A Message from Lala 

A new year often brings new beginnings, and I am thrilled to share some news about ours. After eight incredible years, I am stepping down as Executive Director and welcoming Sarah Curmi as our next Executive Director.

I am still passionate about Sister District’s mission of building power in state legislatures, which is—as we enter this second Trump era—more important than ever. I will be deeply involved in the transition over the coming weeks, and I look forward to staying engaged as an advisor to Sister District and as a volunteer with my local team.

When we founded Sister District in 2016, we never imagined it would grow into the vibrant and impactful organization it is today. Over the last eight years, together we have:

  • Endorsed candidates in 202 races across 18 states, helping elect 146 progressive champions
  • Raised $7.3 million in small-dollar donations directly for candidates
  • Reached over 6.5 million voters through phones, texts, postcards, and door knocks
  • Expanded our mission with innovative programs like State Bridges, Future Winners, and the Purple District Network
  • Conducted groundbreaking political research on down-ballot rolloff and voter engagement
  • And so much more to build enduring power in state legislatures

Thanks to this community, we have helped Democrats increase control from 29 state legislative chambers in 2016 to nearly 40 today. While progress isn’t always linear, we have made remarkable progress, and I am leaving confident that our future is brighter than ever.

Watch Lala’s Farewell Video

Meet Sarah Curmi

Succeeding me is Sarah Curmi, a seasoned political strategist and one of the nation’s foremost experts on state legislative elections and down-ballot campaigning. Sarah brings over 20 years of experience in state-level politics. Most recently, she served as the Vice President of State and Local Campaigns at EMILYs List, where she led efforts to recruit and advise women running for down-ballot offices.

Previously, Sarah served as the caucus director of the Michigan Senate Democrats and held key roles as a chief of staff, legislative staffer, and campaign operative. Her deep commitment to advancing progressive power and her wide network of national and state relationships make her the perfect leader for Sister District’s next chapter.

“I am honored to join Sister District as its next Executive Director,” Sarah shared. “Lala and the team have built an incredible organization that plays a crucial role in shaping the progressive landscape. I’m excited to work with our volunteers, staff, and partners to continue defending democracy, protecting rights, and building power in state legislatures.”

Looking Ahead

This transition marks a pivotal moment for Sister District, and we are also excited to celebrate our co-founder Gaby Goldstein as she launches her new organization, State Futures. Gaby’s venture will scale up support for values-aligned state policymakers, while Sister District remains focused on building Democratic power in state legislatures.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Gaby for her visionary leadership and warmly welcome Sarah Curmi to the Sister District family. Together, we will continue fighting for a brighter future in state legislatures nationwide.

With deep gratitude,
Lala Wu