VA Demo Memo: Second Summer Update
Subscribe on our website to get these delivered directly to your inbox.
We hope everyone had a safe and happy Labor Day!
Check out what some of VA’s Democrats were up to on their “day off”
Watch Governor Northam’s Back-To-School Message
The Democratic Party of Virginia announced the launch of Mission First, an organizing program to mobilize veterans and military families in a number of competitive congressional districts across the commonwealth.
Mission First field organizers will use a mix of cutting-edge field organizing techniques with traditional relationship building to mobilize Virginia’s veterans and military families. Rather than treating military families as a political football, the project will elevate their voices and priorities and connect them with candidates who understand and champion their issues. Whether it is re-integration into civilian life, mission readiness, or access to quality healthcare, Mission First is driven by the conviction that Virginia’s veterans and military families deserve better.
Mission First will be chaired by Roger Dean “R.D.” Huffstetler, a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and will be directed by Asher Smith, an Air Force spouse.
Following an unsuccessful congressional campaign in VA-05, Huffstetler refused to sit this election cycle out, approaching the DPVA about collaborating on a project to elect candidates that are true champions of veterans and military families.
“Virginia is home to over 750,000 veterans and military families, and they have a lot at stake in this November’s election. This organizing program will allow us to engage directly with these brave Virginians as we work to elect representatives to Congress that reflect their values. The Democratic Party of Virginia could not be more excited to make sure our heroes’ voices are heard,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker.
“When my race for Congress came to an end in May, I knew that we still had more work to do,” said R.D. Huffstetler. “Just because you get knocked down doesn’t mean you stop moving forward. In the Marines, we were taught to always put the mission first. This is why I am so excited to partner with the Democratic Party of Virginia to help organize veterans and military families across the commonwealth. Our service members and their families deserve better representation in Washington, and I aim to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
Watch Senator Kaine’s Second Campaign Ad, ‘Research’
Ratings Changes across the Commonwealth boost Virginia Democrats!
CNN has moved the Elaine Luria-Scott Taylor VA-02 and the Abigail Spanberger-Dave Brat VA-07 races from Leans Republican to Toss Up!
Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight predicts super-tight races in Virginia’s 10th, 2nd, 7th, and 5th Congressional Districts!
Watch the DNC’s short video on the reforms passed at the summer meeting in Chicago.
The 58th Annual Acres of Democrats
Over 250 people turned out for the 58th annual Acres of Democrats in SWVA. People poured in as guest speakers US Senator Tim Kaine, Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, Attorney General Mark Herring, Sen. John Edwards, Del. Sam Rasoul, Del. Danica Roem, VA09 candidate Anthony Flaccavenot and HD08 candidate Carter Turner energized the room.
Endorsement Highlights
Watch Anthony Flaccavento’s (VA09) ‘Meet the Candidate’ Video
Social Security is vital to all Virginians and all Americans.
REPUBLICAN President Dwight David Eisenhower said of Social Security that, “Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.”
Watch Elaine Luria’s (VA02) new ad, ‘Fight for Virginia’
VA-06: Rep. Goodlatte’s Son Backs Democrat Jennifer Lewis for Father’s Seat
Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s son announced he had donated the maximum amount to the Democratic candidate running to succeed his father and urged others to do the same.
Governor Northam on building a Virginia economy for everyone
“As governor, my mission is to build economic opportunity for all Virginians, no matter who you are or where you live, and our administration has hit the ground running. We’ve worked across the aisle to pass a balanced state budget that expands healthcare access to working Virginians, and invests in core priorities such as education, workforce development, and public safety.”
Attorney General Mark Herring appeared on Morning Joe
“As Democratic Attorneys General we have a real opportunity, in fact I would say a responsibility, to serve as a check against a President and an administration that has shown an incredible capacity for pursuing really bad policy and doing it in ways that are oftentimes illegal. And that is all happening in the face of a Congress that has completely abdicated its accountability role. So it’s really fallen to us to make sure that the laws are followed, to make sure the Constitution is followed, and to protect the wellbeing of the residents of our states.” — Attorney General Mark Herring
Watch Abigail Spanberger’s (VA07)second campaign ad, ‘Commitment’
Upcoming Events
To get your event added to the DPVA website and the newsletter, email digital@vademocrats.org with event details.
9/5: Postcard Party for Elaine Luria in McLean
9/6: Witchduck Meet and Greet with Elaine Luria
9/6: Veterans Forum with Anthony Flaccavento
9/6: Post Card Writing for Anthony Flaccavento in Floyd
9/7: DPVA September Happy Hour
9/7: Midlothian Meet and Greet with Abigail Spanberger
9/8: Yorktown Meet and Greet with Elaine Luria
9/8: Arlington Dems Breakfast with Beyer, de Ferrnati, & Kanninen
9/8: Chesterfield Meet and Greet with Abigail Spanberger
9/8: Harrisonburg Student Volunteer Summit
9/8: Williamsburg Meet and Greet with Elaine Luria
9/9: Chinese American Community Roundtable with Elaine Luria
9/9: Thoroughgood Meet and Greet with Elaine Luria
9/10: Dungannon Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/10: Congressman Don Beyer’s Lunch at Rasika in Penn Quarter
9/11: UVA-Wise Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/11: Meadowview Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/12: New Economic Strategies Panel with Anthony Flaccavento
9/12: Riner Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/13: Fundraising Reception for Jennifer Lewis in Staunton
9/13: Chilhowie Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/15: Canvass in Leesburg for Jennifer Wexton with Delegate Wendy Gooditis
9/16: Mecklenburg Democratic Committee Family and Friends Fun Day at the Park
9/16: Wytheville Wave: A Progressive Rally
9/18: Jennifer Lewis for Congress Fundraiser in Midlothian
9/19: Millennial Round Table with Anthony Flaccavento
9/21: Congressman Don Beyer’s Breakfast at Charlie Palmer
9/22: Latino Democrats Monthly Meeting with State Senate Democratic Leader Dick Saslaw in Falls Church
9/23: Reception with Rep. Don Beyer in Alexandria
9/24: Reception with Rep. Don Beyer in Georgetown
9/24: Martinsville Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/25: Washington County Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/27: Postcard Party for Jennifer Wexton in McLean
9/27: 8th Congressional District’s 25th Annual Kennedy King Dinner
9/24: Roanoke County Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
9/29: Westmoreland Democrats BLUE Crab Feast
10/1: Urban Roanoke Democratic Caucus Fundraiser for Jennifer Lewis
10/1: Floyd Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento
10/13: Congressman Beyer’s 4th Annual Women’s Conference and Forum in Arlington
10/15: VA-07 Congressional Debate with Abigail Spanberger and Dave Brat in Culpepper
10/16: Arlington Candidate Meet and Greet with Congressman Beyer
10/18: Televised debate with Anthony Flaccavento and Morgan Griffith at the Bristol Hotel
