About Game Changers
Who We Are and What We Do
Game Changers is a deeply committed and results-oriented Giving Circle under the banner of The States Project, whose mission is to help place Democrats in state level legislative positions. We pool resources to support Democratic candidates who can win and affect the balance of power in state legislatures.
Why We Do It
We are committed to maximizing our contributions of time and money to build strong, Democratic leadership at the state level, where critical policy and laws are shaped! We seek game changing results to protect our threatened democracy. We believe all donations, whether large or small, can make a difference when used strategically. And we believe donors appreciate being part of a team effort with clear metrics and concrete results. So, under the umbrella of the powerful and effective The States Project, our Game Changers Giving Circle raises money to support Democrats in state-level congressional elections, unifying donors who also want to create positive change!
Our Success
Our work has fueled the success of three state legislative campaigns:
2022
In Arizona, our efforts helped candidates win three of four critical toss-up seats in the State Senate.
2023
In Virginia, we were part of a major successful effort that flipped the VA House of Delegates and defended the State Senate (in total, TSP raised $4.7 million for VA – more than double what any other national group raised). In the Virginia House, new state legislative candidates held two key seats – one by just 322 voters.
2024
Returning to Arizona, we kept the balance of power close in a state that saw the biggest swing toward Trump of any swing state. Despite strong national headwinds, our work helped keep the balance of power close.
Since 2022, we’ve raised over $150,000 to support Democratic state legislative candidates!
Our Next Steps
The 2025 Virginia State House of Delegates race will be a bellwether test for how Democrats stand up to the MAGA machine in the 2026 midterms. The potential is great…we have the chance to create the 16th Democratic trifecta to counter Trump's agenda and the MAGA assault on our democracy and set the stage for a powerful rebound.
Game Changers, created in 2022, are primed for our 4th campaign in Virginia in 2025. We invite you to join us!
We are committed and undeterred!
Leadership Circle
Diane Kessel Knight
Founder
A budding political activist, Diane was a VP of Training in the Hospitality Industry then enjoyed coaching and consulting to enhance team and leadership performance.
Debbie Cragin Broder
Enjoyed a distinguished career in arts management, having served as Director of Museum of Contemporary Arts-Jacksonville and Vice President of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Ginny Dean
Ginny ran the Communications Group of the national trade association where she was an executive for 25 years, specializing in public relations, written and oral communications.
Cindy Deutsch
Resident of Napa Valley for 36 years and retired from the wine industry. Passionate about our democracy.
Carol Goldman
Now happily retired, Carol practiced as a critical care nurse, an attorney and as the leader of a historic preservation community nonprofit.
Beth York
Beth was an attorney in private practice and served as a board member and active in several nonprofit organizations.