PRESS RELEASE | August 6, 2024

Swing Left: Tim Walz is Better Than JD Vance In Every Way Imaginable


Washington, D.C. – Today, Swing Left, the leading grassroots organization dedicated to electing Democrats up and down the ballot, released the following statement following the news that Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate in the presidential election. Harris and Walz are poised to take on Donald Trump and JD Vance, and the contrast could not be more clear.


In selecting Tim Walz as her running mate, Kamala Harris has cemented one fundamental truth: the Democratic ticket will be better than Donald Trump and JD Vance in every way imaginable,” said Yasmin Radjy, executive director of Swing Left. “Walz supports reproductive freedom; JD Vance wants to ban abortion nationwide and punish those who cross state lines to seek care. Walz supports LGBTQ+ rights; Vance voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. Walz supports public education and giving teachers raises; Vance wants to radically scale back funding for schools at the federal level and believes that educators are engaging in ‘left-wing domination.’ Trump and Vance are pushing strange policies, unpopular positions and bizarre rhetoric. On the other hand, Democrats such as Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for an American future free from Republican overreach into our lives.


In the seven days following the news that Joe Biden was ending his campaign, Swing Left’s community of 1 million grassroots volunteers and donors :

  • Raised $253,302 for the eventual Democratic nominee
  • Raised $183,345 for frontline Senate candidates
  • Raised $269,787 for frontline House candidates
  • Recruited 1,935 new volunteers
  • Signed up for 3,848 voter contact shifts
  • Committed to writing 485,872 new letters through its affiliate organization, Vote Forward
  • Hit its 3 millionth letter written through its affiliate organization, Vote Forward.


This year, Swing Left has made significant strides in mobilizing volunteers, grassroots supporters and voters, building the infrastructure and financial backing that sets up candidates for victory in key races. Swing Left’s Super States Strategy is focused on pivotal states that are crucial for securing a federal Democratic trifecta, including winning the presidency, winning back the House, and holding the Senate.


This election cycle, Swing Left volunteers have completed nearly 20,000 shifts (including phone-banking, canvassing, voter registration efforts and trainings) and written more than 2.6 million letters to voters through our nonpartisan affiliate, Vote Forward. Additionally, so far this election cycle, Swing Left has raised more than $4.5 million for candidates. With a network of more than 1 million grassroots volunteers and supporters and more than 450 grassroots groups across the country, Swing Left is prepared to out-raise and out-organize Republican candidates through direct voter contact and fundraising.


Yasmin Radjy, Swing Left’s executive director, is available for interviews and its press team is available to answer any questions about the state of the race, grassroots enthusiasm, the path for Democratic victory. Please contact Nick Hutchins at [email protected] or 865-386-8244.

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