global cuisines. The result? Over $7,600 raised for Josh Thomas in Virginia — a huge boost for one of our brilliant candidates!

Recently, Sister District Sonoma County took to the coast with a Marine Adventure, and Southern Vermont held a croquet event. These are more examples of the spirit and community that define this work.

And they’re not alone. So far this year, Sister District teams and affiliates have held 181 events in support of candidates!

📱 Follow Sarah Curmi on Bluesky

Sister District’s Executive Director, Sarah Curmi, just joined Bluesky — and we’d love for you to follow along!

She’ll be posting about key state legislative battles, what’s at stake in today’s political climate, and the grassroots efforts that are making a difference. Expect sharp and timely insights and plenty of love for our people-powered movement.

🤝 Join Sarah on Bluesky and be part of the conversation!

💪 Supporting community-based organizations

All too often, real investments and organizing come just weeks before Election Day — long after they could’ve made the biggest impact.

Our State Bridges program challenges this by raising money for locally rooted, grassroots organizations that undertake year-round organizing to win key state elections and build power in states like Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

Here’s a quick look at what they’ve already accomplished since our last events together — thanks to your support:

ACE - Arizona Center for Empowerment

Defeated 12 anti-immigrant bills during the current legislative session
Protected funding for K-12 education, Medicaid (AHCCCS), SNAP, WIC, and TANF
Advocated for $50M investment in rental assistance through the Housing Trust Fund

RAZE - Rural Arizona Engagement

Expanded the Protect Our Pueblos campaign with a hotline and resources for those impacted by immigration policies
Identified ICE activity in rural borderlands and coordinated rapid response efforts with state partners
Hosted bilingual Know Your Rights trainings in English and Spanish for staff, volunteers, and community members

We The People Michigan Action Fund

Increased base by 7,000 individuals statewide, now over 20,000 engaged members
Hosted multi-day workshops teaching staff how to handle law enforcement encounters, medical emergencies, and de-escalation
Opened a third Michigan office in Kalamazoo to strengthen organizing in the southwest region

Mothering Justice (Michigan)

Launched the Black Womxn Win fellowship with 32 participants, providing training and mentorship to empower Black women leaders
Knocked on 55,399 doors, had 14,955 meaningful conversations, and made 18,270 phone calls reaching 3,312 voters across four counties
Worked to pass the Momnibus package, improving Black maternal health and implementing earned paid sick time, impacting 1.5 million Michiganders

Pennsylvania Stands Up Institute

Passed a Lackawanna County non-discrimination ordinance protecting unhoused people, especially trans individuals
Secured funding for transitional housing in Lancaster
Brought together housing leaders from across Pennsylvania and conducted deep canvassing, met with elected officials, reviewed national decarbonization campaigns, and held four community listening sessions

Pittsburgh United

Knocked on 59,154 doors and had conversations with 3,957 people since our last State Bridges event together
Hosted 3 housing forums/town halls this spring with 280 attendees
Engaged voters with 14 different municipal candidates during the forums

Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund

Had the highest number of phone conversations in recent years, canvassing nearly 1,000 people by phone
Moved 8.15% of undecided voters through doors and phones
Mobilized nearly 100 people to participate in two Lobby Days of Action at the Capitol

WISDOM

Knocked on over 40,000 doors and engaged more than 10,000 people to get out the vote for the spring Supreme Court election
Held our Lobby Day with over 700 leaders from across the state
Won a state budget that included the things people demanded—Medicaid, public education funding, and closing prisons without building new ones

New Virginia Majority Education Fund

Made 120,000 voter contact calls to track key issues and help voters find their legislative districts
Supported voter education and Get Out the Vote efforts for the June 17th primary elections
Launched a Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA) to ensure racial equity is central in all legislative priorities

👉 Take a more in-depth look at what our 2025 State Bridges partners have accomplished so far this year.

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.