FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2018
CONTACT:
Priyal Amin; press@turnoutpac.org
Progressive Turnout Project endorses Jan Schakowsky, Brad Schneider, and Cheri Bustos in Illinois
Grassroots-funded organization supports voting rights champions for re-election
CHICAGO—Progressive Turnout Project today endorsed Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Brad Schneider, and Rep. Cheri Bustos in their 2018 campaigns for Congress. The grassroots-funded organization cited the Illinois representatives’ commitment to protecting every American’s right to vote as well as their efforts to support progressive Democratic candidates across the country this fall.
“From our organizational home here in Chicago, we’ve had the great fortune of a front-row seat to watch Jan, Brad, and Cheri’s great work over the years and we’re proud to support them in this year’s election,” said Executive Director Alex Morgan.
Jan Schakowsky represents Illinois’ 9th congressional district and has been a leader in the resistance to Donald Trump’s Republican agenda throughout the course of his administration. In Congress, she has been fighting to protect the Affordable Care Act and standing up for comprehensive immigration reform, women’s rights, and much more. Additionally, her own roots as an organizer make her a powerful advocate for voting rights.
“Jan isn’t new to progressive politics—she’s been fighting for everyday Americans for decades,” said Morgan. “We’re grateful for Jan’s efforts to elect progressive Democrats and we know that with hard work our collective efforts will result in historic victories on November 6.”
Brad Schneider represents Illinois’ 10th congressional district—one of the most historically competitive districts in the country. In Congress, Brad has maintained a progressive record that includes efforts to bring greater transparency to our elections and restore the full Voting Rights Act. Schneider’s re-election is critical to building a Democratic majority in the House.
“Brad knows what it takes to win in a competitive congressional district and for him that has always meant having a team of organizers and volunteers talking one-on-one with the voters of the 10th congressional district,” said Morgan. “We’re proud of Brad’s strong campaigns and progressive voting record and we look forward to sending him back to Congress this fall.”
Cheri Bustos represents Illinois’ 17th congressional district and has consistently won in a district that has proven it doesn’t follow a straight ticket when voting. It’s clear that Illinois voters support Bustos because she personally engages with her constituents and lifts up their concerns in Congress. Additionally, as co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communication Committee, she helped lead the effort to create and introduce the Better Deal for our Democracy. This legislation focused on empowering American voters by protecting their right to vote, putting an end to partisan redistricting, strengthening ethics laws, and fixing the broken campaign finance system.
“Cheri has been a tireless fighter for American voters, doing everything she can to clean up our political system and protect every American’s right to vote,” said Morgan.
Today’s endorsements are part of a larger effort by Progressive Turnout Project to expand its impact in the 2018 election. The grassroots-funded organization released an expansive watch list in January and followed up with the announcement of 18 field programs in May. PTP hired a Fellows Program Coordinator in July to support additional candidates.
“Our more than 3 million supporters and 230,000 grassroots donors have been loud and clear that we need to do everything we can to win by supporting candidates who will represent our values and defend our democracy,” said Morgan.
Progressive Turnout Project asks campaigns to complete an endorsement questionnaire that asks about critical voting rights issues such as the restoration of the Voting Rights Act, automatic voter registration, early voting, no excuse absentee voting, and voter ID laws. The organization will continue to announce endorsements as it receives and reviews completed candidate questionnaires.
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Progressive Turnout Project is a grassroots-funded Political Action Committee with a single mission: get Democrats to the polls. PTP designs, tests, and executes specialized voter-turnout programs targeting inconsistent Democratic voters in the most competitive districts across the country. Since its inception in 2015, the organization raised more than $19 million with a supporter base of over 3 million and invested in voter-turnout programs in 73 congressional races and 17 state legislative races, including 10 Virginia House of Delegate races 2017.
