Why this ex-Republican is on the DNC floor fired up about Harris-Walz

From the DNC floor to Arkansas, it’s time. {NAME},  If you'd told me a decade ago I'd be writing to you from the floor of the Democratic National Convention, I would have been more than a little skeptical. [A selfie taken by Robb Ryerse, looking surprised and amused, from the balcony of the DNC arena in Chicago.]( As a former lifelong Republican, this wasn't exactly the path I envisioned for myself. [Screenshot of an article from The Intercept titled 'MEET THE PASTOR RUNNING AS A PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN TO GET BIG MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.' The subtitle reads, 'Robb Ryerse lives in a solidly-red district but supports a public option for healthcare and wants to protect the environment.' The article is dated May 19, 2017, at 2:04 p.m. Below the article title is a photograph of Robb Ryerse.]( But here we are. Life sure takes some unexpected turns, doesn’t it?  Or maybe not so unexpected, given the alarming direction of the Republican Party under Trump.  I’ve watched with outrage and disgust as the party I once believed in fully embraced extremism – and shut the door beyond them.  I chose a different path, one rooted in the values I've always believed in: putting people first and protecting our freedoms. And make no mistake, the Democrats are the party of freedom.  I'll be in the crowd tonight as Governor Tim Walz takes the stage as Kamala Harris's running mate. [Screenshot of a Guardian news article titled 'Tim Walz to highlight 'small-town values' at Democratic convention.' The subtitle reads, 'The joyful warrior will seek to build on the momentum of his and Kamala Harris’s campaign.' The article includes an image of Tim Walz walking offstage after speaking at a campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, with his arms raised in celebration.]( And you know what? I'm genuinely excited. I feel hope!  Watching Walz and Harris together, I see something refreshing - leadership that seems to actually care about solving problems for regular folks. It's a far cry from the circus that drove me from the GOP and why I'm proud to be fighting with Vortex PAC to elect Democrats to make government work for the people again.  The contrast with our own Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas couldn't be clearer. While she pushed to funnel public school money to private schools, Walz guaranteed free meals for every student in Minnesota. Funny how some leaders actually try to help all kids, isn't it? [A tweet from Chris Jones (@JonesForAR) from Mar 18, 2023. The tweet reads: 'Children can sense things and they know the truth. Photo: Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs LEARNS Act that creates universal vouchers + other mandates. Video: Tim Walz signs law guaranteeing free breakfast + lunch for all students, regardless of how much money their parents make.' The GIF includes two visuals: a photo on the left showing Sarah Huckabee Sanders holding a signed document with others around her, and a video on the right showing Tim Walz at a signing ceremony with children and other people around him.]( Harris and Walz represent a Democratic Party committed to defending our fundamental freedoms, not eroding them. While Trump and his MAGA allies plot to strip away our rights with schemes like Project 2025, Harris and Walz are fighting to protect what makes America great - our democracy, our diversity, our dignity.  Our Vortex candidates like Caitlin Draper and Risie Howard are cut from the same cloth - women who'll stand up for our freedoms when they're needed most.  Standing on this convention floor tonight, I can't help but marvel at the twists and turns that brought me here.  And just like we do in the White House with Kamala Harris, we have a real shot at electing the first women to represent Arkansas's 3rd and 4th districts. It's time to flip Arkansas’ House seats BLUE and be part of something bigger than ourselves. We just need your help to do it:  [Can you chip in $25, $50, $100, $250, or whatever you can spare to keep this journey going? Every dollar brings us closer to an Arkansas where our representatives represent us. The joy and sense of FREEDOM at the DNC is palpable, and we're carrying it home to Arkansas - we just need your help to hit the ground running and pull off these wins at home in November.](  This week could be the start of something big. Let's see where this road takes us, shall we? If we work together, it will lead to freedom.  Let’s go!  Robb Ryerse [Support Vortex PAC >>](      Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from the far-right. We are recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. [DONATE >>](   You can follow Vortex PAC on social media using the links below:  [Facebook]( | [X]( | [Instagram]( | [TikTok](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2024 Vortex PAC, all rights reserved  Our mailing address is: Vortex PAC PO Box 1141 Springdale, AR 72765 We're sad to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe using the link below: [Click here to unsubscribe.]( Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Vortex PAC, please [click here](.