Why I’m Running

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Missy Cotter Smasal]( {NAME}, this is Missy Cotter Smasal. I’m a Navy veteran, a former small business owner, and a mom running for Congress in one of the most competitive districts in the country. I want to share my story with you, but if you can’t spare the time, [will you split a $10 gift between the Voter Protection Project and my campaign to flip the House blue?]( [CHIP IN $10 »]( I’ve spent the last six months criss-crossing Coastal Virginia. Everywhere I go, I get asked: “Why am I running for Congress?” Simply put, {NAME}. We must protect our Democracy this November. I’m proud to have served in the Navy, and I feel called to serve and protect our country again. MAGA extremists – like my opponent, Jen Kiggans - have chosen politics over service. They use servicemembers as political leverage while they leave veterans behind. They’re hellbent on taking away women’s most basic freedoms. They allow the leader of their party to attack the most fundamental aspects of our Constitution. They cannot be trusted to defend our Democracy. So the long and short of it: I’m running to protect the Democracy we hold dear. I’m fired up and ready for the tough fight ahead. This race will be one of the most competitive in the country, and I know it will take a committed team to win. I’m building a grassroots movement to win this fight and take on anti-democracy extremists in November. That’s why I’m humbly asking for your help, {NAME}. [Can you split a $10 contribution between the Voter Protection Project and my campaign to take on MAGA extremism this November? Your support will make a difference.]( If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your split donation between Missy Cotter Smasal and VPP will go through immediately: [CONTRIBUTE $10 »]( [CONTRIBUTE $25 »]( [CONTRIBUTE $50 »]( [CONTRIBUTE $100 »]( [Or a custom donation »]( Thanks, Missy Paid for by VPP ([www.protectvoting.org](#)) Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. [401 2nd Ave. S, Ste. 303, Seattle, WA 98104](#) The Voter Protection Project is on an important mission: To end partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression by electing candidates at the state and federal levels that are forceful advocates for voting rights. Our enfranchisement agenda includes working to ensure that every state has automatic voter registration and online voter registration, convenient early voting, and independent redistricting commissions to ensure politicians are not able to draw their own maps. Please, consider making a [one-time contribution by clicking here](. Or, to make the most powerful lasting impact and help us oust Republicans up and down the ballot who attack our right to vote, make a [monthly sustaining contribution by clicking here](. [Click here]( to request fewer emails. Click here to [unsubscribe](. [{NAME}: Pitch In Once A Month To Protect Voting Rights »]( [Donate Just One Time »](