From the Activism Chair
June 2026
by Caryl Schwartz
I want to thank everyone for their generosity and for contributing gift cards to H.I.L.L. With your support, PV Dems raised $2800 in gift cards at our June 28th meeting. There is an ongoing need to help immigrant families facing food insecurity with loved ones in detention or facing deportation. I will be accepting gift cards on behalf of H.I.L.L. anytime you choose to contribute.
Elections Matter! Our collective actions, whether canvassing, phone banking, or contributing financially to campaigns, will fight the current authoritarian regime. The midterm elections are four months away and present the opportunity to shift control of the U.S. Congress to Democrats. The sycophantic Republicans have given Trump unchecked power to push his misogynistic, racist, dangerous, and corrupt authoritarian agenda.
Flipping the House of Representatives would grant Democrats control over the legislative agenda and committee power, allowing them to advance policies on healthcare, abortion access, and climate change, and serve as a direct check on the Trump administration's agenda. In the 2026 elections, we have the opportunity to shift control of the U.S. Congress to the Democrats. We can then hold the president accountable and block future harmful legislation.
Control of the House means the majority party dictates which bills reach the floor for a vote, which federal budget parameters are approved, and which investigations move forward. A shift to a Democratic majority will enable the party to actively push its own policy goals and block or rewrite harmful legislation from the GOP.
It is essential that the Democrats gain control of the Senate to stop Trump’s agenda and ensure that he is a lame duck president. Alito and Thomas are getting old. If Republicans lose Senate control in the midterm elections, they lose their ability to confirm another Trump-appointed justice to the Supreme Court. Every Senate seat we win now is a six-year investment. Between 2027 and the end of Trump’s term, a Democratic Senate could block additional dangerous judicial and executive nominees.
Flipping the Senate is within reach. Republicans currently hold a 53–47 Senate majority. Of the 35 seats up in 2026, 22 are held by Republicans and 13 by Democrats.
The New York Times, June 30th, reported on voters in the six states that are likely to determine control of the Senate this November. Trump won five of these six states in 2024, four of them by more than ten points. Today they’re all in play. Republicans lead by a slim two or three points in Alaska, Iowa, and Ohio. Democrats are comfortably ahead in North Carolina, and they have a slight edge in Maine. Texas is tied. Across all six states, voters’ preferences are tied at 47 percent for each party.
Victory in Gubernatorial races is critical in opposing Donald Trump's agenda. Governors wield executive authority to block federal policies and safeguard state-level systems. We have witnessed Governors directing state attorneys general to coordinate multi-state lawsuits to impede safeguards.
Trump’s Executive Overreach
Democratic Governors in battleground states can veto restrictive voting laws passed by conservative state legislatures, ensuring that ballot access remains protected.
Governors control state law enforcement and the National Guard. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul used state policies to restrict local police forces from acting as federal immigration enforcement tools. When Federal directives or Project 2025 target specific sectors, governors can and did issue protective state-level executive orders. Examples of this include the governors in Washington and North Carolina using state mandates to shield reproductive healthcare in their states.
Call to Action
Voter Outreach via both canvassing and phone banking will be critical to win the upcoming Midterm Elections. PV Dems community must ramp up our efforts to elect Democrats in the 2025 state races and flip both the House and Senate in 2026. Congressional Seats:
Join PV Dems on Saturday, July 11th, to canvas for Derek Tran, CA Congressional District 45 Please let me know if you plan on attending & we can organize carpools. Sign-up link below: https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/974266/
California: after redistricting, two California Congressional seats are considered toss-ups; please consider volunteering or financially supporting. CA 22: Democrat Randy Villegas http://www.villegasforcongress.com and CA 48: Marni Von Wilpert http://www.marnivonwilpert.com
Phonebanks: Battleground States: https://www.mobilize.us/call4change/ Sundays 3:00-5:00 PM PST
Battleground Congressional Races: https://www.mobilize.us/?event_type=2&q=Ground truth
Call California Voters: House Majority Runs Through California https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/913718/
Phonebank with Common Cause: Legislative Issues. Move pro-democracy bills forward or push back on harmful legislation moving through State Houses and the U.S. Congress. https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/758610
Training: Yes, You Can(vas) Tuesdays 7 :00 PM https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/596490/
Canvassing for Derek Tran CA. 45 every Saturday 10:00 am -2:00 PM https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/913718/ Tips for voter outreach: It’s human nature that people become open and motivated when they get to speak. Find a common denominator with the voter, listen to what they are saying, and empathize. When people talk about their lives or concerns, they warm to you and your message.
Senate Races: Alito and Thomas are getting old. If Republicans lose Senate control in the midterm elections, they lose their ability to confirm another Trump-appointed justice to the Supreme Court. Every Senate seat we win now is a six-year investment. Between 2027 and the end of Trump’s term, a Democratic Senate could block additional dangerous judicial and executive nominees.
Senate Campaigns to Support: Please visit websites to volunteer or contribute financially.
Re-elect Jon Ossoff, Georgia https://electjon.com/
James Talarico for Texas Senate https://jamestalarico.com/
Sherrod Brown for Ohio Senate https://www.sherrodbrown.com/
Chris Pappas for New Hampshire Senate https://chrispappas.org/
Mary Pelota for Alaska Senate https://marypeltola.com/
Roy Cooper for North Carolina Senate https://roycooper.com/
Josh Turek for Iowa https://turek4iowa.com/
Annie Andrews for South Carolina https://drannieandrews.com/
Troy Jackson, Maine: https://www.jacksonformaine.com/
Please visit websites to volunteer or contribute financially
Amy Acton: Ohio: https://actonforgovernor.com/
Xavier Becerra: California: https://www.xavierbecerra2026.com/
Keisha Lance Bottoms: Georgia: https://www.keishaforgovernor.com/
Aaron Ford: Nevada: https://www.fordfornevada.com/
Gina Hinojosa: Texas: https://ginafortexas.com/about/
Katie Hobbs: Arizona: https://katiehobbs.org/
Rob Sand: Iowa: https://robsand.com/
Phil Weiser: CO: https://philforcolorado.com/
Organizations Fighting to Protect Your Rights & Prevent Voter Suppression
Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/about-us/
Fair Fight: https://www.fairfight.com/
Democracy Forward: https://democracyforward.org/
Common Cause: https://www.commoncause.org
Protect Democracy: https://protectdemocracy.org/
Other Organizations to Support:
Defending Our Neighbors: https://defendingourneighbors.org/
LA Regional Food Bank: https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/
CHIRLA : Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights : https://www.chirla.org
Immigrant Assistance
You can download a printable sheet that outlines what to do if ICE comes to the door here. These can also be ordered as “red cards”. Here’s a sheet that explains how to identify ICE vehicles and what to do if you see them.
Here are more ways to help immigrants.
South Bay For All – Raising rental aid for immigrant neighbors and helping them run their businesses safely from home. Instagram | southbayforall@gmail.com
Gardena Guardians – Standing in solidarity with Gardena's immigrant community, providing resources and advocacy. Instagram
HILL – Supporting day laborers and immigrant families. Instagram | hillresponseteam@gmail.com
Harbor Area Peace Patrols – A collective of concerned Harbor residents patrolling neighborhoods to defend neighbors from ICE/DHS, sharing Know Your Rights information. Instagram
CHIRLA – A California leader advocating for immigrant rights since 1986, building a just society inclusive of immigrants. Website Please donate to our CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles) fundraiser. Money raised will help this highly-regarded non-profit to help inform immigrants of their legal rights. We have raised just over half of our $5,000 goal.
CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) – Mobilizing the faith community to stand with workers and families for dignity and justice. Website
Immigrant Defenders Law Center – A social justice law firm defending immigrant communities from injustices in the immigration system. Website
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Training advocates, shaping policy, and empowering immigrants through civic
For additional activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219.
Please feel free to reach out to me for suggestions or questions on Activism.
Onward,
Caryl Schwartz
Palos Verdes Democrats Activism Chair
pvcaryl@verizon.net
310 897 0219