Media & Press Library | Sister District

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Press Library

Our team is passionate about building progressive power in state legislatures, stopping voter suppression, and supporting Democratic majorities that can enact progressive policy. Getting the message out to communities, voters, and media outlets around the nation is a big part of our work here at Sister District. Our team members have been published or featured on outlets such as The Hill, Salon, NPR, Ms. Magazine, The Guardian, POLITICO, NBC News, Slate, The Intercept, VICE News, BBC World News, and even Jonathan Van Ness’s podcast “Getting Curious.”

For press inquiries & bookings, please email us.

2025

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

Executive changes featured on Politico: Politico’s daily playbook shares Gaby and Lala’s transition out of Sister District as well as Sarah Curmi joining as the new Executive Director.

PODCAST CLIPS:

Sarah Curmi on New Faces of Democracy: Sarah Curmi is featured on the New Faces of Democracy podcast to discuss the importance of state legislatures.

2024

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

Political Psychology: collaborative research on attitudes and behaviors about voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-authored by our researchers alongside collaborators at the University of Michigan.

Governing: Gaby published a piece in Governing about the potential for Democrats to make big gains this year, but only if we can convince more people to vote all the way down their ballot.

Cosmopolitan Gaby was quoted in a piece by Cosmopolitan about the challenges faced by women in elected office.

MSNBC: Gaby was quoted in a piece by MSNBC about the challenges faced by women in elected office.

Governing: Gaby was quoted in a Governing piece, explaining why Democrats must adopt a longer view of change by running everywhere and investing now even in less competitive districts.

New York Times: One of our Future Winners participants, Sarah Henry, was recently featured in a New York Times article about hopes that issues like abortion rights will energize Democratic voters in Florida this year.

The Cut: Sister District was highlighted in an article about the women-led movement that emerged after the 2016 election.

Pivotal Ventures mentioned our work in a recent piece about the urgency of increasing women’s political engagement.

Shannon Watts Substack: Gaby made a guest post about the critical role state legislatures will play in determining the future of abortion rights.

POLITICO cited our large-scale research project exploring downballot roll-off.

Salon cited us in a piece about our Democratic majorities being at risk in several battleground states

MinnPost cited us in a piece focused on how downballot roll-off could impact election outcomes in Minnesota.

Governing: Gaby was quoted in a piece about the small number of state legislative chambers that are in play this November

Teen Vogue: Sister District was named as an organization to get involved with

PODCAST CLIPS:

Build the Change: Lala had a conversation about our work in Virginia over the years.

Robert Reich’s podcast: Sister District’s downballot roll-off survey was mentioned on Robert Reich’s podcast.

Chop Wood, Carry Water on Substack: Gaby shares the current state of reproductive rights..

Today’s Edition Newsletter: Gaby spoke with Robert Hubbell about Sister District’s down-ballot roll-off research.

Robert Reich’s podcast, The Coffee Klatch: Sister District’s down-ballot roll-off survey was mentioned.

Chop Wood, Carry Water: Gaby shares the current state of reproductive rights.

Good Things from Lemonada Media podcast: Gaby joined for a conversation about reversing downballot voter roll-off.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Shawn Werner and Jess Craven spoke about the role of state legislatures and the importance of casting your vote in downballot elections. (Live on tiktok)

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

Red Wine & Blue: a panel discussion about what state legislatures actually do, who controls them, and what is at stake in the 2024 election.

2023

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

The Cap Times: Gaby was quoted in The Cap Times for a piece about obstacles to winning that Democrats face in states like Wisconsin.

In These Times: Sister District was mentioned in an In These Times piece about the need for Democrats to use their trifectas in 17 states to pursue bold agendas and enact changes that help to build long-term progressive power.

Teen Vogue: Launched a new partnership with Teen Vogue, in which we collaborate to publish a series of inspiring interviews with state legislators achieving historic firsts.

Teen Vogue: Interview with Representative Ruwa Romman, the first Muslim woman and Palestinian American in the Georgia State House

Teen Vogue: Interview with Rep. Tarra Simmons, the first formerly incarcerated person to win a state election in Washington State

The New Republic: Gaby co-published a piece in The New Republic about the extreme measures Republican-controlled state legislatures are taking one year after the Dobbs decision

Teen Vogue: Interview with Senator Emily Randall, the first out queer woman elected to the Washington State Senate

Teen Vogue: Interview with Representative Jeramey Anderson, the youngest African-American elected to any state legislature and the youngest legislator in Mississippi history

Teen Vogue: Interview with Senator Clare Oumou, one of the first three Black women to ever be elected to the Minnesota State Senate

CNN: Gaby and Dr. Mallory Roman wrote an opinion piece for CNN highlighting the findings of our downballot roll-off study published in September

Robert Reich cited two SDAN studies in his Substack―our votes-to-majority analysis,and our downballot roll-off study. Reich also recommended Sister District as a resource for learning about state legislative candidates.

POLITICO covered the election debrief that we co-hosted in November, emphasizing our call for supporters to begin investing now to win in 2024.

Salon: Gaby published a piece in Salon, and spoke with Governing and The New Republic, about how outcomes in close races comes down to the “margin of effort,” or whichever side talks to and turns out more voters―which turned out to be the case in many races this year.

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

WDN Connect 2023: Lala joined the Women Donors Network to talk about what it will take for progressives to hold their ground and why we need to think across decades, not just election cycles.

PODCAST CLIPS:

Strict Scrutiny podcast: Sister District was described as a top organization to fund for listeners who want to protect democracy and pass progressive legislation.

Curious Now: Lyzz and Lala spoke with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness about the importance of taking part in odd year elections.

Suburban Women Problem: Gaby joined Sister District alumna, Georgia State Representative Jasmine Clark, and Red, Wine, and Blue about the importance of building reflective democracy.

Gaslit Nation: Gaby was interviewed on the Gaslit Nation podcast about the possibility of the Supreme Court endorsing the Independent State Legislature Theory. Head of Organizing Neal Morgan also joined the podcast to provide a phonebanking training and invite listeners to join a Sister District phonebank this fall.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Higher Ground Labs: In Jan. 2023 Lala moderated a panel, Breaking Down Performance Factors in Swing Districts, at the 2022 Election Technology Debrief hosted by Higher Ground Labs.

GAIN Powerful Idea Award: Our 2022 Impact Report has been nominated for a GAIN Powerful Idea Award

GAIN Powerful Idea Award: Our 2022 Impact Report won a GAIN Powerful Idea Award, recognizing our impact in progressive communications and leadership

Sister District, Arena, and the Pipeline Fund convened over a dozen groups that work in the state legislative space―including the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), Emerge, Forward Majority, National Democratic Training Committee, Run for Something, The States Project / Future Now, and Swing Left―to debrief the midterms in Washington, DC

Lala attended the Democracy Alliance Fall Conference in Washington, DC and had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with allies and partners to discuss the future of our movement.

Lala co-moderated a keynote discussion with Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) at the AAPI Victory Alliance Policy Conference in Washington, DC.

Lala attended an Emerge luncheon in San Francisco.

2022

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

Salon Oped: Gaby and Mallory emphasize the importance of state legislatures in the future of our democracy just one day out from the midterm elections

The New Republic: Gaby is quoted discussing Sister District down-ballot roll off research

Governing: Gaby quoted and roll-off research cited

CNN Oped: Gaby and Mallory highlight Democrats’ down ballot roll off problem

Democracy Docket Oped: Gaby & Bela on the Downballot’s Implications for Democracy

Capital & Main: Lala quoted warning folks of the looming Moore v. Harper case

Salon Oped: Gaby and Mallory emphasize how important it is for Democrats to win back state-level power

The 19th: Lala is quoted highlighting the impact of investing in down ballot races

Washington Post: Lala emphasizes state legislative races should not be overlooked

MIRS News: Lala offers her expertise on the double standards women running for office face

Salon Oped: Gaby argues progressives must embrace state legislatures to make change

Insider: Gaby emphasizes the threat of the independent state legislatures doctrine

Insider: Gaby highlights the importance of building power at the state level

New York Times: Gaby discusses the leaked decision to overturn Roe

Business Insider: State supreme court judges are facing ‘incredibly dangerous’ attacks for their decisions

Business Insider: Inside ‘the next big political frontier’ of state supreme court races

Philadelphia Inquirer: Gaby quoted speaking about the independent state legislatures doctrine – Versions of this article were also printed in Centre Daily, Penn Live, Pew Stateline, and NorthCentralPA.com

Salon Oped: Gaby highlights the role of SCOTUS and the once-fringe independent state legislatures doctrine

Salon Op-ed: Gaby outlines what progressive state legislatures can do to protect abortion access and build power

Jezebel: Lala quoted highlighting the fight to protect Roe at the state level

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

Cheddar: Lala highlights the fight for reproductive freedom states after the fall of Roe

Now This: Lala breaks down what happens next following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

Cheddar: Lala discusses the leaked decision to overturn Roe

Act TV : Gaby discusses the threat of the independent state legislatures doctrine at 49 min

PODCAST CLIPS:

The Bob Cesca Show: Gaby returns for a final look at state legislature races, ballot roll-off, bellwethers for Election Night, and more

Stand Up with Pete Dominick: Gaby highlights what is at stake in state and local elections

Gaslit Nation: Gaby talks about the Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper– what it means for democracy and state legislatures

Qasim Rashid Show: Gaby talks about the outsized role of state legislatures ahead of midterms

The Bob Cesca Show: Gaby discusses re-focusing attention on down-ballot races, fighting back against partisan gerrymandering, and winning back legislative majorities

Sunday Civics: Lala discusses importance of voting down ballot in midterm elections, and what is at stake

Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness: Ahead of the 2022 midterms, Gaby and Lala answer the question ‘Can State Legislatures Save Us?’

The Ronin Project: Lala discusses the importance of AAPI political representation the fight for reproductive rights in the states

Background Briefing: Gaby highlights state legislatures’ role in saving democracy

Qasim Rashid Show: Lala discusses the abortion bans and how states can fight them

The Electorette: Lala highlights the role of state legislatures in protecting Roe

The Downballot: Gaby highlights the need for progressives to embrace power at the state-level

The Fun Police: Lala discusses the leaked decision to overturn Roe

The Electorette: Lala discusses the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and the importance of representation at all levels of government

Make It Plain with Mark Thompson: Lala emphasizes the importance of diverse civic leadership

Signal Boost: Lala highlights the important role of state legislatures

RADIO CLIPS:

Laura Coates Show: Gaby does a deep dive into Sister District’s research on ballot rolloff

SiriusXM– Michelangelo Signorile Show: Gaby spoke about the importance of down ballot races, election subversion, and independent state legislature doctrine.

The Briefing: Lala Wu highlights state legislatures in the fight for reproductive rights and democracy

The Lurie Daniel Favors Show: Lala emphasizes the importance of state legislatures and grassroots organizing

The Laura Coates Show: Lala discusses the importance of diversity in civic leadership

2021

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

NYT: Gaby discusses the enthusiasm gap

Ms. Magazine Highlight: Gaby discusses her with for state legislatures come 2022

Salon Op-ed: Gaby highlights the ongoing antidemocratic movement in state legislatures

The Hill: Gaby and Mallory expound on Virginia’s urgent lesson: Democrats’ down-ballot enthusiasm gap

Teen Vogue Article: Gaby is quoted discussing what Democrats should prepare for after the 2021 VA elections

The 19th Article: Gaby discusses the impact of organizing in statehouse races

AP: Gaby emphasizes the importance of down ballot races in Virginia

Ms. Magazine Op-ed: Gaby writes, “for abortion access, look to your state house”

WaPo Op-ed: Gaby highlights the enthusiasm gap between the GOP and Democrats

Virginia Mercury: Gaby quoted sounding the alarm on down ballot races in Virginia

Salon Op-ed: Gaby joins author Dave Daley to sound the alarm on state legislatures fighting for full power over election administration

Yahoo News: Lala quoted discussing the key role of state legislatures in the fight for reproductive rights

The Guardian US Op-ed: Gaby explains how gerrymandering allows legislators to ignore what voters really want, and why experts fear it’s about to get a lot worse

PBS: Lala discusses women in politics and Kathy Hochul’s rise

The Independent: Lala discusses Democrats plan to save voting rights

Ms. Magazine Op-ed: Gaby highlights state legislatures a key battleground for reproductive rights

Democracy Docket Op-ed: Lala explains why the U.S. needs more LGBTQ+ state legislative candidates

India West: Lala is announced as a new board member of AAPI Victory Alliance

Rio Grande Guardian: Lala makes a case for investing in long-term organizing ahead of 2022 midterms

CNN Op-ed: Gaby explains why Americans should have seen the Capitol riot coming

San Francisco Weekly: Lala talks about Sister Districts efforts to elect progressive candidates nationwide

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

The Conversation: Gaby highlights the fight for reproductive rights state legislatures

The Damage Report: Gaby discusses the bellwether elections in Virginia and the state’s Democratic trifecta at risk

The Young Turks: Lala emphasizes state legislatures’ role in the fight for reproductive rights

NowThis: Lala discusses Gov Hochul’s first address what America asks of women in power

Act.tv: Gaby discusses the fight for reproductive rights in Texas and in state houses across the country

Act.tv: Lala discusses redistricting and the key role state legislatures play in the process

The Young Turks: Lala discusses the Texas Democrats’ fight for voting rights

PODCAST CLIPS:

Brain Trust Live: Gaby outlines the importance of building the Democratic bench at the state level

StandUp! With Pete Dominick: Gaby discusses the the importance of state legislatures in the fight for reproductive rights

America’s Democrats: Gaby Goldstein on why building a progressive future begins with state legislature

The Electorette: Lala discusses gerrymandering and building power in state legislatures

Future Hindsight: Lala discusses building progressive power at the state level

StandUp! With Pete Dominick: Lala discusses the fight for reproductive rights in Texas and the uphill battle to win state legislatures

Nicole Sandler Show: Lala discusses the redistricting process and gerrymandering

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness: Lala and Gaby talk state legislature races, gearing up for the midterms, and redistricting

The Electorette: Lala discusses the importance of down ballot and legislative races

RADIO CLIPS:

SiriusXM–Laura Coates Show: Lala discusses what is asked of women who run for office

The Thom Hartmann Program: Lala on Women’s Equality Day and our high expectations of women in power

The Thom Hartmann Program: Lala explains Texas legislation attacking voting rights

2020

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

“Democrats gear up to fight gerrymandering after state House losses” – NBC News

“5 Last-Minute Things You Can Do to Get Out the Vote for Biden” – Vogue

“If a Democratic wave breaks over state legislatures, its effects will be lasting” – The Economist

“Biden’s win would give Democrats 4 years of power. State legislatures could give them 10.” – NBC News

“Grassroots Democrats Are Preparing to Swarm the Biden Administration” – The New Republic

“Why national groups are giving so much attention to a state Senate race in the Twin Cities suburbs” – Minnesota Post

“All Politics Is National, Especially When All Campaigns Are Online” – Governing

“Morning Score: What to watch in tonight’s primaries” – POLITICO

“Pandemic shifts political activism online” – Davis Enterprise

“The coronavirus crisis is drastically changing the battle for state legislatures and could completely reshape who controls Congress” – Business Insider

April 10th Playbook – Politics PA

“During a Pandemic, Look for the Innovators” – Yahoo! News

” How Trump’s election has fueled a diverse new generation of politicians” – the Guardian

“The loneliness of the resistance protestor” – The New Republic

“Have Democrats found their ALEC?” – The New Republic

“Did gerrymandering hurt Democrats down ballot in 2020? Yes and no” – Gaby Goldstein, Roll Call

“Vote the whole ballot. The next decade depends on it” – CNN

“To protect our democracy, Democrats must win state legislative elections” – Gaby Goldstein, The Guardian

“Kamala Harris pick shouldn’t end the conversation on electing more women of color” – The Hilll

“Abortion laws give Republican politicians what they crave — control” Rita Bosworth, the Hill

PRESS RELEASES

$1M in Candidate Fundraising

Third Wave of 2020 Candidate Endorsements

$750k in Candidate Fundraising

$500k in Candidate Fundraising

Second Wave of 2020 Candidate Endorsements

$300k in 2020 Candidate Fundraising

Virtual Trivia Media Advisory

First Wave of Candidate Endorsements

Endorsing Harold Hayes, PA Special Election

2020 Strategic Plan

STATEMENTS

2020 Vice Presidential Pick

Excluding Undocumented People from the Census

Reflections on Juneteenth

Our Commitment to Dismantling Structural Racism

GOP Lawmakers in PA Hid Colleague’s COVID-19 Diagnosis

Statement on the Fight for Justice for Black People in America

Georgia’s Supreme Court Election

Redistricting Measures in Missouri

Republican Poll Monitoring

TELEVISION & PODCASTS

“A grassroots campaign to build the electoral power of Democrats” – America’s Democrats

2019

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

POLITICO: “Democrats bet big on Obamacare to win Virginia statehouse” Rachana Pradhan

The Intercept: “From Philadelphia to Oregon, the Insurgency Is Making Waves in Municipal Elections” Akela Lacy

ShareBlue: “GOP lawmaker doesn’t want background checks for guns since some terrorists use bombs” Dan Desai Martin

NBC News: “Democrats’ focus on the White House may be crowding out the statehouse — and it might cost them big“ | Alex Seitz-Wald

The Hill: | “The most important pledge Democratic presidential candidates can make” | Jay J. Chaudhuri

Slate: “How to Fight Back Against Restrictive Abortion Laws” | Dahlia Lithwick

The Hill: “The fight for a fair census is far from over.” | SDP Co-Founder Gaby Goldstein

Washington Post: “Flipping Virginia blue can be done. But it won’t be easy.” | SDP Co-Founder Gaby Goldstein

PRESS RELEASES

EMILY’s List and Sister District Host Weekend of Action Focused on Effort to Flip the Virginia General Assembly

Sister District Announces Support For Candidates In 2019 Elections

Sister District’s Investment in PA-37 Pays Off

Sister District Announces Support for PA Special Election

Statement on the events in the Commonwealth of Virginia

EMILY’s List and Sister District Host Weekend of Action Focused on Effort to Flip the Virginia General Assembly

Sister District Announces Support For Candidates In 2019 Elections

Sister District’s Investment in PA-37 Pays Off

Sister District Announces Support for PA Special Election

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

BBC World News: Sister District discusses Joe Biden

PODCAST CLIPS:

Two Broads Talking Politics: Rita Bosworth & Sister District Project

Sunday Civics: “Redistricting”

Call Your Girlfriend “Level Up 2018”

2018

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

The Nation: “Democrats Are Finally Fighting for the States—and on Election Night, They Won Big” | Joan Walsh

Washington Post: “‘I’m a carpetbagger’: Volunteers from safe blue districts try to swing Va. races” | Laura Vozzella and Patricia Sullivan

Washington Post: “‘Blue wave’ or ‘left-wing mob’? Anti-Trump fervor fuels a new movement aimed squarely at winning elections.” | Michael Scherer and David Weigel

Washington Post: “A new kind of grass-roots political organization?” | Daniel W. Drezner

The Economist: “The Democratic Party tries to regain control of state legislatures”

POLITICO: “Warren and other potential 2020 Dems join fight to flip statehouses” | Edward-Isaac Dovere

The Nation: “The 7,383-Seat Strategy” | Joan Walsh

Axios: “Dem civil war: The battle for their future in the Trump era” | Alexi McCammond

Toronto Star: “Marches against Trump turn into a wave of Democratic women running for office” | Daniel Dale

NBC: “The anti-Trump ‘Resistance’ turns a year old — and grows up” | Alex Seitz-Wald

The Hill: “The power of electing women at the state and local level” | SDP Founder Rita Bosworth & EMILY’s List Executive Director Stephanie Shriock

The Hill: “After demise of Supreme Court, states are the last line of defense for democracy” | SDP Co-Founder Gaby Goldstein

Rewire: “This Is the Year to Care About State Legislative Races” | SDP Co-Founder Gaby Goldstein

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

Resistance School: Behind the Scenes interview with Executive Director of Sister District Rita Bosworth

Morning Joe on MSNBC: How Sister District Project works to turn states blue

BBC World News: Sister District on BBC World News

PODCAST CLIPS:

Two Broads Talking Politics: Sister District Project

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness: How do we flip red states blue in the midterms?”

Bitch Talk “304 That’s What She Said + Sister District”

RADIO CLIPS:

Hawaii Public Radio: “2018 Women’s March Sends Power to the Polls” Jan 19, 2018

2017

TV/VIDEO CLIPS:

In Conversation: Robert Reich and Sister District

OP-EDS & PRINTS HITS:

Vox: “Republicans control Washington. Progressives are trying to reclaim the rest of America.” | Ella Nilsen

Univision: “Encouraged by opposition to Trump, these women are pushing a political revolution” | Jessica Weiss

TIME: “The Resistance Helped Democrats Win on Tuesday. Now They’re Turning to 2018” | Charlotte Alter

VICE News: “Can the Resistance actually win elections? Virginia is the test” | Alex Thompson

Yahoo! News: ‘Democrats are upping their game in local races this year” | Garance Franke-Ruta

New York Times: “The ‘Resistance,’ Raising Big Money, Upends Liberal Politics” | Ken Vogel

Rolling Stone: “How a New Generation of Progressive Activists Is Leading the Trump Resistance” | Tim Dickinson

The Nation: “Democrats Have a Problem. Can These Women Fix It?” | Joan Walsh

Washington Post: “DNC invests earlier in state parties, voter persuasion” | David Weigel

U.S. News: “After Trump, Groups Helping Dems in Virginia House Contests” Alan Suderman

CNN: “14 progressive startups get $50K each to fight Republican agenda” | Aimee Rawlins

TIME: “Inside the Grassroots Movement to Groom a New Generation of Democratic Candidates” | Alex Altman

Like a Boss Girls: “Gabrielle Goldstein and Lyzz Schwegler, Cofounders of Sister District Project” | Lisa Beebe

U.S. News: “The Democrats Are Without a Unifying Leader. That Could Be the Best Thing for Them.” | David Catanese

Esquire: “For Democrats to Succeed, They Must Realize Where the Power Lies” | Charles Pierce

Bustle: “The Sister District Project Proves That Grassroots Politics Can Make A Huge Difference” | Wendy Lu

HuffPost: “What Delaware’s Special Election Reveals About The Trump Resistance”| Paul Blumenthal

Slate: “The Democrats Are Leading From Behind” | Jim Newell

Mother Jones: “The Secret Slack Group Plotting to Turn Your State Government Blue” | Tim Murphy

The American Prospect: “The Democrats: Exorcizing Ghosts and Looking Forward” | Robert Kuttner

Civicist: “The Trump Resistance will be Incubated” | Sarah Lai Stirland

LA Times: “Trump succeeds where Obama failed – spawning a new wave of liberal activism” | Mark Barabak

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