When Democrats turn out to vote, Democrats win. We know this.
Tomorrow, Virginia SD-22 and Virginia HD-85 will go to the polls to vote.
Seriously, this election is where resistance to PEOTUS begins.
Building blue dominance in districts and statehouses, and electing Democratic governors is where resistance should be centered because it allows us to take back the U.S. Congress.
We have two really great candidates — a former teacher and a former sheriff. People who worked in areas where they encountered individuals and families at their best and at their worst and in between.
These two candidates are in touch with the pulse of their districts and have listened to its heartbeats. They know exactly what needs to happen on ground to bring help, growth, and change into our districts.
These are the kinds of people Democrats can run and are running, here in Virginia.
Two of our candidates are HD-85 candidate Cheryl Turpin and SD-22 candidate Ryant Washington.
Ryant Washington is running in SD-22, which is my district. I know for a fact that he would be an excellent state senator for this district.
Three candidates are running in Virginia’s special election for SD-22— Mark Peake (R), Joe Hines (Conservative, running as I), Ryant Washington (D).
Of the three candidates running in Virginia’s SD-22, Ryant Washington (D), there are differences. Big ones.
In a debate forum, organized by a local paper, these were the differences —
- Is the only candidate who thinks that school districts should have some decision making rights as to how they teach and how often they test.
- Is the only candidate who has spoken out against unfunded mandates on local county governments and schools.
- Is the only candidate who believes schools should be fully funded by the state.
- Is the only candidate who thinks that there should be investment in workforce development.
- Is the only candidate who thinks that there needs to be higher minimum wage baseline in the district than the current measly $7.25.
- Is the only candidate who believes that a woman should be the one to choose with regard to reproductive organs.
- Is the only candidate in this district who would stand against a new bathroom Bill that Republicans would like.
- Is the only candidate who has previously run for elected office, and has provided services to his rural constituents:
The Democratic nominee for Senate District 22 recalled his early days as a deputy in Fluvanna County, where he eventually would win four terms as sheriff.
“We didn’t have road names. We had rural routes, country road numbers and that was it. If people didn’t have a mailbox up, you were in trouble. You had to really know the community to know where people live,” said Washington, a Buckingham County native. “... If you take me to the country, I can get you anywhere. I can remember exactly where I need to turn and where I need to go.”LINK
- Is the only candidate who has been endorsed by Virginia conservationists.
- The only candidate who believes that redistricting any part of Virginia should be done by an independent commission and not a political party.
- Is a candidate who believes that the government should work towards furthering the interests of people in the district.
- Is the only candidate, while running as a party affiliate — Democratic party — is putting people first. In other words — He’s running as a Democrat!
- Is the only candidate who believes in building relationships with the people in the district. This is an important indicator that he will be open to changing his mind based on facts on ground instead of being governed by Party-First ideology:
“My office is wherever I can go, so it could be right here,” Washington said of the table near the front of Market at Main in Lynchburg. “... There’s a saying, you gotta meet people where they are sometimes. We’re meeting wherever you are, is where the office is for the day.” LINK.
Here is an interview on a local CBS affiliate.
Seriously, this special election is where resistance to Trump begins.
I’m certain that Mr. Ryant Washington will provide leadership for Democratic causes in the Virginia Senate.
Mr. Ryant Washington is a member of 90for90.Org, which was created in honor of Dr. William Ferguson Reid Sr. It is an organization which actively encourages voter participation by registering more voters.
And now for some photos.
Ryant Washington at campaign stops in Cumberland County and Buckingham County.
Some voting related election information —
Due to the recent snowfall, Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia’s Commissioner of the Department of Elections have extended the deadline for in-person absentee voting:
With Gov. Terry McAuliffe declaring a state of emergency Friday due to fast-approaching inclement weather, the Commissioner of the Department of Elections extended the Saturday in-person absentee voting deadline for the three legislative special elections occurring Tuesday in multiple localities across the commonwealth.
Snip.
The new deadline is Monday at 2 p.m. to ensure appropriate access for all eligible voters who may be unable to go to the polls Tuesday and unable to vote absentee in person Saturday due to the declared state of emergency. The deadline to return a mailed absentee ballot for the special election is Tuesday at 7 p.m. LINK
*Bolding, mine.
Please remember—
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The deadline to return a mailed absentee ballot for the special election is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Here’s some election information:
ELECTION INFO
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Special Elections for SD9, SD22, HD85 on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
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Voters will vote at their regular polling locations. Polls will open from 6 am – 7 pm.
Here is a map to give you an outline as to what Virginia’s SD-22 looks like.