I’m running for Virginia State Senate in the 28th District to flip a long held red seat, blue. This week, my GOP Senate opponent sent an email claiming I'm funded by "out of state liberals."
I share the excerpt below:
This year I have a well funded opponent who is raising money from out of state liberals. Please consider contributing $50, $25, or even $10 to my campaign so we can send the Democrats a clear message that out-of-state liberals can't buy this state senate seat.
There’s only one problem with this email. Well, actually there are three major problems with this email that my GOP opponent hopes people don’t realize.
1) I have more Virginia based donors than he does. That's right, more Virginians have donated to our Rashid for VA senate campaign than have donated to his campaign. He knows this, but hopes people take his email at face value. Fortunately, I am confident our voters know better, and we will continue to share this truth.
2) My donors include liberals AND conservatives. I've even posted messages in the past by conservatives who voted for me in the primary, and who support me because they value our campaign's message of compassion, civility, and fairness for all. So it isn’t just liberals donating to our campaign, it is compassionate conservatives as well who are sick of the name-calling, cruelty, and injustice.
3) My GOP opponent is heavily funded by mega corporations, lobbyists, developers, and special interests. Our campaign is funded by people. In fact, many of his corporate donors are based not in Virginia. Moreover, so far, he has raised more money than I have. So if I am “well-funded” by People, what does that say about his larger war chest from Corporate and Special Interest funding? Voters must ask—who do you want your Senator to be accountable to? Corporations and Special Interests, or People?
I am running to uphold fairness and justice, and to fight for People. I am here to send a message that this campaign must be about people. It must be about the issues, facts, and fairness. We cannot and will not tolerate misdirection, fear mongering, and mega corporations buying our elections. We want a campaign by the people, of the people, and for the people.
We will continue to be funded by people and I hope you donate to us. That is how we will win—with the power of the People. Liberal or Conservative, if you value fairness and compassion, I hope you donate to us to uphold our people powered campaign: secure.actblue.com/...
We also welcome volunteers: https://goo.gl/forms/wRJNfVASz0qkAPqh1