Hey Jason,
I joined this campaign because I believe in Beto and I know he is the best person to lead our country forward. This country is facing existential challenges like climate change, economic inequality, gun violence and Trump's immigration policies that have caused chaos at the border and rejected our values as a country. Beto believes that we can't solve these problems with the same old approach. We need to bring about a new kind of politics, where millions of Americans are finally brought into our democracy.
This campaign is your campaign. We aren't beholden to PACs, to corporations, or to lobbyists; we're beholden only to you. We believe in being transparent about our work and our plans — and we want to hear from you too. It's going to take all of us to take on Donald Trump and your voice in this campaign really matters to us. Because of that, I wanted to give my first campaign update directly to you.
I am so proud of what we are building together, so let's get into it!
Here's what we've got:
- Our candidate: Someone who inspires and motivates people with policies to back it up.
- Our team: No exaggeration, one of the best teams I've ever worked with.
- Our strategy: Building this grassroots movement in Iowa, early states and across this country.
- Texas: It's got the third most delegates of any state in the country, and we're in the best position to win it.
- Our plan for the fall: We've already met the hardest threshold for the fall debate. We're in on individual donors both nationally and in states.
- Our resources: We always need more, but we have enough to execute our strategy — for now.
- Our most critical asset: You. We've got amazing supporters who are engaged, energized, and putting in the work every single day.
Not only is this campaign about you, it's run by you. We're building a truly grassroots-centric campaign operation, inspired by what many of you helped build last year in Texas. This couldn't be more apparent than by taking a look at what we are building in Iowa and the early states. In fact, our organizing program is currently one of the largest in the state. Some of you may have seen that we opened 11 field offices there — today. And sure, we've got incredibly experienced and diverse staff. We've also got amazingly dedicated volunteers and supporters who are serving as ambassadors for Beto in their own networks and communities. Together, we're making the difference. Here's where we are:
Organizing by the numbers:
- Grassroots events held: 3,551
- Event attendees: More than 47,486 (31,454 in Q2)
- Volunteers: 102,896
- States we've canvassed in: 50
Fundraising:
A lot of folks have asked about our fundraising numbers. Overall, here's where we are:
We had something of an extended Q2. Our Q1 numbers came from the 18 days in March where you all stepped up big time. When you look at our fundraising in aggregate, we're in a great position. I won't sugar coat it: we have work to do, but we have the resources we need to execute our strategy.
And we're proud of where that money is coming from. This is a campaign that is truly funded by people — not PACs, lobbyists, or special interests. Take a look:
Some people in this race are already setting up super PACs. We haven't. Instead, we're relying on teachers, nurses, students, and people just like you. Beyond, we have tons of room to grow: 99.7% of our donors can give again, and most importantly a full 1/3rd of our donors gave to Beto for the first time — presidential or Senate — in Q2.
The way we raised on day one took everyone — including us — by surprise. We always expected a slow down — mostly because we never expected to be moving that fast. The truth is when you're prioritizing face-to-face conversations like we are, fundraising growth can be a slow burn. Don't believe me? Here's the fundraising arc from Beto's Senate race.
If you only judged Beto's Senate campaign by Q2 2017, you'd probably assume he was dead in the water. I've done a lot of these before. Campaigns aren't about how you're doing at any particular moment — they're about how you build over time.
We're building our team in El Paso slowly but surely. Our National Finance Director started this week. Our Digital Director started a month ago. We're going to grow, and our ability to fundraise is going to grow with it. Our team was able to capture all of the energy around our launch, but we're working on getting a team in place to take it to the next level.
We could have sent emails that said the sky was falling. We could have burned it all down asking for money. We could have had Beto on the phones with every lobbyist in town. That's not how we operate — and we don't feel like we need to. On the last day of the quarter, we raised money for an organization that helps asylum seekers. I'm so proud that this campaign raised tens of thousands of dollars for Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services of El Paso (and you can give to them here.)
That's the campaign we're running. That's who Beto is, and that's why we all know he should be President.
I've been here before. Hell, if I had a dollar for every time I was on a campaign that seemed left for dead, I'd probably exceed our average contribution. Polls come and go. Debates...happen, but at the end of the day, none of that BS matters. What matters is the people behind a campaign: supporters like you — the (literally) thousands of you who just showed up in Nashville on the Sunday of a holiday weekend. The folks who are out canvassing the state of Nebraska themselves. Even the dogs who show up in Beto shirts at a parade — and I don't even really like dogs. This is a campaign with a real energy, real growth, and a real shot at winning the primary. The only question is what we do with it — together.
So here's what I'm asking of you:
First, we need to raise more money. It should be clear by now that we can't take anything for granted. We have the resources we need to be in this for the long haul, but if we don't raise more this quarter, we'll have no choice but to make some adjustments. Please pitch in $10 right now to help us invest in this campaign.
Second: Go and volunteer right now. We simply cannot get over the finish line without you. The grassroots energy we've seen on the ground has been overwhelming. We feel it at every event we have for this campaign — whether Beto is there or not. Find an event in your community or host your own.
Third: Get online. Share with your friends why you support Beto and why you're a part of this team. We can spend all the money on ads we want, but no one is going to be better at bringing people into this campaign than you.
I want to be very clear: We are growing the campaign on our terms. I am thrilled with what we're building together — and I mean that. It's easy to look at what's in the press and feel like your work isn't paying off. I'm here to tell you that it is. Every conversation you have, door you knock, post you share, and dollar you donate is helping us build an operation that will not only win this primary, but will defeat Donald Trump and make everyone in this country believe again that we can rise to this moment.
Beto likes to say that this is a moment of truth for our country. Fundamentally reimagining our politics was never going to be easy, but I'm more resolved than ever to fight everyday to make it happen. This is just the beginning. Believe it.
I'm so glad we're in this together.
Jen O'Malley Dillon
Campaign Manager, Beto for America
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