Catalyst California’s John Kim on What’s at Stake in the 2024 Election
There is no question how consequential this election will be for California.
Unbelievably, the politics in this country have become even more divisive and vitriolic than in past elections. In California, we see how powerful and well-funded the right-wing backlash has been as corporate interests and authoritarian forces conspire to divide us and halt our progress. And regardless of the outcome, the threat of political violence and hate-fueled attacks looms over too many of our communities and institutions.
This is why Catalyst California and many of our movement partners have been deeply involved in scenario planning and preparing for what might unfold in the next few months. We have been planning not just to respond to the results, but to build a more powerful, collective pushback on the forces that are working to derail our state’s progress.
For California – no matter the results of this election, we know that:
- California will continue to be the target of right-wing attacks that will continue to twist the struggles we face into craven, political fodder that only makes it harder to solve the problems.
- There will be a crisis of democracy throughout the country—with the very real possibility of violence and disruption encroaching into our state.
- Our state and local political leaders will need to hear from people like YOU that we will not go back to the tired, old politics of alienation and blame, but demand bold and courageous leadership in the face of what may come.
The solution for us lies in our values of inclusivity and community. Over decades, we have fought for policies that protect immigrants, prioritize rehabilitation, increase wages, improve education, build affordable housing, safeguard the environment, and provide healthcare for all of us. But we cannot do this work without you.
Do your part. Make sure you get out there and vote! Make sure your voice is heard and that we flex our collective power.
And after the election – continue to watch this space as we begin to share much more on the next phase of this fight. Because nobody said that this fight for a more just and inclusive California would be easy or go along a straight line. We know we can still get there if we continue to push, together.
Catalyst California’s 2024 Endorsements for Propositions/Measures