November 3, 2018

Why I Voted

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.

If you care about these issues — and more — get out and vote for Democrats this Tuesday. Visit IWillVote.com or text PLAN to 43367 today to make your voting plan.
 
Midterms Matter  
As we race to the finish line, our incredible Mobilization team has been traveling the country interviewing voters and candidates about why this is one of the most important elections of our lifetime. Check out their videos below.
 
Midterms Matter: Fighting for Victory in Nevada    

Midterms Matter: Meet Deb Haaland Who Could Become the first Native American Woman in Congress

Midterms Matter: Mobilizing the Rural Community with Rep. Cheri Bustos

Fight Bigotry With Your Ballot

 
I wrote an op-ed in The Hill on Wednesday about the tragic murder of eleven people at a Pittsburgh synagogue last weekend and why we need to take action. This heinous crime did not happen in a vacuum. It was the product of a country led by those more interested in stoking fear and division than hope and unity, by those who believe in fueling hate instead of fighting it.
 
Words have consequences. Lies have consequences. And those consequences can be fatal. But last week, President Trump even promised to ratchet up his divisive rhetoric after many of his critics were sent pipe bombs by one of his supporters.
 
On Nov. 6, we have the power to change course. We can be the first responders our democracy needs by voting for the leaders we deserve. We can elect leaders with the moral fortitude to stand up to hatred, to pass common-sense gun laws that will make our communities safer, and to summon our better angels of unity and inclusion during challenging times.
In Judaism, it is custom after a person dies to say, “May their memory be a blessing.” We lost 11 lives on Saturday. May their memory not only be a blessing but a call to action: Fight hatred by helping others. Fight violence with your voice. Fight bigotry with your ballot.

On the Trail NEVADA

 
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.

COLORADO

 
On Tuesday, I joined gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis and Colorado Democrats on their “Colorado For All” Bus tour. We made an important visit with our brothers and sisters in labor at the Adams County Canvass launch. Colorado's workers are ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box.  

It’s the Final Countdown

 
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.

 
We want to make sure voters in your state have everything they need when they head to the polls. Tell them to call or text our permanent voter protection hotline if they have questions about voting.

Our Closing Argument

 
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

Out on the Trail

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.  

What’s On My Mind This Week

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

Out on the Trail

Young people, women, communities of color, and first-time voters are energized like never before — and my favorite part about being DNC Chair is getting to meet all these folks. I’ve seen firsthand the incredible organizing work our state and local partners are doing to mobilize voters, and I’m confident that we have the ground game to win up and down the ballot all across the country. But the work’s not done yet: 32 days ‘til the weekend.

This week I traveled to Massachusetts, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin to join Democrats who are fired up and working nonstop to carry our candidates to victory on Election Day.

On Brett Kavanaugh
 Despite this morning’s vote to advance Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court to a final vote, I want you to know that this fight is not over. 

It is abundantly clear that Judge Brett Kavanaugh is unfit to serve. He is a threat to women’s rights and Americans’ health care. He will fail to be an independent check on the president. He repeatedly misled and deceived the Senate Judiciary Committee, while showing a complete lack of judicial temperament and impartiality. And he faces multiple allegations of sexual assault.

Moreover, the White House limited the FBI’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation of Judge Kavanaugh’s past. Multiple news outlets have reported that the FBI was prohibited from speaking to dozens of people who came forward with information about Kavanaugh. The American people deserve a sincere search for the truth.

But no matter what happens in the Senate tomorrow, it’s up to all of us to hold Senate Republicans accountable and get out the vote in November.

Voya Votar!

 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/! 

What’s On My Mind This Week

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.

 
Fact Check: the GOP’s Lies about Pre-Existing Conditions
 

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.

Celebrating Filipino-American History Month

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

Making History in Chicago 

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.
 

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.

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.

Registering Young Voters in Wisconsin

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.

Remembering John McCain

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.

Happy Labor Day

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

Let’s Turn Georgia Blue in November 

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.

Democrats Are Fighting for People With Disabilities

 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.

Harley Davidson Workers Lose in Trump’s Economy

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.

Families Belong Together

 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.

Celebrating Our Amazing Interns

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

DNC African American Leadership Summit  

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.

The Helsinki Summit

 
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

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

July 14, 2018

DNC Member: Delegate Reform

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

Another Senseless Tragedy

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.

 Elections have consequences. This Supreme Court vacancy is the most consequential in a generation and will affect monumental decisions made for the next half century. And we can’t afford to leave anyone on the sidelines. It’s time to organize for Democrats, vote for Democrats, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot – from the school board to the Senate.
 

Janus Decision

 
This week’s Supreme Court Janus decision was nothing more than blatant and disgraceful union busting that could slam the door on millions of hardworking Americans trying to make it into and stay in the middle class. For decades, Republicans and their wealthy corporate allies have been chipping away at workers’ rights, weakening unions, and depressing wages – all while giving massive tax cuts to the top 1%. And Janus is their most dangerous attack yet.
 
 

Democrats believe that when unions succeed, America succeeds. We know that the right to organize and bargain collectively has helped build the middle class and create shared prosperity for millions of American families. You can read the piece I wrote about the Janus decision in USA Today here.
 

Fighting to Reunite Families

 
I travelled to the Bronx in New York and Brownsville, Texas this week to visit sites where children are being detained as a result of Trump’s cruel family separation policy. We’re rallying Democrats to organize for our values and demand that these families be reunited.

Democrats believe diversity and compassion are our nation’s greatest strengths. And we will continue the fight to protect and expand opportunities for immigrant families and all Americans.
 

Six Successful State Party Primaries

 
We held six successful Democratic primaries in New York, Maryland, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Mississippi.
 
In New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ran a spectacular campaign on the issues that matter most in New York’s 14th Congressional District and represents an important new voice in our party. We know she’s going to be a tireless fighter for working families in the Bronx. And we will always be grateful for Joe Crowley’s longtime service the Democratic Party and advocacy for the people of New York.

In Maryland, we have the opportunity to flip the governor’s seat from red to blue by electing Ben Jealous as Maryland's first African-American governor. In Oklahoma, more than two dozen public school teachers and administrators advanced out of Tuesday’s Democratic primary in bids to unseat a Republican legislature that fought against efforts to increase public school funding. In Colorado, Jared Polis won the Democratic nomination for governor. If he wins in November, he would be the first openly gay man to be elected governor in the U.S. In Utah, Derek Kitchen could become the only openly gay member of the Utah state legislature. And in Mississippi, David Baria is one step closer to flipping another southern Senate seat in our favor.
 

Stonewall Anniversary and the DNC’s LGBTQ Voting Rights Toolkit

Stonewall showed us that we must speaking out and standing up for what’s right if we want to change the world. With voting rights and LGBTQ rights under attack by this administration, the Democratic Party is proud to stand with LGBTQ people and ensure that every voice is heard this November.

That’s why we’ve launched an LGBTQ Voting Rights Toolkit to help answer common LGBTQ-specific voting concerns. With this administration and Republicans in Congress trying to roll back the progress we’ve made, it’s never been more important to organize for Democrats who will protect LGBTQ rights.

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

June 23, 2018

A Border Crisis With No End in Sight

Children belong with their parents, not locked in cages like animals. Cruelty is not a national security strategy. Period. The obvious fact remains that Donald Trump created this humanitarian disaster and then signed an executive order that did not end this crisis.

Despite the executive order he signed this week, children can still be separated from their parents and locked away in cages. Families seeking asylum still face the horror of indefinite detention. And there is still no clear plan to reunite the thousands of children that Trump separated from their parents. It’s time for Republicans to fix the crisis they created instead of pushing anti-immigrant legislation and using children as bargaining chips.  This is not who we are. The American people are watching.
 

New Organizing Investments and Seat at the Table Tour: Brooklyn

 
We’ve released the initial details of our upcoming multimillion dollar plan to motivate voters through the upcoming midterms. We’re investing in our base communities and putting organizers on the ground across the country because we know that’s the only way we’ll win. The New York Times has published a new piece about our efforts here.

And last weekend we kicked off our Seat At The Table Tour in Brooklyn — a series of conversations and trainings across the country aimed to organize and engage Black women, who are the backbone of the Democratic Party.
 

We were thrilled to see so many phenomenal women ready to take their seat at the table. Check out our recap video here, and make sure you follow #SeatAtTheTable on Twitter for more updates.
 
If the Supreme Court won't protect voting rights, Democrats will
 
Preventing people from voting has been a key part of the Republican playbook for decades — from voter roll purges to discriminatory voter ID laws. And that playbook got a huge boost last week from the conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. I published a piece in The Hill this week to make it clear that if the Supreme Court won’t protect Voting Rights, Democrats will.

Democrats must continue to protect and amplify the voices of historically disenfranchised communities. Time has shown that progress for all requires a sustained commitment to the inalienable rights we are all guaranteed as citizens of this nation.
 

Trump is Trying to Dismantle Labor and Education

This week the Trump administration released a disastrous proposal to reorganize the federal government that would effectively dismantle the Labor Department. The Department of Labor provides critical services to protect working conditions, help retirees, and ensure that every worker is paid a fair wage for their hard work

This move would hurt the children, workers and families -- those who need our help the most. Instead, Trump is attempting to play political games with our education and our workforce in order to please his base. This is unacceptable and Democrats will continue to fight to ensure that the government is there to work for the American people and help provide them with the resources they need to succeed.

Celebrating Juneteenth

On Tuesday, we commemorated the anniversary of Juneteenth, when slaves in Galveston, Texas received the news that the Civil War had ended and they were free at last. From former slaves turned abolitionists to the tireless organizers striving forward beneath Black Lives Matter banners today, our nation’s long march toward progress carries on because of the enduring strength of activists demanding that our nation live up to the principles expressed in our founding documents.

Democrats believe that our diversity is our greatest strength. We will continue to fight for our shared values of inclusion and opportunity. We will stand united against the immoral separation and incarceration of families, including those immigrant families targeted by the Trump administration today. And we will never cease in the work of ensuring equality for all Americans – no matter the color of their skin. Together we can, we must, and we will form a more perfect union.
 
Check out our special Juneteenth spoken word video written and performed by Alix Philogene here.

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

June 15, 2018

Another Flip From Red to Blue, Successful Primaries, and a First for San Francisco

On Tuesday, Democrats flipped our 43rd state legislative seat with the victory of Wisconsin state Senator-elect Caleb Frostman. Working families in Wisconsin want leaders who will fight for the issues that matter to them. They know Democrats like Caleb have their back, and Tuesday’ election was further proof that when we organize and lead with our values, we’re unstoppable. 

 
We also held successful primaries this week in Maine, Nevada, Virginia, North Dakota, and South Carolina, as Democrats across the country are getting fired up and organizing to carry our candidates to victory in November.
 
And on Wednesday, London Breed made history when she became the first African American woman elected to serve as mayor of San Francisco. Mayor-elect Breed is going to be a steadfast champion for the thousands of hardworking San Francisco families she represents, and I’m excited for everything she’ll accomplish as she fights with the Democratic values we all share.
 
Convention 2020
 
Today we officially announced the dates for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which will be held from July 13 to July 16. We consulted with party leaders, previous campaigns, and rank-and-file Democrats to pick a week that will put our nominee in the strongest position possible to beat Donald Trump, or whoever the Republican nominee may be. My priority is to ensure that the 2020 nominating process is the most open, fair, transparent and inclusive in our party's history. That’s exactly why the DNC started this process early and before we have a full slate of candidates running for president. More to come soon as we work to pick out the ideal location for a fun, exciting and successful 2020 convention.
 
Fighting for Families Affected by Hurricane Maria
 
When I visited Puerto Rico last fall, I witnessed hardship unlike anything I’d ever seen. Homes destroyed. Businesses washed away. Families searching for loved ones amid the wreckage of the lives they once knew.
 

 

 A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to Orlando to spend more time with some of the families displaced by Hurricane Maria. I listened to their stories of suffering and their pleas for support, and I heard from community leaders and elected officials about what they’re doing to help the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans relocating to the mainland. The common thread in these conversations is that Gov. Rick Scott and the Trump administration have not done nearly enough to help these families.
 
I published a piece in the Orlando Sentinel this week about the failures of President Trump and Gov. Rick Scott to bring some relief to the struggling island. You can read the full piece here in English and the Spanish version here.
 
A Disastrous Supreme Court Decision on Voting 
The conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion this week allowing Ohio’s aggressive voting roll purges under the National Voter Registration Act. Make no mistake, this case was about nothing more than Ohio Republicans trying to tilt elections in their favor by blocking communities of color from the ballot box – all under the guise of preventing ‘voter fraud.’ And the court’s decision will no doubt embolden Republicans in states across the country in their efforts to remove millions from their rolls simply for not voting.
 
But our fight is far from over. Democrats believe we should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. We know our democracy is stronger when more people can participate. And we will keep fighting to protect and expand the right to vote for all Americans, even if Republicans won’t. 
Remembering the Victims of the Pulse Massacre 
This week, we observed the second anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre, one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. It was an attack on the LGBTQ community, the Latinx community, and LGBTQ people of color everywhere. It was an attack on the American people and the values of diversity and equality that all of us should cherish. And it was an all-too-common reminder that our nation is in dire need of common-sense gun reforms.

We can honor the lives lost that night by recommitting ourselves to the fight for a world where no one faces discrimination, where no life is taken by hatred or bigotry, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity – no matter who they are or who they love. As we celebrate Pride Month, we recognize that the fight for LGBTQ equality is far from over, and the Democratic Party will continue to stand with LGBTQ communities in America and around the world who are fighting for the rights they deserve.
 

Trump’s Heatless Abandonment of Domestic Abuse And Gang Violence Victims

Cruel. Sick. Heartless. Inhumane. There simply aren’t enough words in the English language to fully capture the depravity of this administration, which ended asylum for victims of domestic abuse and gang violence this week. This is an attack on some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and it will affect thousands of families fleeing violence and seeking safety for themselves or their children.
 
Democrats believe diversity and compassion are our nation’s greatest strengths. And we will continue the fight to protect and expand opportunities for these families and all Americans.

Fighting for A Free and Open Internet

A free and open internet is critical to our democracy. By undoing net neutrality this week, Donald Trump’s FCC is threatening online equality in a way that could hurt our economy and hamper our nation’s potential for innovation. As of this week, wealthy internet service providers will be able to play favorites, leaving millions of Americans with slower and more expensive internet. 

But while Republicans punish the American people so they can fill the pockets of big telecom corporations, Democrats believe the internet must remain a level playing field. That's why House Democrats are demanding a vote to restore net neutrality. And that's why Democrats will keep fighting to make sure everyone can benefit from the power and potential of our nation’s technology.

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

June 8, 2018

Women Are Leading the Way  

We had another terrific Election Day on Tuesday, with primaries in Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Alabama, Montana and California, and a special election in Missouri. And the message was clear: women are leading Democrats up and down the ballot, across the country.

In California, there were 42 Democratic women on the ballot for the congressional races. And Democrats made big gains in California’s Orange and San Diego Counties, both of which are historically Republican strongholds.
 
We saw record turnout in Iowa, where we now have the chance to elect the first women to the state’s congressional delegation. In New Jersey, Democratic voter turnout was up by more than 70% from 2014. And candidates like Mikie Sherrill – a former Navy pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four – are ready to flip more seats blue.
 
In New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham is preparing to make history as the first Latina Democrat to be elected governor, while Debra Haaland could become one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress.
 
In Alabama, there were more than 70 black women running up and down the ticket – a historic number and further proof that they are the backbone of our party.
 
And in Missouri, Lauren Arthur delivered our 42nd state legislative flip from red to blue.

The future is bright for Democrats in all of these states. Women are running on the Democratic platform – and they’re winning in record numbers. And the DNC is organizing and investing in base communities to push Democrats across the finish line.
Just look at what’s happening in South Dakota, where our SPIF grant is helping the state party organize Native American communities to send Billie Sutton to the governor’s office and Tim Bjorkman to Congress.
 

Trump’s Biggest Attack Yet on Health Care
 

Last night, we learned that the Trump administration is going to bat for big insurance companies so they can once more deny health care to people with pre-existing conditions. This is morally reprehensible.
 
No one should be discriminated against just because they're sick. That’s why President Obama and Democrats enacted historic protections for people with pre-existing conditions and prevented insurance companies from charging people higher rates because of their health status. And the American people overwhelmingly support these provisions.
 
If Donald Trump and Republicans get their way, millions of Americans will be at risk of losing their health coverage. These are our children, parents, grandparents, and those who need health care the most. This kind of health care sabotage is unprecedented, and we won't let them get away with it. Like most Americans, Democrats believe health care is a right for all, not a privilege for a wealthy few. We will fight back, and the American people will make their voices heard by voting Republicans out of office for their senseless attacks on families all across this country.
 
Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month 
Immigrants make our nation stronger every day. And Democrats will always fight Republicans' anti-immigrant agenda because we know that diversity is America's strength. We believe that what it means to be an American is not decided by birth or bloodline, but by the values we share. As we celebrate the contributions immigrants make to America, let’s recommit ourselves to the values of inclusion and opportunity for all – no matter where you come from. Those are the values we’re fighting for every day at the DNC.

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

May 18, 2018

DNC Member: Again

Again. Again we are heartbroken. Again a preventable tragedy. How many more children will be murdered before lawmakers take action? How many families destroyed and communities shattered? Our thoughts and prayers are with the Santa Fe victims and their families, but thoughts and prayers are not enough. Our students are demanding action. The families of victims are demanding action. It’s time to change our laws to protect our children.
 
We cannot accept the reality that America is a place where we allow our children to be slaughtered and do nothing about it. We must come together as Americans and do everything we can to ensure that horrific attacks like this become a thing of the past.
 
Women’s Leadership Forum 
In happier news, our team put together a two-day conference this week to celebrate women in the Democratic Party featuring speakers like Kirsten Gillibrand, Sally Yates, Maxine Waters, Pramila Jayapal, Grace Meng, Jennifer Granholm, Jason Kander and many more. We even had a surprise visit from Hillary Clinton to kick things off with a reminder thatour future is in diversity and inclusivity!
 
Last Sunday, we also released a special Mother’s Day video featuring our very own Amanda Brown Lierman, the DNC’s Political and Organizing Director, and her daughter Belle. Check out the video here:

Nebraska, Oregon, Idaho, and Pennsylvania

It was another exciting Election Day for Democrats on Tuesday, and Democratic women led the way. In Nebraska, Jane Raybould, Jessica McClure, and Kara Eastman defied expectations and won their primary races. And Nebraska Democrats had more than 600 Democrats running across the state in this week's primaries.

In Idaho, Paulette Jordan won the primary and is on her way to becoming the nation’s first Native American governor. In Oregon, Kate Brown, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, and Suzanne Bonamici won their primaries, and Val Hoyle was elected commissioner of Labor and Industries. And in Pennsylvania, a state that has an all-male congressional delegation and hasn’t sent a woman to Congress in years, seven women won Democratic primary races. Helen Tai flipped Pennsylvania’s 178th state House District in a special election – an area represented by Republicans for 35 years!

Legislative Victories 

We also had two major legislative victories this week with the defeat of the Republican farm bill on Friday, and the passage of a Democratic net neutrality bill in the Senate. 

The GOP farm bill was a bad bill, plain and simple, and its defeat is a victory for the American people. But make no mistake, 198 House Republicans voted to take food off the tables of hungry families — including seniors, students, children, people with disabilities, and veterans. The farmers of America and the millions of families they feed deserve better. 

And while Republicans continue to put the wallets of big telecom companies and their lobbyists over the best interests of their constituents, Democrats believe that an open internet is fundamental to free speech, innovation, and a competitive economy. Democrats will fight harder than ever to keep the internet a level playing field, where the reach of one’s voice is determined by quality of ideas -- not by a handful of CEOs.

 
North Carolina Teachers’ Rally 

This week, thousands of North Carolina teachers rallied to demand a pay raise and more funding for education. 

Democrats are proud to stand in solidarity with the thousands of North Carolina teachers organizing and raising their voices to demand better wages and more resources for their classrooms. No teacher should be forced to work a second job to make ends meet. No teacher should have to pay out of pocket for school supplies. But instead of listening to educators, Republicans in North Carolina have prioritized tax cuts for corporations and the top 1% time and time again. Governor Roy Cooper and Democratic legislators are ready to act now for better schools, competitive pay, and an education system that prepares students to compete in the modern economy. Our students and teachers deserve nothing less.

Celebrating Ramadan
 

As Muslim Americans join Muslims around the world to observe the holy month of Ramadan, celebrate the revelation of scripture, and engage in peaceful reflection and faithful fasting, it’s an opportunity for Americans of all backgrounds to celebrate the religious freedom we all share. We are also ever mindful of those Muslims throughout the world who face violence, political upheaval, and civil unrest due to religious conflict. 

Democrats believe that our diversity is our strength. We celebrate the fact that Muslim Americans are our friends, neighbors, and family members, and that their contributions to our culture, commerce, and public life have profoundly enriched our nation. We reject the vilification of Muslims and oppose efforts to ban people of any faith from entering our country based on their religion, and we will do everything we can to protect religious minorities and the fundamental right of freedom of religion. We wish Muslims everywhere a peaceful, safe and blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak!

Dems Live

Finally, on Dems Live this week, DNC Vice Chair Grace Meng, DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison, and DNC staffers Phil Kim and Vedant Patel talked about the power of the AAPI community and the importance of getting out to vote in 2018, 2020 and beyond. Check out the latest episode here.
 
Yours,
 
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

May 13, 2018

Election Day

 
Democrats were out in full force at the polls on Tuesday in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and North Carolina. I was fired up to be in Cincinnati encouraging folks to mobilize, organize, and vote for Aftab Pureval for Congress and Rob Richardson for treasurer.

  
Candidates like Aftab and Rob give me so much hope for our party’s future. And as we head toward November, I’m looking forward to joining them and so many amazing Democrats on the campaign trail to make sure we’re electing the kind of leaders the American people deserve.
 

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week

 
We owe so much to the teachers in America. They devote countless unpaid extra hours, unwavering patience, and unconditional love — all so our kids can have a fair shot to lead the best life they can dream.
WATCH: DNC Staff Thanks Teachers Who Changed Their Lives

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m particularly grateful for the incredible work of AFT and NEA members, as well as all of the amazing educators at our public schools across the country. My parents always taught me that education is the great equalizer. That’s why Democrats are committed to supporting our educators with the resources, wages, and benefits they need and deserve every step of the way.
 

Making Progress at RBC

 
The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee met earlier this week to review the Unity Reform Commission’s report and address other party business. I want to applaud them on their incredible work. We’ve still got work to do, but they’ve already passed critical reforms that will help our party be more united and successful at the ballot box.  
 
At the DNC’s March meeting, the full DNC took the step of advancing the most significant reforms to the party’s presidential nominating process in decades. DNC members voted to accept the principles of the Rules and Bylaws Committee report that calls for reducing the influence of unpledged delegates (commonly known as ‘superdelegates’) 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. These reforms will continue to make our party more competitive in every ZIP code in 2018 and beyond.
 
The RBC has since been working to implement any necessary changes to the rules, bylaws, call or through charter amendments if need be. The main item on the agenda for this week's meeting was consideration and drafting of the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules that will be presented to the full DNC for its adoption at the August meeting. Delegate selection rules primarily focus on the primary and caucus reforms recommended by the Unity Reform Commission.
They hammered out the following draft rules changes over the last couple of days:

• Incorporating the recommended reforms from the Unity Reform Commission's report to expand the use of primary and make caucuses more open, transparent, and accessible
• Updating the equal division language to include gender non-binary delegates
• Strengthening voting rights by calling for state parties to create grassroots voter protection infrastructure and advocate for same-day or automatic registration

Photo courtesy of @aseitzwald

 
Recommendations related to “superdelegates” and other party reforms changes will be considered in the convention call and through potential charter amendments that will take place at next month’s meeting in Providence, RI on June 8 and 9.
The 2020 primary must be transparent and fair to all candidates. This is critically important work, and while we still have a lot of work left, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made.
 
Democrats Live 
On this week’s episode of Democrats Live, DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison hosted Senator Elizabeth Warren for a discussion on the power of elections to effect meaningful change in the lives of the American people. They talked about the Democratic Party’s new IWillVote campaign to reach 50 million voters between now and November to engage, educate, and mobilize for victories up and down the ticket in 2018 and beyond.
  

You can watch this episode, plus full episodes of past shows, in one convenient place: facebook.com/democrats.

 
Happy Mother’s Day 
I just want close by wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day weekend. Like so many of you, I’ll be spending this weekend with my family, reflecting on the strength and generosity of my own mother, as well as the mother of my kids – my incredible wife, Ann.
 
As Democrats, we’re working every day to improve the lives of mothers across the country – from our fights for equal pay and paid maternity leave, to affordable child care and access to early education programs.
 
So let’s take time this weekend to thank or remember the mothers in our lives. And let’s continue to show our respect and appreciation for them in the work we do every day.
 
Yours,

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

May 5, 2018

I Will Run

This week we launched a new online hub called I Will Run that streamlines all of the tools a candidate might need in order to run a successful campaign. Through this first-of-its-kind hub, Democratic candidates will have access to a list of best-in-class tools and vendors – digital, finance, research, security, training, and voter outreach – that they will need through the life cycle of a campaign, complete with negotiated pricing.

Check out our launch video on NowThis:

 Celebrating International Workers’ Day

American workers are second to none. As we honor their contributions on International Workers’ Day, we should also celebrate the history of the American labor movement and all those who organized to improve working conditions, expand opportunity, and lift millions of families into the middle class. Our brothers and sisters in labor have fought tirelessly for the 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, the minimum wage, retirement security, better health benefits and safer workplaces. Their victories continue to inspire workers abroad who are striving in their home countries for the same opportunities to prosper and build a brighter future for the next generation.

Democrats believe that when workers succeed, America succeeds. And we will continue fighting and organizing alongside American workers to increase wages, improve access to benefits, and grow our economy together.
 
Democrats Keep Winning
 
Congratulations to Javier Fernandez on his victory in Florida’s 114th State House District. I want to recognize the work of the Florida Democratic Party and all of the grassroots organizers who made this victory possible. Floridians want their representatives to stand up to the broken leadership of Rick Scott and Republicans in the State House. Javier’s election proves that when we lead with our values, and we organize in every zip code, we win. The DNC is proud to support candidates like Javier across the Sunshine State and the country.

Recognizing Jewish American and AAPI Heritage Months
 
This month, we celebrate the activists and organizers, spiritual and secular leaders who have animated Jewish values and inspired Jewish communities in our shared pursuit of a more perfect union. Jewish Americans of all backgrounds have made diverse and invaluable contributions to our country – from scientists, public servants, and business leaders to artists, athletes, civil rights activists, and the millions of Jewish Americans who have bravely served in our armed forces.

In Jewish texts, we find a calling to repair the world. And throughout our history, Jewish Americans have carried on the cause of justice and equality for all people. We know that the fight to strengthen and protect communities across America is ongoing. That’s why we must remain vigilant against those who promote, defend, and enable anti-Semitism, racism, and bigotry of any form. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of American life. And we must continue to work together as people of all faiths committed to the freedom of all people.
 
We also take this month to celebrate the tremendous contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have made to our country. From starting small businesses to making breakthroughs in the sciences and technologies, serving in our military since the birth of this nation, and excelling in sports, education and the arts – they make an invaluable impact on our country each and every day. AAPI Heritage Month reminds us of the cultures, traditions, and remarkable achievements made by the AAPI community, at times in the face of discrimination and exclusion.

We also honor the deep tradition of public service that runs in the AAPI community. And Democrats have continued to help elect AAPI leaders so that those in elected office better represent the diversity of our country. In the last year, Democrats Kathy Tran and Kelly Fowler became the first Asian American women elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, while Vin Gopal was the first Indian American elected to the New Jersey state Senate and Manka Dhingra’s victory flipped control of the Washington state Senate, giving Democrats full control of the state government.
 
While we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, Democrats will continue working every day to protect civil rights and expand opportunities for AAPI communities across the country.
 
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all those celebrating in the Mexican-American community tomorrow. And to all of the DNC members who are Star Wars fans, May The Fourth Be With You. Have a great weekend, everyone.
 
Yours,

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

April 27, 2018

Our 40th Flip!

Democrats have now flipped 40 state legislative seats from red to blue. I want to congratulate New York state Senators-Elect Shelley Mayer and Luis Sepulveda, and all the newly elected Democratic New York state Assembly members. The voters of New York have spoken. Not only did Democrats flip a state Assembly seat, we also won two state Senate races that we need to give us the majority in the New York state Senate and put us one step closer to shifting the balance of power in a legislative chamber that has been controlled by Republicans for the better part of 80 years.

 
 The DNC was proud to invest $100,000 in the New York Democratic Party (NYDP) through the State Party Innovation Fund (SPIF) to help expand the party’s efforts to engage and organize voters around the state. 

Scott Pruitt Must Go
 

The head of Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency continues to be dogged by reports of corruption and mishandling of funds. From spending $43,000 on a soundproof booth that violated federal spending laws to lavishly spending taxpayer dollars on first-class flights, Scott Pruitt is not fit to run any office — let alone the EPA.

Note to Betsy DeVos: Pursuing justice is not optional. It’s obligatory

 
Betsy DeVos seems to think the pursuit of justice is inconvenient. This is worse than lazy, it’s dangerous. Her dismissive treatment of serious civil rights violations is not ‘efficient.’ It’s a gross abdication of duty and a disservice to millions of children and their families who face injustices every day. And it’s an affront to the mission of the Education Department and all those who have fought tirelessly to put that mission into action.

I worked on civil rights cases during the Obama administration, and we understood that federal enforcement is often the last recourse families have when their rights have been violated. That’s why responding to these cases is critically important. The pursuit of justice is not merely an option. It is a constitutional obligation.

Congress Must Act to Protect Dreamers
 
This week, once again, our judicial system rejected the Trump administration’s cruel and reckless decision to end DACA. But while this decision is another important victory, it remains urgent that Congress take action to permanently protect Dreamers. These are our neighbors and friends, our classmates and co-workers. They are American in every way but on paper, and they deserve the chance to stay in the country they call home.

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. And we will continue to challenge Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s attacks and fight for the immigrant families who contribute to our country every day.

Democrats Live

Yesterday, Deputy Chair Keith Ellison sat down with transgender rights advocate and Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Sarah McBride for a conversation about our fight for LGBTQ rights and why Americans are fired up to effect change at the ballot box in 2018 and beyond. You can watch the episode here and on Facebook, and you can see past episodes at https://live.democrats.org/.

That’s just a little bit of what we’re up to here at the DNC. As always, thank you for all you’re doing to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. And I hope everyone gets some time to enjoy the great weather this weekend.
 
Yours, 

Tom

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

April 21, 2018

An Act of Unprecedented Treachery

 
Today, the DNC filed a complaint in federal court against the Trump campaign, Russia, and Wikileaks to hold them accountable for their brazen attack on our democracy.
  
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Russia launched an all-out assault on our democracy, and it found a willing and active partner in Donald Trump’s campaign. This constituted an act of unprecedented treachery: the campaign of a nominee for President of the United States in league with a hostile foreign power to bolster its own chance to win the presidency.
 
No one is above the law and the perpetrators of this attack must be held accountable. They successfully hacked the Democratic Party in 2016 and they will be back. We must prevent future attacks on our democracy, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. This is not partisan, it’s patriotic. If the occupant of the Oval Office won’t protect our democracy, Democrats will. It is our obligation to the American people.
 
You can read the full lawsuit here.
 
National Action Network 
When I spoke to the National Action Network’s Annual Conference last year, shortly after I had been elected DNC Chair, I made a promise that we would do more to include communities of color and voters who felt taken for granted by our party. This week, I was proud to address the conference again to honor the legacy of Dr. King and give them an update on the progress we’ve made at the DNC. 

Over the past year, we made historic investments across the country in engaging and mobilizing African American voters, recruiting African American candidates, and speaking to African American voters about the issues that matter most to them.
 
2017 was a good year for our candidates. And if we keep organizing, 2018 is going to be historic. Up and down the ballot, we’re working to ensure that our leadership represents the diversity of our people, and we’re organizing communities of color through our new IWillVote program like never before.
 

Let’s Talk About Taxes

 
This past Tuesday was Tax Day, and with it came another reminder of the disastrous tax bill signed by Donald Trump. Trump and Republicans promised their bill was written for the middle class, that it would create jobs, spur investment and wage growth, and that it would pay for itself. Those were all lies.

  
The truth is that the Trump tax scam was designed by Republicans to reward their donors and give massive windfalls to Wall Street, big corporations, and the wealthiest Americans. More than 80% of its benefits by 2027 will go to the top 1%. The worst part? It all comes at the expense of American workers like Jim and Lois. Watch their story here.
 

I Will Vote

 
We’ve got 200 days until Election Day, which means we have 200 days 'til the weekend. And we can’t let up for a second. That’s why I was so excited for the chance to sit down with a diverse group of social media influencers and young activists to discuss the importance of reaching out to young voters and convincing them to go to the polls this on Election Day.
  
These young Americans give me so much hope for our nation’s future. They are fearless leaders, and they will make their voices heard. You can watch our conversation here.

Honoring Barbara Bush

 
With the passing of Barbara Bush this week, America has lost a tireless public servant. From championing literacy to promoting awareness and destigmatization of AIDS, the former first lady put the values of inclusion and equality into action, and there’s no doubt that the world is a better place because of her invaluable service.
 
With grace and compassion, Mrs. Bush brought her sense of humor and steady moral compass to the White House. She never ceased in her work to strengthen our nation.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family as they mourn their loss and celebrate her legacy.

 
Yours,
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

April 20, 2018

DNC Litigation Dear Fellow DNC Member,  I wanted you to be one of the first to know that today, the DNC is filing a civil lawsuit alleging Russia perpetrated a brazen attack on American democracy, and found a willing and active partner in the Trump campaign.     Here’s why: a major part of Russia’s attack on American democracy was its cyberattack on the DNC and its theft of the DNC’s proprietary information. This stolen information was then released to the public by Russian agents and Wikileaks to damage the Democratic party and influence the 2016 election.   This litigation isn’t about our party, it is about our country. If the occupant of the Oval Office refuses to protect our democracy, Democrats will. It is our obligation to the American people.   We believe that Russia found a willing partner in the Trump campaign, who shared their goal of damaging the Democratic party and helping elect Donald Trump. The Trump campaign had repeated secretive communications with Russian agents and WikiLeaks. Russian agents told Trump advisors that the Kremlin wanted to help Trump and had stolen emails and other material that could damage Trump’s opponent. And Trump’s closest political advisor, Roger Stone, had advanced knowledge of a major release of stolen Democratic emails.   It is a disgrace to our country that instead of taking actions to protect American democracy, the Trump campaign put Russia and itself first.   Make no mistake about it, our number one focus at the DNC is winning elections from the school board to the Oval Office – and we’re winning all across this country. We’re going to keep our eyes on the prize: taking back the House and Senate, winning back state legislatures, and building a brighter future for our country. But winning elections also means protecting elections, and today we’re doing just that.    But no one is above the law, and we must pursue every avenue of justice against those who engaged in this illegal activity and the horrific attack on the DNC and our democracy.   More soon, Tom –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tom Perez Chair Democratic National Committee

April 14, 2018

Protecting the Special Counsel

The president of the United States appears to be on the verge of firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the man overseeing the investigation of him and his campaign. This would be the first step toward firing the special counsel investigating the president.
 
The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. It is imperative that Special Counsel Bob Mueller be able to continue his investigation unimpeded, and both Democrats and Republicans should work together to hold the president for any actions he may take to obstruct it. This is not about politics. It’s about the rule of law and the life of our democracy. History will remember where our leaders stood in this moment.
 
Paul Ryan Is Out, But Our Fight Continues 
Speaker Ryan’s retirement this week is an indictment of Republican leadership that has failed to provide meaningful results for the American people. During his tenure, Republicans have voted to gut funding for Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, student loans, public schools, and SNAP benefits, while trying to take health care away from millions of American families. They opposed measures to close the gender pay gap and viciously attacked a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. They stifled any and all attempts to enact sensible gun laws. They refused to stand up to Donald Trump’s rampant bigotry, corruption, and dishonesty. And they consistently served Wall Street and wealthy corporations at the expense of their constituents.

  
The American people are demanding change, and the disaster of unified Republican control of government has made one thing abundantly clear: Democratic values are American values. Since Donald Trump took office, 46 Republicans have resigned or made retirement plans, and Democrats have flipped another 39 state legislative seats from red to blue across the country. The American people are hungry for Democratic leadership, and the Democratic Party is organizing in every single ZIP code to provide it in 2018. As Paul Ryan heads for the exit, Democrats are fighting to make sure that his Republican colleagues join him in retirement come November.
 

Equal Pay Day

 
The Democratic Party was proud to stand with millions of women on Equal Pay Day this week. Our party is a champion of equal pay for equal work. We believe that women’s economic strength is American economic strength, and that’s why closing the gender pay gap is an issue we should all be fighting for.

  
Working women contribute $7.6 trillion to our GDP each year. In four out of ten American households with children, the mother is either the sole or primary breadwinner. It’s long past time we make sure that women are guaranteed the same pay as men for doing the same work. Women are the core of our party, and we will not rest until all women and all working families receive fair and equal pay, so we can create a stronger America for all.
 

Democrats Live

 
On Democrats live this week, Deputy Chair Keith Ellison and College Democrats of AmericaPresident Joseline Mata talked about how young people are organizing and taking their voices to the polls. Check out the show here:

Remembering the Shoah

 
Lastly, yesterday we remembered the six million Jews and the millions of other victims murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. We can never let the horrors of the Holocaust fade from our memory. We have a solemn obligation to tell every future generation the stories of the souls who perished, the survivors who endured, and the heroes who fought back against unspeakable evil and risked their lives to save others.
 
Never again can we remain silent in the face of anti-Semitism. Never again can we be bystanders to bigotry. Democrats will always speak out against discrimination of any form. We will work to confront all those who sow the seeds of darkness and division in our country. We will continue to fight for the dignity and rights of all people. And we will never forget.
 
Yours,
 
Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

April 7, 2018

50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

This week, I traveled to Memphis to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his assassination. I joined thousands of activists in Memphis and thousands more across the country in marching for civil rights and economic justice.

 
It was no accident that Dr. King spent his final days in Memphis 50 years ago to support the thirteen hundred sanitation workers marching for better wages and working conditions. He knew that the foundation of the fight for equality has always been economic opportunity, and he gave his life for that cause.
 

Standing with Oklahoma and Kentucky
 
Dr. King’s struggle lives on with today’s workers. Just look at the courageous teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky, who took to the streets this week to fight for the better wages, resources, and pensions they deserve and that they need to help students succeed. Democrats are proud to stand with these teachers in this fight.

Trump’s Betrayal of Dreamers

But Dr. King’s legacy lives on not just in the fight for workers but for all those who yearn for equality and opportunity. It lives on in our fight for better schools and greater access to health care. And of course it lives on in our fight to protect Dreamers.

On September 5, 2017, when Trump rescinded DACA, I stood outside the White House that day and promised Dreamers like Gabriela that Democrats would never, ever give up.

7 months later, Democrats are standing by that promise while President Trump declared this week that he would refuse any deal to protect Dreamers from being kicked out of the only country they call home. President Trump’s actions are cruel, and voters will remember his heartlessness at the ballot box.

Rebecca Dallet’s Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Victory

On Tuesday night, Democrats scored another victory with the election of Rebecca Dallet to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. As an experienced judge who has spent more than two decades serving Wisconsin families, Justice-elect Dallet will bring balance to a bench that for too long has sided with special interests over working Wisconsinites.

This election was yet another example of the unprecedented energy we’re seeing across the country. The DNC is proud to have worked closely with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to support their work to organize, engage voters, and win more seats up and down the ballot in 2018.

DNC Investments in State Parties

We announced two more recipients of competitive SPIF grants this week to help state parties boost their organizing efforts and engage local democrats. 

With these grants, we’re making sure that Mississippi and South Carolina Democrats have the tools they need to organize key constituencies. Good old-fashioned organizing, combined with innovative digital outreach efforts, will guarantee that we’ll be fighting for every vote across the state. 

Most importantly, we need your help to ensure that Democratic values are given the office and voice they deserve.  The enthusiasm and commitment to change that we saw all across the country these past few months was beyond inspiring.

It's our job to harness this energy and double down on our commitment to elect Democrats who believe in making our schools and communities safer. Visit IWillVote.com to commit to vote in 2018 and beyond.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s life, let us recommit ourselves to his vision of equality, opportunity, and justice for all people – no matter what they look like, where they come from, who they love, or how they pray. Fifty years after Dr. King’s tragic assassination, it’s on all of us to fight for progress every day and ensure that we leave a more perfect union and world to future generations.  

Yours, 

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

March 30, 2018

March 23, 2018

Remembering Nancy McFadden
 
California lost a great leader this week, and I lost a dear friend. Nancy McFadden was a one-of-a-kind public servant: funny, generous, whip-smart, and fiercely dedicated to improving other people’s lives.

From Washington, D.C. to California, she spent her entire career fighting for the fairness and opportunity every American deserves. She once wrote, ”I persist so every girl who gets knocked down knows she can get back up again stronger than ever.“ There’s no question that our country is stronger because of Nancy’s leadership and tireless work on behalf of the millions of people she served. My prayers are with Nancy’s brother, Governor Brown, Ann Gust Brown, and all those who had the fortune of knowing her.

Six Months Since Hurricane Maria

It’s been six months since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. An estimated 135,000 Puerto Ricans have decided to move to the mainland and the island’s economy continues to struggle after a lackluster response from FEMA and the Trump administration.
 
Our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico continue to be treated like second-class citizens. The Trump administration’s disastrous response in the storm’s aftermath has cost lives and left thousands of citizens displaced and desperate for help.
 

Trump and Republicans may have forgotten these Americans, but Democrats have not. I personally witnessed Hurricane Maria’s destruction when I visited the island last October. Today, six months after the storm, business owners are still recovering from their losses and waiting to be paid by insurance companies. People with serious health problems are still struggling to get adequate care. Families are still dealing with water damage and experiencing frequent power outages. And the majority of the residents on the island are still rebuilding after the lives they once knew were washed away by one of the worst hurricanes in American history.
 
Our fellow Americans deserve better. The federal government needs to work tirelessly to help Puerto Rico rebuild its economy and fully recover from this tragedy. It’s long past time for Donald Trump and Republicans to join Democrats to give those affected by this disaster the attention and resources they deserve.

March for Our Lives

As Barack and Michelle Obama said recently, the students of Parkland have helped awaken the conscience of the nation. They’ve reminded us that thoughts and prayers are not enough. And they’ve inspired millions of Americans across the country to demand action to end the epidemic of gun violence.

Tomorrow’s march should send a loud message to our leaders in Congress: The level of gun violence in America is not normal. It is not acceptable. And it is not inevitable.

Democrats are proud to join tomorrow’s demonstrations, and we will continue to take on the gun lobby and fight for sensible gun laws so that one day we will no longer live in a nation that sees its children murdered and does nothing.

Find a march in your community here.
 
Organize, Organize, Organize

I want to congratulate Illinois Democrats for showing what we can accomplish when we organize and lead with our values. *Twice* as many Democrats turned out in this week’s Illinois primary compared to Republicans — we've got to keep turning out to vote if we want to flip our country blue this fall.

I joined NPR’s 1A podcast to talk about the future of our party and how we’re organizing to win elections up and down the ballot in 2018. You can listen to the episode here.

Our Political and Organizing Director, Amanda Brown Lierman, also spoke this week to her home state outlet, NJ.com, about Democrats’ successes in 2017, the upcoming midterms, and how she became one of our party’s most powerful organizers. You can read or watch her interview here.

Finally, we’ve continued to get more voters to register and commit to vote for Democrats through our IWillVote program. We’ve set a goal of reaching 50 million voters, and we’re already on our way.

Yours,

Tom

P.S. – In case you were wondering, yes, my bracket is busted. But I want to congratulate UMBC men’s basketball for joining Harvard women’s basketball as the only two 16-seeds to ever take down a 1-seed in NCAA Basketball Tournament history. My friend, UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski, was right when he said, “They showed the country that you don’t write someone off.” That’s true in sports, it’s true in life, and it’s true in elections. Republicans tried to write us off after 2016, but we’ve come back stronger, winning elections in deep-red districts across the country. And we’re just getting started.

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

March 16, 2018

Remembering Louise Slaughter

On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we are deeply saddened by Congresswoman Slaughter’s passing, and our thoughts are with her family, colleagues, and constituents at this difficult time.
As one of the longest-serving women in Congress, Louise was a trailblazer and fierce advocate for women’s rights. From fighting for equal pay and LGBTQ rights to combating the scourge of domestic violence and sexual assault, she was committed to the values of diversity, equality, and justice for all people. And as the only microbiologist in Congress, she worked tirelessly to protect our environment and expand access to STEM education for women, minorities, and people with disabilities.

 It would be hard to find a member of Congress more respected and beloved than Louise. With good humor, unfailing kindness, and a lifelong passion for public service, she dedicated her career to making progressive change for families in New York and across the country. Her leadership will be sorely missed by the Democratic Party and in the halls of Congress, but we will carry on her legacy by continuing to fight for the issues she championed every single day.

A Milestone for the Democratic Party We had a tremendously successful DNC Winter Meeting last week, and I’m grateful to everyone who participated to help build a stronger Democratic Party. From the moment I decided to run for chair, I understood we had to rebuild trust with every single voter who shares our values. 

 Now that the work of the Unity Reform Commission and our Rules and Bylaws Committee is one step closer to completion, I couldn’t be more optimistic about our efforts to elect more Democrats up and down the ballot in 2018, 2020 and beyond. And I’m certain that when our work is complete, our 2020 nomination process will be the most fair and transparent in the history of American presidential politics.

 You can watch my remarks from last weekend’s General Session here.

March Madness The upsets keep coming. And no, I’m not talking about basketball. On Tuesday, Democrats pulled off yet another stunning victory in a deep-red district. With the nation’s eyes on Pennsylvania 18th, we invested, organized, and helped Conor Lamb flip a seat in a district Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2016.

 This is a victory for the hardworking families of Western Pennsylvania and for Democrats across the country who are organized and ready to win in 2018. It’s a continuation of the trend we saw in 2017 and a sign of even bigger wins to come in 2018. But most of all, it’s a reminder that every single vote counts. That’s why our new IWillVote program is so important.

 The DNC is proud to have supported Conor and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in their organizing efforts. As a Marine and former federal prosecutor, Conor has already dedicated his career to serving the American people. Now as he heads to Congress, I know he’ll be a tireless champion for better jobs and wages, more affordable health care, an end to the opioid epidemic, and retirement security for all the families he represents.

National School Walkout Day

It has been profoundly inspiring to see the students of Stoneman Douglas organizing and demanding action to end the epidemic of gun violence. On Wednesday, the DNC family walked out in solidarity with them and millions of students across the country, because we all deserve to be safe where we work, live, and go to school. As they keep reminding us, thoughts and prayers are not enough; now is the time for action.

Democrats are proud to support these students, and we refuse to believe that we are powerless to prevent the mass slaughter of innocent people. Every day, seven children and teens die from gun violence. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. This is not inevitable. The cruel and cowardly indifference of the gun lobby and their close allies in Congress is no match for the courage of these students and all those fighting to end gun violence. Because of their leadership and activism, we know that one day we will no longer live in a nation that sees its children murdered and does nothing.
Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and best of luck with your NCAA brackets. I’m sure mine will be busted soon.

 Yours,

Tom

Tom Perez Chair Democratic National Committee

Feb 24, 2018

One Year In

Dear Fellow DNC Member,

A year ago this weekend, when you elected me as your new chair, President Trump responded the way he always does: on Twitter, mocking our party. In response, deputy DNC chair Keith Ellison and I made a promise: we would unite Democrats across the country to become his worst nightmare. And we did — by winning some of the biggest races in 2017.

It wasn’t easy and it didn’t happen overnight. In less than a year, we got back to basics and started organizing. We invested in our state parties almost immediately through our Resistance Summer program and hired organizers in over 40 states. We made unprecedented investments in our state parties through our Every ZIP Code Counts program; now each state party gets $10,000 per month, which is a 33% increase from base funding levels in 2016 and a 100% increase from 2015.
 
We didn’t just focus on the sexy races at the top of the ticket. We lifted up Democrats across the board. And by investing early, organizing everywhere, and working together with all of you, we won more than 100 elections and flipped 37 state legislative seats from red to blue. Please take a moment to read my latest piece in USA Today about all of the progress we’ve made over the last year.
 
One of those red-to-blue flips came this week in Kentucky, where Democrat Linda Belcher won a seat by a whopping 36 points in a district that Trump won by 49 points in 2016.
The DNC is proud to stand with Linda and the Kentucky Democratic Party as they work to build a brighter future for hardworking families across Kentucky.
Democrats are winning again because of the strong grassroots support of Democratic donors across the country. This week, the DNC announced it raised nearly $7 million, including nearly $1 million from the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, in January. The total represents a 40% increase over last January’s total and is the DNC’s best January since Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012.
 
Not only is last month’s haul more than the DNC raised in the past five Januaries, it’s more than the organization raised in January 2006 and January 2008, both of which were major Democratic wave election years. The DNC also finished the month of January with more cash on hand than it had at the same point in 2016 and 2014.
 
This week, we also continued to see the inspiring activism and resilience of the students at Stoneman Douglas. They have channeled their pain and passion into progress and challenged our lawmakers to finally take meaningful action that will reduce gun violence.
 
Our digital team put together this video highlighting the stories and voices of these courageous students. Deputy Chair Keith Ellison also spoke to Colin Goddard, a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting, and Sarah Clements, the daughter of a second grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary, about these issues on this week’s episode of Democrats Live. You can watch their discussion here.

The Democratic Party is committed to fighting for sensible gun laws. We will not accept that we are too powerless to make progress, or that the NRA is too powerful to defeat. In a country as great as ours, no child should be afraid to go to school or walk around their neighborhood. No spouse should be afraid to come home at night. No American should be afraid to go to work or their place of worship. No human being should be afraid to go to a shopping mall or baseball field, nightclub or movie theater, concert or college campus.
 
I joined DNC Member Yasmine Taeb, a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High School, in penning an open letter to the students in Florida about how our party is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them as we work to make progress on these issues. You can read our letter in Daily Kos here.
Finally, as we head into the weekend, all of us should remember the incredible campaign led by Memphis sanitation workers, who began marching 50 years ago this month for higher wages, safer working conditions, the right to be part of a union and the recognition of the dignity of their work. Their cause drew Dr. King to Memphis for what proved to be his final campaign.

While we’ve made incredible progress since then, we still have a lot of work to do. We know that when unions succeed, America succeeds. And with the Supreme Court beginning oral arguments in the Janus v. AFSCME case next week, it’s critically important that we unite to protect workers’ rights.

This Saturday, working people across America will join hands to protect our freedoms and fight back against those trying to rig the economy for corporations and the 1%. You can join an event near you here.
 

 

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

Feb 17, 2018

Alyssa Alhadeff, 14
Cara Loughran, 14
Gina Montalto, 14
Alex Schachter, 14
Alaina Petty, 14
Jamie Guttenberg, 14
Martin Duque Anguiano, 14
Peter Wang, 15
Luke Hoyer, 15
Carmen Schentrup, 16
Helena Ramsay, 17
Nicholas Dworet, 17
Joaquin Oliver, 17
Meadow Pollack, 18
Scott Beigel, 35
Aaron Feis, 37
Chris Hixon, 49

This week, America was struck by yet another senseless tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific shooting and their families, as well as all of the brave first responders who prevented further carnage.
 
We’re already hearing stories of the heroism of students, teachers, janitors, coaches, and administrators who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Their courage in the face of such evil should inspire us all.
 
Of course, we have seen these atrocities too many times before. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. This is not inevitable. And it’s long past time for our leaders to stop pretending we are powerless to prevent such tragedy.

No child should be afraid to go to school or walk around their neighborhood. No spouse should be afraid to come home at night. No American should be afraid to go to work or their place of worship. No one in this country should be afraid to go to a shopping mall or baseball field, night club or movie theater, concert or college campus. We must come together as Americans and do everything we can to ensure that horrific attacks like this become a thing of the past.
 
This week we also saw the continued failure of leadership by President Trump and Republicans on the issue of immigration. Dreamers are Americans in every way but on paper, and they deserve the opportunity to continue their contributions to the only country they know as home.
 
Today and each day without Dream Act legislation, more pain and uncertainty is inflicted on the lives of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants. The time to pass a legislative solution for Dreamers is now. Not next month, not next year — now.


DNC VIDEO: American Dreaming: Leonard 
But Dreamers aren’t the only group whose rights were attacked by Republicans this week. Instead of working to expand access to economic opportunities for all Americans, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have focused their attention on weakening protections for people with disabilities. This week, House Republicans passed a bill that would weaken protections provided by the American Disabilities Act and could limit accessibility to businesses for millions of Americans.
 
The Democratic Party has been unwavering in our commitment to protect and expand the rights of people with disabilities. We will continue to fight back against President Trump’s vicious attacks, and we will build on the progress we’ve made from the earliest days of the disability rights movement through the Obama administration. 

from @NCAI1944 
 

I was so honored to speak this week at the National Congress of American Indians. Unlike the current administration, the Democratic Party is committed to strengthening nation-to-nation relationships by respecting tribal sovereignty, protecting and restoring tribal lands and sacred sites, tackling the opioid epidemic that has taken too many Native lives, expanding health coverage for Native communities, combating the consequences of climate change that threaten resources so many tribes rely on, and protecting Native women from domestic violence so that there are no more stolen sisters, mothers, and daughters.

 As DNC Chair, I’ve traveled the country meeting with tribal leaders about these issues. We’ve established the DNC’s first Native American Caucus, and we’ve made significant investments in races from Alabama to Washington to Arizona that affect Native communities. We know that Native American voters will continue to be key difference makers in 2018, and as my old boss Barack Obama used to say, we will never let them be forgotten or ignored.
 
 

Democrats continued to build on our wave of victories in special elections this week. I want to congratulate Representative-elect Margaret Good and Senator-Elect Karla Bigham on their victories in Florida and Minnesota. The DNC is proud to stand with them and their state parties as we work to elect more Democrats up and down the ballot.
This afternoon, we also received more disturbing details about Russia’s meddling in our election process This latest indictment gives us a chilling look at just how sophisticated, well-funded and wide-ranging this attack on our democracy really was. This investigation has grave implications for the integrity of our democracy. Donald Trump and his Republican enablers’ efforts to discredit it only emboldens Russia and makes them all accomplices to future attacks on our elections.
 
Finally, I want to wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all celebrating in America and around the world. As Asian American and Pacific Islander families welcome the Year of the Dog, we join them in celebrating tradition, community, and family. In Chinese tradition, the dog represents kindness, courage, and service to others – principles that should always guide us at the DNC as we work to expand opportunities for all Americans.
 
 

Please take a moment to watch this greeting from DNC Vice Chair Grace Meng. Asian Pacific Islander Americans have made critical contributions to our society and continue to strengthen our country every single day. So from our family to yours, have a prosperous, healthy, and happy New Year and Year of the Dog. 

Yours,

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

Jan 20, 2018

Dear Fellow Member,  

 
Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration, and we’re just hours away from a government shutdown. That tells you all you need to know about how dangerous and destructive this presidency has been.
 
Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. Any government shutdown falls 100% on them. In fact, there has never been a government shutdown when one party has controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress.
 
This Republican recklessness is hurting our military and veterans, children who need health care, and Dreamers who deserve compassion and the chance to stay in the only country they’ve ever called home. It’s hurting retirees and community health centers, people in need of opioid addiction treatment and communities in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and California that are still recovering from disasters.

  
This is Trump’s Republican Party: Chaos, incompetence, and moral failure.Democrats want a deal. We are at the table. We have put forward bipartisan agreements but Trump and Republicans refuse to work towards a deal. They are bringing us to the brink.
 
But Democrats will continue to fight for the values of the American people. On Monday, I was honored to speak about those values, Dr. King’s legacy, and the need for moral leadership at the National Action Network’s MLK Day Breakfast. 

The question of moral leadership is front and center in the battle to protect Dreamers. Instead of leading on this issue, Donald Trump has decided to betray every promise he made to Dreamers and their families. Trump said he loved Dreamers and would “show great heart” on DACA. Those were lies. Ending DACA like he did was nothing but heartless and hateful.
 
Dreamers are our neighbors and friends, our classmates and co-workers. The clock is ticking, and their futures hang in the balance. I wrote an op-ed in the Seattle Times about the importance of passing the DREAM Act and protecting these young people. You can read a Spanish-language version of the op-ed in Univision.

I also sat down with Soledad O’Brien this week to talk about how Democrats are putting our values into action every day through our #DemsforYou program, and how we’ve been hard at work rebuilding the New DNC to win elections up and down the ballot across the country. You can watch that interview here.

  
As we hit the one-year mark of Trump’s presidency tomorrow, it cannot be overstated how harmful this administration has been to our economy. From breaking his promises to workers to passing a tax bill that rewards only the wealthiest, Trump has made it clear that he is president of the 1%, for the 1%, and by the 1%. I wrote a memorandum about the president’s first year of destructive economic policies on our Medium account this week.
 
The best way to combat Trump and the GOP’s radical policy agenda is to elect Democrats across the country. That’s what we did in 2017, and we’re not showing any signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, we won two more elections in Wisconsin, including a state Senate seat that hasn’t been occupied by a Democrat in nearly 20 years, in a district that Trump won by 17 points in 2016.
 
We have now flipped 34 state legislative seats in the last year. The message is clear: voters are rejecting Trump. And if Democrats continue to organize and lead with our values, we can win anywhere.
 

As we continue to win elections, we’re also focused on making sure that our presidential primary process in 2020 will be the most fair and transparent in our party’s history. The Unity Reform Commission’s work is critical to moving us forward and restoring voters’ trust in our party, and I spoke today to our Rules and Bylaws Committee about why it’s important for them to adopt these recommendations.
 
Finally, I want to leave you with a few words about a special member of our Democratic family who we lost this week. Paul Booth was an organizing icon, a titan of the labor movement, and a lifelong champion for working families. We are deeply saddened by his passing, and the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the DNC are with Paul’s colleagues at AFSCME, his wife Heather, and the entire Booth family at this difficult time.
 
When Paul was just nine years old, he starting handing out leaflets during the 1952 presidential campaign. Once he got a taste of activism and organizing, he never looked back. From his days standing up to apartheid in South Africa and fighting for factory workers in Chicago to his decades of leadership at AFSCME, Paul devoted the rest of his life to organizing for the civil, social, and economic rights of all people. And in 2016, we were honored to have Paul serve on the DNC committee that drafted the most ambitious and progressive platform in our party’s history.

  
Throughout his life, Paul preached the principle of solidarity and urged everyone around him to be “missionaries” for the labor movement. Over the course of more than five decades, he and Heather have inspired generations of activists to continue organizing for social and economic justice.
 
When he spoke about the battles ahead – for better wages and retirement security, for the right to organize and bargain collectively, for the justice, equality, and economic opportunity that everyone deserves – he liked to say, “We are in this together. We will fight it together. And we will win it together.” With Paul’s legacy as our guide, we will carry on the fight for a better future together. 

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

lcrooms@law.howard.edu