Dear John, First, thank you for responding to my latest plea for funds to help Democratic Senate candidates win their races. All our candidates are now communicating with voters through mailers, television ads and digital platforms. I will continue to keep you updated.
Friday, September 22, is the first day of early voting in select locations. Click here to learn more.
Early voting, along with many other voting reforms, was made possible when the Democrats held a trifecta in Richmond. Enabling residents to participate in their democracy and respecting their vote is something that Democrats have always valued. It is something that we have always valued as Americans.
Let’s show that we are willing to make our union more perfect- by voting. The elections in Virginia are particularly important this year.
Governor Youngkin is auditioning for a spot on the national ticket and often courting the ideologically driven MAGA faction of the Republican party. If he succeeds in delivering a Republican controlled General Assembly, the pathway forward for President Biden and others will be considerably more challenging.
It is particularly troubling that Governor Youngkin wishes to ignore and obfuscate the views of a majority of Virginians on many important issues. For example, the Republican candidates running for the House of Delegates and State Senate are advocating for a 15-week abortion ban but Governor Youngkin will implement a total ban if the chambers are controlled by Republicans. He has said as much. The 15-week ban is just a strategy to trick voters. Don’t be tricked. Vote Democratic if you care about abortion rights.
The Democrats have always fought to improve the economic well-being of Virginians and to open more doors of opportunity. We eliminated the state tax on groceries and just recently invested $1B in public education. The Democratic majority in the Senate is on track to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour and to increase student financial aid at our institutions of higher learning.
The Democratic majority established and funded a Housing Trust Fund to help create more affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth. It is particularly worth noting that the Democratic trifecta passed gun safety laws that have made us safer. According to Everytown, Virginia has the 14th strongest gun safety laws in the country. When the Republicans controlled the General Assembly, we could not even get a hearing on some of these gun safety bills.
Policies passed by Democrats make a difference in people’s lives and strengthen our communities. Our local candidates are working to implement smart growth policies, create parks, improve public schools and involve residents in the governing process.
Although my new senate district is entirely contained within Arlington County, I have also represented parts of Fairfax and Loudoun for the past 12 years. I am familiar with the local candidates running for office in each of these jurisdictions. Individually, and as a group, they have worked to make Northern Virginia one of the most desirable regions to live in the entire country. Please check out their websites.
Arlington Candidates Fairfax Candidates Loudoun Candidates It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Richmond.
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