Back in December, I wrote my first article for DailyKos discussing how a progressive, rural Democrat can win an R+6 District like Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. Since then I have spent these last two months really getting to know the people of this district that I call home, visiting every region, hosting meet & greets and forums, and building a winning coalition to give Tom Garrett the boot in November.
An organized and well-funded Democrat can win this district against its vulnerable first-term incumbent, Tom Garrett. Right now our “representative” panders and legitimizes white supremacists, raises taxes on the middle class, and refuses to hold in-person town halls. Just last week he showed how dismissive and arrogant he is as he completely ignored one of his constituents’ pleas for affordable health insurance.
Virginia’s 5th Congressional District deserves a real representative with the local interests of their community at the heart of their platform. That’s why, with the help of the incredible friends I have gained throughout this campaign and through listening to the stories and ideas of those in this district, I have developed my “Roadmap for Rural America”. This is my comprehensive, growing plan to bring back jobs and opportunity to a district that’s been paid lip service by Republicans and Democrats alike.
I’ve included the opening letter to the Roadmap below. I hope you’ll check out the entire platform which includes issues on healthcare, infrastructure, education, the economy, and more. Then, sign up to get email and campaign updates. Get a FREE “One Term Tom” or “Garrett Must Go” bumper sticker. And if you believe in my campaign, a grassroots effort to unseat a disastrous Congressman who doesn’t represent the views of our district, consider making a donation.
I’m proud of the progress we’re making and the support I’ve received. Endorsements from some of the biggest movers and most influential members of this district, including Linda Perriello, Khizr Khan, and Wes Bellamy prove that coalition building is how we’ll win in November. But I’m humbled by your support, the ideas and tips from members of DailyKos, and the people of the 5th District. I hope you’ll stay in touch.
Andrew
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The Roadmap for Rural America
The fact that rural America is facing an opioid epidemic has become a fashionable talking point of politicians looking to appeal to the problems of everyday Americans. But some of us didn't just start thinking about the people dying in our communities after Democrats lost the White House in 2016.
The opioid crisis has been devastating, but it's only the most recent symptom of decades of economic decline in rural Virginia and across the country. Those who want to know why rural Virginians are suffering need to look no further than to the party that largely represents us these days. Over and over again, we have seen the Republican Party throw their constituents under the bus for the benefit of their biggest donors. They've claimed to understand rural values, but they've only made a mockery of them, betraying the very voters that put them into office at every opportunity. Tom Garrett is no exception.
However, more often than not, Democrats have offered little more than lip-service to rural communities, and they have let rural economies crumble over decades. Both parties are increasingly hooked on the same easy money. It is a sad reality: for decades, our politicians have let the biggest corporations focus on consolidating power rather than delivering for the American people. Ultimately, the result is that biggest players left in each sector of the economy are squeezing rural Americans and farmers of rural Virginia from every direction. National politicians have prioritized tax breaks for their donors while rural infrastructure lags and the health and wellbeing of hard working people all over the Commonwealth is neglected.
That stops now.
It's why I'm running for Congress. Politicians addicted to big money are in no position to address what ails rural Virginia.
I have a plan to put rural Virginians back in the driver's seat. But if we want a government and an economy that works for us, we're going to have to pry it out of the entrenched interests and their Representatives in Congress who are steering it now.
I'm Andrew Sneathern. I'm a rural Democrat running for Congress in Virginia's 5th district. And this is my Roadmap for a better Rural America.
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