They Say There's Too Much Money in Politics, And They're Right

I apologize for being AWOL lately. You come here for my regular musings on life—something you can relate to, something that might make you feel more seen, more supported, less alone. Maybe you’ve missed me, because Lord knows I’ve missed you. Your comments and emails are an important part of my life 🙏🏽

The truth is, running for Congress is eating up all of my time. Thanks to the race, for the last two months, I’ve been working so many more hours each day than I’m used to, day after day after day. (And I thought I was busy before!) This breathless sprint to the primary ends on March 5, and when I come in first or second, which is entirely possible (yes, wow, I KNOW!!), then I start another lap that concludes in November. Whew!

So that’s why I haven’t been writing. I’m glad I’m back now, though, because I want to share some notes from the frontlines of this heated Congressional campaign. For the next few weeks, until the primary, that’s what I’ll be writing about. 

Y’all, I love SO MUCH of this work. Because frankly, I feel called to serve. This campaign is a tremendous opportunity to learn, grow, fall down, pick myself up, and go go go. It’s a chance to listen to constituents, build and support a strong team, shape my policy positions, craft bold messaging, go to events, engage potential endorsers, and participate in candidate forums and debates. There are even fancy and fun parts of it like getting my hair and makeup done, to pose and be on set to create our sassy TV ad, which, ICYMI is here.

I’m in it for the kids. MY kids. YOUR kids. ALL of our kids. Our kids can’t afford a place to live. They have to imagine how they’ll thrive in their adulthood on a warming planet with rising seas. They’re also the first generation to have had active shooter drills as young as kindergarteners in elementary school. Think about that! No wonder their mental health is in the toilet. They know health care is unreliable or that your health insurance might not cover your meds. And we tell them to get a college education yet student loans are out of pace with their earning potential. Their bodily autonomy and reproductive freedoms are eroding as we speak. Oh, and Democracy.

Our kids are anxious, depressed, and afraid. I don’t blame them. I blame us.

Because y’all, isn’t a successful society one that creates the conditions under which its youth can not just survive but thrive?

I’m the candidate who has advocated for youth. I’m the candidate who knows how to LISTEN first, and who makes sure we hold space for all voices to be heard. I weave my Harvard-lawyer brain with my big ole heart. I know how to bring people together, get them to pull together, and together achieve the solutions that seem impossible to those with smaller minds and harder hearts.

Okay I’m off my soapbox now.

The one part of the campaign that’s the hardest—that chews up my time, and takes me away from all of you, and my family, and which honestly can be a grind—is raising money. You’ve all heard that “there’s too much money in politics.” I’ve heard it, too. The thing is, I didn’t really “get” it until I experienced it, running for Congress. 

To win a campaign, you have to reach voters. You reach them en masse via print and digital ads. (You can also reach them by knocking doors and making calls, but this race has been so fast that I haven't had time to put that kind of team together.) The marketing geniuses who create the ads cost a lot of money. So, to pay those bills, I’m supposed to spend 30 hours a week on the phone raising money. 30 hours a week! I raise the money to spend the money only to raise more. And that’s on top of the events and meeting with the team and so on. Now you know why my work life has completely changed, and why I haven’t been keeping up with you. 

The great news is, our fundraising efforts have gotten us so far. If you’re one of those who already contributed, you’re helping us GET IT DONE.

But, my God, it shouldn’t cost so damn much money to reach voters—to help them understand who you are, what you stand for, how you’ll lead, and what you’ll do. Winning shouldn’t be about how rich your friends are, or whether or not you have corporations and lobbyists standing by to donate in exchange for your support down the line. Our political system is structured so that those who already have influence and power can use it to KEEP that influence and power—and that leaves out those from silenced and marginalized communities, those who weren’t born with power, those who are really trying to make a difference. 

Working on this campaign, and seeing how much the political world revolves around money, has opened my eyes to how much the system truly needs to change. I’m more fired up than EVER about getting to Congress, representing those who haven’t been represented, and fighting for campaign finance reform. Because the issues with campaign finance are a microcosm of the bigger issues I’m trying to tackle. 

While we have a good chance of winning, my team tells me we’re about to make budget cuts unless I can keep the money coming in day after day. If you haven’t donated yet please do. And if you have, please come further aboard this train by doubling your existing contribution(s) or adding a zero! The donation link is here.

I appreciate you.

xo

🤗 Here’s a hug for all the people working hard on something they truly believe in right now.

🇺🇸 Yes, I am running for Congress here in the California 16th District (Silicon Valley) and if you want to help me get my message out about a woman’s right to choose, ending gun violence, building housing, and creating a more liveable world for our kids, please visit our campaign website (here) and make a contribution.

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