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In Memorial,

The 2030 Project family lost two members last week, Karen Menke of Athens and Larry Pellegrini of Atlanta. Both were supporters of The 2030 Project from the start. More than that, they spent their lives fighting for justice, equality, and a politics of compassion and inclusion.

Karen Menke was a force of nature. Athens won the lottery when she and her husband, Bruce, moved here more than a decade ago. Karen got to work immediately, joining nearly every progressive organization in town and hosting event after event. A small desk right inside the front door. Name tags. Sign-in sheets. A jar of crisp, black Sharpies. A long table of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You'd be taking food home. Karen made sure of that.

Karen and Bruce hosted a Meet and Greet every time I ran for office. They hosted the Athens launch of The 2030 Project. They hosted a volunteer event for Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign when I asked them to. Every election cycle, they opened their home to candidates from Board of Education and Commission races all the way up to the State House and Congress. If you’re exhausted thinking about all that hosting and prepping and cleaning up, you are not alone. But there was no keeping up with Karen and Bruce. Driven does not even begin to describe their passion for making the world a better place, inch by inch.

Karen, in particular, always made the time to listen, always shared words of encouragement, and always rolled up her sleeves and pitched in. She had the strongest North Star of anyone I knew, for what was just, for what was right—and how to get there. She was unbelievably kind and giving toward anyone trying to make things better. It is impossible to overstate how much she was loved and how much she will be missed. Rest in peace, Karen.

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement also wrote this beautiful tribute to Karen this week. You can read that here: Honoring the Legacy of Karen Menke

I won the Larry Pellegrini lottery back in 2023, when we started The 2030 Project. He first came to the Oconee launch of The 2030 Project, then the Athens launch, then the DeKalb launch. To say he believed in us was an understatement! Getting Larry's seal of approval was no small feat. He was the first political director of Georgia Equality, and for more than four decades, he advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, working with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Georgia Rural Urban Summit, among others.

Larry became a mentor and friend over the last few years, always quick with a smile and a story every time I saw him. Many people knew Larry much better than I did. They had won the Larry Pellegrini lottery decades before. AIDS assistance funding. Civil rights. Labor rights. Women's issues. Environmental issues. Wherever there was a good cause, that's where you'd find Larry.

He loved talking politics and loved working with people on important issues. We talked and met often during the last couple of years, and I was fortunate enough to speak with him for several hours in the days leading up to the June runoff. Jones vs. Jackson. Collins vs. Dooley. The Lt. Governor race for the Democrats. The Special Session. It was a wide-ranging call, as conversations with Larry always were. It was two hours, but it felt like ten minutes. I think we both got off that call more excited about the day, more committed to the work ahead, and more optimistic about the prospects of a big November for Georgia Democrats.

That is the Larry I will remember, and the one I will carry with me going forward. Rest in peace, my friend. And thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson, Executive Director of The 2030 Project

First Person Perspective: Canvassing with Michelle Kang

This past weekend, we canvassed for Michelle Kang, Democratic Nominee for HD-99. I was paired with a member of Michelle’s team, along with other members of The 2030 Project, as we knocked on doors across several neighborhoods. We also canvassed for Laura Murvartian, Democratic Nominee for SD-48. My experience canvassing was exciting and, in many ways, indicative of our political climate.

The most striking observation to me was the level of interest (or lack thereof) among potential voters. Many people were in a rush to collect our pamphlets and close the door, if they opened it at all.

Politics is something a lot of people don't believe they have the time for, or don't think they have a stake in. This is why canvassing matters. Many of the people we spoke to didn't know Michelle was running, and appreciated us for telling them. Too many Americans only vote in presidential elections, if they vote at all. State-level elections matter just as much.

The second trend I noticed was party polarization. One moment stood out: a man opened his door and reached to take our pamphlets. The moment my canvassing partner mentioned these were Democratic candidates, he pulled his hand back and turned around. I believe the divide between the two parties has gotten in the way of our responsibility to evaluate candidates on their experience and platform, not just their party.

That said, canvassing for Michelle Kang was a wonderful experience. I loved speaking with Georgians about the issues that matter most to them. I look forward to canvassing more and to continuing to raise awareness about our candidates. 

Shaheer, Intern, The 2030 Project

Bi-Partisan Housing Bill Enacted, Without Trump.

During his tenure from 1934 to 1945, former New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia said, "There is no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets." The quote illustrates how, above all, people want to see tangible solutions. The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) is a clear example of this belief, even as the country feels more divided than ever.

America's housing crisis has only ballooned since the 2008 financial crisis. Since 2019, the housing shortage has grown by just under a million homes. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that home values are up nearly 33% over just the past five years. This trend is even more severe in Georgia, where the median home price grew by 141% over the prior decade. The housing crisis isn't limited to those who pay a mortgage. Since 2001, the median rent has increased 21% while the median household income has only grown by about 2%.

The problem of affordable housing is widespread, affecting rural and urban, old and young, liberal and conservative. Thus, targeting housing prices was a no-brainer. The bill will expedite building permits, limit private equity stockpiling of single-family homes, and is predicted to generate around 2.5 million homes in the next decade. The bill had widespread bipartisan support, passing 358-32 in the House and 85-5 in the Senate. Yet a moment of celebration was spoiled by a man more focused on the party cleaning the streets than on the fact that the streets were being cleaned. President Trump refused to sign the bill, opting instead to let it pass the ten-day review period threshold and automatically go into effect. Trump's reasoning? Congress wouldn't pass his draconian 'SAVE America Act,' which would force states to submit voter registration lists to DHS and require nationwide proof of citizenship to vote. 

In comparison to the housing crisis, the voter fraud rate was between .0003 and .0025 percent, or, at its highest estimate, 1/400th of a percent. What should have been a victory for bipartisanship and affordability was overshadowed by yet another display of political pageantry by President Trump. Tenants are struggling to pay rent, and the former real-estate con-man doesn't bat an eye.

Trump's theatrics shouldn't distract voters from the major takeaway: real concerns prevailed. Congress almost unanimously came together to put forward substantive legislation and put culture war pontificating to the side. Our elected officials are beholden enough to follow through with pragmatic solutions, but that is only possible if we continue voicing our concerns and holding our representatives accountable. Our concrete problems can and should take precedence over an ideological battle. Presidential overreach only goes so far. Manic social media posts only go so far.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo killed by ICE. Death ruled a homicide.

When does immigration enforcement become something else entirely? That question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore after the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Houston construction business owner who was killed by an ICE agent during a traffic stop on July 7. He did not have a criminal record and had been living in the US for 35 years. He raised three children as an American citizen, hoping to achieve the "American dream."

There are contested claims as to the true situation. ICE states he was using the vehicle he was operating as a weapon. His colleagues state it was unprovoked. Calls from the mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, and civil rights groups are asking for an independent, transparent investigation.

Less than a week later, another fatal ICE shooting occurred in Biddeford, Maine. Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian man, was also fatally shot during a traffic stop on July 13. He was reportedly also not the intended target of the enforcement operation. Once again, officials justified the shooting by claiming the victim used a vehicle as a weapon.

These incidents are not occurring in isolation. They are unfolding amid one of the most aggressive expansions of immigration enforcement in modern American history. The most troubling aspect of the recent shootings is not simply that people died. It is that the public has little way to verify what happened. In the case of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero, DHS stated that the agents involved were not wearing body cameras, despite the $20 million appropriated by Congress specifically for this task. Body cameras have become standard practice in many law enforcement agencies because they protect both officers and civilians. When deadly force is used, footage provides evidence rather than competing narratives. Democracy should never require blind trust.

The debate is also about due process. The Constitution guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. That protection applies to people, not just citizens. Regardless of immigration status, every individual deserves basic rights and accountability from the government agencies that exercise power over them.

Supporters of aggressive immigration enforcement argue that agents face dangerous situations and must be able to protect themselves. But transparency and accountability are not obstacles to law enforcement. They are what make the public trust it. Independent investigations and body camera requirements should be seen as necessary protections, not political demands.

Immigration policy will always be one of America's most divisive political issues. What should not be controversial, however, is the belief that government power must be transparent, accountable, and constrained by the rule of law. The deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Joan Sebastian Guerrero, and the eleven other deaths at the hands of the Trump administration deserve a full and transparent investigation. And above all, we deserve a system that remembers every person, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to dignity, rights, and due process under the law.

Though ICE agents prefer to act outside of the law, for more information about your rights, the Immigration Defense Project has made helpful guides in English and Spanish.

DPG’s Statewide Early Office Push Reaches Athens

On Saturday, July 11th, the Democratic Party of Georgia opened a field office in Athens, Georgia. Ground Game Georgia, the DPG's 2026 Coordinated Campaign, is an initiative that aims to mobilize voters up and down the ballot. Field offices under this campaign have opened across the state, including in East Point, Cumming, Smyrna, and Athens.

These new offices now provide a home base for support and direct voter outreach. Local canvassing, phone banking, and many more volunteer opportunities will be hosted at DPG offices around Georgia. Ground Game Georgia's goal is to equip local areas with the resources to register voters, distribute campaign materials, and organize campaign events.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Athens field office. The energy throughout was palpable. Despite stormy weather, turnout was significant. Many Athens candidates were in attendance, including Representative Eric Gisler, Democratic State Senate Nominee Ray Smith, Democratic State House Nominee Suzanna Karatassos, and more. Moving through the office space, it was evident that people were optimistic. Attendees traveled from across counties to celebrate the opening of this office and the effort placed into this location.

This year's office opening was especially significant given that it marked the earliest a field office had opened in Athens before the midterms. Georgians are fired up to turn the tide at the ballot box in 2026. That won't happen without the mobilization of volunteers and the support of organizers, but clearly, motivation won't be hard to find. It is abundantly clear that Athens and all of Georgia are ready to fight to flip Georgia blue up and down the ballot.

Marin, Intern, The 2030 Project

Trump Fires the Referee, Then Complains About the Score

There are 110 days until the 2026 midterm elections, and Donald Trump can feel the imminent blue wave building. The President and the Republican Party know that their failed policies have left Americans desperate for real leadership and stunned by the immense corruption and incompetence within the current administration. Campaigning on their policies and recent actions is sure to lead to defeat in the midterms.

So, rather than articulate viewpoints or plans of action, Donald Trump's campaign strategy heading into the midterms is to sow chaos, a hardly surprising move coming from the man who, in all three of his presidential bids, asserted that either he would win or that the election would be stolen.

Donald Trump's streak of using playground retorts and embodying the textbook definition of a sore loser continued last week when, in a move akin to firing the referee when your team is losing, he exerted his new presidential power granted by the recent decision in Trump v. Slaughter to dismiss the heads of a nonpartisan agency (the Election Assistance Commission) dedicated to ensuring that elections run fairly and smoothly.

As reported by PBS, Trump dismissed the commissioners because they "may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America's elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted."

Formed by Congress in 2002, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has been responsible for helping state and local election officials to properly, efficiently, and securely administer elections. Unlike many other federal agencies, the EAC is inherently bipartisan. There are always four commissioners: two Democrats and two Republicans. All decisions made by the board must receive at least three votes in order to move forward. This means that any and all actions undertaken by the EAC must receive bipartisan support.

As such, dismissing the Democratic commissioners (which in turn prompted the Republicans to resign) will neither make elections more secure nor ensure that every legal vote is counted. Instead, Trump's actions will leave the EAC without leadership, leading to further chaos and confusion heading into the rapidly approaching election.

While Democrats from around the country are organizing around the principles of hope, prosperity, and democracy, Donald Trump and the Republican party are actively working to create chaos, confusion, and corruption.

Tonight, President Trump is expected to address the nation, with reports suggesting he may claim, without evidence, that the Senators from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, were fraudulently elected in 2020.

As Senator Ossoff put it, "Donald Trump's spiral continues. The failed president, pocketing billions as he drives up prices, is afraid to lose the midterms. So he will reheat debunked election conspiracy theories and tell bizarre new lies to deny his 2020 defeat and attack voting rights."

Whatever Trump says tonight, Georgians know the pattern by now. He has spent years working to undermine confidence in our elections, from the debunked fraud claims after 2020 to the raid on Fulton County's election hub to the firing of the officials meant to keep elections secure. None of it has produced evidence. All of it is designed to make voters doubt a system that works. The real defense against that strategy isn't outrage; it's turning out to vote in November.

Public Health Suffers Under “MAHA”

For the past month, an uncharacteristically large outbreak of gastrointestinal sickness caused by the Cyclospora parasite has impacted thousands across the country. There have been confirmed cases across 34 states, with cases surging in Michigan, New York, and North Carolina. Spreading through contaminated produce, no specific food source has been linked to this parasite.

Despite the uncertainty revolving around cyclospora, it is worth knowing that President Trump's administration cut surveillance of this specific parasite, which raises questions about the current outbreak's severity and how quickly it can be traced. In 2025, FoodNet, a collaboration with the CDC, the FDA, and the Department of Agriculture, made the specific surveillance of cyclospora optional. Trump's consistent cuts to research funding and the consolidation of the United States' health resources are raising real questions about the country's ability to detect and respond to outbreaks like this one.

The cyclospora outbreak is not a standalone event raising these questions. Earlier this year, the Hantavirus outbreak served as yet another example that Trump's actions have far-reaching consequences for both the national and international stage.

Public health surveillance exists for a reason. Tracking outbreaks early allows officials to identify sources, issue warnings, and prevent additional infections. When surveillance efforts are scaled back, health agencies lose valuable data that can help contain diseases before they spread. The cyclospora outbreak emphasizes how difficult it becomes to respond effectively when monitoring systems are weakened or underfunded.

The Trump administration has frequently framed cuts to health agencies and research programs as efforts to reduce government spending and increase efficiency under “Make America Healthy Again.” However, disease outbreaks do not become less dangerous just because fewer resources are devoted to tracking them. If anything, reducing surveillance makes public health threats harder to detect and contain, leaving Americans with fewer answers when outbreaks occur.

The cyclospora outbreak raises questions about the role of disease surveillance and public health preparedness. While no single policy decision can be blamed for every outbreak, reducing monitoring efforts makes it more difficult to track illnesses and understand how they spread. As policymakers debate the future of public health funding, this outbreak is a reminder that disease surveillance is not a bureaucratic luxury. It is one of the basic tools used to protect public health and provide answers when questions arise.

👀Next week: The Intern Takeover

Every article, every decision, every word in next Thursday's newsletter comes from The 2030 Project's summer interns. They're setting the agenda around one question: what does Georgia look like for young people in 2026? Same newsletter, entirely their voice. If you know a young Georgian who should see it, this is a good week to share, forward this newsletter, or send them the sign-up link.

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