This is our newest Downballot Diary: stories about Dems running hard in the hardest places. Each is someone we're supporting through our crowdfunding project called First In Line. Leila Staton has callouses on knuckles from knocking doors, signs that say "caring is cool," and infectious enthusiasm.

Downballot Diaries: 21 When She Filed to Run

Leila Staton, Iowa House District 54

substack.com

One reason we do what we do is to empower & encourage folks who are running hard in hard places. Last week we heard from one such person. Michael Coonrad, running for IA state leg, said "seeing an organization put a spotlight on overlooked races like my own has been a real morale booster." 💙

Last week we shared the story of Mike Frantz, a Dem running in IA's 3rd Senate District. He's part of our First in Line project, where we're crowdfunding for candidates running where Dems didn't run in the last cycle. But Mike's not the only IA Dem who's running in a previously uncontested district!

"Frantz grew up hunting pheasant on his grandpa’s century farm but later watched helplessly as that farm got sold to pay for his grandparents’ medical care. He remembers going out one last time with this dog and his gun. ...

What costs go into a grassroots campaign? Let's break it down using this photo of a parade Jess Piper's campaign walked in a few years back. $10 buys a straw bale and a yard sign. (4 bales + signs in the photo = $40) $20 buys a t-shirt to wear for parades and door knocking (1 in photo = $20)

In 2024, the Oklahoma GOP won 78 state leg seats by default because there wasn't a Dem on the ballot at all. Care to guess the nationwide total? How many state leg seats went to Republicans because they were unopposed by Dems last cycle? A) About 400 B) About 700 C) About 1,100 D) About 1,800

If you've been following the news, you know the path to winning the Senate just got harder. That happens sometimes. Races get complicated. The map shifts. That's politics. What doesn't shift is the downballot Dems knocking doors in state leg districts across ME, AK, IA, TX GA, MI, NC, NH, and OH.

July 4, 1776 was the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The Treaty of Paris – when the colonies actually obtained independence – wasn’t signed for seven years. We don’t celebrate those seven years. And we don’t celebrate the day that we won. We celebrate the day we decided to try.

Dave Carney – who the TX Observer has called "Abbott's Attack Dog" has spent decades helping the GOP dominate Texas politics. When Texas 💙 said they were contesting *every* state legislative district in 2026 – something neither party had done in modern Texas history – Carney had a message for them.

Everything's impossible until it's not. But progress requires effort – sometimes over a long time. That's why we support the folks who are running hard in the hardest places, making progress in the reddest districts, and striking the path that becomes tomorrow's road. We see you! 💙

OMG. I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!!

Elf: Will Ferrell's 'I Know Him!!!!' Scene

ALT: Elf: Will Ferrell's 'I Know Him!!!!' Scene

static.klipy.com

Every State Blue@everystateblue.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This morning we got a note from a PA candidate who was in a special election earlier this month. In that special, after being outspent TEN TO ONE, jumping through various hoops, and withstanding a variety of shenanigans...he overperformed 2024's top of the ticket. By TWENTY points. But he "lost."

This morning we got a note from a PA candidate who was in a special election earlier this month. In that special, after being outspent TEN TO ONE, jumping through various hoops, and withstanding a variety of shenanigans...he overperformed 2024's top of the ticket. By TWENTY points. But he "lost."

We recently launched First In Line – crowdfunding for people running for state leg in previously uncontested/red districts. Our ED Michele made a few donations herself. Yesterday she got a thank you note from an OK candidate – for the $1.07 share of the funds that she received.

The bluest wave starts with the reddest district. 💙 We support people who are running hard in the hardest places. It's a motto, and a mission. It's also really tactical.

Leave no district uncontested, no candidate unsupported, and no voter behind. Run hard everywhere. Fight everywhere. Let's turn every state blue. 💙

Hot take: investing in down-ballot statehouse races is one of the most efficient uses of political money. Hotter take: when they're in red or previously uncontested districts, your $ is even more efficient because those races are about direct voter contact and you've got a lot of low-hanging fruit.

Fight back. Support candidates running in deep red districts to try and make a difference. If we want Dems to contest everywhere, we have to help.

Every State Blue@everystateblue.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Did you know that Every State Blue now has crowdfunding pages for BLUE DOTS running in RED DISTRICTS all over the country? We're directly supporting the folks running hard in the hardest places – in every state with state leg elections this cycle. It's true! ->

Did you know that Every State Blue now has crowdfunding pages for BLUE DOTS running in RED DISTRICTS all over the country? We're directly supporting the folks running hard in the hardest places – in every state with state leg elections this cycle. It's true! ->

First In Line — Put a Democrat First in Every State

These races have always been last in line for resources. We put them first. Find your state and support Democrats showing up where it matters most.

everystateblue.org

This is the map that the TN GOP is trying to push through. **Even if you're not in TN** now is the time to push back. What can you do from wherever you are? A LOT MORE THAN YOU THINK.

Friends, you've probably seen the map. It's awful. It's also an opportunity. We can make them pay dearly for disenfranchising Black voters and underestimating both the people of TN AND the people around the country who care about democracy (and about the people of TN).

Democrats running for state legislature seats can win in a lot of new places this year. Crowdfund ALL the Democrats running in state legislative races where there was no Dem candidate last cycle with one click. Thanks @everystateblue.bsky.social & @hornish.bsky.social.

First In Line — Put a Democrat First in Every State

These races have always been last in line for resources. We put them first. Find your state and support Democrats showing up where it matters most.

everystateblue.org

@sailormichael.bsky.social @democratswin.bsky.social @swingbluealliance.org @everystateblue.bsky.social Can we repost this important info?

Black Voters Matter Fund@blackvotersmatterfund.org · 3mo ago

Tennesseans are showing up to demand maps that protect our communities NOT political power! This is the moment to stand together and be clear: our maps should reflect our communities, not erase them. Show up, tap in: https://bit.ly/3OQKYPH #protectthevote #tennessee

Hot take: running everywhere isn’t a waste—it’s essential. New Beyond Resistance episode 🗳️🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/5f4hs3dn @jlaustin13.bsky.social @hornish.bsky.social @everystateblue.bsky.social@

Well there you have it. SCOTUS just rolled back the Voting Rights Act. It’s a terrible decision. It’s also a reminder that we can’t just focus on federal and flippable races. We have to run everywhere – and we have to support the people who are running everywhere.

Yesterday we got a lovely handwritten thank you note from Chris Fowler, an OK state leg candidate who's included in Round 1 of our First In Line funding. Like every race in Round 1, he's running in a district that was uncontested last cycle. He's out there making progress and we're proud to help!

Back the wave of blue dots with one click: everystateblue.org/first-in-line/

Every State Blue@everystateblue.bsky.social · 3mo ago

A flock of flamingos is called a flamboyance. A group of hummingbirds is called a charm. A bunch of porcupines is called a prickle. And a collection of blue dots in the reddest corners of the country is called ... One helluva wave. 🌊🌊🌊

Huzzah!!! Our Michigan First In Line page is up! 💙 And MI is the very first state to start out in Round 2 – because in 2024 they had ZERO uncontested races. And they're doing the same thing this year. Woot! ⭐️⭐️

A flock of flamingos is called a flamboyance. A group of hummingbirds is called a charm. A bunch of porcupines is called a prickle. And a collection of blue dots in the reddest corners of the country is called ... One helluva wave. 🌊🌊🌊

When folks ask "why bother funding races you can’t win?" – our first answer is to not count anybody out, because life comes at you fast and we’re in unprecedented times. Being prepared to take advantage of opportunities and momentum is smart.

@everystateblue.bsky.social helps fund the candidates with the fewest resources. If we want Dems to fight everywhere - WE have to support them!! @everystateblueoh.bsky.social @everystatebluemo.bsky.social @everystatebluetn.bsky.social @swingbluealliance.org everystateblue.org