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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In the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, the Supreme Court turned abortion rights legislation back over to the states. That means your right to choose is currently controlled by a state legislature. If your state representative is a Republican man, then a republican man is presiding over your reproductive rights.
To protect your right to choose, or win it back, we need to elect progressive, pro-choice candidates in our state legislatures.
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Minimum wages, tax breaks, and healthcare policy are all under the control of state legislatures. Costs are rising while wages stagnate, and it is your state legislators’ responsibility to fix that. Do you trust the electeds currently in power to do so?
We can have state legislatures who work for us, if we have state legislators who work for us.
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Do you think the schools in your state are safe? Are the teachers well paid?
States, not the federal government, decide how much funding their schools receive. They also determine gun control policy, and what kind of police presence individual schools should have. This goes for colleges too - if your University cut DEI, your state legislature is to blame.
It’s time to elect state legislators who take their state’s education system seriously.
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Redistricting efforts have made national news as the President pressures states to hand over more gerrymandered seats. But no matter what kind of political tension the Administration creates, it’s still up to the states to say no to unfair maps.
Your state legislators alone have the power to stop the gerrymandering race to the bottom. It’s time to elect legislators who are beholden to the constitution, 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!