There is absolutely no place for political violence in a democracy. The strength of our democratic system depends on the peaceful exchange of ideas and the integrity of our electoral process.

Michael Kripchak ran in the special election this week for the open seat in Ohio's 6th Congressional District, a very rural district with a +29 Republican advantage going into the race. While Kripchak lost 54% to 45% and was outspent almost $700K to $25K, he achieved amazing results by cutting the lead to 9 points.

We have two requests for you for this week: 1. If you have not already read the transcript of Time Magazine's interview with Trump in which he lays out his terrifying plans for a second term, we urge you to read it.

For months, members of the Markers For Democracy community and our allies in the Comments section of Robert Hubbell’s Substack have been grumbling about the New York Times’ and other outlets’ problematic coverage of Biden, Trump, the threats to democracy, the alleged exhaustion of the grassroots and other issues.

Our postcards have made a significant impact! We're delighted to share our victories in Fayetteville and Baldwinsville, New York.

After a few weeks of battling New York Times reporters and columnists who had all but written off President Biden, the SOTU gave us all a boost of adrenaline.

Two topics dominated the pre-guest discussions on this week's morning Zoom sessions as well as many conversations offline: (1) Joe Biden's age and what, if anything, Democrats should do about it. (2) The New York Times' poorly reported article on burnout among the resistance

This week was full of news that filled many of us with anxiety for the future of our democracy and despair about some of our major institutions including the Supreme Court and the media, especially The New York Times. With so many distractions and demands on our attention, it's crucial to prioritize our efforts where they can make the most impact.

Amidst the overwhelming news and the unceasing challenges to the rule of law, we find ourselves as the defenders of democracy. The urgency of our times demands a focused response, and we believe in the power of collective action.

We hope you had a happy and restful holiday break filled with family, fun, and everything that brings you joy. As we usher in a new year let's channel our collective energy into a shared vision for a better tomorrow. The 2024 election season begins now, and the stakes could not be higher.

As we approach Giving Tuesday on November 28th, a day dedicated to supporting organizations that enrich our lives and align with our values, we encourage you to consider making a donation to Markers For Democracy. We anticipate that 2024 will be our busiest year yet with important races up and down the ballot and control of the White House, U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, many state chambers, and school boards in the balance.

Let's give ourselves a much-deserved pat on the back!! While Democrats around the country celebrated Tuesday's wins, our community was directly involved in many of these important victories.

The news is harder to take every day, and it's understandable to feel despairing and hopeless. Markers For Democracy knows that one antidote to those feelings is activism in community. As Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said on MSNBC this past week, "Until there is truly nothing to do, there is always something to do." Let's join hands and finish strong before November 7th.

No words can truly capture the heartbreak, horror, and human tragedy that has unfolded in Israel this week. The images and stories of terrorism, barbarism, and the killing of thousands and kidnapping of hundreds are deeply distressing, and our hearts ache.