Today's #12IdeasofChristmas! Teacher pay must be preserved and increased. Kentucky ranks 48th in starting teacher pay and 49th in support staff pay.

Y’ALL! I’m $16 away from hitting today’s fundraising goal. Who can help propel a progressive candidate into the race to win back Central Kentucky’s congressional seat? secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey

Kentucky is poised to become a hub for jobs across the supply chain. But it needs leaders who will push for direct investment from both domestic and international companies. That is today's #12IdeasofChristmas

What do you like best about Bluesky over the other social platforms?

Good morning, Kentucky! Yesterday was 72 degrees. Today is a windchill of -1. Don’t like the weather here? Just wait awhile. Stay warm, folks!

Have Americans Lost Our Empathy? I share reflections & suggestions on how we can regain our empathy & reconnect as people. In a time of stark division, finding ways to relate to each other with empathy & connect in person are the keys to moving forward together. open.substack.com/pub/erinpetr...?

Our current system was built by policies. Systems of the past were also built by policies. Systems of the future will be built by policies. Evolution and change in everything we do is inevitable and necessary. If we want to grow as a society, we have to embrace that change. Otherwise we atrophy.

3.2 magnitude earthquake reported today in Garrard Co. Kentucky Thankfully no injuries or damage reported. Take this as a moment to check on your emergency preparedness. www.ready.gov provides good info & checklists to ensure you and your family are prepared. Stay safe!

Today's #12IdeasofChristmas No family should have to choose between paying bills, seeing a doctor, or putting food on the table. Programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC are lifelines for millions in our community.

We need stronger workers’ rights at every level, starting from the top. Unions gave us minimum wages and 40 hour work weeks. Now we need more. I hear often that “unions are only for manual labor” which isn’t true. Labor evolves, workers protections should too.

In this time of gift-giving, we as a nation should give ourselves a gift - an end to medical bankruptcies. That is today's #12ideasofChristmas Let’s pass legislation that will prohibit medical bankruptcies from hurting credit scores.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas! During the holidays, I like to take time to reflect on what I’m grateful for. One of those is for those who protect America. But this administration treats our veterans with disdain. We are not giving them the support they deserve.

Welcome to the annual in between times. December 26-January 1 is a time of limbo. I use this time to get organized for the year ahead, but also to reflect. How do you use this time of year?

Here's the first #12IdeasofChristmas Let’s rewrite the tax code so that the billionaires pay their fair share - NO MORE LOOPHOLES for them. Spread the wealth so everyone can afford what is on their wish list this holiday season.

The Holiday Season is a time for giving and receiving gifts. But instead of the latest thing you can quickly “add to cart” or pick up on TikTok shop, let’s look to give each other a gift that can move us forward.

All I want for Christmas is to have my wages garnished to pay back the student loans I can’t afford to pay back in the first place because wages are too low. That’s the message the Trump administration sent to us before Christmas.

Imagine a political system where the most crucial election is decided by a small fraction of voters, and over 326K of your neighbors are locked out before the race even begins. Well, folks, that’s the system in Kentucky. open.substack.com/pub/erinpetr...?

What’s the worst part of running for office? Fundraising. Help me close 2025 strong with your contribution. Every little bit counts. I’m working to put fresh progressive ideas to work in Washington to push us forward, not hold us back. Donate today: secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey

Mass deportations don’t protect working people—they weaken labor standards, silence organizing and empower bad employers. An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social

The world can seem like a hopeless place right now, but the holidays should be a time of joy. Let’s spread a little joy by sharing photos of our loving, furry friends. Show me your pets! This is my goodest girl, Lila.

I got my Master’s at the height of the recession. With no jobs here, I took a leap of faith, moved to South Korea, and taught English in a public elementary school. My kids were poor. Most would end up running their family's dry cleaner or convenience store in our tiny neighborhood.

Please be on the lookout for your neighbors. You can call 211 for information as well.

Quick reminder to my fellow Americans: The White House Our National Parks The Kennedy Center The Rose Garden The U.S. Institute of Peace Mount Rushmore These belong to us, the American people. NOT the American President. They are not his properties. They are OURS.

I didn't wake up one day and decide to run for Congress. Nor have I meticulously planned this since 6th grade, ticking off a checklist that would make me more electable.

The Kennedy Center was built as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. It is akin to the Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, MLK Jr. Memorials. It’s not just a theatre but a monument to a great leader. It is not something to be rebranded in an act of narcissism.

Weee another scam by the man who brought you Trump University

My 3x Trump voting mother - who is now reformed: “Well I guess I’ll never get to the Kennedy Center. I’ll never set foot in there while it’s named after that criminal.”

One thing I learned in Kentucky is our value is not in our net worth but our net impact. That's why I’ve spent my life in service.

Kentucky! Want to get to know me as a candidate but can’t make any of my in-person events? Then join me THIS SUNDAY at 5pm for a virtual meet and greet. RSVP & get the link here: secure.actblue.com/donate/epdec21

I’ve spoken about candidates using GenAI to create crap content & sharing obvious slop. It’s misinformation, even disinformation. It’s the wrong use of AI. AI is a tool that can make things more efficient but creating crap content is not one. There’s no replacing real writers & journalists.

We know technology is changing fast and needs controls. That's why I went to work at Amazon: to make real change on how data centers are run. I pushed Amazon to be more transparent, and I succeeded. I’ll do the same when elected: push for transparency and accountability.

Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Mike Lawler Thank you to you for for putting your people and your constituents ahead of petty politics.

Way to go, Gary! And thanks to Kentucky’s 37th Senate district for electing a hard-working, dedicated, and all-around fantastic man. Gary will do a great job in Frankfort & always stand up for what’s right. As a proud union member, Gary understands the importance of supporting our workers.

Can’t wait to celebrate Gary Clemons win in Kentucky tonight! Another Democrat in Frankfort is a good start. 🗳️

Haven’t voted yet, Louisville? Get to the polls!

Yes because a swastika or a noose doesn’t imply imminent violence based on your race or religion or sexual orientation. Oh wait. Yes. Yes it does. People are struggling but Trump cares more about protecting white supremacists and far right nationalists.

I'm a proud graduate of our public schools and a proud UK Wildcat alum. I’m a success story of Kentucky public schools: I got the best education right here in the district. I’d be nowhere without them. We need leaders who are ready to give back, not get ahead.

Kentucky is who I am. I was born in Lexington and raised on a farm in Lawrenceburg. No matter where I’ve traveled - from DC to South Korea to Spain to Israel - my heart has always been right here. I'm running for Congress not to push partisan talking points, but to fight for us.

Louisville! Remember to VOTE tomorrow for Gary Clemons. 🗳️ Get pumped by attending the GOTV rally with the Louisville Democratic Party with special guest Governor Andy Beshear TONIGHT Monday, Dec 15, 2025. Use this link to sign up: mobilize.us/s/pUXPLH

Check out my latest Substack! From Versailles to Richmond to Frankfort to Lexington to Georgetown to Louisville - it was a great week and I can’t wait to tell you about it. open.substack.com/pub/erinpetr...

We must do better for our people & kids. I am fully behind common sense gun laws that reward responsible gun ownership. It shouldn’t be easier to buy a weapon than a car. Mental healthcare should be accessible & affordable. There’s so much we need to do to fix our system to ensure safety for all.

And good wages. And a minimum wage that keeps up with inflation.

As a Kentuckian, I am oddly proud to say: WAY TO GO INDIANA

Kentucky! I’m hosting a virtual meet & greet for 6th district voters. 💙 I know schedules are tough and I want to ensure I’m being as accessible as possible. Join me Sunday, December 21 at 5pm for my first virtual meet and greet. RSVP for Zoom link: secure.actblue.com/donate/epdec21

Oh look. Homeland secured Kristi Noem.

🗳️ Officially official! 🗳️ I’m proud to officially be on the ballot for Kentucky’s 6th congressional district as a progressive Democrat and youngest candidate in the May 2026 primary. I’m Erin Petrey and I’m fighting to make the American Dream the American Reality again. I hope you’ll join me.

Hey Rick Scott this is a waste of time; virtue signaling bullshit. Americans don’t want your rhetoric. They can’t eat gestures. Americans want to be able to afford to feed their families & pay their rent. Americans want a living wage. Americans want quality affordable healthcare.

Every. Seat. Matters.

Easy for a man who has never shopped for groceries to say affordability is a hoax. A man who built his empire on $ from his dad and by screwing over small businesses. Affordability is all that matters when people can’t afford the basics. Trump saying prices are coming down is the only hoax I see.

Reports about consumer habits from Black Friday are troubling. Over 90% of purchases were financed - and a huge amount used predatory “buy now pay later” loans. We have an affordability crisis that needs to be addressed now! If people need to finance their $20 Amazon order, you know we have an issue