While Virginia ranks #1 for business, it ranks dead last for worker’s rights. This is the result of GOP policies that stifle the working class while taking money from mega corporations. My Virginia State Senate Campaign was conceived on the principle of fighting for working families while rejecting mega corp donations. I believe in raising the living wage, raising teacher pay, strengthening unions, and expanding healthcare access.
Unfortunately, my GOP opponent disregards the abysmal state of working families in Virginia, and instead labels me an “extreme Democrat” because I fight for working families and refuse to take mega corporate funding. Unlike him, I rely on a grassroots campaign to fund our election, while he relies on mega corp funding. Recently, we were both interviewed in a Prince William Times article titled, “Rashid aims to flip Va Senate seat long held by GOP,” where I stated,
Democratic candidate Qasim Rashid says he has a shot at flipping the district by campaigning on the issues that matter most to constituents: affordable healthcare, raising teacher pay, helping working families and investing in infrastructure and public transportation.
“These are the issues that matter to the bulk of the 28th district,” Rashid said. “We feel extremely confident that when we talk about these important issues and show how we’re going to address them people will come out and support us.”
Republican constituents have responded to me about my comments and expressed their support. After all, who could take issue with fighting for working families? Apparently, my GOP opponent who objected:
I am disappointed that my opponent is attacking me for accepting contributions from businesses and groups that employ thousands of Virginians, but I am not surprised. Mr. Rashid is just one example of these new extreme Democrats running for office in Virginia, seemingly more interested in beating President Trump than the legislative district they are seeking to represent.
While I never mention the President, it is remarkable that my opponent finds my position of running a grassroots campaign funded by and serving people, not corporations, as an “extreme” view. As I’ve long said, whoever funds a candidate while he campaigns is whom the candidate will be responsible to once he is elected. The people of Virginia must decide if they want a senator who is accountable to corporations or a senator who is responsible to the public. My appeal remains to the people to support our campaign, while rejecting mega corp money. This is one reason why we have been endorsed by Clean Virginia.
Here’s the bottom line: It is not extreme to fight for worker’s rights—it is what a public servant is supposed to do. If you agree, and I hope you do, then I invite you to help us flip this seat that’s been a GOP stronghold for 45 years, and donate to our campaign. We cannot allow Virginia to remain dead last for worker’s rights. We need change and leadership who are responsible to the public, not to corporations. Are you in?
Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer and the Democratic nominee for Virginia Senate District 28. Follow him on Twitter @QasimRashid and support his grassroots campaign here.