Received this e-mail today from Democracy for America in support of Rob Quist’s (D. MT-AL) campaign:
This is stunning: Thanks in part to heroic work by DFA members like you, progressive populist James Thompson came within a few percentage points of beating his Republican opponent in a deep-red Kansas district that Donald Trump won by 27 points.
It's an amazing result. Even though we didn't take the seat, this outcome is still a turning point for progressives. Kansas's fourth district was considered to be one of the most challenging places in the country for Democrats to win. But we came closer than anyone ever expected here. That means we can win in dozens of other red and purple districts across America.
DFA members never gave up on a state like Kansas. You helped make more than 287,000 GOTV calls and donated tens of thousands of dollars to elect James Thompson. But much of the Democratic establishment didn't even bother to show up. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sat on their hands until literally the day before the election -- while the progressive grassroots turned out voters, built up momentum and nearly won a major upset.
Unfortunately, Kansas's Fourth district isn't the only House race the DCCC has decided in advance that they won't try to win.
DFA-endorsed candidate Rob Quist is in a tight race to pick up a House seat in Montana this May. He's running a great, populist campaign focused on fixing the economy and lifting up working families, but the DCCC and other major Democratic Party institutions are also sitting his race out.
We proved in Kansas we have a shot at winning by running populist, progressive candidates who fight for everyone and for our values. With the Montana election a month away, now is the time to organize. Can you help build on the grassroots progressive momentum we saw in Kansas by signing up to make calls for Rob Quist?
Yes -- I'll pledge to make calls for Rob Quist to help progressive populists pick off this winnable GOP House seat.
No, I can't make calls, but I'll chip in $3 or more right now to build Rob Quist's campaign and help DFA support progressive populist candidates in all 50 states.
The lessons here are clear. We beat Republicans when we run on our values, not away from them. We listen to voters when they tell us what they care about. We organize early, and build for the long haul.
The fact that a pro-choice, pro-LGBT, Bernie-supporting, populist civil rights attorney like James Thompson was able to make HUGE gains in Kansas this quickly is proof that there is growing momentum for real progressive change in the era of Trump, even in places where establishment Democrats have given up.
But Democrats are competing -- and winning -- in Montana already. On the same election night that Montanans voted for Trump, they also re-elected their Democratic governor. And that was before Trump's awful policies activated millions of grassroots progressives and swing voters alike. By supporting Montana progressives, we can help win a huge victory.
Rob Quist is building a strong campaign in Montana. He's a popular musician with a long history of public service. He supports Medicare for All and he opposes Citizens United. He has been holding listening sessions and rallies in counties all over Montana, and his message is clearly resonating. His opponent is one of the Republicans' weakest recruits -- a New Jersey tech billionaire and perennial failed candidate who lost in November to a Democratic governor even as Trump won the state.
Last night, we shocked the political establishment -- and sent a message to Donald Trump -- by making huge gains in a deep red Kansas House district. Now, let's shock them by putting Rob Quist over the top in Montana. Can you sign up to make calls?
Yes -- I'll pledge to make calls to help progressive populist Rob Quist win his House special election.
No, I can't make calls, but I will pitch in $3 or more today to Rob Quist and DFA to fuel this progressive momentum -- and to score a big win in Montana.
Thanks for helping DFA fight and win in all 50 states!
- Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America