John taking it to the streets.
On just about any day in Virginia’s 56th state House district, one can see its House delegate, John McGuire, keeping his lonely vigil along some roadway. John regularly parks his Trump trumpeting truck on the shoulder so he can stand with a sign advertising himself to passing drivers. It’s a little bit sad, really.
John at special Gun Violence Prevention session called by Gov. Northam. The GOP voted to end the session shortly after it started.
McGuire has got a voting record that’s even sadder. He’s voted against Medicaid Expansion and against gun control. He voted five times against ratifying the ERA after he co-patroned a bill in favor of ratifying it. He has since acknowledged to constituents that he hadn’t fully understood the bill he co-patroned.
John was for the ERA before he was against it.
McGuire’s record on all three issues and his flat-out support of Trump is why he may lose re-election. He is on the other side of the majority of Virginians of all political stripes on the three issues and, while he’s from a conservative district, Trump support is slipping even among conservatives. I met some not too long ago who were lamenting that they’d lost friendships over their allegiance to Trump. Hoisting the Trump flag may not be a winning tactic for McGuire (see articles HERE and HERE for more background).
Juanita Jo Matkins is taking on the far-right wing incumbent in Virginia’s HD-56
But have Democrats got a great candidate!
Educator Juanita Jo Matkins is challenging McGuire!
She is a first-generation college graduate (and in fact has a doctoral degree in Education from UVa).
She’s a member of the NAACP.
She’s from a farming family and has raised and trained horses.
She served as a public school teacher and a college professor.
She sings in her church’s gospel choir.
She’s a voting rights activist.
She’s a wife and mother.
Juanita Jo Matkins is one impressive woman. Maybe that’s why McGuire’s afraid to debate her!
AACK — a smart accomplished WOMAN person! Run away! Run away!
Juanita Jo at pride event
Listen to her challenge him to a debate - with crickets from him!
ON THE ISSUES
Juanita Jo supports:
- improving public schools by expanding career and technical training and raising teacher pay;
- affordable healthcare, including reproductive healthcare and mental healthcare;
- criminal justice reform, including legalization of marijuana, treatment for (rather than criminalization of) substance abuse, and raising the felony threshhold;
- equality for all: she is in favor of ratifying the ERA, fighting for racial justice, and against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
- investing in broadband infrastructure: a major issue for rural Virginians;
Juanita Jo founded her local chapter of the voting rights group Spread the Vote and has been endorsed by Kat Calvin, founder of the national organization.
- fighting for voting rights and an end to Virginia’s discriminatory photo ID laws;
- fighting climate change by making clean energy alternatives more affordable for Virginians and by expanding job training in wind and solar installation.
Unlike her opponent, Juanita Jo Matkins has vowed to refuse donations from large corporations.
That’s why she needs us.
On August 16th, VA 7th for Progress, a superPAC started in 2017, offered a matching contribution opportunity to benefit Juanita Jo. Daily Kos readers: you responded with your usual generosity. We went beyond our goal, but we are still collecting donations for Juanita Jo (we are so close to being able to give her a $1000 check!!).
If you’d like to contribute via the PAC, go HERE.
If you prefer to contribute directly to the campaign, that’s fine, too!
CONTRIBUTE directly to the campaign
WEBSITE (learn more!)
FACEBOOK
TWITTER (follow her and RT!)
