Maryland is a blue state (and we’re working hard to turn the Eastern Shore!) but our neighbor to the north, Pennsylvania, is a swing state that we can help influence. There are plenty of long-distance volunteer opportunities that we can participate in to help good Democratic candidates in Penn. get elected.
John Fetterman’s campaign for the U.S. Senate (against Dr. Oz) has received a lot of attention, and he can use money and volunteers. This race is an opportunity to flip a Senate seat blue. Anyone, anywhere, can make phone calls and send texts. Fetterman’s campaign is incredibly well coordinated and his organizers will train you well. Sign up on his campaign website.
Josh Shapiro is the Democratic candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. He’s running against ultra-MAGA Trumpy candidate Doug Mastriano, who would be no good for Pennsylvania or the country. This is a critically important race. A Democratic governor, in a gerrymandered state controlled by Republicans, can stop extreme legislation. Of course he needs money, but you can also volunteer to make phone calls or send texts; sign up on his campaign website.
There are also several letter-writing, postcard-writing, phone call-making campaigns not associated with any one campaign, but all designed to get Democrats registered and/or to the polls. And, of course, all these organizations can use money.
Jessica Craven (who presented her Activism 101 workshop to the Democratic Club back in the spring) has a Pennsylvania master doc that lists all these volunteer opportunities, and more. Check it out! And let’s help turn Pennsylvania blue!
Map and seal of Pennsylvania. Image: Niagara, via Wikimedia Commons