Action memo on redistricting, from Howard Dean

After every U.S. census, states are required to redraw the boundaries of Congressional districts. It's not supposed to be a partisan political process, but that hasn't stopped Republicans and some Democrats from doing everything they can to take advantage of it for their gain.

This year, redistricting is putting two of our biggest heroes in Congress at risk: Representatives Donna Edwards and Raul Grijalva.

Few Democrats in the House of Representatives have fought harder than Donna and Raul to stop Paul Ryan's plan to end Medicare. They stood strong to defeat attempts to cut Social Security. And they have never backed down in the fight to restore the American Dream for everyone. But now their districts have been redrawn to make them significantly harder for a progressive Democrat to win.

They've been there for us, now we need to be there for them. Please contribute $5 to each of their campaigns right now.

Donna Edwards is used to taking on the tough fights. She took on a corporate, right-wing Democrat and kicked him out of office in a hard fought primary. It was a classic battle for the heart and soul of our party and DFA members were there every step of the way to help her get the job done.

Once Donna was elected, she didn't sit back and just collect a paycheck as too many in Congress do. She joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus and became a leader working for change every day. This year she led fights to overturn Citizen United and get corporate money out of politics. She fought to create jobs and foster long-term economic development.

And during the debt ceiling fight, the Washington Post called her "aggressive" and "a liberal leader in the House" because she said that cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid was absolutely off the table.

Now, because of redistricting she is being challenged in a primary. I am with Donna and I hope you will be too. Please contribute $5 to her campaign today.

Raul Grijalva is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Under his leadership, progressives in Congress have never been more unified, on message, or a greater force to reckon with than now.

Raul has made sure that we don't just stay on defense fighting Eric Cantor and John Boehner. It's our job to be on offense and offer alternatives. So when the Republicans offered a disastrous budget plan, the CPC offered "the People's Budget."

When Republicans ran from town hall meetings afraid of being attacked by seniors for trying to end Medicare, Raul traveled around the country supporting the "Good Jobs Now" tour by meeting with out of work Americans face to face and fighting to restore the American Dream.

Now, Arizona Republicans are looking for a power grab. They've redrawn the boundaries of his district to remove Democrats and replace them with conservative voters. At least one conservative Democrat has already announced intentions to run against Raul in a primary. And after a tough fight last election, you can bet Republicans have no intention of sitting this election out.

It's up to us to deliver the resources for Raul to fight back and win. Please contribute $5 right now.

Donna and Raul have been there for us. Now is the time for us to stand up and be there for them.

Thank you, Ray, for everything you're doing to move America forward.

-Howard

Governor Howard Dean
Founder, Democracy for America

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