VA Demo Memo: Summer Edition

Democratic Party of VA
6 min readAug 10, 2018

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Medicaid Expansion!

Chairwoman Swecker released the following statement after the vote:

“Thanks to the leadership and commitment of Governors Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe, the advocacy of Democratic elected officials and grassroots activists, and a historic Democratic victory in the 2017 election, Medicaid will be expanded in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These hardworking public servants and activists have now guaranteed that essential health care will be provided to hundreds of thousands of Virginians currently caught in the Medicaid coverage gap .

The roots of this victory can be traced back to the 2017 election of Governor Northam and 16 new Democrats to the legislature. Elections have consequences and we never gave up.

The expansion of Medicaid is a victory for ALL Virginians. Today our Commonwealth is safer, it is stronger, and it is healthier.”

Watch Senator Kaine’s Campaign’s First Ad: ‘Skills’

“This campaign is about building a Virginia that works for all, and that includes making sure our economy works for all. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to expand access to job training — so our future workforce can get good jobs, with good pay. Check out our campaign’s very first ad, and click here to join us today: http://timkaine.com/win

— Senator Kaine

Blue Commonwealth Gala

1,400 fired up Virginia Democrats! A beautiful new venue! Moving speeches from our Democratic leaders, and an inspiring keynote from Senator Cory Booker! The inaugural Blue Commonwealth Gala was a success beyond our wildest dreams…thanks to YOU!

Coming off this amazing event, we are more energized than ever to defeat the “vicious” hate of Corey Stewart and his Republican ticket this November. We WILL re-elect Virginia’s favorite son, Senator Tim Kaine. We WILL fire Barbara Comstock, Dave Brat, and Scott Taylor, and the other Corey Stewart/Donald Trump Republicans that do not represent Virginia’s values. And we WILL lead the way in flipping the House of Representatives blue.

To view all the photos from the gala click here.

“Pat Jennings” Training brings potential local democratic candidates from across the Commonwealth

July 14, 2018, as part of its mission to train and promote leaders at all levels of government, the DPVA hosted the 2nd Annual “Pat Jennings Project” at George Mason University in Fairfax County.

For a second year in a row, the DPVA partnered with the National Democratic Training Committee in executing a day-long training.

“We were thrilled to welcome so many participants to this year’s Pat Jennings Project training for local candidates at George Mason University,” said Chairwoman Susan Swecker. “The Pat Jennings Project signifies our commitment to Democrats who seek to serve at the local level — from school boards, to town and city councils, to constitutional officers. By investing in candidates running in local races, we are investing in the future and well-being of our Party and our Commonwealth.”

One of the five sessions participants attended was a Voter Action Network (VAN) “Votebuilder” data training led by DPVA Data Director Brenner Tobe and Deputy Data Director Katie O’Grady. As the most widely used voter contact tool, Votebuilder is one of the most important services the DPVA offers.

“Saturday was a great opportunity to give an overview of program specifics and answer questions about gaining access to and daily use of Votebuilder,” said DPVA Data Director, Brenner Tobe.

Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker led a lunchtime panel on what it is like for local candidates to run for office.

The Pat Jennings Project is named for Virginia’s former Ninth District Congressman Pat Jennings, who emphasized the importance of electing Democrats “from the courthouse to the statehouse to the White House.”

Read the full release here.

Lieutenant Governor Fairfax to be first Chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association

Virginia is #4 top state for business!

Under the Democratic leadership of Governors Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe, not only has unemployment in Virginia dropped from 5.4% (January 2014) to 3.2% (June 2018), but now the Commonwealth is up to #4 in CNBC’s Top States for Business!

Read the article here.

Watch Elaine Luria’s Campaign Ad: Sea Change

2018 Steering Retreat

The 2018 Steering Retreat at the historic Moton Museum in Farmville was a huge success. Over the course of a day and a half in August, Steering members came together to organize on how to better elect Democrats and make an impact across the Commonwealth. Thank you to our Steering Committee members for your time and effort in making this retreat a huge success.

Northam off to impressive start as Governor (The Virginian-Pilot)

“Ralph Northam’s art of governing is evident in his style of persuasion,” Baliles says, “asking, studying and thinking before acting.”

“He has the strategic skills and a golden opportunity,” Baliles says, “to improve the quality of life for all Virginians.”

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Endorsement: Jennifer Wexton and Abigail Spanberger

HRC announced its endorsement of Jennifer Wexton for U.S. Congress. Wexton, a Democrat Virginia state senator and attorney, is vying to replace Republican U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock to represent the people of Northern Virginia’s 10th District — a race Politico identified as one of the top 10 House races to watch in 2018.

Watch Abigail Spanberger’s Campaign Video: Values

UPCOMING EVENTS

To get your event added to the DPVA website and the newsletter, email digital@vademocrats.org with event details.

8/7–8/11: Westmoreland County Democrats Booth at the Richmond County Fair

8/11: Lake of the Woods Unity Reception for Abigail Spanberger

8/11: Prince William Canvass with Vangie Williams

8/11: Fauquier Canvass for Vangie Williams

8/11: Fauquier Meet and Greet with Vangie Williams

8/11: Fauquier County Canvass for Leslie Cockburn

8/11: Community Unity Against Hate in Gainesville

8/11: Chesapeake Library Mobile McEachin

8/11: Hopewell Mobile McEachin

8/11: Floyd Canvass for Anthony Flaccavento

8/12: Burke Canvass for Tim Kaine and Jennifer Wexton

8/13–8/18: Rockingham County Fair

8/14: African American Women Community Conversation with Senator Kaine in Manassas

8/15: HD-08 Special Election: Call to Caucus to Nominate a Democratic Candidate for the 8th House of Delegates District

8/16: Chespeake Mobile McEachin

8/16: Prince George Mobile McEachin

8/16: Varina Mobile McEachin

8/18: City of Charlottesville Canvass for Leslie Cockburn

8/18: Westmoreland Democrats: Daisy’s Fundraiser for Vangie Williams

8/18: Latino Democrats, Northern VA Day of Action with Delegate Hala Ayala

8/19: Fundraiser for 6th District Democratic Candidate Jennifer Lewis at Rockbridge Vineyard

8/25: Latinos for Elaine Luria in Virginia Beach

8/25: Martinsville Town Hall with LG Fairfax and Anthony Flaccavento

8/26: $6 for the Sixth — Fundraiser for Jennifer Lewis by Bedford Dems

8/26: 9th Congressional Distict Democrats: Acres of Democrats Annual Gathering in Wytheville

8/28: Meadows of Dan Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento

8/30: Roanoke County Town Hall with Anthony Flaccavento

9/1: Canvass in Lessburg for Jennifer Wexton with Delegate Wendy Gooditis

9/1: LGBT Democrats & Westmoreland Democrats Cookout, Potluck, and Fundraiser for Vangie Williams

9/1: Moonshine @ Democrats at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in support of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee and Congressional Candidates Jennifer Lewis and Anthony Flaccavento

9/5: Postcard Party for Elaine Luria in McLean

9/15: Canvass in Leesburg for Jennifer Wexton with Delegate Wendy Gooditis

9/22: Latino Democrats Monthly Meeting with State Senate Democratic Leader Dick Saslaw in Falls Church

9/27: Postcard Party for Jennifer Wexton in McLean

9/27: 8th Congressional District’s 25th Annual Kennedy King Dinner

9/29: Westmoreland Democrats BLUE Crab Feast

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Democratic Party of VA

Official Medium account of the Democratic Party of Virginia.