Progressive House VA
Bernie Sanders inspired a new political consciousness across the nation, a civic focus on exercising our power as the masses in a decreasingly democratic republic. But given the reality of Democratic presidential politics, Sanders supporters find themselves at a critical crossroads: how, precisely, do we continue the political revolution?
This concern, compounded by the chaos and emotion that defined that whirlwind week in Philadelphia, consumed our Virginia Sanders Delegation at the National Convention. After heartfelt consideration and an evaluation of the electoral landscape, we believe we've found a path to progressive victory.
In 2015, 71 out of 100 Virginia House of Delegates seats were uncontested. Turnout was depressingly low. And as of now, Democrats hold 34 of those seats - just enough to sustain a veto from Governor McAuliffe.
Our mission is to cultivate and support 100 progressive candidates for all 100 races in 2017. We believe we can locate and empower citizens to step up and run for office. We know from experience that we can increase turnout and fundamentally alter the electoral calculus. Our analyses suggest that we can swiftly and definitively erode Republican power in the Virginia legislature.
We are Democrats. But we're still operating from the outside, activating a statewide grassroots network of citizens - many of whom have only recently become politically engaged. Our intention is to work synergistically with the Democratic Party apparatus. Our vision is a solidly progressive Virginia for decades to come.
100 Races. 100 Candidates.