Welcome Six Members of Congress to Chicago, Thursday 9/17, 5:00 pm (CT)

Date: Thursday, September 17

Time: 5:00 - 7:15 PM (CT)

Location: Ravenswood

Signup: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOv4FtpjlDiE04WFBZmqNqx1mICLGnEzpQo97OgS13Uv8A_w/viewform?

Description: ChiDems is partnering with JFW Fund to bring the following six members of congress to Chicago on 9/17: Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Laura Gillen (NY-05), Adam Gray (NY-13), Josh Riley (NY-17),  Derek Tran (CA-45), and George Whitesides (CA-27). These six members all flipped their districts red to blue in 2024, and they are all now top Republican targets.

Volunteers will run the check-in table, help with event logistics, and have the opportunity to meet the future of the Democratic party. Volunteers will be able to stay for the main event to learn how these members flipped their districts in 2024, what they have accomplished during their first term, and how they are working hard to win re-election in November.

Six Reasons to Support These Six Members:

1. As freshmen who flipped districts in 2024 by the narrowest of margins, they started the 2026 cycle with no cash on hand—and because their wins were so narrow, they immediately became top Republican targets, with the GOP investing heavily to win back these seats.

2. These members represent moderate districts; consequently, they occasionally take votes (mostly ceremonial) that reflect the more conservative parts of their districts—national Democratic donors respond by "punishing" these members by withholding funds.

3. Because Republicans are intent on winning back these districts, bills sponsored by these members are blocked from advancing, preventing these members from bringing home legislative wins.

4. National Democratic donors, activists, and independent expenditures are focused on flipping districts, not defending them. Case in point: last cycle Democrats flipped nine seats and lost eight. We cannot make the same mistake again.

5. We need a Democratic majority to put bills on the floor, hold Republicans accountable, and start passing legislation to make people's lives better; there is no path to a Democratic majority without re-electing these six members.

6. Democracy is fragile—it depends on a peaceful transfer of power, which is only guaranteed with a Democratic House of Representatives.