Dear Friends,
Who is ready to help flip Chesterfield blue? Please take a moment to read my Blue Virginia article, join the Friday Power Lunch, where we reflect on the power that comes from working together, and join us in Chesterfield this weekend!
In order to be as effective as possible in pooling volunteers and resources, Grassroots groups are working with Power Packs, collaborative efforts by candidates running for state and local offices in neighboring communities. We believe this is the way back to the majority.
Please familiarize yourself with the Virginia Grassroots website, where you will find Upcoming Campaign Events – Locations of PowerPacks – Candidate info. This is an amazing tool we have to work together for the win!
ALL IN,
Stair
PS: Order Vote Early car magnets, yardsigns and more here.
Working Together to WIN the Majority
September 8, 2023, 12 NOON ET
Coastal Virginia is key this election. And yet, candidates in districts that aren’t swing or leaning Democratic are lacking resources and support. We will hear from Victoria Luevanos (SD20), Cat Porterfield (HD99) and Charlena Jones (HD100) who have joined forces to be their own support system in these red leaning coastal areas.
One of the districts to watch this election is Chesterfield County, south of Richmond. We will hear from three members of the Chesterfield Power Pack — Natan McKenzie (SD12), Bilal Raychouni (HD 72), and Traci Franssen (School Board) — on how they are collaborating to build a blue wave in Chesterfield.
Penny Blue, Lara Bury & Andrea Monasterio, the Virginia team of Red, Wine & Blue, will share their signature style of troublemaking to connect and organize suburban women throughout the Commonwealth.
Early voting starts on September 22; we will share our actions to GOTV the Early Vote.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Virtual Phone Bank for Feggans
Team Feggans needs all of the help we can get reaching out to our voters! Join us every Tuesday night for Volunteer Recruitment and Direct Voter Contact calls! Full script and training will be provided on Zoom.
Weekly Phonebanks with Team Rouse
Join Team Rouse to call our neighbors across Virginia Beach about the election this November!
Tuesday, September 12th, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Thank YOU Arlington Reception for Delegate Rip Sullivan
Join Sharon Shutler, Rose Fabia, Susan Carter and Lynda Horvath to honor Rip Sullivan who must “leave” Arlington to run in the new 6th District. For 9 years, Rip has been an incredible progressive delegate – advocating for both Arlington and the entire Commonwealth on critical climate and clean energy issues, access to the ballot box, reducing gun violence, protecting LGBTQ rights, and expanding healthcare access. Rip would like to thank YOU Arlington! Whether Rip was your delegate or not, join this joyful event. Contributions for his continued advocacy, as he runs in the more conservative 6th District, are gladly accepted but not required.
Wednesday, Sept 13, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Weekly Rachel Runs for Us Virtual Event – Phone Bank, Meet and Greet Planning, Letter Writing and More Join us as we phone bank (and more) virtually “together” via Zoom.
Sunday, September 10th, 6:00pm
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Email Luisa with agenda items: luisaboyarski@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 13th, 6:30pm
Elections Working Group Meeting
Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279
Thursday, September 14, 7:00 – 8:15pm EDT
NOPE Meeting with Abigail Spanberger
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will explain Dems’ strategy for taking back control of the Virginia Assembly in 2023 and flipping the US House of Representatives in 2024. We’ll also hear from a state legislative candidate. Sign up now and invite a friend to join you!
IN-PERSON EVENTS
Friday, September 8, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Book and Basket Fundraiser featuring Jennifer McClellan to Support Chesterfield School Board Candidates
Chesterfield
Come hear about the importance of having public school advocates on the Chesterfield County School Board School Board!
Saturday, September 9th, 9am
Network NOVA’s Day of Canvassing with Natan Mckenzie, Herb Walke and Traci Franssen
8112 Hillcreek Dr Midlothian, VA 23112
Join Network NOVA for coffee and canvass to help flip Chesterfield blue.
We can Flip Chesterfield County and gain a Senate seat this year! We flipped Loudoun and Prince William in 2019 as well as both the House and the Senate; now is the time for Chesterfield! Please join me this weekend.
The top of Chesterfield’s Power Pack is Natan McKenzie running for Senate District 12.
This new Senate district covers western and southern Chesterfield County as well as the city of Colonial Heights. SD-12 overlaps all or part of House Districts: 72 – Bilal Raychouni, 73 – Herb Walke, 76 – Debra Gardner, 77- Michael Jones, and touches every magisterial district in Chesterfield County, making this an important race to get involved in!
Local candidates to support in Chesterfield include Antonia Saunders, Dot Heffron*, Dominique Chatters, Traci Franssen, and Lauranett Lee for School Board; Lindsey Dougherty, Jessica Schneider, James Holland, and Mark Miller for Board of Supervisors; Erin Barr for Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amanda Pohl for Clerk of Court, Jenefer Hughes* for Commissioner of Revenue, Laura Lee Thompson* for Soil & Water Director. (*=incumbent)
Many of these candidates have pulled together to form a collective called BlueUnited PAC and are collaborating with a shared field director to effectively outreach to voters across the county, spreading the message that when we work together, and we vote, we win!
Saturday, September 9, 12:00 – 2:00pm
Rally and Canvass with Senator Tim Kaine to support Power Pack SD 16
Private Home in Henrico
Join the Canvass for Schuyler VanValkenburg, Susanna Gibson, Rodney Willett, Rachel Levy, and Destiny Bolling and reach out to our neighbors to let them know about the importance of this election. Training and materials provided.
Saturday, September 9, 4:00 – 6:00pm
2nd Annual Defend Democracy BBQ
Nottoway Park Picnic Area, 9601 Courthouse Rd, Vienna
Join the Fairfax Democrats for an end of Summer BBQ and celebrate our democracy! Food, drinks, conversations, and more for the whole family
Saturday, September 9, 7:30PM – 9:30 PM
Mason District Summertime Spin for a November Win!!
Falls Church home of Holly Hazard & Rick Clayton
Please join the Mason Dems for light refreshments by the Lake. Bring your tapping or dancing shoes to enjoy the music of the ’70s and support our Mason election efforts this fall.
Sunday, September 10, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Fabulous Fundraiser for Lily Franklin
Join Network NOVA, Stair Calhoun, Barbara Selig and Ed Addiss for an event in support of Lily Franklin, Candidate for HD 41. This will be a stunning fundraiser at Barbara and Ed’s home on Lake Barcroft with special guests Delegate Marcus Simon and Adele McClure.
Lily Franklin is ready to be a legislator. She has spent the last 7 years fighting for the citizens of Southwest Virginia. She began as a staffer with Delegate Sam Rasoul and learned how to be a savvy outsider that can wrestle legislative victories to get work done. Lily developed a bill writing program that put local constituents in charge of the legislative process. She assisted in writing legislation that resulted in a grant program for local food and farming infrastructure being passed and championed legislation to establish maximum contaminant levels for the cancer-causing & deadly “forever” chemicals in drinking water.
Lily is ready. Lily Franklin wants to make the 41st District a place for folks to thrive in all stages of life. That includes students, working families, parents, and seniors. Read about her vision and meet her on the 10th!
SEPTEMBER FUNDRAISER WITH SENATOR GHAZALA HASHMI
Sunday Sept. 10th, 3-5pm
Senator Ghazala Hashmi lead the example for Chesterfield County in 2019 and her reelection in November is a must. Join Chesterfield’s favorite champion in the VA Senate for a lovely afternoon fudraiser in support of Jessica Schneider, Candidate for Board of Supervisor-Clover Hill District. We will also take some time to honor the late Rep. Donald McEachin and hear about how he inspired Jessica to run for public office.
Thursday, September 14th, 7:30pm
Delegate Shin’s “Build Your Own Bill” Policy Workshop in Herndon (FLYER)
Join Delegate Shin for an interactive workshop where you get to dive into the legislative process. Passionate about bike lanes? Great! Come equipped with an idea for a new bike lane policy and we will explain step-by-step the legislative process where a policy goes from being an idea in your head, to an actual piece of legislation and then on to Virginia Law! This will be the first meeting of a two workshop series during which you will start with a policy, receive back an officially drafted piece of legislation, work to identify stakeholders for that bill, shop it to potential patrons and advocate for it during the 2024 General Assembly session. Snacks will be provided!
Saturday, September 16th, 12:00pm
Carpenters Local 205 Canvass for Rachel Levy for Delegate
10238 Sycamore Drive, Ashland VA 23005.
Rachel Levy and the Rachel Levy for Delegate campaign are proud to support working people and equally proud to be endorsed by organizations like the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. Please join members of Carpenters Local 205 and other volunteers as we Get Out the Early Vote for Rachel!
Saturday, September 23rd
WofA Day of Action – Canvass for Josh Cole/Joel Griffin – Drivers & Canvassers Needed! Calling all WofAs & Friends! WofA will be teaming up with Swing Left National and local University Students, to canvass for our amazing HD 65 Candidate Josh Cole. This is a must win seat and we need boots on the ground! As many of our young canvassers do not have transportation, they will need rides to/from the canvass site. Pick up/Drop Off will be at Virginia Square Metro in Arlington (Orange Line).
Sign Up to Canvass Here – Sign Up to Drive Here – Questions: Please contact Kathleen Murray kamwjm@gmail.com or Rose Fabia rpfabia@gmail.com
Saturday, September 23rd
WofA Day of Action – Canvass for Josh Cole/Joel Griffin – Drivers & Canvassers Needed! Calling all WofAs & Friends! WofA will be teaming up with Swing Left National and local University Students, to canvass for our amazing HD 65 Candidate Josh Cole. This is a must win seat and we need boots on the ground! As many of our young canvassers do not have transportation, they will need rides to/from the canvass site. Pick up/Drop Off will be at Virginia Square Metro in Arlington (Orange Line).
Sign Up to Canvass Here – Sign Up to Drive Here – Questions: Please contact Kathleen Murray kamwjm@gmail.com or Rose Fabia rpfabia@gmail.com
Early Voting Happy Hours – September 22
- Fairfax (4pm) “We VOTED Early Happy Hour” at the Fairfax County Government Center.
- Front Royal (5-7 pm) “Party at PaveMint Smokin Taphouse” For more info
- Loudoun (4pm) “I VOTED Early Happy Hour” Come join us to early vote at the Loudoun Board of Elections Office, Leesburg (750 Miller Dr SE Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175) at 4:00pm and then head over to a restaurant in Leesburg.
- Virginia Beach (6-8pm) “Come on Barbie Let’s Go Party – you just voted early!” Celebrate with COVA Coalition in Virginia Beach”
Saturday, September 23, 9:45am – 3:00pm
WofA Day of Action – Canvass for Josh Cole with Swing Left
Join WofA and Friends on our Day of Action as we canvass for Joshua Cole and help area university students get to Fredericksburg to canvass for our amazing HD 65 Candidate Joshua Cole!
Saturday, September 30th, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Raise Your Hand: A Public Education Forum
Chesterfield Technical Center, 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
Join to learn more about:
- Anti LGBTQ+ and DEI Rhetoric, Legislation and Student/Staff Mental Health
- Safety, Gun Violence, and Student/Staff Mental Health
- Censorship, Book Banning, and the Effect on Student Learning
- Corporate Career and Technical Education
- Charter Schools, Lab Schools, Educational Vouchers, Tax Credits, and Critical Education Funding
- Misinformation, Astroturfing, and Dark Money
Saturday, September 30th, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Raise Your Hand: A Public Education Forum
Chesterfield Technical Center, 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
Join to learn more about:
- Anti LGBTQ+ and DEI Rhetoric, Legislation and Student/Staff Mental Health
- Safety, Gun Violence, and Student/Staff Mental Health
- Censorship, Book Banning, and the Effect on Student Learning
- Corporate Career and Technical Education
- Charter Schools, Lab Schools, Educational Vouchers, Tax Credits, and Critical Education Funding
- Misinformation, Astroturfing, and Dark Money
Be a BADASS, Share Your Power and Forward this Email to a Friend!
Join us!
Stair Calhoun
Ambassador of Buzz: Friday Power Lunch
Youtube: Network NOVA
Instagram: Network_NOVA
Facebook: Network NOVA
Network NOVA has been instrumental in transforming Virginia politics since 2017, primarily through the organization and hosting of our annual Women’s Summit. As a grassroots organizational hub, Network NOVA has expanded its reach beyond the Summit by providing additional platforms for political engagement. This includes a weekly video podcast, Friday Power Lunch, and a weekly BADASS Briefing email, which delivers political actions and news to subscribers.
