Statement on Biden Passing the Baton: “A historic moment calls for a historic ground game.”

Note: See below for a list of public statements from MVP partners on the ground.

July 21, 2024
For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT
Zo Tobi, Director of Communications
press@movement.vote

Moments ago, President Biden announced he would end his campaign for re-election.

To President Biden: Thank you for your courage in passing the baton, and for your leadership in passing some of the most progressive legislation in decades.

To Democratic and progressive donors: This resets the race in an unprecedented way. Let’s seize this moment and fund the largest grassroots voter mobilization in history.

In passing the baton, Biden has unleashed a game-changing surge of enthusiasm to defeat Trump, MAGA, and Project 2025 at the ballot box.

Our job now is to unleash a game-changing surge in funding for the local groups out there every day working to mobilize the hardest-to-reach voters in every critical state and district. These groups need our support now more than ever.

“For donors, this is the moment to get off the sidelines, fund the grassroots ground game, and help tip the scales of history.”

— Zo Tobi, MVP Director of Communications

Fired-up Dems can disagree about candidates, but we can all agree that local organizers are the best voter mobilizers. They know their neighbors, they know the issues that matter most to their communities, and they are the most trusted messengers for the hardest-to-reach voters.

Biden has dug deep to help win this fall. Now we’re calling on all donors to dig deep, so local organizers can get every last undecided voter off the couch and to the polls.

“Grassroots groups have been organizing on the front lines in the face of political violence and the erosion of civil rights. We’ve got to support these groups now more than ever – to win in November and to build progressive power long after.”

— JP Peralta, MVP Capacity Building Co-Director

History is being written right before our eyes. Let’s meet this moment, fund the field, and play our part in how this chapter ends.

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MVP is a one-stop shop for strategically investing in local organizations that win elections and transform policy. Learn more: https://movement.vote

Immediate Reactions from MVP

“To paraphrase our President: This is a big freaking deal. Many local voter turnout groups have said for a long time that a new candidate would make it easier to get voters to the polls. For swing-state organizers, this is likely to unleash a lot of new energy. For donors, this is the moment to get off the sidelines, fund the grassroots ground game, and help tip the scales of history.” – Zo Tobi, MVP Director of Communications

“Grassroots groups have been organizing on the front lines in the face of political violence and the erosion of civil rights. We’ve got to support these groups now more than ever – to win in November and to build progressive power long after. Let’s all double down in solidarity with everyone fighting for democracy and standing against fascism and injustice. This is the moment.” – JP Peralta, MVP Capacity Building Co-Director

“Finally, local organizing groups can do what they’ve been trying to do all along: Unite under one slate of issues and one campaign to defend our rights, because that is what’s on the line in November. Our local partners know it, from volunteer leaders to campaign directors. That’s why they are working every day in the field – often at risk to their own personal safety – and it’s why they need our support.” – Eugenio Smith, MVP LGBTQ Voter Fund lead

“This election has never been about a candidate. It’s about the largest movement in modern American history to save democracy and build a progressive era. Now we can unite behind that cause and WIN in November.” – Regina Clemente, MVP Senior Advisor

“This is the defining point of Biden’s legacy. He has done his duty and now it is time to do ours, by funding the local organizing groups that can win this election.” – Shawnna Weighill, MVP National Donor Organizing Manager

Statements from MVP Partners on the Ground

NOTE: We will be adding more statements as we learn of them.

National Partners

• Alliance for Youth Action, signed on to by MVP state-based partners:
  • AZ Poder (Arizona)
  • New Era Colorado
  • Engage Miami (Florida)
  • Georgia Youth Justice Coalition
  • Chicago Votes Action Fund (Illinois)
  • Forward Montana
  • One APIA Nevada
  • NH Youth Movement (New Hampshire)
  • NCAAT in Action (North Carolina)
  • Next Up Action Fund (Oregon)
  • MOVE Texas Action Fund (Texas)
  • Leaders Igniting Transformation (Wisconsin)
• America Votes
• Black Voters Matter
• Care In Action
• CASA In Action
• Color of Change
• Common Defense Action Fund
• Gen-Z for Change
• Make the Road Action
• People’s Action
• Rise Action Fund
• Showing Up for Racial Justice PAC
• UNITE HERE
• United We Dream Action
• Working Families Party

State-Based Partners

Arizona

• Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA)
• Our Voice Our Vote (OVOV)
• Rural Arizona Action (RAZA)

California

• Equality California

Florida

• Florida Rising

Michigan

• Michigan United Action

Minnesota

• Unidos MN

Nevada

• Silver State Equality

North Carolina

• Equality NC
• Poder NC

Pennsylvania

• One Pennsylvania
• POWER Interfaith

Wisconsin

• Fair Wisconsin
• Our Revolution Wisconsin