Three Wins Today: Nov 14, 2025
ELECTION ALERT!
We have another major election that started two days ago and ends in just two weeks. Can we win it? Let’s just say, we have a much better shot than we ever could have before.
Aftyn Behn is running for TN-07. It was an R +20 seat back in 2024, but we’ve flippped worse this year.
She is a current Tennessee State Rep in her sophomore term. One of the first things she did when she joined the legislature was introduce legislation to get rid of sales tax on groceries while making sure corporations couldn’t get away with not paying the state excise tax, by closing a loophole which they had been using for some time. She doesn’t just say that she wants lower taxes for those who need it the most, she’s created legislation to do just that.
In March of last year, she teamed up with her Republican colleague to change the way the state House deals with harassment claims.
And this past December she launched a campaign to get the Equal Rights Amendment enshrined in the Tennessee Constitution.
Of course, it’s Tennessee, so her efforts have never led to an actual law, but it does prove that in the Dem caucus she will be a powerhouse.
And if you’re looking for tangible wins, she’s had that too.
In the legal world, last year, she filed a lawsuit against Tennessee’s abortion law that would punish adults for helping minors get abortions across state lines. In July, Bush appointee Julia Gibbons, ruled that this was unconstitutional and stopped the law from going into effect permanently.
When she cares about something, she does everything she can to make it a reality, no matter who she has to work with, or what she has to do, to get there.
Hopefully all of that makes you excited about her. So, here’s your CTA!
As I said, early voting has already started. It will go through Nov 26. She needs support, be it monetary or just your time. There are a variety of phone banks every day from every org from the DNC to an LGBTQ specific one from Mass Dems, and if you’re in or near the district, I’d definitely see kind of volunteering they need on the ground.
We CAN do this. We’ve shown how possible it is with what we were able to do on Nov 4. We have just over two weeks. So let’s make Republicans really scared and flip this seat!
Seattle, Washington
Fri, Oct 31 - In July, Seattle took Trump to court over his attempt to refuse funding for anyone or anything that supports equity, inclusion and diversity. On Oct 31, Carter appointee, Barbara Rothstein issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump Administration:
Defendants further assert that the federal government has an interest in ensuring that federal funds are spent in accordance with its chosen conditions. Yet the government has no legitimate interest in enforcing conditions that were likely imposed in violation of the Constitution or the APA.
Basically, she ruled that holding federal funding hostage because it doesn’t fit the values of the administration is unconstitutional.
Mayor Bruce Harrell celebrated the win, saying:
Today’s ruling is a major victory for the city, for our communities, and for our values. In our words, in our actions, and now again in the courts, we’ve made clear that Trump will not – and cannot – bully us into changing who we are and what we stand for. The Court today affirmed what we’ve known from the beginning – Trump’s brutish threats and backwards policies are as unconstitutional as they are just plain wrong.
The more cases we have like this, the better. This kind of precedent is important to set.
Fresno, California
Fri, Nov 7 - Sam “Psalm” Behpoor is the manager of Pismo’s in Fresno. When he was 18, in 2004, went to prison for a residential burglary. He was born in Iran, even though he had lived here since he was 3. So, of course, this summer, as he was trying to get back his greencard, that he lost after getting out of prison, he was taken to an ICE facility, where has been since June.
Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom took notice, and he just granted him a full pardon for his actions when he was 18.
The hope is that this forces ICE to release him, since his record is gone.
As Fresno attorney George Rios explained to Your Central Valley:
If that was the underlying basis for him being placed in removal proceedings to begin with, now an immigration attorney can go in and with that legal argument, make that argument that he is no longer removable as he was originally charged.
If only this could be done for every abductee in an ICE facility. Though, some of them don’t even have a criminal record to expunge.
I really hope this helps him get the freedom he rightfully deserves.
Washington D.C
Wed, Nov 12 - On October 20, staff at four of the most well known DC music venues announced they were unionizing. They were hopeful that I.M.P. who runs all four venues would voluntarily recognize the union, and, I have an update!
They did. Well, they did for door staff and beverage and food workers. The union still hasn’t been recognized for box office and production workers. So they still need your help and support, and that is still in the form of this petition. As I said in October, this isn’t a change.org and this isn’t about getting your email address to spam you. This is a petition you can feel safe in signing, and it would really help the union if you did so.
I will keep you posted if I have anymore updates!
So those are some of today’s wins. Comment with which one is your favorite!
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!
Kudos all your stories rock as they give light and hope! But “Psalm” is my favorite, because of his name, but also it was a worthy pardon, not one for some creep who didn’t deserve one!
Signed the union petition! Hope that all those groups get recognition soon.