We’ve got 15 favorite states
Have you heard about Future Now Fund’s Moneyball for politics? I know we’ve mentioned it a few times…
It’s how Future Now Fund gets the job done. And by “the job,” we mean fixing our democracy.
In 2018, we nailed it, making historic progress in five states. Now, it’s time to do it again.
For 2019 and 2020, once again we did our due diligence — and then some. We used our proven model to identify the states where strategic investment is most likely to be game-changing.
Without further ado, here are the 15 states where we’re looking to make the difference in 2019 and 2020:
Our goal is to change the direction of an entire state — no matter where we are investing.
Sometimes the goal is to flip the partisan control of a chamber, in states where there are clear but narrow paths to winning legislative majorities. In other states, the goal is to defend a new majority that is delivering results to improve lives, but is threatened. And in some states, the goal is to break a supermajority in the legislature so that a governor — like Laura Kelly in Kansas — can make strides for the common good.
The stakes are very, very high.
It’s not just that state lawmakers determine who can vote and who controls Congress, though they do. States also impact millions of lives — healthcare access, civil rights, education, clean water, and more are all decided in state capitols. Look at Maine, where the new majority is working to advance paid sick leave, to make prescription drugs more affordable, and to expand access to healthcare. Or take New Hampshire, where clean drinking water policy and an independent redistricting commission have finally caught fire after the state legislature flipped last year.
But the picture across the rest of the country is far less rosy:
- In Arizona, the Republican majority is working to criminalize non-partisan voter registration. Kansas and Texas have aggressively pursued voter suppression and intimidation. And the majority in Florida is trying to overturn a popular referendum that expanded voting rights by implementing what is essentially a poll tax.
- Republican majorities in Iowa, North Carolina, and Michigan have blocked efforts to ensure drinking water is safe and corporate polluters are held accountable.
- In Pennsylvania and Montana, crumbling roads and bridges remain in deliberate disrepair.
- And across these states, regressive politicians are killing attempts to protect equal rights for LGBTQ Americans.
Together we can have an enormous impact.
Remember, state legislatures are a good investment because a little money goes a long way. Already, 16 Democratic presidential candidates have raised $89.5 million, most of which will be spent as they run against each other in a few early states — and last time we checked, only one of them will be the nominee and have a chance to flip the White House. For a fraction — less than 10% — of what these presidential hopefuls have already raised in the first part of 2019, we have a chance to change the entire direction of 15 states over the next two years.
Now it’s your turn.
Money isn’t everything, but in 2018, FNF endorsed candidates were 28% more likely to win than other candidates running in similar districts.
If you’re someone who cares a lot about the future of our country and our politics, but worry you can’t have a big impact on elections, state legislatures are the answer. A relatively small number of people with a relatively low number of dollars can make huge change at the state level.
Future Now Fund Giving Circles empower you to engage your networks, pool contributions, and adopt a state. Give Smart directs thousands of small dollar donors to the state legislative races where they can make the biggest impact.
So start a Giving Circle. Join Give Smart.
Want to dive even deeper? Read more about Future Now Fund’s State Strategy for 2019 and 2020 — and find out exactly how you can help fix our country, one state at a time.
