Perhaps you marched (or wanted to), donated to a candidate (or meant to), signed a petition (or almost did), or attended a community meeting (or you are looking for one).
I am writing this letter to you. I was you, and I want to share my story about how I took action so that you can too.
Many people associate me as an advocate for labor and politics – but what most people don’t realize is that I had zero experience two years ago. In 2016, I began paying attention to the presidential campaigns, and I hit a point where I knew I wanted to do something more than just share posts about the campaigns on social media. Like you, I was inspired to be part of change, but I didn’t know how to take action.
Luckily, the South Bay Labor Council (AFL-CIO), and my union, SEIU – United Healthcare Workers-West, provided me with an opportunity to help run a political campaign. My first campaign was running an independent expenditure campaign for a local councilmember who was running for the state legislature. I learned all about organizing, but the most powerful thing I learned was that ordinary people, like you and me, can make significant change by helping elect the right leaders into office.
2018 is a very import election year for working families. Working people have the opportunity to take back the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. This means we can put an end to tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent of Americans, protect our undocumented family and friends from deportation, and send a message to this “President” that this country will #NeverAgain.
Here in California, we will also be electing a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Working Californians will also be voting in close races for U.S. Senate, and the California State Attorney General.
This November’s election has the potential to either reaffirm the path that this country is currently on or serve as a defining moment where everyday people, like you and me, take action to ensure that this country serves all Americans, not just those with economic privilege.
This November, we need volunteers to educate voters about the importance of this election, and we need to ensure that working families vote. We need people to take action – people like you.
This Saturday, April 7th at 9:00 am I will be attending the South Bay Labor Council’s spring campaign kickoff at 2102 Almaden Road in San Jose, CA. Please join me, come meet candidates for San Jose City Council, including San Jose Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco and Councilmember Raul Peralez, and take your first action.
I hope to see you there!
Angela Tamayo
PRES of the Young Workers Caucus, UHW
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