John —

After reflecting and discussing it with my husband and others on my team, I have decided to suspend my Congressional campaign. With so many Democrats now running in the 32nd District, the top-two primary math doesn’t add up anymore. If all of the announced Democrats continue in the race, Congressman Sherman will face a Republican in the general election again, ensuring that he’ll remain in Congress in a safe Democratic district. 

I could stay in the race to continue making the case that we need a new generation of Democrats with bold ideas in Washington, but with the fight for Congress, our country, and the Democratic Party entering new territory, I can’t justify using resources just to make a point. 

I wholeheartedly believe that our focus — in California, especially — should be on winning the election in November to secure the new Congressional districts drawn up in response to the abominable actions taken by the President and the Republican Party in Texas.

I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the voters and supporters I met across the 32nd District. Thank you to those who opened your homes to me and our campaign, the ones I met marching and protesting this administration’s horrendous policies, and to all those from around the country who texted, messaged, or even donated from a completely different state, all because they believe that the future of our party is one worth fighting for. 

I also want to say a special thank you to my husband and biggest supporter, Abe, for his tireless support and guidance. Thank you for always being there for me (and Kip). 

Over the months on the trail, I have seen the immediate impact our campaign has had on the 32nd District. It has made me more sure than ever that primaries are not only essential in a functioning democracy, but they are immensely beneficial. In the last five months, we have seen a 15-term incumbent Congressman host more town halls than he had in the last five years. We have seen him sign on to legislation he had never even commented on (only after I publicly expressed my support for it). Primaries are not a waste of time or resources if they force incumbents to actually show up and do their job. 

Moving forward, I call on California Democrats, especially those in safe seats like Congressman Sherman, to put in their fair share of resources to secure a win in November's special election. If members like Congressman Sherman, with over $4 million in his campaign account, a sum he would never come close to needing to defend his seat, don’t financially support the campaign with a seven-figure contribution, the California Democratic Party should call for their resignation. If Congressman Sherman isn’t willing to stand up for democracy, it could potentially spur me back into the campaign after November.

I entered this race because Americans deserve better from our elected officials. We deserve choice, and we deserve our leaders to be accountable and accessible. I will be forever proud of even the small impact we might have had in getting a Congressman to finally do his actual job, representing and serving the people and communities of California’s 32nd District, not just his own personal interests. 

This was not the result I was hoping for, but I have been so excited to see so many other campaigns across the country like ours spring up and challenge the status quo at all levels of government. Those candidates and public servants are the future of our party, and I am honored to have run alongside them.

With gratitude and hope for the future,

Jake