November 3, 2018

 

On Thursday, I voted early in Maryland for Ben Jealous and Democrats up and down the ballot. When I got to the polls, here’s what was on my mind:

1. I believe health care is a right for all. The American people know that Democrats are fighting to expand access to health care, lower drug prices, and protect coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, while Trump and Republicans are driving up premiums and threatening access to care for people across the country.
    

2. I want to protect Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare for millions of Americans. Mitch McConnell admitted that a vote for Republicans is a vote to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Trump and the Republicans have made one thing clear: To pay for the massive tax break they gave their wealthiest donors and corporations, they’re going to attack critical pillars of economic security for working families.
    

3. I see too many working families left behind in the Trump economy. Voters know that America’s economic success has not been shared evenly. While Trump makes sure those at the top get even richer, he’s left behind the very people he promised to help: working families. Democrats are fighting tooth and nail to create good-paying jobs and build an economy that works for everyone – not just those at the very top.
    

4. I think that truth still matters. Republican in Congress have been in lockstep with President Trump’s campaign of lies, fear, hatred, and division. Democrats believe facts trump fear. We believe diversity is our strength. And we will keep fighting for the values of inclusion and opportunity for everyone – no matter what they look like, where they come from, who they love, or how they pray.

 
It was great to make some calls on Monday for Nevada Democrats and meet voters and supporters in Reno. These last few days are crucial to making sure voters are ready to cast their ballot. A big thank you to every single volunteer and organizer for all of your hard work and dedication to electing Democrats who will fight for Nevada.

 
We’re four days out from Election Day — and we’re sprinting to the finish line here at the DNC. Here’s what we’ve been working on to make sure everyone running under our banner has been put in the best position to win on Tuesday:
 

• The DNC made an unprecedented investment in a non-presidential cycle of more than $20 million in state parties and campaigns across all 50 states.

• The DNC has reached more than 55 million people about the midterm elections.

• We’ve raised millions in grassroots funds directly for over a dozen candidates.

• We purchased over 100 million cell phone numbers for the voter file.

 
I’ve said it before and I said it again today in a USA Today op-ed: this is the most important election of our lifetime. Every single vote matters, and there’s too much at stake to stand on the sidelines.
 
In just four days, voters across the country will face an important choice between...
 
A Democratic Party that is fighting to:

• Make health care a right for all and build an economy that works for everyone, not just the few;

• Protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for millions of families;

• Build a more inclusive America, because we know diversity is our greatest strength;

• Reunify families — because there is no justification for the brutality of separating immigrant children from their parents;

• Restore truth and sanity to our politics, while holding the president accountable for his lies;

• Preserve the guardrails of our democracy, designed by our founders to keep despots and demagogues from ruling like kings.

 
Or a Republican Party marching in lockstep behind President Trump that has:

• Worked to strip health care from millions, including people with pre-existing conditions;

• Passed a tax bill that rewards the wealthy instead of lifting up hardworking families;

• Committed to slashing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to pay for those tax cuts;

• Refused to speak out against Trump for inciting hatred with a toxic combination of outright lies and the most vicious, dishonest rhetoric in modern presidential history;

• Chipped away at women’s rights, workers’ rights, LGBTQ rights, and voting rights.

 
That’s why we need Democratic leadership more than ever. Our party has candidates who reflect the diversity of our nation. Our party will always put people before corporate profits. Our party wants to unite Americans under our shared hopes, not divide us through fear.
 
Bring It Home  
Finally, I had the opportunity to share the stage with my old boss President Obama in Miami today to campaign for the amazing slate of Democratic candidates in Florida. You can watch my remarks here.
 
 
We have a real shot this Tuesday to take back our democracy and build the future our children deserve. Now in the words of the next governor of Florida, Andrew Gillum, let’s bring it home. Yours,
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

 

October 20, 2018

 

This week, I continued my travels to communities across the country where organizers are getting out the vote for Democrats up and down the ballot. The energy is palpable, and the American people are hungry for Democratic leadership.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

NEVADA
On Sunday, I traveled with DNC Vice Chair Grace Meng to mobilize and organize in the Battle Born State, where Democrats are doing incredible work to make sure every eligible voter can make their voice heard. And I know they’re ready for early voting to start on Saturday.
 

 
TEXAS
On Monday, I was honored to join these extraordinary women and take part in an African American and AAPI small business event in Houston. African American women are taking their seats at the table, and it’s up to us to follow their lead and elect Democrats who will expand opportunity for all.

NEW MEXICO
On Tuesday, I joined Democrats in New Mexico to kick off our get-out-the-vote efforts in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights and Rio Rancho in Sandoval County. Thank you to all the organizers, community leaders, and grassroots activists who joined us. When we show up, we win.  

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Democrats are working around the clock to defend the American people from Trump’s attacks on their health care. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to make drastic cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security programs to pay for the GOP tax scam, which has already caused the deficit to skyrocket.

These programs are vital to millions of Americans. We have to defend them at the ballot box by electing Democrats.

Election Security

Our democracy is under attack, and Trump won’t lift a finger to stop it. In fact, he’s taken steps backward, impeding efforts that would protect our elections.

Let’s take a look at Trump’s record:
 

1. Trump provided inadequate funding to states for election security and undermined additional funding efforts.

2. Trump’s election security actions have been deemed insignificant and did nothing to suppress ongoing foreign meddling efforts.

3. Trump provided no clear directives or coherent strategy for states to deter election interference.

4. Trump’s top intelligence appointees said they had not been “directed by the president” or granted authority to address Russian interference.

5. Trump’s top national security officials warned that Trump had left the United States “behind the curve” in developing policy to prevent election interference in the midterm elections.

6. The White House removed the top position on the National Security Council dedicated to cyber security policy.

7. Trump refused to condemn Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies.

It’s time to elect leaders who will take action.

Some Advice from My Old Boss
 
Are there members of your community who are planning to sit on the sidelines this November? Share this video and let Barack Obama tell them why there’s too much at stake to stay home.

In Case You Missed It

Wednesday night was the final FEC fundraising deadline before this upcoming election. So I wanted to take a moment to share where we're at.
 

The DNC is on track for our best online fundraising month in nearly a decade. And grassroots donors are the reason why our party has come so far in such a short time.
 

This grassroots energy didn’t develop overnight. Together, we’ve organized and mobilized communities across the country who are hungry for Democratic leadership. So thank you for everything you’ve done, and will do, to elect Democrats from the school board to the Senate.
 
Have a great weekend, and hope to see you out on the trail!
 

Yours,
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

 

October 5, 2018

 Our IWillVote.com website makes it possible to commit to vote, register to vote, and check your registration, with more features being debuted in the run up to the election. This website has always been translatable into English and Spanish, but we were proud to debut the Spanish URL last month, https://voyavotar.com/! 

 

We Need Answers on Trump’s Tax Scandal

In case you missed it, the New York Times released a wide-ranging deep dive into the president’s finances, revealing multiple instances of tax fraud and debunking Trump’s claim of being a self-made man. Corruption is clearly the Trump family business, as they dodged hundreds of millions in taxes and committed outright fraud.

This reporting underscores the urgent need for the American people to review Trump’s tax returns. We deserve to know the full truth about the president’s potentially compromising finances and his conflicts of interests.

Trump and Republicans keep pushing to kill the ACA and eliminate its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. But that hasn’t stopped them from lying to the American people about their cruel intentions:

• Associated Press: “President Donald Trump isn’t playing it straight when it comes to his campaign pledge not to undercut health coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions.”

• FactCheck.org: “Trump’s comments contradict the Justice Department’s actions, which Trump approved, according to a June letter from the Justice Department to Congress on this lawsuit.”

• PolitiFact: “Trump’s own Justice Department has decided not to defend against a lawsuit filed by Republican state attorneys general that seeks to topple the Affordable Care Act. This puts the Trump administration on the side of those whose lawsuit would effectively end protections within the law for people with pre-existing conditions.”

Republican lawmakers will pay the price with voters who want to keep these vital protections in place. It’s clear why Americans overwhelmingly trust Democrats over Republicans on health care. The only permanent solution to stopping the GOP’s health care sabotage is to elect Democrats who will fight for American values and hold this administration accountable at the ballot box.

A Must-Watch Video
The New York Times recently heralded a “Rainbow Wave” of LGBTQ candidates running in the 2018 midterms — and we’re proud to be on the front lines helping these candidates win up and down the ballot. 21 LGBTQ Democrats are running for Congress, fighting back against an administration and a Congress that has repeatedly shown its hostility toward equality for LGBTQ communities.

This week, the first openly gay American male athlete to medal at a Winter Olympics, recorded a video encouraging Democrats to register and vote this November. Check it out!

Finally, October marks LGBTQ History Month, an important recognition of all the LGBTQ pioneers who have moved our nation closer to fulfilling its promise for equality for all — no matter who we are, who we love, or how we identify. With just over a month before the most important election of our lifetime, the DNC is proud to support LGBTQ candidates across the country. And we will never stop fighting for the equality and dignity every human being deserves.

We are happy to celebrate this month with our Filipino-American friends and neighbors. Democrats believe diversity is our nation’s greatest strength, and we know that Filipino Americans have made invaluable contributions throughout our history.

Have a great weekend,
 
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

 

September 29, 2018

 

August 31, 2018

 

Last weekend in Chicago, we passed the strongest reforms to our presidential nominating process in decades. These reforms will grow our party, increase transparency, and restore trust among voters. By expanding primaries, making caucuses more accessible, encouraging same-day registration and same-day party switching, and reducing the influence of superdelegates, we are putting Democrats in the best position to win elections in November, in 2020, and beyond.
 

We made history last weekend, and I want to thank all of you for your work – not just those who supported the reforms we passed, but everyone who made their voices heard. I told you that our party is a family, and while families don’t always agree on everything, they still unite around their shared values. That’s what we did in Chicago, and I’m confident we will see Democrats win up and down the ballot for years to come.

Making History Across the Country

The enthusiasm for Democrats was palpable in this week’s primaries in Florida and Arizona. And we can make history this November by electing three African-American governors in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland. Let’s make sure these terrific candidates win on Election Day!

 

Stacey Abrams could become the first Black woman in history to be elected governor in the United States. Georgia families know she’s the only person at the top of the ticket who will fight for them.

Andrew Gillum is poised to become the first Black governor of Florida. While his opponent has already resorted to racist dog-whistles, Mayor Gillum is spending his time talking about the issues that matter to Florida families.

Ben Jealous could become the first Black governor of Maryland. Unlike Larry Hogan, Ben has the courage and experience to fund education, expand access to quality health care, and create any economy that works for every Maryland family. 

It’s an exciting time to be a Democrat. We have the wind at our backs. Now we need everyone to commit to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot. Our momentum will carry us into the midterm election.

After we left Chicago, I joined DNC Secretary Jason Rae and a terrific slate of candidates to register voters at University of Wisconsin – Madison. Our visit was part of our New Blue Crew initiative, which is mobilizing young voters on their campuses by recruiting and training leaders to conduct voter registration and commit to vote efforts.

This past weekend, America lost a hero. John McCain devoted his life to serving his country, and the U.S. Senate will not be the same without him.

It was his profound sense of moral duty, not partisan politics, that guided his decisions as a legislator and a leader. As Senator McCain said, ‘Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.’ Whether it was fighting alongside his fellow servicemembers in Vietnam or standing up for his values on the Senate floor, John McCain never quit. He never surrendered or hid from history. He made history, and our nation will be forever grateful for his service.
 

 

 

I wrote about my admiration for Senator McCain’s character and his special friendship with my own mentor Ted Kennedy, who passed away nine years before McCain, on the same day of the same disease. You can read my piece, “The Maverick and the Lion,”  here.

The American labor movement transformed our nation and made our economy the envy of the world. From the 40-hour workweek and overtime pay to workplace safety and the fight for equal pay, workers have organized for the better wages, benefits, and conditions they deserve.

But today, that progress is under assault. Instead of celebrating workers and building an economy that works for everyone, the Trump administration and Republicans continue to attack unions while rewarding their wealthy allies at the top. Donald Trump has signed executive orders to weaken federal unions, appointed Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court to strip rights away from workers and organized labor through the Janus decision, and proposed reorganizing the federal government in a way that would dismantle the Department of Labor.

As Trump and Republicans in Congress escalate their attacks on American workers, Democrats will continue fighting to expand opportunities for the middle class and build an economy that works for everyone.

I wish you a happy and restful Labor Day weekend, and I look forward to fighting by your side for workers and a brighter future for all Americans.

Yours,

Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair

 

July 29, 2018

 

I want to congratulate Lucy McBath and Carolyn Bordeaux on their primary victories this week. They’ll join Stacey Abrams, Francys Johnson, and other brilliant Democrats on the ballot as we organize to turn Georgia blue.

We all know Stacey Abrams is the most qualified person to lead the state of Georgia. And we can’t allow Brian Kemp to impose his far-right agenda on Georgia families. In Stacey’s own words: “We’re not a red state. We’re just blue and confused.” 
 
Getting Ready for Chicago

We’re now less than a month away from our August Meeting in Chicago. This is an exciting time for our party and I look forward to working with you as we do the important work that will prepare our candidates for victory in 2018, 2020, and beyond.

Our Rules and Bylaws Committee has worked tirelessly for months to prepare their recommendations, and I fully support the outcome of their work. I want to especially thank Jim Roosevelt and Lorraine Miller, our committee co-chairs, for their leadership, as well as for their longtime dedication as members. Together, they’ve authored an op-ed describing the ways these changes will help the Democratic Party regain the trust of voters across the country and put our nominee in the strongest possible position to defeat Donald Trump in 2020. That’s been our North Star throughout this process, and I urge you to read their op-ed here.

These reforms are critical to our party’s future. And I want to be clear – they would not have changed the outcome in the 2008 or 2016 elections. Nor will they limit your access to credentials, housing, or the convention floor. They don’t create the subordinate class of delegates that the URC called for, nor do they preclude you from endorsing a candidate of your choosing.
 
What they do address is a persistent problem that has plagued us for many cycles. The issue of unpledged delegates did not arise with the 2016 election. We’ve been debating this question for years. And it’s time to come together and make progress.

In the weeks ahead, the DNC will continue working to engage with you, provide opportunities to learn about the details of these proposals, and answer any questions you may have.

I am deeply grateful for your leadership in the Democratic Party and for your participation in this process. And I’m confident that when we complete our work, the Democratic Party will be stronger, more unified, and firmly on the path to victory in 2020.
 
We Stand with Maxine Waters
 
Maxine Waters has dedicated her life to public service. Donald Trump’s continued attacks on her this week were beyond the pale, and I want everyone to know that we have Maxine’s back.

 This week also marked the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a historic achievement for equality and inclusivity in America. On this anniversary, we celebrate the millions of Americans with disabilities who fought tirelessly for their rights. Thanks to their courageous activism and bipartisan dedication, more Americans have the right to live freely and independently in their communities.

The Democratic Party believes no American should ever face discrimination based on their disability status. Come November, voters will show Trump and Republicans that their attacks on the ADA and disability rights are immoral and unacceptable. Watch our video honoring the ADA here.

Despite the promises Donald Trump made to the American people, the Trump tax law simply isn’t helping American workers. Corporations have used the tax windfall to line the pockets of their rich executives while workers like the ones at this Harley-Davidson plant are losing their jobs.

 Our mobilization team hit the road to speak to some of the employees hurt by this administration’s disastrous policies. Watch our report on how the Trump Tax Scam continues to chip away at the American middle class.

 Once again, the Trump administration has defied a court order and failed to unite children with their parents after heartlessly tearing them apart. When history is written, Donald Trump’s treatment of immigrant families will be remembered as one of our nation’s darkest hours.

All children must be reunited with their parents immediately. Democrats believe that diversity and compassion are our nation’s greatest strengths. We believe in fixing our immigration system, not uprooting lives and shattering families. If Republicans truly cared about these families and American values, they would help Democrats end Trump's humanitarian crisis by passing a bipartisan solution that actually protects children.

We also celebrated National Intern Day this week. The DNC is proud to offer paid internships. Our interns are so valuable to our work, and we want to make sure young people of all backgrounds have opportunities like this.

Yours,
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

July 22, 2018

 

On Thursday, the DNC held our African American Leadership Summit in Atlanta, where African-American leaders from across the country gathered to discuss the importance of the upcoming elections and why we need to organize in every ZIP code to make sure Democrats win in November.

IWillVote Gala
On Thursday night, Democrats welcomed an all-star cast to our IWillVote Gala in Atlanta, including Cory Booker, John Lewis, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Eric Holder, Cecile Richards, Cedric Richmond, and the next governor of Georgia – Stacey Abrams. It was a terrific night; we raised money for Democrats and affirmed our commitment to organizing and registering as many voters as possible by November, especially in communities of color. Democrats believe we should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. And we will keep working night and day to make sure every eligible voter can exercise their constitutional rights at the ballot box.

Defeat Hate by Voting
This week, I also had the privilege of addressing the 109th Annual NAACP Convention in San Antonio. This year’s theme was “Defeat Hate. Vote.” And I took the opportunity to talk about what Democrats are doing every day to defeat the hateful policies of this administration and to register as many voters as possible by November.

 

I also discussed our unwavering commitment to Black women, who propelled us to victory in Alabama and who will be critical to our success this year and beyond. You can watch my full remarks here.

 
Trump’s press conference with Vladimir Putin this week was a shameful display of cowardice and capitulation. Just days after 12 high-ranking Russian intelligence officers were indicted for their attack on American democracy, Trump stood next to Putin and refused to call on Russia not to attack us again. He took Putin’s side over his own government’s. And instead of denouncing Russia’s attack on our democracy, he went after American institutions. Never before has a U.S. president failed so spectacularly to stand up to a hostile foreign power.
 
As if things couldn’t get any more appalling, Trump said he wanted to work with Putin to investigate the intelligence agents who were indicted for conspiring against the United States. American officials told Trump who set fire to our democracy, and instead of believing them, he invited the arsonist to investigate.
 
Republican leaders have a choice: They can either hold this president accountable for his disgrace to our democracy, or stand with this president and send a crystal-clear message that it’s fine for a foreign power to attack Americans as long as it serves their political interests. November can’t come soon enough.
Rebuilding Trust in Our Party  
The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee recently passed some of the boldest party reforms in decades. These changes will strengthen our party, rebuild trust with voters, and ensure that the 2020 presidential is the most open, fair, and transparent in party’s our history. The committee’s co-chairs, Jim Roosevelt and Lorraine Miller, published an op-ed this week detailing these reforms and explaining how they will help Democrats win in 2018, 2020, and beyond. You can read their piece here.

Yours,
Tom

 

July 14, 2018

 

 

DNC Member: Delegate Reform

 

This week the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee took a bold step toward implementing reforms that will strengthen our party and put Democrats in the strongest position to elect the next president in 2020. Since January, the RBC has been working diligently to implement the recommendations of the Unity Reform Commission , including major reform to the role automatic delegates play in our 2020 presidential nominating process.
 
This week’s vote followed through on a vote by the full DNC membership in March that called for reducing the influence of unpledged delegates in the presidential nominating process, expanding the use of primaries, taking steps to protect the right to vote, making our caucuses more accessible, increasing transparency in our party and increasing grassroots participation.
 
Under the new rules, which we will all vote on in August, unpledged delegates will only vote on the first presidential nominating ballot if a candidate has already earned enough pledged delegate votes from state primaries and caucuses to win the nomination. While automatic delegates have never decided our nominee, this reform eliminates the possibility that the will of our party’s grassroots voters may go unheeded in the future, while maintaining Democratic leaders’ hard-earned right to show support for the candidate of their choosing.
 
This reform in particular puts to bed a conversation that has plagued our party and our candidates for much of the last decade and restores trust among many grassroots voters who we need to be engaged and enthusiastic in 2018, 2020, and beyond. As a whole, these reforms will continue to make our party more competitive in every ZIP code. And they will help ensure that the 2020 presidential nominating process is the most fair, open, and transparent in our party’s history.
 
12 New Indictments 
I wanted to reserve most of this week’s letter for today’s important news regarding the special counsel’s investigation into Russia’s interference in our elections.
 
As you’ve probably seen, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has announced the indictment of 12 Russian nationals for their involvement in cyberattacks during the 2016 election.
 
Here are the facts: the Russian government attacked our democracy in 2016 and the Democratic National Committee was a primary target of this attack.
 
Donald Trump has been desperately calling this investigation a witch hunt. But once again, we have have cold, hard proof that he’s absolutely wrong. This is not a witch hunt. This is not a joke. And this is far from over.
 
Today’s indictment makes clear just how vast this operation was, with details such as Russian intelligence officers' intrusion into the website of a state election board and the theft of information related to approximately 500,000 voters.
 
It’s long past time for Trump and his allies in the Republican Party to stop ignoring this urgent threat to our national security.
 
Putin’s goal is to destabilize America and its alliances, and Trump has done his bidding every step of the way. This is Putin’s compensation for helping put Donald Trump in office.
 
Let’s not forget: On July 27, 2016, Donald Trump said quote, “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you find the 30,000 emails that are missing”
 
That same day, the conspirators named in these indictments attempted to spearfish email accounts used by Clinton’s personal office. How many coincidences do you need before you stop calling it a coincidence?
 
President Trump should cancel his meeting with Putin on Monday. In fact, he should never have taken the meeting to begin with. We have no idea what Trump hopes to gain from this meeting, but we have every reason to believe that it’s not in America’s best interest. Donald Trump looks out for one person and one person only: himself.
 
But if he does go, he should do nothing less than hand Putin these indictments and demand immediate extradition of the indicted individuals.
 
The American people deserve to know the truth and the Special Counsel's investigation is ongoing. The Kremlin's efforts to disrupt our electoral process have grave implications for our democracy. Donald Trump and his Republican enablers’ efforts to discredit these established facts only embolden Putin's Russia and invite further attacks on our country.
 
This is about more than the DNC. It’s about the integrity of American democracy.
 
Yours,
Tom

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

 

 

June 29, 2018

 

My heart breaks for my home state and all of the families affected by the senseless tragedy at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis. I'm grateful for the brave first responders on the scene. It's long past time to address gun violence in this country. We have to do better.
 
Introducing Our New CEO 
Today, we announced Seema Nanda will be joining the DNC as our next CEO. I’m beyond excited that Seema is bringing her talent and brilliance to the DNC. I’ve seen firsthand Seema’s exceptional ability to lead. She is a seasoned manager who has a proven track record of success and a well-documented history of fighting for our Democratic values, whether it’s on immigration, civil rights, or leveling the playing field for our workers.

As we head toward such a crucial election, I’m one hundred percent certain that Seema’s leadership will help the DNC capitalize on the unprecedented grassroots energy and enthusiasm surging throughout the country.
 
The Most Important Election of our Lifetime
 
If there was ever any question whether the November elections would be the most important of our lifetime, Justice Kennedy’s retirement should remove all doubt. Democrats and Republicans should reject any nominee who won't uphold our constitution and our basic human rights, and who would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. We must make our voices heard at the ballot box for the millions of American families who are counting on us.