By Hollywood Times Staffer
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/26/26 – Community, advocacy, and a touch of humor came together Sunday morning at Casa Milano, where The Hollywood Times’ Valerie Milano hosted an intimate and energized fundraising gathering in support of congressional candidate Julie Johnson.
The event drew a passionate group of supporters, advocates, and local leaders committed to advancing equality and representation. Among the speakers was longtime community advocate Andy Linsky, who set the tone for the morning with heartfelt remarks about civic engagement and the importance of supporting campaigns that reflect shared values.
“I appreciate what we’re doing here,” Linsky told the crowd. “Campaigns like this matter, and it takes all of us to make a difference.”
Linsky then introduced Milano, who welcomed guests with her signature warmth and humor. “Welcome to Casa Milano,” she said with a smile. “I promise the house is much cleaner when you’re invited, because you all matter.”
Milano emphasized the critical role grassroots events play in sustaining political campaigns. “It’s hard to do the work Julie is doing without days like this and people like you,” she noted. “Thank you sincerely for showing up and for your generosity.”
As a council member of the Human Rights Campaign Federal Club, Milano also highlighted the broader impact of national advocacy efforts. She spoke about the importance of the organization’s annual gatherings, where leaders from across the country convene to strategize, collaborate, and strengthen the movement for equality.
“These are the moments where real change begins,” Milano added. “From local communities like ours to national stages, it all connects.”
Johnson spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities created by the redistricting process. The newly configured district pulls from three previously represented areas, consolidating Democratic voters into what is now considered a “D+40” district, one of the bluest in the nation.
“This primary is the election,” Johnson emphasized, noting that while a Republican candidate is on the ballot, the real contest lies within the Democratic primary and subsequent runoff.
Despite early assumptions of a low-turnout race, the numbers told a different story. What was expected to draw roughly 30,000 voters surged to more than 70,000, an unprecedented turnout fueled in part by heightened political engagement and frustration among voters.
“Over 20,000 people voted for the first time ever,” Johnson shared. “That’s incredibly exciting for the future of Texas elections. People are paying attention, and they’re showing up.”
While Johnson outperformed expectations and demonstrated strong support among consistent Democratic voters, she acknowledged the impact of expanded turnout, particularly among voters drawn by name recognition of opponents with larger war chests and broader exposure.
Still, her campaign sees a clear path forward.
“We communicated directly with our base, and we won that vote decisively,” she said. “Now, it’s about building on that momentum and reaching the voters who are just now engaging in the process.”
With the race heading into a runoff, Johnson highlighted key advantages: strengthened local endorsements, increased name recognition, and a dramatically reduced fundraising gap.
“In the primary, there was nearly a $2 million difference. Now, it’s about $200,000. That’s a game changer,” she noted.
Beyond the numbers, Johnson framed the race as a pivotal moment for representation, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ communities.
“It would make a difference to have another woman in Congress,” she said. “Representation matters, and it matters now more than ever.”
She continued with a deeply personal reflection on what victories like this mean beyond the district lines:
“What do these elections mean, especially when you win in hard red states like Texas? It means the world. It provides hope to that young kid in Nacogdoches, or Tyler, or anywhere in a hard red state, that there is a pathway for them, that it can be done, that they’re not isolated. It’s not just California or New York. We can have a voice in these states too, and that’s really, really important.”
Her candidacy aligns with broader efforts by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality PAC to support leaders who champion equality and inclusion at the federal level.
As the gathering continued, Johnson made a direct and heartfelt appeal to supporters.
“There’s a lot at stake,” she said. “I’m doing my very best to run and win this, but I can’t do it by myself. I need your help.”
She acknowledged key institutional backing, noting that both Equality PAC and the Human Rights Campaign have been instrumental in supporting her campaign, but emphasized that the race is not yet fully funded.
With approximately $180,000 left to close the fundraising gap, supporters were encouraged to contribute what they could to ensure the campaign is fully resourced heading into the final stretch.
“Events like this make a real difference,” Johnson said. “Together, we can bring this home.”
The gathering underscored the power of community-driven support, particularly for candidates like Johnson, whose campaign centers on equality, representation, and forward-thinking leadership. Attendees mingled, contributed, and shared a collective sense of purpose, demonstrating that even a Sunday morning at home can become a meaningful catalyst for political change.
A heartfelt thank you to Valerie Milano for generously hosting in her Palm Springs home, and to Andy Linsky for co-hosting in support of Julie as a longtime equality champion and fellow advocate.
With momentum building and strong grassroots backing, the morning at Casa Milano served as both a celebration of community and a reminder that impactful campaigns are fueled not just by candidates, but by the people who believe in them.
