PodiumGate is bigger than Arkansas

This is the same rot that infects the entire Republican party {NAME} – If you believe Sarah Huckabee Sanders has nothing to hide, then I’ve got a lectern to sell you. [A cutout of the infamous lectern Sarah Huckabee Sanders paid over $19,000 for, with a large red price tag that reads: “one podium (crossed out) lectern, slightly used, $19,000”]( I’m sure you’ve heard all the lurid details about Podium LecternGate, but just in case you haven’t, I’ll do a quick recap – because this story just gets dumber with every turn.  First, Matt Campbell (who runs the Blue Hog Report) filed a Freedom of Information Act request on the expense records for one of Sarah's fancy international trips.  Then, Sarah's office heavily redacted or withheld material information claiming special "exemptions" allowed under the law for Madame Governor.  THEN Campbell (who is also a lawyer) sues to get the records.  Sarah completely freaked out, called a special legislative session ordering all state reps back to the capital, and demanded DRAMATIC changes to the state's FOIA law that would shield her from having to reveal how much of our tax dollars she's been throwing around.  Long story short, it didn't work, Campbell got the documents – and discovered Sarah Huckabee Sanders paid over $19,000 for this: [A photo of the lectern (misclassified as a podium) at the center of the controversy.]( Now a new whistleblower has come forward alleging that Sarah illegally altered records to try and cover her tracks.  All of this fits the profile. Sarah Huckabee Sanders learned how to govern from her father and Donald Trump – both of whom have long, well documented histories of ethics violations, destroying documents, hiding evidence, and worse.  Republicans in Congress – including the four men representing Arkansas in the House – refused to hold Donald Trump accountable for his many crimes. Why wouldn’t Sarah expect to get away with it, too?  We need leaders in Congress who will stand up for what’s right not because of party or politics – but because it is the RIGHT thing to do.  Vortex has recruited four extraordinary Democrats nominated by YOU to FLIP these seats.  You’ll get to meet them very soon. But first, we’re lining up the resources needed to get all four off to a strong start. Can you pitch in $25, $50, or $100 to the kickoff fund? If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: [  Express Donate: $25 >> Â]( [  Express Donate: $50 >> Â]( [  Express Donate: $100 >>Â]( [  Express Donate: $250 >>Â]( [  Express Donate: $500 >>Â]( [  Donate Other Amount: >>]( As much fun as it is to joke about “Is it a podium or is it a lectern?” and how much a lectern ought to cost – this isn’t about a single expense report from a red state governor that was out of line.  Sarah Huckabee Sanders walked up to a lectern every single day for 705 days and lied for Donald Trump as his White House Press Secretary.  Four years later, nothing has changed. Sarah is still lying, and she still expects to get away with it – aided and abetted by the same Republicans running cover for Donald Trump.  That’s a level of cultural rot you can’t fix. I know, because (you may not know this) I used to be a Republican.  I stopped being a Republican the day they embraced Donald Trump. I tried to stick around and fix things from the inside, but now I know that’s impossible.  Our only option is to defeat the GOP – that’s why Chris and I started Vortex. I hope you will join us.  More soon,  Robb Ryerse [Contribute to VortexÂ](      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 >>](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2023 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](.