Received this e-mail today from Democracy for America:
Important elections at the state and local level are happening now -- this year -- that could determine critical, life-changing policies around health care, the economy, and racial and reproductive justice.
One of the most important of these 2017 state fights is in Virginia.
Virginia has long been a "purple" battleground state. When voters turn out, the state grows more progressive. But when voters stay home, as they did in 2009, Republicans take over key state legislative seats and push for some of the most reactionary anti-woman, anti-worker, anti-immigrant policies in the country.
In 2015, DFA members fought back. You helped elect bold champions like Rep. Jennifer Boysko, and as a result Republicans lost their veto-proof majority in the State House. Now, as support for Republicans collapses across the country and as the GOP reels from our successful defense of the Affordable Care Act, it's time to win big in Virginia -- right now, in 2017.
Will you help DFA members elect progressive candidates in the all-important swing state of Virginia this fall? Chip in $3 or more to help elect Justin Fairfax and other progressives in Virginia!
Here's the DFA strategy to flip Virginia from purple to blue: first, we need to elect a bold, dynamic progressive to the Lieutenant Governor's seat, an office that can break ties a narrowly split State Senate. Then, we need to hold our gains and take back lots of seats in the Republican-held House of Delegates, where 100 seats will be on the ballot this November.
That's why we're endorsing Justin Fairfax for Lieutenant Governor. Fairfax is a young, bold, dynamic leader with a proven track record of fighting effectively for Virginia's most vulnerable communities.
As the Assistant U.S. Attorney, he launched a groundbreaking initiative to end human trafficking, prioritized much-needed criminal justice reforms, and helped build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive bench in his work with the Virginia Coalition for Racial Diversity in the Justice System.
Justin Fairfax is running to make education affordable, to create good local jobs, and to protect civil rights and voting rights. Fairfax is a self-identified "proud feminist" and the former vice-chair of the metropolitan regional Planned Parenthood. He would become only the second African-American leader ever elected to statewide office in Virginia, and the first African-American leader in history to serve as the state's Lieutenant Governor.
We also have to defend progressives in the Virginia House of Delegates from Republican challenges. That's why we're endorsing a group of powerhouse Democratic delegates running for reelection, as our initial slate of legislative candidates:
- Lashrecse Aird, 63rd District
- Lamont Bagby, 74th District
- Jennifer Boysko, 86th District
- Jeff Bourne, 71st District
- Mark Levine, 45th District
- Delores McQuinn, 70th District
- Marcia Price 95th District
- Jeion Ward 92nd District
These leaders have proven that they're ready to fight for racial and economic justice in the legislature. They will continue to push back against attempts to gerrymander maps and curtail voting rights. And they will make sure that the Democratic Party itself isn't a good old boys club, but a growing, inclusive, party dedicated to all Virginians.
These progressives in the Virginia House of Delegates and Justin Fairfax will help lead the resistance at the ballot box this year. But they need DFA members to help. Will you chip in $3 or more to flip Virginia from purple to blue in 2017?
Thank you for stepping up for transformative progressives.
- Annie
Annie Weinberg, Electoral Director
Democracy for America
Click here to donate to DFA’s efforts.