We as Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) have an incredible opportunity to create real change in the Democratic Party in 2017. Our National Advisory Board member Rep. Keith Ellison is running to become Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and his chances look good. Bernie Sanders and other progressives support him, as do many mainstream Dems.

Keith has pledged to step down from Congress to become a full-time DNC Chair, and to launch a county-by-county grassroots effort to revitalize the Democratic Party. We agree with Keith. Real change happens from the grassroots up, at the local and state levels. We are proud we were the first national organization to endorse Rep. Keith Ellison for DNC Chair, and we look forward to working with him should he win election to that position.

We will continue pushing for change at the local, state, and national level. PDA is already advancing the political revolution locally. Please click here or reply to this email with your contact information and other details if you are an elected member of your state or local party, or if you would consider running for a position. Too busy to run for an official party position? Sign up with me to find out about other ways to help.

Join Progressive Democrats of America Working
For Evolution Within The Democratic Party!

Right now, across the country, at the county and ward levels, the Democratic Party is holding (re)organization meetings. At these sessions, Berniecrats are winning seats to their local and state party leadership. While this effort will be ongoing and steady in most instances, we can offer examples of total quantum leaps at the county level taking place already. Local meeting to elect the party leaders who will vote for the state party chairs and other key positions are approaching. We need your help now to take back the Democratic Party from the corporations and lobbyists! Please let me know if you are:

1) currently an elected/voting member of your local, county, ward, or state Democratic Party
2) willing to run for a position in a Democratic Party entity
3) willing to run for a DNC position

We know this can work, because it's already working. In Brevard County, Florida PDA members Stacey and Sanjay Patel opened their home for a single evening, and invited their local Berniecrats to come and fill out a single form to become eligible to run for a precinct committee position. Three hours later, they had totally flipped the leadership in Brevard county.

The Patels and their team put together the majority of precinct committee people and, as a result, they democratically elected Berniecrats into the key power positions—County Chair and State Committeeman—as well as dominating the other board positions. No backroom deals. No underhandedness. Just simple math. They gathered the votes, so they won.

Bottom line, the key to pulling the party to the left is gathering progressive friends, filling out the paperwork, and making sure progressives show up to vote. It can literally be that easy. So here's the plan:

1) If you're already a precinct committee person or actively involved in the local Democratic party, please let me know.

2) If you aren't already active, get that way. Either contact your county Democratic Party for information on how to get cooking, or if that becomes a dead end, contact me and I'll be happy to help.

3) If you can't set aside the time to run yourself, then please throw a few pennies in the tip jar to help us keep this growing.

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

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

Mike Fox for Donna, Judy, Mike H, Kim, 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