Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) has written to you about this before, and we thank you for your interest and strong support. Today, we have some new developments to report. Some people have asked why we back Keith so forcefully. Here is his vision for the party, in his own words, (from our friend Rep. Keith Ellison):

We must energize Democratic activists across the country and give them the tools to build the Party from the bottom up. Beyond a 50-state strategy, we need a 3,143-county strategy. DNC members are on the front lines in these states and counties, and we must harness your experience and give you a meaningful voice as we set the direction for the Party. In a DNC Chair, you need a partner and an advocate who will ensure you have the resources you need to win.

Join Progressive Democrats of America Working
For Revolution In The Democratic Party!
We NEED Keith's leadership at the DNC!

If you agree with Keith's "3,143-county strategy" that would give you a meaningful voice in the Party, please donate generously now to help Keith win! This link is set up for a $25 donation, divided evenly between Keith Ellison and PDA, but feel free to change that. Also, click here to sign on to help Keith in other ways.

Money tight? Then sign up with Mike Fox to help us push the Democratic Party toward the progressive grassroots. Please click here to let Mike Fox know if you are willing to help out!

Sign Rep. Keith Ellison's petition, hopefully by midnight, to tell the Republicans to keep their hands off our health care.

Now for the important updates:

First, a massive and still-growing groundswell of grassroots progressives, unions, and Democratic Party groups from around the country are working together to help elect Keith Ellison to be DNC Chairperson.

Working people and activists are joining U.S. Senators including Bernie Sanders, Liz Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Al Franken, and Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as Representatives including John Conyers (MI-13), Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-04), Mike Honda (CA-17), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rick Nolan (MN-08), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), John Lewis (GA-5) and many more. Click here to join us!

Standing with several unions and advocacy groups including the AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers, Americans for Democratic Action, Communications Workers of America, the Working Families Party, Social Security Works, and of course Progressive Democrats of America, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association recently endorsed Keith for DNC Chair. In their letter they explained why:

The 2016 General Election sent a clear signal to the Democratic Party. Voters are calling for change. Focusing on growing the middle class and addressing economic issues, such as living wages for the underpaid and underemployed, needs to be at the core of what the Democratic Party stands for. That is why the Executive Board of the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association has voted to endorse Congressman Keith Ellison for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

IDCCA President Doug House said “Congressman Ellison has the experience, ability to unify, the vision and fundraising experience with grassroots and large donors to lead the Democratic National Committee. His plan of grassroots organizing and training at the local level are at the core of what the IDCCA does. We are proud to stand with and endorse Keith Ellison.”

Second, now is the time for you to step up and get involved! If you can, please donate generously now to help Keith win! This link is set up for a $25 donation, divided evenly between Keith Ellison and PDA, but feel free to change that.

Money tight? Then sign up with Mike Fox to help us push the Democratic Party toward the progressive grassroots, by taking over the decision-making from the bottom up! Local party positions at the precinct level are always opening up. Some organizing meetings to elect local and state party leaders have already passed, but some are approaching. We need your help now to take back the Democratic Party from the corporations and lobbyists! Please click here to let Mike Fox know if you are: currently an elected/voting member of your local, county, ward, or state Democratic Party; willing to run for a position in a Democratic Party entity; and/or willing to run for a DNC position.

Third, and as usual, Keith is leading the struggle to protect us from cuts to our healthcare. From our friend Rep. Keith Ellison:

“Paul Ryan: We’ll Defund Planned Parenthood In Our Obamacare Repeal Bill, Too”

The Huffington Post, 1/5/17

This is an incredibly important time for Democrats to come together and rally around our shared values. As Senator Paul Wellstone said, “If politics is the art of the possible, then organizing is the art of making more possible.”

Rather than feeling disheartened by the Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), now is the time to organize. I’m launching a petition to tell Republicans: We will never stop fighting attempts to roll back affordable health care.

To send a message, we need to collect 15,000 signatures by midnight tonight. Will you add your name?

This isn’t just about Washington politics. This is about the 22 million Americans who will lose health care if the ACA is repealed. This is about families in rural areas who rely on Planned Parenthood for critical health services. This is ultimately about standing up for working families in our country.

The time is now to organize and fight back. Add your name next to mine: Tell Republicans to keep their hands off affordable health care.

Thank you,

Keith Ellison

We know taking back the Democratic Party from the corporations and lobbyists won't be easy or cheap. We need resources to organize behind strong candidates for local, state, and national offices. Pitch in $500, $50, or whatever you can right now.

On to bringing the party back to it's progressive roots!

Mike Hersh for Donna, Judy, Mike F, Kim, Bryan, Janis, Deb, Dan, Teva, and Amos
Your Progressive Democrats of America National Team

P.S. We're here to help you make progress in your state and locality! If you need help organizing a new PDA chapter or energizing your existing chapter, please contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess.

Remember: we can't do anything without your generous support

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