We Did It!

Our hard work has paid off. Results came in slowly last night, but by the early morning hours it became clear we had won — with 67% of the vote! And Democrat turnout shattered all expectations, pulling far ahead of Republicans in the district.

And we did it with a team of over 100 volunteers. Data analysts, communication specialists, fundraisers, canvassers, phone bankers, postcard writers, meet & greet hosts, and social media specialists, to name a few. And we had fun doing it!

Winning the primary is just the beginning. Now we will regroup and set our strategy to win in the most flippable State Senate district in Georgia.

Thank you to everyone who helped, including all who have donated money and/or time.

—Sally

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Qualified to Represent You

I’m Ready!

Monday, my campaign reached a milestone. I officially qualified to run for State Senate 40, Georgia’s most flippable Senate district! The primary will be May 22nd; the general, November 6th.

I’m ready for a very busy 2018!

I’ve missed being a part of public service in the legislature, and I’ve been preparing for this moment for a very long time. I’ve studied public policy, worked as a nonprofit executive, served three terms in the Georgia House, and lived and raised children in my local community.  For the past year, I’ve been building the grassroots infrastructure needed to launch a campaign to reinstate effective, compassionate, and inclusive governance in our state.

It felt a bit like a homecoming for me to return to the Georgia Capitol to once again run for office, but I also enjoyed seeing the process through the eyes of one of my campaign volunteers. Here’s what she had to say:

“I know that politics is a process of relationships, and I’ve been walking behind Sally for two to three hours. There are people on both sides of the aisle who are walking up to her with great affection and explaining how much they would like to see her back. She can step in and won’t need one minute of training. She’s ready.”  –Karen Langford, retired teacher

Yes, Karen, I’m ready!

—Sally

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It Takes a Village to Create a Government that Reflects Our Values

Dear Supporters,

They say, “it takes a village.” The adage certainly applies to political campaigns!

This week we filed our formal January 31 campaign finance disclosure. Our report says that, together, we have raised more than $115,000 to challenge incumbent Fran Millar in State Senate 40, Georgia’s most flippable senate district. To say this is a big milestone is an understatement! It shows both broad and deep support for our mission and our approach.

Successful campaigns never really stop until the last vote is cast on election day, but I’d like to pause a moment to say thank you to all of you who are working so hard with us.

It’s overwhelming to flip through my ten page document of individual donors — hundreds and hundreds of people — seeing the names of everyone who has given to this campaign. But this list of donors doesn’t even come close to representing what has been given in time and talent to this effort. This IS what democracy looks like!

Campaigns are expensive. And while I wish we could use that $115,000 to buy a homeless family a little house, I realize we are investing in something much bigger. We are working to create a government that reflects our values of inclusiveness, fairness, and equality. And that is worth the money!

So thank you, everyone, who has given time, talent, and money. We have an incredibly robust start and we’ll continue to grow as 2018 unfolds. I look forward to doing that with you.

—Sally

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You Can Help Us Get Our Message Out to Voters

Campaigns have gotten more expensive over the past 20 years. I won my first race for the Georgia House with $20,000. But to flip the 40th State Senate district this year, we need to raise at least $300,000.

Direct mail is still the best way to get our message to voters. Each direct mail piece costs about $1 to produce and mail. We need votes from about 41,000 people to win, and past experience says we need to reach them with our message about six times for it to stick. That’s $246,000 right there.

That sounds like a lot, but I know we can do it.

Our next campaign finance report is due January 31st, and it’s the last report before qualification happens in March.

A strong report will show the Republican incumbent, Sen. Fran Millar, that our voices should be taken seriously.

It’s been years since Fran had a truly competitive opponent, but we’re about to change that. In 2016, Hillary Clinton got 54% of the vote in our district. Sen. Millar knows his incumbency is at risk, but he continues to rave on Facebook about how great President Trump is, as if the majority of his constituents doesn’t exist.

Your donation before January 31 will help give us that strong finance report, and will help get our message out to voters so we can flip District 40 and put a fresh progressive voice in the legislature.

Any amount you can offer supports our campaign. If you are able to donate $250, that really makes a difference in reaching our goal. Or, you could consider starting a $25/month recurring donation which would add up to $250 by November! I personally see every donation that comes in. Each one, no matter the size, motivates me to run harder.

As a State Senator, I will fight for accessible and affordable healthcare; a cleaner environment; and a quality education for every child, regardless of the zip code they live in.

That’s why I’m running for the 40th State Senate District, and why I hope you’ll consider making a contribution so we can flip this district.

Where to Give: Online at www.sallyharrell.org, or by mail to P.O. Box 941365, Atlanta, GA 31141 (make your check payable to Committee to Elect Sally Harrell and list your occupation and employer).

—Sally
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Sally Harrell Announces Run for Georgia Senate District 40

“Now is the time to stand up, claim our shared values and create change.”

I am proud to announce my candidacy for Georgia’s 40th Senate District. We are at a crucial moment in Georgia’s history. Our demographics are changing. Our politics are evolving. Now is the time to stand up, claim our shared values and create change.

Voters in this district are engaged, informed, and know that many important decisions directly affecting their lives will be made at the state level in the years ahead. It is time we get it right on healthcare, education, transportation, and the myriad other issues facing Georgians.

I believe that government can have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives. All our citizens deserve affordable healthcare, universal high-quality education from early childhood through college, practical and efficient transportation options, and clean air and water. It’s time that our government works for the people.

I am ready to lead the charge on these issues and stand strong for the voters of Dunwoody, Doraville, Chamblee, Tucker, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, and Peachtree Corners.

Advocating for progressive change is what I do, through the legislative process and through the non-profit community. From 1999 – 2005, I served in the Georgia House of Representatives, during which time I championed a wide range of women and children’s healthcare issues, advocated for access to mental health services, fought for school recess for children, and passed a law protecting women who breastfeed in public. Prior to serving in the legislature, I served as the Executive Director of the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, Inc.

My positions and leadership are in sharp contrast to Fran Millar, who currently holds the seat. Congress has made clear its intention to pass down key policy issues such as healthcare and education to the states. And with congressional district lines being redrawn after the 2020 census, it only serves to amplify just how important this Senate seat will be. We need a Senator that better represents our values during this critical time.

I look forward to working with people throughout the district, listening and shaping an agenda that works to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and throughout Georgia.

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