16 Things Since I Last Wrote
Election Day, duh, obviously, as you know, is November 8. I’m up for re-election for the Legislature in Nebraska’s District 8, and I am a little nervous. A healthy amount of nervous. My opponent is working hard and I’m honestly not. I won the primary with nearly 70% of the vote so I haven’t been running as aggressive as a campaign as I did last time I ran in 2018. The demands on my life are also very different now than they were then — My business (new store! no business partner! screaming! this is so hard!), my teenager (I dunno how to do this math homework either!!), and my work in the legislature (constituents need help with things every day!) take up my time very differently than they did in 2018. Am I doing my best? Yes. Is it the same exact energy I brought in 2018? No. At the end of the day, I’m doing what I can, and I trust the voters to make the best choice for themselves.
Anyway, the point is, you need to have a plan to vote. Are you voting by mail? In person? When? What about your family and friends? Reproductive healthcare of all kinds is on the ballot this year - not just abortion rights, but the right to contraception, the right to make decisions about IVF and fertility, the right to access affordable care from accessible clinics like Planned Parenthood, etc. The stakes in Nebraska are so high.
In over 17 years as a business owner in my district, one thing I've learned is that I'm pretty good at running a little shop. So this election season, I'm running merch shops not only for myself, but to help two of my friends and colleagues who also have competitive elections this cycle. Senator Adam Morfeld who is running for Lancaster County Attorney deserves your vote, as does my friend and colleague Senator Machaela Cavanaugh who I need to return to the Legislature to fight with me for another four years.
For anyone who makes a purchase from me, Senator Morfeld, or Senator Cavanaugh between now and election day, I will send along some free extras with your order. It may be stickers, buttons, or even a tee, but you'll get something fun for your campaign memorabilia collection. I will also pack each order myself. All purchases are campaign contributions, so if you want to support the work any of us are doing, this is a great way to chip in.
I got a real couch. I’ve had a loveseat from my great-grandparents for 12 years, and now I have a couch I can actually lie down on. Lifechanging
Mark the calendar for November 4 from 11am-9pm for Shop Five Nine’s one year anniversary. Discounts, goody bags, and an art opening for local mixed media artist Michaela Wolf. More info here.
This month I read every book ever written by Ottessa Moshfegh. It’s a little old, but I love this piece about her.
If you want a yard sign from me and don’t have one, please let me know and I’ll bring you one.
Two weeks ago I did a completely impulsive one-day trip to Los Angeles to buy shop inventory from independent designers for the holiday season. I figured out that a plane ticket would be less (like, thousands less) than shipping, so I booked a ticket on Southwest with two free gigantic checked bags plus my two carry-ons absolutely stuffed with merchandise, plus four more boxes that did end up getting shipped. Most of that is live online now and all available in-store.
Last Saturday I saw the play Miz Martha Washington at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. I haven’t seen a play in years because sometimes the earnestness and overacting of stage theater makes me too embarrassed, but I think I want to start seeing more plays again now.
I’m really proud Thursday night to be recognized at the annual LGBTQA+ History Month Dinner at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the Being the Change Award for my support and advocacy for the LGBTQA+ community in Nebraska.
I also learned this week that I am this year’s recipient of the Tammy Baldwin Breakthrough award from the Victory Institute, named for Tammy Baldwin, the first out lesbian U.S. Senator. This national recognition is given annually to an up-and-coming state or local LGBTQ+ elected official whose promising political career will move equality forward. I’ll get to accept that in Washington, D.C. the first week of December.
One more: In two weeks I will go to San Antonio to accept the Champion of the First Amendment Award, a national recognition given by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. This recognition is for my work successfully filibustering a bill in April of this year that would have resulted in a complete abortion ban in Nebraska. What makes it more special for me is that my mentor, Senator Ernie Chambers, also received this award in 2006.
I have no idea what I’m gonna say at any of these events. The hardest part is writing something good.
Canvassing and phone banking every day. Hit me up if you wanna help do that. Even one hour of your time is amazing.
I recently did a Reddit AMA (ask me anything) that went pretty well.
Pic of me and my baby in our shop by Ariel Panowicz
More to come. If you know someone who would like this in their inbox, forward it to them and tell your friends to subscribe. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter, too. If you have a question about navigating the system, getting a benefit, or are generally pissed at the government, contact my fed account at mhunt@leg.ne.gov. Help me pay my rent and validate the work that fulfills me by shopping at Five Nine. Get boosted, and stay safe!
Meg