Friend --

Our number one priority for the next four years is simple: We need to expand the map for Democrats. This means making sure our candidates can campaign -- competitively -- in every corner of the country.

It won’t be easy. The GOP’s financial war chest, partisan gerrymandering, and the Republican crusade to suppress the vote are all serious hurdles we must overcome if we want to elect Democrats in historically red states. But I know it can be done.

You’re a dedicated member of this grassroots team, so I wanted to come to you directly and explain our strategy to solidify Democratic majorities and continue to pick up seats in every ZIP code. It’s a long email, but it’s important -- and afterward, I hope you’ll consider chipping in to own a piece of this work and make a $25 donation to the DNC.


Investing early in all 50 states

We talk a lot about the power of early investments, but it’s especially true of any effort to expand our party’s map. Think of it this way:

Fundraising during a campaign cycle usually follows what we call a “hockey stick” model. Donations stay fairly flat throughout most of the year, and then, as attention and excitement build in the weeks leading up to Election Day, more gifts are made and the head of the hockey stick curves upward.

Here’s the downside: Expanding our party’s map is fundamentally incompatible with the hockey stick model. Putting new states on the map requires investing in staff, organizing, and infrastructure months -- if not years -- before Election Day, which means that by the time our party starts raising the kind of money that could expand our map, it’s often too late to invest it to best accomplish that goal.

It doesn’t have to be that way though. If enough folks like you recognize the stakes and come forward to invest early in our party when you can, we can overcome the disadvantages of the hockey stick model and be competitive in new areas.


Strengthening our state parties

State parties are crucial to Democrats’ success. They know their communities best -- and that means they know exactly which candidates, messaging, and tactics will resonate most, too.

But here’s the truth: Republicans transferred far more resources to their state parties than Democrats did last election cycle. Without strong, Democratic state parties ready to go head-to-head with that kind of support, we’re already at a disadvantage -- especially in traditionally “red” strongholds where we want to be competitive.

Your support will help make strategic investments in state parties -- and ensure they have the resources to continue the electoral and organizing work year-round that will help our party build long-term power.


Expanding access to national resources

The Democratic National Committee is the sole party committee tasked with electing Democrats at every level of government, from the statehouse to the White House. This means that there are certain resources only the DNC can provide.

From building up our data and tech infrastructure so that campaigns have the most up-to-date voter information to protecting voters’ rights through long-term, expensive litigation, the DNC is working to not only strengthen our party’s core programs, but expand their accessibility to candidates up and down the ballot.


Thank you for taking the time to read about our party’s plan to expand our campaign operation. It’s going to take all of us working together to expand the map for Democrats in the years ahead, and certainly none of it would be possible without the commitment of folks like you.

You’re the heart and soul of our party, so I mean it when I say that anything you’re able to contribute today will determine the impact of our programs in the long run. If you’re in the position to do so, I hope you’ll consider making a $25 donation to the DNC to continue lifting Democrats to victory as we head into this next election cycle.

Thanks again for taking the time to read about our party’s path forward. Now, let’s get to work.

All my best,

Jaime

Jaime Harrison
Chair
Democratic National Committee