Three Wins Today: Sept 4, 2025
Constituents matter the most
I got a comment on Threads today. This person didn’t ask anything in good faith, but I felt like they opened the door for me to explain something electeds do that people absolutely write off. Not as much as the “strongly worded letters,” but that’s only because they don’t even know it’s happening.
And that’s the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
I feel like a lot of people don’t get this, so even though I know this person wasn’t saying anything in good faith it’s a great excuse to talk about them.
As I have done Daily Dems longer and longer, I’ve learned how much of what happens in district that need funding, only happens because that Member Of Congress got federal funding for it.
That includes affordable housing, and rebuilding bridges and spaces for minority communities to feel safe. It includes schools and repairing a damaged road. So much more of the things we value come from federal funds then we realize.
So yes, a Member Of Congress going to a groundbreaking for something they secured the funds for? Cutting the ribbon at a ceremony for something they secured the funds for?
Frankly, that’s one of the most important local wins of them all.
These wins are completely tangible, and they’re in progress. They’re not ideas or hopes, they’re physical examples of the importance of voting for someone who has your best interests in mind. Most of what happens during a given 4 year term, probably won’t go into effect during those 4 years. That’s why people didn’t, and still don’t, get how progressive Biden’s presidency truly was.
But this is immediate. A ribbon cutting means that the project is finished and open. Trump didn’t take away the funding, he didn’t stop it from being built.
And a ground breaking is a reminder that Biden still has a legacy. Not everything he made possible is being broken.
This person who made this comment basically called me useless. Fine. If you think that celebrating these wins is useless, I will wear that label proudly.
Nationwide/ Chicago, IL
Mon, Sept 1 - the American Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union announced a joint resolution in support of the Target Boycott. They announced the collaboration at the Chicago Workers of Billionaires Labor Day March.
From the CTU resolution:
RESOLVED that the CTU stands in solidarity with the boycott of Target, recognizing the rollback of its DEI initiatives as part of a broader ideological attack on equity—and affirming that the fight for just workplaces, schools, and communities are bound together.
From the AFT resolution:
RESOLVED, that the AFT will urge our members, affiliates and partners to refrain from shopping at Target or using Target’s digital platforms until such time as the company publicly recommits to its diversity, equity and inclusion goals; meets the broader demands of the “Target Fast” to re-establish trust and good faith with Black/historically marginalized consumers and workers; and provides transparent metrics to ensure accountability and follow-through.
CTU President, Stacy Davis Gates said:
Every day, Black and brown working-class families walk into Target to spend $100 and leave spending $300. Their hard-earned dollars are fueling Target’s record profits and executive bonuses—even as their schools remain underfunded and their communities underserved. So when Target retreats from its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s not just cowardice—it’s complicity with white supremacy. It sends a dangerous signal to those who want to erase the dignity and safety of our students, our families and our classrooms.
I love that even though it’s been going on for months now, the Target boycott is gaining rather than losing steam. That doesn’t happen very often, usually after something’s been done for this long, no one is talking about it anymore.
I know that more organizations are bowing down than we ever expected, but the fact that we continue to stand against them and make sure they know they have fallen out of good graces, that’s new, in a good way.
Can’t wait to see what other unions join next!
Nationwide/ California
TODAY - Brian Tyler Cohen joined the The Find Out Podcast to announce “FAFO50” or “Fuck Around and Find Out 50.” A livestream co-hosted by Governor Gavin Newsom, akin to those for Kamala before the November election. All about Prop 50: The Election Rigging Response Act.
This will be next Wednesday, Sept 10, 7:30pm ET (there will be a lot of amazing guests so plan for a few hours)
(MA) is the first guest they’ve announced but more to come in the next few days.The Find Out Podcast is getting involved because this is going to be a much heavier lift than most of us imagine. FOP co-host, Kristofer Goldsmith said:
What’s important to note here, though, is that California is doing an if/then, kind of law. They’re saying IF Texas gerrymanders their state to hell, THEN we will do the same. IF they don’t, THEN California doesn’t.
And I think that we’re going to, as creators across all these apps, we’re gonna have to do a lot to educate people on this, because the Republicans are going out, you know, leafleting neighborhoods throughout California, trying to convince people that California is out to take away your rights. And people don’t understand, no, this is to balance the power, the way that our constitution was designed to do.
So I will be watching and I hope you will be too!
You can find more information on their website!
Florida
Tue, Sept 2 - We had two major over performances in the State Legislature. These are both holds, so keeping the seats isn’t the win, the win is by how much.
Rashon Young over performed in the FL HD-40 races by 15 points, which means he beat the Republican by 50 points. Lavon Bracy Davis had a 22 point over performance, with a total margin of 46 points.
It’s happening in races where we hold, races where we flip and races where we still lose but just do better. We are over performing, on average by about 20 points in elections across the entire country.
Bracy Davis explained why she thinks this is on a call with FL Dems today:
We spent an extended session last session, and we were passing bills like changing textbooks from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, and no constituent, Democrat or Republican, has called me asking for that. They’re asking me about property insurance and they’re asking me about rent caps and they’re asking me about this affordability crisis and ensuring that they have medical care.
And that’s what Democrats are loudly standing for. FINALLY people are realizing that Dems are the party of the kitchen table issues.
That’s a MASSIVE shift, and one that most journalists, new media and traditional alike, have not caught onto.
This is why our losses count as wins SO often. Yes, Randy Fine is, unfortunately a Member of Congress, and no, Josh Weil overperforming does not make that any less true. But, it’s about the forest for the trees. It’s a trend. Each individual race might not have the perfect outcome, but all the races together tell a very specific story.
The Democratic messaging IS getting through and Democrats DO have the best policies, no matter what fill in the blank pundit writes for Politico this week.
Shout out to Florida Phoenix for reporting on this story as the win it is.
So these are just some of today’s wins. If you made it to the end, let me know your favorite!
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!



I simply cannot choose a favorite - at first I think it’s the Target boycott gaining steam, but then, the over preforming elections steals the show. 🤷🏻♀️💜. Thanks for all you do, Ariella!
Ariella, have you heard of sealioning? Sounds like what that person was doing…there’s a great explanation of it in this post, after some news roundups. And I’m glad you had good boundaries and faith in what you do! https://bullcityindivisible.substack.com/p/83-meeting-notes