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SUMMARY:America’s Next Chapter: Renewal\, Tough Leadership\, and 2028
DESCRIPTION:Join us on Thursday\, April 30 at 7pm ET for a virtual conversation with Amb. Rahm Emanuel. Moderated by Rachel Janfaza of The Up and Up\, they will discuss why he believes corruption has been “normalized” in American politics\, what it will take to rebuild trust at home and credibility abroad\, and how his vision for 2028 differs from both “Trumpism” and the Democratic Party’s more ideological wings. \nAmb. Emanuel has spent the past year arguing that America needs a “renewal wing” of the Democratic Party—one focused on middle‑class economics\, public education\, public safety\, and restoring faith in democratic institutions\, rather than replaying the Trump era on a loop. He has outlined a “six for ’26” agenda for Democrats\, emphasized raising wages and lowering health‑care costs\, called for strict ethics reforms and age limits in government\, and pushed for serious investments in reading and basic education as the foundation of opportunity. At the same time\, he has been openly exploring a 2028 presidential bid\, arguing that “tough times require a tough leader\,” and positioning himself as a centrist\, results-driven alternative who believes the next election should be about ideas\, competence\, and rebuilding the American middle class. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS \nRahm I. Emanuel most recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan\, where he strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance and supported expanded security cooperation. He previously served as the 55th Mayor of Chicago\, leading major investments in education\, public safety\, infrastructure\, and economic development\, including universal pre-K\, free community college\, and the O’Hare modernization program. Earlier\, he was President Obama’s Chief of Staff\, helping pass the Recovery Act and Affordable Care Act\, and served four terms in Congress. Emanuel also held senior roles in the Clinton administration. He holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Northwestern University. \nRachel Janfaza is the founder of The Up and Up\, a research\, media\, and strategy firm focused on Gen Z. A member of Generation Z herself\, Janfaza is best known for her theory of The Two Gen Zs. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, CNN\, Vox\, The Free Press\, Glamour\, POLITICO Magazine\, Teen Vogue\, Vogue\, Elle\, Cosmo\, and Bustle. And her on-air analysis has been featured on CNN\, CBS\, C-SPAN\, NY-1\, and WNYC Public Radio. She is also a contributor to The Bulwark.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/americas-next-chapter/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RSVP_Rahm-Emanuel_Rachel-Janfaza.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T183000
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T152641Z
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SUMMARY:Securing the States: Protecting Our Vote
DESCRIPTION:The fight for democracy is being won—and challenged—state by state. \nJoin BigTentUSA—at a new time—Wednesday\, May 6 at 6:30pm ET for a dynamic virtual conversation with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and New Mexico’s Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin—two leaders who have stood on the frontlines of protecting free and fair elections. \nAmanda López Askin is running for Secretary of State in New Mexico and has successfully defended her office’s work against denialism\, extremism\, and repeated legal challenges. Jocelyn Benson has done the same in Michigan—and now brings that fight to her campaign for Governor. Together\, they’ll break down the real challenges election officials face\, what it takes to safeguard elections at the state level\, and how individuals can take action to support election integrity in their own communities. \nDemocracy doesn’t defend itself—be part of the effort to protect it where it matters most. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nAmanda López Askin is a public servant rooted in New Mexico\, raised in Las Cruces by a hardworking single mother who relied on assistance and public housing. She became a therapist\, helping children in foster care\, before serving as Doña Ana County Clerk. In that role\, she leads with fairness and compassion\, ensuring election integrity while combating misinformation and protecting election workers. Now running for Secretary of State\, Amanda is focused on keeping elections safe and secure\, expanding voter access and education\, increasing campaign finance transparency\, and supporting small businesses by streamlining licensing processes across the state. \nJocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and a Democratic candidate for governor. Raised in a working-class family by two special education teachers\, she was shaped by values of hard work\, opportunity\, and service. Since 2019\, she has transformed Michigan’s motor vehicle services\, improving efficiency with 150+ convenient self-service stations\, while strengthening election security and access. In the face of threats to both herself and her colleagues\, she oversaw two of the highest-turnout\, transparent elections in state history. Benson is running for governor to expand efficient\, accessible public services\, lower costs for working families\, and invest in education\, housing\, child care\, health care\, and economic development for all.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/securing-the-states/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
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