Dear friends and allies -
It’s time for another edition of MVP’s monthly newsletter — The Power Move. 💪💪🏽💪🏿.
Last week was primary election day in DC, and I spent four days in a row personally knocking more than 300 doors in my neighborhood for my favorite mayoral candidate. That was on top of the 500+ doors I had already knocked.
I’m not bringing this up to toot my own horn. I’m bringing this up because it truly illustrated to me just how important the work of MVP’s grantee partners is.
The people I had the privilege of talking to are my neighbors — many of whom I had never met before. The fact that I could say to them, “Hi, I’m Annie. I live in that house right there, and I wanted to talk to you about elections,” carried that extra built-in trust that’s so needed right now when having political conversations. They saw me not as a random political operative knocking their door, but as a neighbor who lives on their block and knows a lot of the issues facing DC residents because I face them too.
These types of authentic, trust-building conversations are exactly the kinds of conversations MVP’s grantee partners are having every day with people in their communities.
Whether it’s Make the Road Action Nevada getting out the vote for state Assembly candidate Miguel Dávila and other Democrats, or GROWW (GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin) mobilizing hundreds of people in Eau Claire, WI to oppose data centers (more on both of these below), person-to-person conversations built on trust and relationships are what our partners do every day.
It’s not just one conversation. Our partners engage these voters over and over to develop real dialogue and build even stronger relationships.
Take my experience in DC: After spending hours knocking doors in my neighborhood, I now have a network of people I can go back to and invite over for a cold beverage on a hot day, offer help shoveling snow, and have a meaningful discussion about what we want to see from our elected officials and how to organize together to achieve change. That goes for my neighbors and my fellow canvass volunteers.
This is organizing. It’s what our partners do. And it’s how we will win in November.
I was out for a handful of days talking to voters to help win a single election. But MVP’s partners are out all year talking to people to build movements that can win elections and also build the long-term power needed to truly transform our future.
Read on to learn more and feel just as inspired as I do.
Thanks, as always, for being with us in this fight.
Annie Lipsitz, MVP Donor Communications Manager
(On behalf of the MVP team)
P.S. - Don’t miss our Summer Special section on What’s Hot at MVP! (Spoiler Alert: We’ve got plans to win, literally!)
Photo: Ohio Organizing Campaign organizers.
MVP Partners Doing What They Do Best 🏅
We cannot say it enough: Our grantee partners are leading the way for change. They are the ones who will help us win the midterms this year, govern boldly next year, and win a Democratic trifecta in 2028.
From fighting for the freedom to vote to helping stop gerrymandering to winning elections, to recruiting and training candidates, they are shifting the direction of our country.
Ohio: Fighting Back for our Freedom to Vote 🚨
On June 11, FBI agents raided the offices of Ohio Organizing Campaign (OOC) and its affiliated organizations. FBI agents showed up unannounced to OOC’s offices, with battering rams, firearms, and more. They interrogated OOC staff without legal counsel present. FBI agents also went to the homes of volunteers and staff, seized computers and other electronic devices, and even questioned staffers while their children were present.
This raid is shocking and outrageous, and just the latest in a line of politically motivated allegations of voter fraud.
Ohio Organizing Campaign’s sibling organization, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, released an open letter defending their work registering more than 600,000 people to vote and confirming that their critical voting rights efforts will continue. In it they stated:
"The targeting of OOC is the latest effort from those in power to silence individuals and organizations they disagree with. Even for groups that have done nothing wrong, the intrusive investigative process is the punishment. They want to scare people from volunteering, donating, and participating in our democracy. We won’t let them win."
Read the full letter here.
Three Ways You Can Help
- Donate to MVP’s Ohio Democracy Defense Fund: At the request of Ohio partners, MVP quickly established the Ohio Democracy Defense Fund just one day after the FBI raid. Organizers in Ohio have said that they need $2 million in immediate support. All gifts to this fund will go directly to Ohio organizers on the ground fighting to defend our democracy and our freedom to vote.
- Follow #HandsOffOhio: In response to this attack, Ohio organizers quickly came together to form #HandsOffOhio — a coalition of groups to lead the response to this Trump-backed attack. Check handsoffohio.org regularly for resources, updates, and additional ways to take action.
- Spread the word: This story should be all over the news, but given our fractured and distracted media environment, it’s not. We need to make sure people hear what’s happening in Ohio, so we can support organizers on the ground and fight back against the chilling effect this could have on other civic engagement groups. We put together this sample email language you can use to spread the word within your networks. We need everyone to take action, and MVP supporters (that’s you!) are our best messengers.
Photo: MVP partners, including Black Voters Matter Fund, GA Working Family Party, Georgia Youth Justice Coalition, and Asian American Advocacy Fund, mobilize hundreds of people to protest gerrymandering at the Georgia State Capitol.
Georgia: “Bless your gerrymandering heart.” 😎
That’s what organizers had to say to Georgia’s GOP governor, Brian Kemp, when he tried to put redistricting on the agenda for the Peach State’s special legislative session that began June 17.
The operative word here is “tried,” because, y’all, organizers — led by MVP partners — showed up and showed out to help stop the Trump-backed redistricting plan that would have gained Republicans congressional and legislative seats ahead of the 2028 elections.
Georgia Working Families Party, Asian American Advocacy Fund, Black Voters Matter Fund, and Georgia Youth Justice Coalition started organizing in opposition as soon as Kemp announced the special session. They raised the alarm online and in their communities and packed the State Capitol with hundreds of demonstrators.
Their rapid response mobilization was so massive that Republican lawmakers in Georgia backtracked on redistricting. Why? Because they feared voter backlash in November, thanks to MVP partners’ tenacious and strategic organizing.
Read all about our partners’ incredible victory on MVP’s blog here.
Photo: Make the Road Action Nevada canvassers knocking doors for Miguel Dávila and other endorsed Democratic candidates ahead of Nevada’s primary election.
Nevada: Betting Big in the Battle Born State 🎰
On June 9, Nevada held its primary elections, and MVP partners bet big in the Battle Born State.
Make the Road Action Nevada (MRA-NV) endorsed roughly a dozen candidates up and down the ballot, including a handful of MRA-NV’s members. Most notably, MRA-NV and SEIU member Miguel Dávila won his primary for Assembly District 15, running on a platform that included getting ICE out of communities, better parks and public spaces, and affordable housing.
MRA-NV went all out for the primaries, knocking more than 41,000 doors, making nearly 172,000 calls, and sending more than 288,000 text messages. That massive effort can be the deciding factor in who wins and who loses, especially in races won by tiny margins like Dávila’s, who beat Watts by just 43 votes.
MRA-NV and other Nevada partners, including One APIA Nevada and Battle Born Progress, who showed up big for the primaries will turn their attention to November to defend Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District (a “lean Dem” race) by re-electing Rep. Susie Lee, flip the governor’s seat to win a Democratic trifecta, and help Miguel Dávila and other progressive, grassroots candidates win.
Photo: 603 Forward recruiting young candidates to run for office in New Hampshire
New Hampshire: Bench Building in the Granite State 🙋🏻
MVP partner 603 Forward is on a mission to recruit and train the next generation of bold, future-focused leaders to run for office and win. So far this year, they’ve recruited and trained 72 candidates — mostly young people — to run for seats up and down the ballot.
And when we say “training,” we aren’t talking about a one-and-done. 603 Forward has held 10 trainings and a two-day Ready, Set, Lead bootcamp, published “Run For It,” their first-ever guide to running for office, and launched Run Club, a 35-member candidate cohort.
That’s a lot of meaningful skills and leadership development to make sure the candidates they recruit are ready to run campaigns and win.
Here’s what 603 Forward’s director Matt Mooshian had to say about it:
“Throughout this recruitment cycle, we've met people from every part of New Hampshire who care deeply about their communities and are willing to put themselves out there to serve. Running for office isn't easy, and it takes real courage to step forward. We're proud to support these candidates as they work to bring their experiences, perspectives, and leadership to public service.”
So, if you know folks in New Hampshire (looking at you, MVP Comms Director, Zo Tobi 👀) who want to run for office, hit up 603 Forward!
Photo: Western Wisconsin residents attending “Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers,” co-hosted by MVP partner GROWW.
Wisconsin: Power to the People, Not Data Centers 🔌
You know what’s louder than a squeaky cheese curd? Western Wisconsin organizers!
On June 13-14, 600+ Wisconsinites gathered in Eau Claire, WI for “Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers,” organized by MVP partner GROWW (GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin) and Great Lakes Neighbors United.
The convening gathered residents from across western Wisconsin to develop a unified strategy — rather than one-off fights — to combat the growing number of data centers or proposed data centers in the region. They discussed the impact of billionaire-backed Big Tech, fears about environmental and recreational consequences, and actionable strategies to put guardrails on the rise of data centers in Wisconsin.
The weekend was not a stand-alone event; it was the start of a coalescing movement powered by regular people who want transparency, accountability, and protections for the future of their communities. Organizers have launched a petition to gain support for their specific demands — including a 12-month moratorium on hyperscale data center development — and to keep residents engaged in this growing, unified fight.
Watch the live convening here, and stay up-to-date on Uniting West Wisconsin here.
Screenshot: Guardrails Alliance is a new “people-powered super PAC” taking on the outsized influence of Big Tech and AI in our elections.
National: The Super PAC We Need to Take on Big Tech 💥
AI is here to stay, and it’s already having a huge impact on our elections. But veteran organizers Shaunna Thomas (co-founder of digital organizing powerhouse, UltraViolet) and Leah Hunt-Hendrix (co-founder of MVP funding partners Way to Win and Solidaire Network) recently launched Guardrails Alliance — a populist super PAC taking on the influx of Big Tech money in the 2026 elections.
The real beauty of Guardrails Alliance is that it’s galvanizing grassroots support from people most affected by the unregulated rise in AI:
- Tech workers themselves who are turned off by their industry’s billionaire stronghold.
- Labor unions worried about the future of their members’ jobs.
- Parents concerned about their kids’ safety.
- Stalwart progressive movement groups (including MVP!) who want to rein in unregulated AI practices and Big Tech’s outsized influence in elections.
Guardrails Alliance and other pro-AI regulation groups are already making an electoral impact. They backed Alex Bores, a Democratic candidate running in New York’s 12th Congressional District, who Leading the Future — a pro-AI super PAC — spent $8 million to defeat.
Even though Bores lost, this is not the massive victory Big Tech was hoping for. Bores came in second by a narrow 4-point margin, bested by Micah Lasher, another AI-critic, demonstrating that despite Big Tech’s “big spender” approach, voters are not buying what they are selling.
Guardrails Alliance is an innovative way to expand our movement, level the electoral playing field, and fight for justice all at the same time. We love a new cross-sector, people-powered movement, and taking on AI and Big Tech’s billionaire-class influence is urgently needed.
Photo: Volunteer canvassers with MVP partner Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance knocking doors in Pennsylvania ahead of the May primary elections.
Summer Special: What’s Hot at MVP? ☀️
It’s officially summer, and things are heating up! This month, we’re bringing you a Summer Special: What’s Hot at MVP?
The answer: Plans!
You get a plan, and you get a plan, and you get a plan! 📘
When we say our goal is to win the midterms in 2026, win a Democratic trifecta in 2028, and govern boldly through the 2030s, we mean it. But, in the grand tradition of French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a former colleague of mine liked to remind us: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
And wishes are nice, but they won’t end authoritarian rule and build a more just future that works for everyone. You know what will? Plans!
Photo: Carolina Federation canvassers supporting state House Democratic candidate Rodney Sadler ahead of North Carolina’s 2026 primary election.
Winning in Battleground States
Want to flip a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina? How about one in Maine (yes, that seat)? Or three U.S. House seats in Pennsylvania?
MVP and our partners do too.
Check out our North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine state plans (with more coming soon) to learn more about our 2026 electoral targets, our strategies to win, and our partners who are leading the way.
These three states are key to flipping the U.S. House and Senate this year, which we must do to end the MAGA era once and for all in 2028.
Winning the South
But don’t stop there! Organizers in the South are building power and chipping away at Republican control up and down the ballot. We know in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that gutted the Voting Rights Act, winning in the South may seem like a hill too big to climb.
But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about southern organizers after growing up and working in Georgia, it’s that they never give up. In fact, when faced with a challenge, they dig in even deeper, organizing harder to win campaigns we never thought possible. (Remember Georgia in 2020, anyone??)
Want to know how our partners aim to flip a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi, defend gerrymandered districts in Tennessee and Florida, and transform the political landscape of the South?
Read on in MVP’s Southern Plan.
Photo: Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) members at their 2026 Asamblea del Pueblo (People’s Assembly).
Winning Downballot
Yes, we are laser-focused on flipping the U.S. House and, possibly, the U.S. Senate this year, but we can’t win long-term power without building state-level power. That means winning downballot.
We’re talking electing Democratic governors, legislatures, state trifectas, Secretaries of State, and Attorneys General.
Who has time to research hundreds of races across dozens of key states — and then put their money where it will tip the largest number of key races? That’s MVP’s job.
These offices play a major role in everything from how a state’s elections are run to what policies get passed to how laws are implemented. And, focusing on downballot races helps our partners build the local, community, and state-level power needed to win elections and transform our future.
Read MVP’s full Downballot Plan.
Winning the U.S. House and Senate — Updated!
Of course, we are still focused on flipping the U.S. House and, with enough investment, Senate this year. With redistricting, primaries, and so many other unexpected changes, the political landscape is shifting every day.
We’ve strategically expanded our list of target House and Senate races, to supercharge the growing grassroots energy around the country and to give us the best shot at flipping both chambers this year.
Check out our updated plans: Plan to Flip the House and Plan to Flip the Senate.
Take Action with MVP and Our Partners 🎯
We’ve got extra summer daylight hours, kids away at summer camp, and vacation plans, which means more time to take action with MVP and our partners! Beat the heat with some refreshing ways to get involved ahead of the midterms.
Volunteer With MVP
New to MVP and loving what you’re seeing so far? Been around for a while but want to step up your MVP game? Don’t worry, we got you, with so many ways to get involved with MVP this summer.
- June 30 - Finding the Fun In Fundraising: Want to help MVP raise money for our partners, but not sure where to start? Join us for a virtual workshop on making fundraising easier, more effective, and fun! RSVP »
- July 6 - Donor Thank-You Phonebank: We love gratitude at MVP. Help us make the easiest and most rewarding calls at our next Donor Thank-You Phonebank. No asks, just thanks. RSVP »
- July 15 - MVP 101: Join MVP’s Donor Organizing Team for a conversation with new and seasoned volunteers on all things MVP. RSVP »
Today: Clergy and Faith Leaders for Ohio Call
Join #HandsOffOhio today, June 25, for an emergency call with clergy and faith leaders to discuss protecting voting rights in Ohio. The conversation will include space for grounding, shared updates, and next steps for faith communities ready to stand together against intimidation and defend the right to vote. RSVP »
Photo: Lancaster Stands Up tabling and talking to voters at the Pride Festival in Lancaster, PA.
A Moment of Movement Joy
It’s that time again — time to elevate and celebrate something from our movements that gave us a bit of hope, inspiration, and joy. 🎉
Celebrating Pride and Juneteenth 🏳️🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️✊🏿
You know what we love? Liberation and freedom, especially for historically oppressed communities. Our partners have been honoring our LGBTQ+ communities with Pride celebrations across the country and commemorating Black people’s freedom from enslavement with Juneteenth.
Here’s a sampling of how our partners have been celebrating:
✊🏾✊🏿 Florida Rising celebrated Juneteenth by reminding everyone that joy = resistance! We all have to take action in the streets and at the ballot box to fight for our future. Snag one of their brand new “Joy is Resistance” t-shirts!
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Equality North Carolina is recruiting volunteers for local Pride events around the state from June through November. Get your rainbow facepaint on and get out there!
✊🏾✊🏿 Power Coalition for Electoral Justice in Louisiana went all out for Juneteenth weekend, co-sponsoring the 38th Annual Let the Good Times Roll Festival and the Black Wall Street Juneteenth Celebration in Shreveport. Food, music, and action!
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Lancaster Stands Up had a lot of pride-worthy fun celebrating and talking to voters at the Lancaster, PA Pride festival. Loving that “Faces of Pride” poster!
✊🏾✊🏿 Asian American Advocacy Fund celebrated Juneteenth by elevating the words of Dr. Melinee Calhoun from Black Voters Matter Fund during their joint event, “Resisting Racist Maps.” The South does not play when it comes to Black political power!
