Don’t get discouraged. Get organized!

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about what it means to live in community.

While Tennessee’s leaders waste taxpayer money on a special session to redraw our congressional maps — a move that does nothing for working families struggling with rising costs, healthcare access, or our underfunded schools — I keep coming back to the same answer: The only way forward is through, doing the slow, steady work of neighbors talking to neighbors.

That’s what we’re doing in this campaign. Every phone call, every front porch conversation, every potluck and parade and picnic, we are weaving the kind of community no political stunt can pull apart. They want us scattered, exhausted, and distracted. Instead, we’re going to continue building the foundation of a movement no gerrymander can break.

In case you missed my last Substack, here’s what you can do now to fight this:

• Find your TN Representative using the Find My Legislator tool.

• Call and email until your voice is heard! Tell them you oppose redrawing our state’s Congressional maps, and condemn this act of chaotic distraction during an election year.

• A simple script you can use:

I’m a constituent calling to urge Representative [Name] to vote against the redistricting proposal in the special session. Redrawing maps mid-cycle is wrong, and I’m asking them to oppose it.

• Flood your Representatives’ social media accounts with comments and DMs expressing your opposition to this redistricting effort. Even on posts that aren’t about the special session, make your discontent known.

• Share this information and call to action with your community – on social media and in personal calls, texts, and emails – and encourage them to do the same.

• Don’t forget to VOTE in the City + County Primary on May 5!

And then come do the essential work with us: Phone bank on Tuesday and Thursday. Knock doors in North Knoxville on Saturday. Join us at Camp Cavalry next week to learn how to bring the people you love into this community. We’re launching a Relational Organizing program that’s going to kick our movement into overdrive.

No matter how they try to discourage and divide us, we are resisting their chaos and building something better for all East Tennesseans.

I hope to see you there,

Michaela

Upcoming events you won’t want to miss:

May 5 — Protect the South: TN State Capitol Activation: Tennessee state leaders have called a special session to redraw our congressional maps. Join us at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville to fight back against the unjust and unnecessary redrawing of Tennessee’s maps. (Plan your travel time with the time change in mind.)

May 5 — Phone Bank for Michaela (virtual): Help us reach voters across TN-02. Training provided, no experience necessary.

May 7 — Phone Bank for Michaela (virtual): Help us reach voters across TN-02. Training provided, no experience necessary.

May 9 — Canvass in North Knoxville/Happy Holler: Hit the doors with Team Michaela. Meet at Jack’s (854 N Central St) from 9:00am–12:30pm. Training provided, no experience necessary. Just bring your walking shoes and water.

May 9 — Holleroo Celebration & Street Festival: The Cavalry will be set up at N Knox’s favorite street festival! Come out to support the campaign, see the soapbox derby, listen to live music, and shop some of Knoxville’s local market vendors.

May 12 — Camp Cavalry Relational Organizing Launch at Printshop Beer Co: Join us in person at Printshop Beer Co. from 6–7:30pm. We’ll walk through our new Relational Organizing voter outreach program and introduce new ways you can help spread the word.

May 15 — Blount County Democrats Spring Gala: Join fellow Democrats, supporters, and candidates at the Hilton Knoxville Airport for an evening of food, conversation, and a keynote from Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, DNC Vice-Chair. The evening features a silent auction of original works by local artists, with all proceeds going toward electing Democrats up and down the ballot.