Dear Friends,
It’s just over two weeks to the Primaries. If you are currently supporting or working with a campaign, now is the time to increase efforts to get out the vote. You know that old saying, When We Vote We Win. The Virginia Grassroots is supporting a few candidates, please join their efforts below, as well as watch a cool slide show at VirginiaGrassroots.org
I hope the Women’s Summit is on your calendar for July 22-23. To get you ready for the Summit, I am starting a new weekly Wednesday email about the event. I hope you read yesterday’s exciting news about the spotlight on Public Education and have your ticket in hand.
ALL IN,
Stair
PS: Watch last week’s Virginia Grassroots Update with Luisa Boyarski on the Friday Power Lunch.
CALLS TO ACTION
Support the Grassroots Candidates!
Support Saddam Salim: June 12th Samosas with Saddam (more info below). We are a very grassroots campaign – think David Vs Goliath. We rely on people power to essentially get the job done. Volunteer here. June 10th Canvass Launch. Early Voting Poll Greeting. Donate here. More info at: https://www.salimforsenate.com
Support Lashrecse Aird: Phonebanks on 6/6 and 6/13, Canvass on 6/17. Sign up at https://ssprogressiveaction.org/event-directory/ or with the campaign. More ways to get involved. Direct contact at the Aird campaign is Amber Sayles amber@lashrecseaird.com.
Support Stella Pekarsky: Sign up to Canvass on 6/10 at 1pm. Postcard and Phonebanking opportunities.
Support Louise Lucas: Sign up to Volunteer. Sign up to Poll Greet on 6/20. Direct contacts at the Lucas campaign are Will Smith: 757-419-0949, Jackson Miller: 804-543-3213
Support Jennifer Carroll Foy: Canvassing opportunities.
Phone Bank with National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) Virginia
The National Women’s Political Caucus hosts Phone Banks every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm ET and every Saturday from 1 to 3pm ET. Join us on Primary Election Day, June 20th from 11am to 3pm ET for a final GOTV phone bank! Join to support their endorsed candidates: Louise Lucas – SD18, Lashrecse Aird – SD13, Sally Hudson – SD11, Katie Gooch – SD14, Rae Cousins – HD79, Kimberly Pope-Adams – HD82
Virginia Candidates, Campaign Managers, Field and Finance Directors:
Rideshare2Vote will be working in Virginia primaries and general election. Read about their work here: https://rideshare2vote.com/
Check out the newly released VA Good Governance Scorecard. This scorecard puts candidates on the record so, if elected, we can hold them accountable on governance issues of concern to voters, whether it be access to the ballot box, amplifying our voices over those of deep-pocketed donors, ensuring ethical guardrails to govern legislative behavior. They need to hear from their future constituents. With your help, we can make this year’s election about candidates’ commitment to good governance and a government which works for all voters. Put in your address, find out who all the candidates are in your district and whether or not they have responded to the VA Good Governance Scorecard. This is an important issue, please check your candidate now!
Local Majority, who has been helping Virginia since 2017, is continuing to write papers for VA state legislators. If you know of a candidate or a subject that you know needs to be researched and written about, please contact: JoAnn Loulan, joannloulan@gmail.com Local Majority has written about 50 papers for VA over the years- check it out: localmajority.org.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Tuesday June 13, 6:00 PM – Texting Tuesdays with Black Voters Matters
Whether you texted with Black Voters Matter before or are new to texting, this event is for you! Texting Tuesdays is an opportunity to learn about our latest text campaigns while taking action by texting residents across the US about the power that they have to make a change in their community.
Saturday, June 17, 2:00pm Walk With Me and I’ll Walk With You
Join the Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia for its 18th Annual Juneteenth Commemoration with a special inspiring virtual program featuring history making Black Americans, Elected Officials, and Candidates! The moderator will be Former Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, Traci DeShazo
How Mis- and Dis- Information Targets People of Color
Join the League of Women Voters of Virginia’s discussion with distinguished speakers on how communities of color are targeted for mis- and dis- information – impacting voting, jobs, housing, health, and many other avenues of life. Speakers will include: Traci DeShazor, former Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Tameka D. Tunsil, M.Ed., LPC, ACS, CCTP – Division Manager, Fairfax County Government, Behavioral Health Outpatient Program, and Janel Jones Merritt, CFO, Digidoc.
Unlocking Moderate Women’s Subconscious Thoughts & Feelings
Have you wondered how anyone can be “undecided” in our current political climate? Then you won’t want to miss our upcoming virtual event! Jackie Payne will be joined by special guest Maya Bourdeau, CEO of FrameShift, to explore the surprising answer to this question and new insights into moderate women’s opinions and identities.
IN-PERSON EVENTS
Alexandria
Friday, June 16th, 5:00pm – 7:00pmOne Stop Shop to Flip the VA House and Improve Our Margin in the Senate! Please join U.S. Senator Mark Warner and the Alexandria Democrats as we support four exceptional candidates running for VA House and Senate seats in Prince William County. Michelle Madonaldo (HD-21), Josh Thomas (HD-22), and Travis Nembhard (HD- 23) are all running in winnable districts that overlap with (SD-38), home of our groundbreaking friend, Danica Roem. Your contribution will help ensure that the Dems reclaim the VA House and bring an incredibly effective new voice to the VA Senate. Click here to sign up for this important (and fun!) happy hour. Bring a few friends and stay for dinner in Old Town or Del Ray.
Annandale
Monday, June 12th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
When Democrats gained the majority, we had a chance to make progress on sensible gun safety reform. Unfortunately, Senator Chap Peterson (Saddam’s primary opponent) voted against the assault weapons ban, voted NO against taking guns away from domestic abusers, and sued former Governor Northam over masking at school – and get this – he is running to protect children from wearing masks for virus protection – but not from gun violence. So it is time for a change. Saddam Salim’s personal story is an American story: His father worked his way up from a dishwasher to the head chef at Haandi Indian restaurant. Food is a central part of his family’s life. And it just so happens that his mother has an AMAZING samosa recipe that we make together — and he will be cooking with his mom at my house for this fundraiser. So come over and nibble on some great food and drinks, meet Saddam and his mom – and work to elect him to the Senate. RSVP here
Fairfax
Saturday, June 17, 10:30am-12:00pm
Juneteenth event with NAACP Fairfax and NoVA Parks
Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
Come learn about the largest private emancipation of the enslaved, commemorate the cemetery where many of the freed are interred, visit the site where Blacks and Whites worshiped as early as 1775 and hear words
Woodbridge
Monday, June 19, 2023 | 6:30pm
Juneteenth in The New 19th – A CommUNITY Concert
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Woodbridge
In support of Makya Little for Delegate featuring El DeBarge
Be a BADASS, Share Your Power and Forward this Opportunity to a Friend!
