In April, on the historically Black campus of Texas Southern University in Houston, a not-so- quiet political revolution was taking place.

Yesterday, all eyes were on Arizona and Michigan, two key swing states, as voters made their voices heard in their primary elections. Seen as an indicator for how the states may go in the general election, these elections overwhelmingly pointed to voters’ excitement for progressive, community-based candidates. In response to the initial results, New American Leaders Action Fund Founder and President Sayu Bhojwani released the following statement:

“Last night’s victories are a continuation of what we have seen in primaries across the country—that the time for change has come. New Americans, people of color, and young voters are turning out in historic numbers and changing the face of representation. Instead of sending establishment politicians back to office, we are electing people like us—BIPOC leaders, women, LGBTQ+ advocates, and allies—to represent our communities with unapologetically authentic experiences rooted in diverse identities.

“Although the final results are still coming in, we are incredibly proud to have endorsed so many trailblazing candidates in Michigan and Arizona, including U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, Arizona State Senator Juan Mendez, Arizona State Representative Athena Salman, and so many other fierce New Americans. No matter what the final results show, their campaigns have helped change the narrative of who can and should run for office and win and show the power of the growing New American electorate.

“We have the power to swing elections and are unafraid to make our voices heard on the streets and at the ballot box. Our communities will not settle for another two or four years of politics as usual this November. This year’s primary results show that we are ready for new and accountable leaders who will get into good trouble by fighting for justice, helping our communities rebuild from the coronavirus, and creating a stronger, more equitable democracy.”

New American Leaders Action Fund endorsed 16 candidates in local and federal races, including:

• Melody Hernandez; Arizona State House of Representatives, District 26

• Juan Mendez; Arizona State Senate, District 26

• JoAnna Mendoza; Arizona State Senate, District 11

• Tony Navarrete; Arizona State Senate, District 30

• Athena Salman; Arizona State House of Representatives, District 26

• Raquel Terán; Arizona State House of Representatives, District 30

• Darrin Camilleri; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 23

• Alex Garza; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 12

• Abdullah Hammoud; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 15

• Amina Iqbal; Canton Library Board, Michigan

• Mari Manoogian; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 40

• Ranjeev Puri; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 21

• Yousef Rahbi; Michigan State House of Representatives, District 53

• Gabriela Santiago Romero; County Commissioner — Wayne County, MI

• Linh Song; Ann Arbor City Council, Ward 2

• Rashida Tlaib; United States House of Representatives, District 13

Featuring an incredible field of candidates, New York voters made their voices heard in support of trailblazing leaders during yesterday’s primary elections. Despite challenges from campaigning during coronavirus and the New York Board of Elections initial refusal to include all candidates on the ballot, yesterday’s election results show that voters are ready for a new era of progressive politics in New York. In response to the results, New American Leaders Action Fund Founder and President Sayu Bhojwani released the following statement:

“The results are clear: it’s time for a change. While we wait for some close races to be called, we’re thrilled to celebrate New American candidates like Catalina Cruz and Julia Salazar, who won their re-elections in a landslide. Other trailblazing candidates like Zohran Mamdani and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas are leading in their races, potentially winning over an incumbent and becoming the bold, visionary leaders New York demands.

“We are tired of pale, stale and male politicians who don’t work for us; only showing up for photo ops and tokenizing events. We’ve seen where this has gotten us and how our communities’ suffering has been ignored, underscored during the coronavirus pandemic. No more—it’s time for a democracy where every person is represented.

“Yesterday, New Yorkers used their votes as their voices and voted for a new generation of leaders. We are incredibly proud to have endorsed these visionary candidates who share our experiences, know our communities, and will lead with our shared values. They are ready to end police brutality, help our communities rebuild from coronavirus, and create a more equitable democracy. As we await the results of the remaining races, we can say we are proud of all of our endorsed candidates who stepped up to shake up politics as usual, changing the conversation and pushing all candidates to run more progressive, inclusive campaigns.”

New American Leaders Action Fund endorsed nine candidates in local and federal races, including:

• Samra Brouk; New York State Senate, District 55

• Catalina Cruz; New York State Assembly, District 39

• Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas; New York State Assembly, District 34

• Mary Jobaida; New York State Assembly, District 37

• Samelys Lopez; United States House of Representatives, New York’s 15th Congressional District

• Zohran Mamdani; New York State Assembly, District 36

• Marcela Mitaynes; New York State Assembly, District 15

• Julia Salazar; New York State Senate, District 18

• Phara Souffrant Forrest; New York State Assembly, District 57

As one of the most closely watched primaries in the nation, yesterday’s election in Georgia highlighted not only the desperate need for election funding and protection, but also voters’ growing calls for bold new leadership. All five New American Leaders Action Fund endorsed candidates won their primaries. In response, New American Leaders Action Fund Founder and President Sayu Bhojwani released the following statement:

“We will not allow the GOP to silence our movement. Despite a disastrous day of broken machines, hours-long lines to vote, and blatant voter suppression techniques, Georgia’s primary election results show that New American candidates and voters are making their voices heard and demanding change.

“Let’s be clear: what happened yesterday in Georgia was no accident. After Stacey Abrams’ near victory in 2018, the GOP doubled down on its efforts to suppress the voices of Black, Latinx, Indigenous and Asian Americans, and young voters. Yet despite the obstacles, people like us put their lives at risk to wait in unsafe conditions during a global pandemic to vote. This shows what we’ve known for years—it’s time for a new generation of leaders.

“Yesterday’s election results show that Georgia is ready for bold, accountable leaders who are unafraid of fair elections because they know when the system works, we win. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the victories of all five of our NALAF-endorsed candidates in Georgia and look forward to celebrating with them again in November.”

New American Leaders Action Fund endorsed five candidates in Georgia State House and Senate races:

Michelle Au; Georgia State Senate, District 48

Sarah Beeson; Georgia State Senate, District 56

Marvin Lim; Georgia State House of Representatives, District 99

Bee Nguyen; Georgia State House of Representatives, District 89

Sam Park; Georgia State House of Representatives, District 101

North Carolina Poised to Elect First Ever Muslim Woman and Other Trailblazing Candidates with Support From New American Leaders Action Fund

NEW YORK—The New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) celebrated three endorsed candidates from the North Carolina slate who are moving on to the general election.

“Candidates like Ronnie Chatterji, Nida Allam, and Ricky Hurtado are firsts in their communities; unafraid to own their New American identities and run community-based campaigns to change the face of leadership,” said Sayu Bhojwani, founder and president of NALAF. “The strength of their campaigns heading into the general election is just one sign of the support for our movement and the political power of the New American Majority. These candidates are the future of our democracy and will create a government that represents and works for all people, not just the pale, stale, and male establishment."

Should they win in November, Ronnie Chatterji will be the first Asian American to hold the office of State Treasurer. Nida Allam would also be the first Muslim American woman elected in North Carolina.

“Even in traditionally conservative states like North Carolina, the New American Majority is a formidable political force with the power to swing elections,” Bhojwani continued. “We are organizing, registering new voters, and turning out to vote in historic numbers. Last night’s victories from our NALAF-endorsed candidates, all the way up to Joe Biden’s race for the presidency, are an example of our growing political power. 2020 is our year to flex our political might, take our place at the table, and usher in a new era of inclusive leadership.”

The New American Leaders Action Fund endorsed four candidates in North Carolina ahead of the Super Tuesday primary election. The endorsed candidates moving ahead to the general election are:

• Nida Allam, Durham County Board of Commissioners

• Ronnie Chatterji, State Treasurer

• Ricky Hurtado, North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 63

For more information on these endorsed candidates and to learn more about the New American Leaders Action Fund, please visit nalaf.org.

NEW YORK—Ahead of Super Tuesday, the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) announced their first round of endorsements for the 2020 election in the competitive state of North Carolina. The initial list of endorsed candidates includes:

• Nida Allam; Durham County Commissioner

• Ronnie Chatterji; North Carolina State Treasurer

• Cristal Figueroa; North Carolina State Senate, District 48

• Ricky Hurtado; North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 63

“It’s time for a radical change in leadership. Our country needs community-based leaders who understand our issues, lead with integrity—with their constituents in mind, and are unafraid to shake up the status quo. These four NALAF-endorsed New American candidates embody the future of our democracy,” said Sayu Bhojwani, president and founder of New American Leaders Action Fund.

“Since 2016, our communities have led the movement to organize, register new voters, and push for policies that benefit us all. Because of this, we are welcoming in a new generation of progressive leaders. With Super Tuesday just around the corner, we now have the opportunity to flex our growing political power and show our support for these four candidates and others like them who are ready to change the face of leadership,” Bhojwani continued.

“Super Tuesday is just the start of our movement to transform and strengthen our democracy. We know that members of the New American Majority—immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies—will vote out the pale, stale, and male establishment and support candidates like our NALAF-endorsees who are ready to create a government where all people are heard and represented. We are determined to elect leaders who will fight for a stronger democracy.”

For more information on these candidates and to learn more about the New American Leaders Action Fund, please visit nalaf.org.

NEW YORK—Yesterday, New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) commemorated its first general election with a winning slate of 12 candidates across 4 states, with more wins expected as votes continue to be counted.

“Last night, the New American movement that created historic victories in 2018 delivered again. By supporting candidates who successfully use their authentic experiences, we've begun to change the face of elected leadership. We celebrate the sweeping victories in the Virginia House and Senate, including the election of the first Muslim American woman delegate, Ghazala Hashmi; the election of Julia Mejia, the first Afro-Latina immigrant to serve on Boston City Council; and the New Americans and people of color, who broke down long-standing barriers to win their elections across the country,” said Sayu Bhojwani, founder and president of NALAF.

“In critical, competitive states like Arizona and Maine, we saw Regina Romero win her election to become the first ever woman and Latina to serve as the mayor of Tucson and Safiya Khalid become the first Somali American to be elected to the Lewiston City Council in Maine. Their resounding victories and others like them show that people like us won’t settle for pale, stale, and male leadership anymore. Instead, we are taking our place at the political table and ushering in a new era of leadership.

“We will not stand for another four years of Trump and his cronies’ white nationalist hatred and policies,” Bhojwani continued. “We are incredibly proud of all of our endorsed candidates and celebrate the wins of:

- Pious Ali; Portland City Council; Maine

- Annissa Essaibi-George; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Safiya Khalid; Lewiston City Council; Maine

- Julia Mejia; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Helen Moon; Pittsfield City Council, Ward 1; Massachusetts

- Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson; Arizona

- Lane Santa Cruz, Tucson City Council Ward 1; Arizona

- Sumbul Siddiqui; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

- Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

- Michelle Wu; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Bryan Yambe; Fife City Council, Position 1; Washington

- Quinton Zondervan; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

“These victories are just the start. The New American Majority has shown that we have the power to sway elections and we will not stop until we win in 2020 and create a democracy that is of, for and by people like us.”

Following a successful first round of primary election endorsements, with a win rate of 85 percent, the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) announced its second wave of endorsed candidates earlier today.

“Voters spoke up in 2018 and again in the 2019 primary elections — and they said the time for new leaders is now. That’s exactly why the New American Leaders Action Fund is endorsing 18 trailblazing candidates in the upcoming 2019 elections, many of whom will serve as ‘firsts’ in their communities,” said Sayu Bhojwani, president and founder of New American Leaders Action Fund.

“These candidates would represent the first woman of color, the first immigrant, and the first Muslim in their governing bodies, and represent the future of our democracy. They are not only using their authentic New American experiences to stand up for our communities, but are paving the way for more diverse leaders to follow after them. With bold ideas and unapologetically unique leadership styles, we know that our NALAF-endorsed candidates will transform their communities and bring us one step closer to having a government that truly represents and works for all people.

New American Leaders Action Fund has endorsed 18 candidates across five states, in addition to their initial nine endorsed candidates. The list of candidates includes:

- Pious Ali; Portland City Council; Maine

- Cinda Danh; Lynn City Council, Ward 6; Massachusetts

- Suzette Espinoza-Cruz; Renton School District, Position 4; Washington

- Annissa Essaibi-George; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Sara Habbo; Southfield City Council; Michigan

- Rituja Indapure; Sammamish City Council, Position 6; Washington

- Safiya Khalid; Lewiston City Council; Maine

- Varisha Khan; Redmond City Council, Position 1; Washington

- Julia Mejia; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Helen Moon; Pittsfield City Council, Ward 1; Massachusetts

- Mizan Rahman; Kent City Council, Position 5; Washington

- Raj Salhotra; Houston City Council; Texas

- Sumbul Siddiqui; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

- Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

- Alejandra St. Guillen; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Michelle Wu; Boston City Council, At-Large; Massachusetts

- Bryan Yambe; Fife City Council, Position 1; Washington

- Quinton Zondervan; Cambridge City Council; Massachusetts

Women will be a major focus of Netroots Nation, the largest annual conference for progressives. NBC10's Drew Smith has a preview of the event which starts in Philly on Thursday and will draw presidential candidates.

Immigration became a focal point of the 2020 Democratic primary for the first time when candidates were forced to respond at Wednesday night’s debate to the horrific photo of a father and daughter who drowned attempting to cross the Rio Grande and seek asylum in the U.S.

Democrats say they prefer a candidate aged 60 or younger for president, according to a recent Pew poll, yet the two candidates who are currently leading in a range of polls are former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders: two men over the age of 75.

A Thursday CNN segment asking why the Democratic Party's top two 2020 candidates are white males zeroed in on how many Americans are simply comfortable with the appearance of white men in leadership roles.

HOUSTON — The women of color who packed into a university auditorium here Wednesday for a first-of-its-kind presidential forum delighted in the rhetoric of candidates who vowed to make Donald Trump a one-term president.

On Thursday night, Rep. Rashida Tlaib was our honored guest at the People's Swearing In, co-hosted by the New American Leaders Action Fund. It was an open event to celebrate the many progressive women who made the midterm elections so memorable.