[ad_1]
Virginia Republicans are simply two seats away from passing an abortion ban.
That will appear laborious to imagine, given simply how blue the state has turn out to be during the last 20 years, however it’s the tough actuality. Due to a tough election in 2021, Democrats misplaced management of the governorship and the state Home—and if the state Senate had been up that yr too, Republicans would have already handed a ban by now. We all know that as a result of Gov. Glenn Youngkin has been pushing a ban ever because the Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade.
However as it’s, we’re clinging to only a 22-18 majority within the Senate, and this November, each seat in each chambers of the legislature will go earlier than voters. And the GOP solely must flip two districts to achieve whole management of Virginia’s authorities as a result of the state’s far-right lieutenant governor can break ties within the Senate.
However there’s excellent news, too: Now we have a slate of very robust candidates operating beneath the Democratic banner this fall, and we solely must flip three seats to take again the Home and drive a stake into the Republican dream of proscribing abortion rights in Virginia.
That is why Every day Kos is endorsing a incredible slate of Democrats for each the Home and Senate who will guarantee Virginia enjoys a vibrant progressive future. Are you able to donate $5 to every of those candidates at the moment?
Our roster contains superb individuals operating for the Senate like Danica Roem, who made historical past in 2018 when she grew to become the primary overtly transgender particular person in America to be seated in a state legislature, following her profitable election to the state Home. Schuyler VanValkenburg is a U.S. authorities instructor and union member who’s been a champion of Virginia’s public colleges whereas serving within the Home. Russet Perry is a former CIA officer and prosecutor who has secured justice for victims of kid abuse, elder abuse, and gun violence. Joel Griffin is a Marine Corps veteran who earned an award from the navy for his heroism on the Pentagon following the 9/11 assaults.
Our Home endorsees aren’t any much less achieved. Joshua Cole is a pastor and former delegate who’s making a comeback after dropping by lower than 700 votes in 2021; whereas within the Home, he led the profitable effort to rename the Jefferson Davis Freeway as Emancipation Freeway. Kimberly Pope Adams is a single mom and accountant who works for the state auditing waste, fraud, and abuse. Karen Jenkins is a psychological well being skilled and college board member who’s been an outspoken advocate for schooling and public security.
Josh Thomas joined the Marines after 9/11 and served in Afghanistan, then returned dwelling to turn out to be an legal professional, serving to individuals to launch their very own companies. Susanna Gibson is a public well being professional who has served her group as a nurse practitioner for the final 15 years. Michael Feggans is an Air Pressure veteran who based his personal small enterprise and have become a cybersecurity entrepreneur. Travis Nembhard is a lawyer who has investigated white-collar crime and supplies professional bono authorized providers to immigrants in want.
All of those Democrats will rise up for the correct factor, whether or not it is defending abortion rights, preventing local weather change, safeguarding the correct to vote, investing in our colleges, guaranteeing entry to reasonably priced healthcare, and far, far more. They usually’re all operating in districts we are able to win—with our assist.
However their Republican opponents are as terrible as you’d count on. To take simply a few examples, John Stirrup, who’s operating in opposition to Thomas in Northern Virginia’s twenty first District, has repeatedly expressed his whole opposition to abortion rights. “I’d help a one hundred pc ban,” he was recorded saying earlier this yr. In the meantime, Republican incumbent Karen Greenhalgh, whom Feggans is difficult within the 97th District in Virginia Seashore, has tried to go laws that will require necessary genital examinations for college students who take part in class sports activities.
If Republicans prevail, they will not simply cease with abortion. They’re going to proceed their struggle on trans children, they’re going to roll again environmental protections, they’re going to sabotage public colleges by pushing voucher packages, and so they’ll even be ready to assist Donald Trump steal Virginia’s electoral votes. What’s extra, Youngkin is itching to flip the Senate in an effort to enhance his personal presidential ambitions.
Republicans wish to win very badly; we’ve to need it extra. That is why we’ll must battle like hell this fall. You are able to do your half to fight GOP darkish cash with people-powered grassroots donations. The elections are developing very quickly, and these are a few of the most important races on the poll anyplace within the nation this yr, so there isn’t any time to waste.
Please donate $5 to every of those extraordinary Every day Kos-endorsed progressives who’re preventing to show Virginia blue once more!
[ad_2]
Source link
