ORGANIZING NOTES
August 18, 2026
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The Progressives are Coming! The Progressives are Coming! Since the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani in New York City, there has been a string of progressive victories in primaries across the country:Key 2026 Democratic Primary Winners on the Left - Incumbents: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Rashida Tlaib (MI) successfully defended their seats.
- DSA Candidates: Notable wins included Chris Rabb (PA-3), Claire Valdez (NY-7), Daraliza Avila Chevalier (NY), and Melat Kiros (CO), who defeated long-serving incumbent Diana DeGette. Additionally, Donavan McKinney (MI) defeated Rep. Shri Thanedar.
- Progressive/Justice Democrats: Abdul El-Sayed (MI) won in a competitive swing district, and former City Comptroller Brad Lander (NY) defeated Rep. Dan Goldman. Other victories included Adam Hamawy (NJ), Justin Pearson (TN), and Frederick Haynes (TX).
In the Massachusetts September 1 primary, at least 47 progressive candidates are on the ballot, endorsed by one or more progressive organizations: Our Revolution Massachusetts, Democratic Socialists of America, Progressive Mass, The Working Families Party, Mass Alliance, Massachusetts Peace Action, Progressive Democrats of America, and Act on Mass. You can see the complete list of endorsements here. The immediate challenge is to elect as many of these progressives as possible. Once we elect them, we will be challenged to find ways of providing support so they are not driven to give in to the corporate Party leadership out of a desperate need to get something done. And, for the record, we have defined “progressive” broadly to include those on the left who emphasize social and institutional changes to attain economic equity, the elimination of imperial wars, a guaranteed living wage, a sustainable climate, housing, medical care, education, and social rights for all, including LGBTQ+ communities, People of Color, and women.
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Ever since the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, candidates have benefited from Dark Money (mostly anonymous independent expenditures) and Super PACs (non-profit Political Action Committees that aggregate donations and can conceal their sources). Some candidates like Bernie Sanders, refuse corporate contributions and eschew independent expenditures. Others, like Congressman Jake Auchincloss (CD4), Katherine Clark (Congressional District 5), the Democratic Party whip, and Representative Seth Moulton (CD6), pursue it. Money helps campaigns, but it is not free. Donors expect candidates to promote the policies they favor. Most (but not all, think Tom Styer) wealthy donors are pro-corporate policies and lean conservative. So, if candidates want the assistance of these outside, independent expenditures they must curry favor with the One Percent. For Democrats, that means getting in bed with some hard right donors. For instance, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) contributes regularly to both Democratic and GOP candidates, including MAGA supporters. Corporate executives dominate the Board of AIPAC. Major corporate positions of Key AIPAC Leadership & Known Board Members A second big source of the Dark Money for candidates is the organization Third Way. Third Way describes itself as: “a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.” Third Way is closely aligned with health care and finance executives that have supported the Clintons, Joe Biden, and Representative Haley Stevens of Michigan, who just lost the Michigan Democratic primary to progressive Abdul El-Sayed. Robert Reich identifies Third Way’s Board of Trustees (the most recent list available): Although Third Way claims to promote moderate politics it represents major corporate managers and promotes policies that benefit their corporation’s bottom line. “We are preparing for the next war that is coming,” said Jonathan Cowan, the president of Third Way, to The New York Times. “It is deeply troubling to see radical, far-left candidates winning in places that are potentially presidential swing states,” Mr. Cowan added. These views are espoused by many in the leadership of the Democratic Party and the party operatives and consultants who are in bed with the corporate millionaires and billionaires who want to reduce social programs and lower taxes. It is little wonder that working families are suspicious of Democratic candidates who may espouse proworker policies but are actually beholden to the rich and powerful. It would serve us well to think of what Peggy Flanagan, the progressive who just won the nomination to be the Democratic candidate for Senate in Minnesota, says: “It’s not the money, it’s the many.”
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JP Progressives is excited to host ANOTHER canvass for our endorsed candidates Persis Yu (State Senate representing Suffolk/ Norfolk) and Patrick Roath (US Congress MA-08) on Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 am. Meet the team at JP Licks (659 Centre Street). Bring a friend, bring two friends! Its important for JP to come out strong for these two candidates! Register here!
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Sign the pledge and join the Hands Off Our Vote movement HERE. You’ll get notified of key voting deadlines in your state, get updates on any threats to your voting rights and learn how to counter them, and be ready to mobilize in defense of your vote. You’ll also play an important role in rapid response moments whenever and wherever anyone tries to pull dirty tricks.
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Local Visibilities Schedule
Watch for weather and wind chill cancellations here! But another good way to keep up with day to day and weekly changes is to join a Signal Group
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Folks can sign up for De-ICE Hanscom’s contact list at this link.
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Jeff Klein reports back on his three-week trip to the West Bank and meetings with a variety of politically active Palestinians. A long time Middle East expert and organizer, Jeff will share his insights about the ongoing critical developments in Palestine based on his experiences and interviews during his trip to Palestine, Israel and Lebanon earlier this summer. View Jeff’s recent updates Register for webinar: masspeace.us/report-from-palestine
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Join True North Action Alliance Boston on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Rabb Hall, Boston Public Library (700 Boylston Street, Boston) for a free screening of the documentary film Lightworkers, followed by a panel discussion about activism in 2026.
Sign up here!
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27,000 Square Mile Around Easter Island to Become Inigenous-Managed Ocean Reserve
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As one of the most isolated landmasses on Earth, residents of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, rely on the bounty of the ocean more than most. It’s as good a place as any to institute marine environment protections, and indeed the island’s famous stone heads, or moai, now gaze out upon one of the largest marine protected areas (MPAs) on Earth at more than a quarter-million square miles. Moreover, the indigenous people of the island will maintain a voting majority on a “sea council” established to govern the massive area, holding 6 seats compared to 5 held by elected officials from Chile, the sovereign of Rap Nui. READ ON
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- Climate Change
- Housing Justice
- Medicare for All
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Please send requests for action items, articles or upcoming events
for the next Organizing Notes to
beccobrien.orma@gmail.com by Saturday, August 29th.
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Campaigns End, Movements Endure
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