Dear friend,

On Tuesday night, our Commonwealth spoke loud and clear. This is a victory for everyone who believes in decency, access to affordable health care, and an economy that delivers for every Virginian. Virginians across the political spectrum stood up and made it clear they will reward honest and effective leadership that focuses on results and our shared Virginia values.

As I traveled Virginia over the last year, holding 56 events for 81 of our General Assembly candidates across the Commonwealth, it was apparent that Democrats’ focus on health care, education, and economic opportunity were a far greater mobilizing factor than the gridlock and divisive rhetoric coming out of Donald Trump’s Washington.

When I was elected Governor in 2001, the Commonwealth looked a lot different than it does today. In many ways, the Democratic Party of Virginia was in the wilderness, after years of one-party Republican control at the state and federal level.

Through the relentless efforts of so many men and women who stood up to serve, whether in elective office or as volunteers and staff, we have rebuilt this party and this Commonwealth. Leaders like Senator Kaine and Congressman Scott have been there every step of the way. Governors McAuliffe and Northam have led and continued advancing Virginia. And new leaders have stepped up to continue this fight – like our incredible freshmen Congresswomen Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger, and Jennifer Wexton, as well as our leadership in the General Assembly that over the last three years has built our strongest majority in a generation and the most diverse caucus in Virginia history.

Today we stand in a Virginia whose elected officials reflect our Commonwealth’s values and its rich diversity more than ever. Years of hard work have led to a Democratic majority and the chance to increase economic opportunity for all Virginians, to continue to expand access to quality affordable health care, and to enact commonsense gun reform that keeps our communities safe.

I want to thank every Virginian who has put in the hard work that made Tuesday night’s victory possible. But we also need to recognize that our work does not end on Election Day, that we have a responsibility to lead and get results, and that victory today does not guarantee the same results tomorrow. Together we have made incredible progress, but our work continues, and I’m planning to put in the hard work necessary to carry this progress into 2020 and the years to come.

Sincerely,
Mark Warner