Why “Giving Back” is Part of Our Political Mission

At LD3 Democrats, our mission is simple: inform and turn out voters in Legislative District 3. While there are many national organizations that focus on federal races, our work is rooted right here at home. That means winning local seats, building community connections, and making sure our neighbors know Democrats care about the places we all live.

So why do we host events like Adopt a Road cleanups or volunteering at the Foothills Food Bank? These “giving back” actions serve three important purposes:

1. Real impact – We get to do something that directly benefits our community in a tangible way.

2. Bringing in more people – Community service and social activities often attract people who may not yet be active in politics. Once they join us for one of these events, they make connections and often get inspired to participate in other political actions.

3. Walking our values – These projects show that Democrats are invested in our community’s success, not just during campaign season but all year long.

Thanks to Marilee C., who now leads this area for LD3 Dems, these programs require no extra work on the part of our leadership team to promote. The return is all positive.

Why Local Races Matter

National races may get more headlines, but local races shape our daily lives. They determine how our schools are run, how our cities are managed, and how much representation our values get at the state level.

Here in LD3, our goals are ambitious:

• Help flip the CD1 seat, along with other groups and LD organizations within CD1

• Try to flip the CD8 seat (a long shot, but worth the effort)

• Fight to win LD3 state legislative seats, even in challenging territory

• Keep MAGA extremists out of city councils and school boards by supporting Dem candidates in these races

• Win key state races in 2026, including Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Mine Inspector

• Position ourselves for maximum impact in 2028 presidential and county races

We need three things to be able to realistically work toward these goals:

• Funding – Our ballot guide mailing drives voter turnout (92 percent Democratic turnout in 2024) but is expensive. We need our community to invest in making it happen.

• Volunteers – The 2026 plan is bigger than ever, and it will take many hands and hearts to execute it. Our service projects are one of several ways to draw in new people and bring them into the fold.

• Strategy – We are finalizing a smart, data-driven approach to target voters, especially independents and persuadable Republicans, and will share it with PCs and volunteers this fall so they can tailor it to their neighborhoods.

Where You Put Your Time and Money Matters

If you are volunteering for or donating to out of state races, focus on candidates who have a real path to victory. It is easy to get caught up in supporting a charismatic candidate running in a deep red district against a particularly unlikable opponent, but when millions of dollars go to races that cannot be won, that money is not going to candidates who can win.

Here in Arizona, a small contribution can have an outsized impact. Statewide candidates often face well-funded opposition, yet many raise only a fraction of what they need to compete effectively. Local school board and city council candidates raise even less, yet their races have a direct impact on your community. A $100 donation to a congressional candidate may be a drop in the bucket, but $100 to a school board candidate could help print the materials they need to reach voters.

One of the most effective ways to support every Democratic candidate on your ballot is to donate to LD3 Democrats. We feature every candidate on our website, which receives more than 20,000 visitors during election season, and in our printed ballot guides that are mailed or hand-delivered to nearly 50,000 local voters. Your contribution helps us give every candidate visibility and reach the voters who will decide these races. Setting up a monthly recurring donation provides steady, reliable funding so we can plan ahead, commit to larger outreach efforts, and maximize our impact. Donate now. Thank you.

The Bottom Line

Our mission is local, but its effects ripple outward. Service projects connect us to our neighbors, build goodwill, and grow our volunteer base. Local races may not always grab the spotlight, but they are where we can make the biggest difference for our schools, our communities, and the future of Arizona.

If you are ready to make an impact, join us. Whether you are picking up litter, sorting food, knocking doors, or making calls, you are helping us build the power we need to win.