ellie kinnaird has been a senator in north carolina since 1997. years old and has been in the senate for more than 16 years. today she announced she is resigning her seat. "what led me to this decision are the actions taken by the republican majority in the legislature that has been a shocking reversal of the many progressive measures i and many others have worked so hard to enact. measures that over the years have made north carolina a model of moderate to progressive pro-business, but also pro-people public policy in the south. from the republicans' denial of health care security for our people, to provide a vibrant workforce, their tax cuts for wealthy and tax increases for the poor and middle class, efforts to deny people their right to vote, they've been pursuing a divisive and i think immoral agenda" she says. "i'm heartened, however, though, by the many grassroots efforts to fight and it is here that i want and need to put my energy and efforts. i'm working with others on a grassroots project to make sure everyone in the state has a proper

ellie kinnaird is instead resigning to fight, to work full time outside the system with the people who have been turning out for all of these protests all over the state. dovetailing with this now very interesting, very energized fight in north carolina is new news today from national democrats. that they plan a 50-state strategy. they plan to wage a 50-state sort of counteroffensive to try to advance voting rights everywhere in the country. it's not just a defense to what the republicans have been doing, but as an alternative to what the republicans have been doing. as an alternative to how aggressively republicans have been trying and succeeding in many states to roll voting rights way, way, way back. joining us now, michael sergeant, president of the group called american values first. a 50-state initiative to encourage efforts to make voting easier in every state. mr. sergeant, thank you very much for being with us tonight. >> thank you so much for inviting me, rachel. >> so seeing the "washington post" reporting on this today was the first i learned about it, and i don't totally u

. >> former state senator ellie kinnaird who resigned her seat today in order to take this fight outsidelegislature and throughout the state. senator kinnaird, thank you for helping us understand your decision tonight. good luck to you. i appreciate your time. >> thank you so much. >> thank you. >>> all right. there's been a lot of serious stuff on the show tonight. there's a lot of serious stuff going on in the world. that's how it works. but did you see the new dog? new dog. new white house dog. did you see? hold on. that's next. we've got pictures and everything. stay with us. and some superheroes need complete and balanced meals with 23 vitamins and minerals. purina dog chow. help keep him strong. dog chow strong. she loves a lot of it's what you love about her. but your erectile dysfunction - that could be a question of blood flow. cialis tadalafil for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or