Legislative leaders from blue, red, and battleground states gathered to seize this moment to call attention to state legislatures, where democracy and fundamental freedoms are on the line
CHICAGO— Earlier today, on the ground in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, DLCC President Heather Williams hosted press and state legislators for critical conversations around the landscape and stakes of state legislative elections this year. The DLCC is kicking off this moment of reimagining in the Democratic Party by calling for more resources in state legislative races and ensuring enthusiasm at the top of the ticket translates down the ballot, where the foundations of our democracy are being decided.
Over forty legislative leaders from across the country gathered to talk about how abortion, gun safety, democracy, and other critical freedoms are on the ballot in state legislatures, which are decided by the closest of margins.
160 million Americans currently have their rights protected by Democratic majorities in state legislatures, and our target map in 2024 will shape the future for nearly 70 million Americans. Regardless of who wins the race for the White House, the MAGA agenda will continue to advance in the states. That’s why we must seize on this powerful moment to do things differently as a party and bring enthusiasm for Democrats all the way down the ballot.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“As Democrats unite around a message of freedom and democracy at the top of the ticket, we must remember that our fight doesn’t end there: state legislative races are deciding the most important issues of our time. Reproductive freedom, gun safety, democracy, and more are all being decided at the state level. Regardless of who wins the White House, Republicans are poised to move their extreme MAGA agenda through the states. That’s why Democrats cannot afford to focus solely on the race at the top of the ticket.
“State legislative candidates will knock more doors during their campaigns than candidates at other levels of the ballot and serve as powerful messengers bringing the Democratic agenda to life in their communities. The DLCC is proud to uplift our legislators as we unite this week around the critical mission of electing Democrats up and down the ticket this November.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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