All Blogs

  • State and Local Update
    Virginia: Don’t Sit This Election Out
    September 23, 2021 3:46 pm | By 51279

    Virginia: Don’t Sit This Election Out

    September 17 marked the start of early voting in Virginia’s statewide elections. Amid a spate of new voter suppression bills nationwide, the Virginia legislature has made positive progress on the freedom to vote in recent years. It’s important that Virginians…

  • State and Local Update
    Fighting for Democracy as Attacks Continue in the States
    July 22, 2021 5:15 pm | By 41734

    Fighting for Democracy as Attacks Continue in the States

    The 2021 legislative session is continuing to prove that Jim Crow is alive and well. As of July 14, according to the latest Brennan Center research, 18 states have enacted 30 new laws that restrict voting access. Though other states…

  • State and Local Update
    On the Heels of the Capitol Insurrection, Democracy Is Under Attack in the States
    May 26, 2021 4:18 pm | By 41734

    On the Heels of the Capitol Insurrection, Democracy Is Under Attack in the States

    There’s no question that Jim Crow is alive and well. So far this legislative session, according to the latest Brennan Center research, 361 voter suppression bills have been introduced across 47 states, including 55 bills in 24 states that have…

  • State and Local Update
    As State Legislators Push Voter Suppression, Advocates Urge Federal Action
    April 2, 2021 5:10 pm | By 41734

    As State Legislators Push Voter Suppression, Advocates Urge Federal Action

    On March 25, the Georgia General Assembly passed and Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 202, which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called a “march firmly onto the wrong side of history.” Indeed, SB 202 targets certain voters and erects barriers between them…

  • State and Local Update
    The Blue Wave and a Day Full of Firsts at the Virginia Capitol
    January 13, 2020 4:43 pm | By 73273

    The Blue Wave and a Day Full of Firsts at the Virginia Capitol

    It was a day full of firsts at the Virginia Capitol on January 8, 2020 as 23 newly elected members of the General Assembly were sworn in as legislators and the year’s first session convened. People For the American Way’s…

  • State and Local Update
    Help Danica Roem Beat Back the Bigots
    October 31, 2019 5:49 pm | By 41753

    Help Danica Roem Beat Back the Bigots

    The Republican Party of Virginia is on the verge of losing its legislative majorities, and in desperation the party and its far-right allies are wallowing in the ugliness and bigotry that are at the heart of today’s GOP. Delegate Danica…

  • State and Local Update
    An Urgent Opportunity to Make Political History — and Chart a New Future — in Montgomery, Alabama
    October 2, 2019 2:50 pm | By 28178

    An Urgent Opportunity to Make Political History — and Chart a New Future — in Montgomery, Alabama

    This post originally appeared on Medium. The voters of Montgomery, Ala. have an opportunity to create history, and chart a new future, by electing Probate Judge Steven Reed as the first African American mayor in the city’s 200-year history. Reed…

  • State and Local Update
    Next Up Victory Fund Celebrates 11 Endorsee Wins
    May 29, 2019 5:36 pm | By

    Next Up Victory Fund Celebrates 11 Endorsee Wins

    This May, 11 young, progressive candidates and Next Up endorsees won big in primary and special elections in New York, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. Among these notable wins is Korin Kirk’s re-election to the Binghamton School District Board of Education in Binghamton,…

  • State and Local Update
    Texas Bill Could Lead to Women Being Executed for Having an Abortion
    April 10, 2019 6:07 pm | By 41753

    Texas Bill Could Lead to Women Being Executed for Having an Abortion

    This post originally appeared on Right Wing Watch. A Texas house committee heard testimony this week on a bill that would allow women who have abortions to be convicted of homicide and executed. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, told…

  • State and Local Update
    PFAW and AAMIA Oppose “Project Blitz” Campaign to Undermine Church-State Separation
    January 31, 2019 5:23 pm | By 41734

    PFAW and AAMIA Oppose “Project Blitz” Campaign to Undermine Church-State Separation

    People For the American Way and PFAW's African American Ministers In Action are deeply troubled by a national Religious Right campaign to undermine church-state separation. "Project Blitz" is based on an escalating series of state legislation that proponents believe will…

  • State and Local Update
    Maine Officials Demand ‘Due Diligence’ from Senators in Evaluating Kavanaugh Nomination in Telebriefing
    August 21, 2018 8:11 am | By 62609

    Maine Officials Demand ‘Due Diligence’ from Senators in Evaluating Kavanaugh Nomination in Telebriefing

    On August 14, Maine state and local officials, in partnership with People For the American Way, held a telebriefing for members of the media on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Maine State Senator Justin Chenette, City of…

  • State and Local Update
    Right Wing Watch Report: Far-Right Candidates in the 2018 Elections
    May 9, 2018 2:44 pm | By

    Right Wing Watch Report: Far-Right Candidates in the 2018 Elections

    On April 30, Right Wing Watch released a report on 12 extreme and fringe candidates that are exercising influence in the 2018 elections by attempting to pull their races to the far right. Find highlights here on 12 of the…

  • State and Local Update
    9 Major Legislative Actions Taken By Young Women in Elected Office
    May 1, 2018 2:36 pm | By 53561

    9 Major Legislative Actions Taken By Young Women in Elected Office

    Women are running for office in record numbers, and it's a massive win not just for women but for the entire country. Women serving on our school boards, in our state houses, and on the Hill are already improving the…

  • State and Local Update
    PFAW Announces Endorsements of History-Making Candidates for Governor
    February 15, 2018 3:52 pm | By 53562

    PFAW Announces Endorsements of History-Making Candidates for Governor

    People For the American Way is proud to endorse three dynamic 2018 gubernatorial candidates—all young, all people of color, and all running in winnable states against right-wing Republicans (who all, unsurprisingly, happen to be white men). The endorsements were announced…

  • State and Local Update
    After the Landslide: The Latest in the Fight Over the Virginia House of Delegates
    January 5, 2018 11:53 am | By 53562

    After the Landslide: The Latest in the Fight Over the Virginia House of Delegates

    The Virginia House of Delegates is set to convene on January 10 after the landmark election in 2017 that flipped 15 seats in the legislature and brought the Democrats close to a tie. But two Republican-held seats are still in…

  • State and Local Update
    5 Virginia Bills That Would Be Law If It Weren’t For a Democratic Governor
    September 28, 2017 2:30 pm | By 53561

    5 Virginia Bills That Would Be Law If It Weren’t For a Democratic Governor

    On November 7, Virginia voters will head to the polls to decide who will take the governor's seat after Governor Terry McAuliffe's term comes to an end: Democrat Ralph Northam or Republican Ed Gillespie. Traditionally, progressive voter turnout is suppressed…

  • State and Local Update
    In Georgia Special Election, Negative Out Of State Money Dominated
    June 22, 2017 2:14 pm | By 55623

    In Georgia Special Election, Negative Out Of State Money Dominated

    Much has been made of the amount of money raised by Democrat Jon Ossoff, who lost on Tuesday night to Republican Karen Handel in a special election to represent Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District. But while Ossoff raised much more money…

  • State and Local Update
    Big Resistance Wins in New York and New Hampshire: Republicans Lose Their First Two Seats
    May 31, 2017 3:17 pm | By 55374

    Big Resistance Wins in New York and New Hampshire: Republicans Lose Their First Two Seats

    Last week, progressives scored two key victories in New Hampshire and New York. Two Republican districts that Donald Trump won flipped, with Democrats winning these crucial state legislative seats. These are the first two Republican seats to switch since 2016…

  • State and Local Update
    Montana Special Election Shows Outsized Impact of Money in Politics
    May 26, 2017 2:13 pm | By 44533

    Montana Special Election Shows Outsized Impact of Money in Politics

    This week, despite being charged for assaulting a reporter who was asking about the American Health Care Act, Republican candidate Greg Gianforte came out on top in the special election to fill the Montana congressional seat vacated by Interior Secretary…

  • State and Local Update
    Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Reaches New Milestone
    May 26, 2017 1:29 pm | By 44533

    Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Reaches New Milestone

    This week Nevada became the 19th state to officially call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Supreme Court decisions, such as Citizens United, which have led to an explosion of political spending by powerful special interests seeking to advance their…