The polls and recent election results make it clear: 2018 has the chance to be a wave election. With enough progressive, people-powered challengers, we could elect enough Democratic candidates to flip control of the House.
But that requires Democrats to win big in California.
California is ground zero in the battle for Congress in 2018. Democrats must win 25 seats to kick Republicans out of power. And there are as many as nine Congressional districts held by California Republicans that Democrats could win.
These are districts Hillary Clinton carried in 2016. Districts with huge numbers of young people, people of color, and progressives who can tip the balance and take control of the House.
Victories across California in 2018 are going to be absolutely critical to Democrats' chances of taking back the House and gaining the political power necessary to confront and defeat Donald Trump's bigoted and oligarchic agenda.
That's why Democracy for America is announcing our first challenger endorsements for Congress in the key battleground state of California. We've worked alongside incumbent progressive champions like Maxine Waters and Nanette Barragán, and now we're sending more incredible leaders to join them in Washington.
We're endorsing Bryan Caforio, Laura Oatman, Sam Jammal, and Mike Levin because they will not only help win the House -- they'll fight for the bold progressive agenda voters want and deserve.
The path to a Democratic House majority runs through California. Will you chip in $3 or more to help DFA elect these progressives and win big in 2018?
The four challengers we are endorsing today are running in Southern California districts that Democrats have nearly won in the past. And thanks to Paul Ryan and Donald Trump's extremist agenda, as well as these candidates' progressive vision, we have a better chance than ever before to win.
The tax plan that Congress is on the verge of passing will hurt these districts incredibly hard. Republicans designed it to hammer California hard, trying to punish voters for electing Democrats. The Republican plan even ends a tax break for people who have lost homes to the wildfires currently ravaging these districts.
As a result, voters are angry and ready to sweep out these extremist Republican incumbents -- people like Darrell Issa, who nearly lost in 2016, and who Mike Levin has the chance to defeat for good in 2018.
Bryan Caforio, Laura Oatman, Sam Jammal, and Mike Levin are all running the smart, inclusive populist campaigns necessary not only to defeat the right-wing California Republicans who have been enabling Trump's agenda, but also inspire tens of thousands of new voters who want to join us in fighting back.
California has long been a progressive beacon for the country and with these new leaders fighting for it in Washington it will continue to lead the battle for big, bold ideas like Medicare For All, comprehensive immigration reform, and a robust response to climate change.
We have a chance to unseat the GOP in 2018 and derail Trump's bigoted, greedy agenda -- but we need to win big in California. Will you chip in $3 or more to help DFA elect these progressive champions?
Thank you for helping win now and in 2018.
- Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America