The First Ask is dedicated to electing progressive, pro-choice Democratic women to State Legislatures. We focus on breaking down the barriers that keep women out of office by working directly with campaigns to provide the support they need to win at no cost to the candidates running.
What We Do
Our Impact on Candidates
VA Delegate: Nicole Cole, HD-66
I know that many believed, through to November 4th, that my election was a longshot since the incumbent had been in office 35 years. The First Ask was one of the first PACs to reach out to me early to offer support to my campaign. I believed we would win. The early money and belief from The First Ask helped build our momentum to garner wider support and attention for our campaign from donors and volunteers.
TX Senator: Molly Cook, SD-15
The First Ask endorsed and supported me early (before it was cool). The organization provided material support with funding, texting, and phone banking, and they were there for me on an emotional level whenever I needed them. That kind of loving support from other women is exactly what we need to build the future of politics all women deserve in America.
Why State Legislatures?
With democracy under attack, State Legislatures are vital, cost-effective redoubts from which to fight back, build the Democratic bench, and deliver on the issues that matter most
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States legislatures have created abortion bans and severe limitations. Some lawmakers have stated an interest in enacting travel bans to further limit reproductive healthcare access and bodily autonomy. Even before Roe was overturned, state legislatures actively worked to undermine the right to reproductive freedom across the country. From heartbeat bills to bounty hunter laws to trigger bans, Republicans have spent decades working at the state legislative level to undermine our right to reproductive freedom.
Some states, like Michigan, have been leaders in showing how we can not only undo abortion bans, but protect everyone's right to an abortion and self determination. And it all starts with taking back out state legislatures.
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Costs are rising while wages stay stagnant. State legislators have the ability to enact minimum wage increases, reform state tax systems to move the burden off of working and middle class families, and make healthcare affordable and accessible by taking actions such as expanding medicare.
Additionally, legislatures can invest in creating infrastructure to make life more affordable by creating new housing and expanding public transportation.
We can have state legislatures who work for us, if we have state legislators who work for us.
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State legislators decide how much teachers are paid, how much funding schools get per pupil, and whether schools will be funded to an adequate level. Beyond funding, legislatures have a say over school safety, mandatory curriculum, and public universities and colleges.
State legislatures across the country have made headlines in recent years for their repressive laws targeting curriculum including topics such as race and queer identities. We are fighting to cut these bills off at the source before they harm our classrooms.
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In 2025 and 2026, redistricting efforts have made national headlines as Republicans in Texas gerrymandered an already unfair map to deliver three new Republican congressional districts to President Trump. Other states have followed in their lead by creating more Republican districts by redrawing maps, not by showing up for voters. Democrats in states like California and Virginia have been fighting back to even the playing field that is our Democracy and provide.
These actions have come entirely from state legislatures. The fact that the President can snap his fingers and have Congressional districts delivered to him is a threat to our country's future, especially with recent Supreme Court action on the Voting Rights Act. We need to cut them off at the source. We do this by election legislators who are beholden to their constituents, not Republican power grabs.
In 2026, The First Ask is active in the following States with significant underrepresentation of Women and Democrats in their State Chambers
Let’s Talk
Are you a perspective or current candidate? Someone interesting in partnering with The First Ask? Or just have a general question? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Are you able to support the work of The First Ask through a donation? Perhaps volunteer your time to support one of our candidates? Or are you looking for a job on a campaign? Don’t put it off any longer, get involved today!