WASHINGTON – As part of its full-court press in the Commonwealth, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is launching a new digital video series, “Let’s Flip Virginia,” to emphasize the stakes in this November’s General Assembly elections.
In the series, three House candidates, Shelly Simonds, Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy and Phil Hernandez, share the importance of just one vote and their plans to move Virginia forward in clear and personal terms.
Watch the new video series here
“If one more Democrat had voted, Republicans would not be in power in Virginia,” explains Simonds, a candidate in HD-94 in Newport News. “The blue wave wasn’t just about taking back one house. We’re still here, and we’re still fighting to take it all back, from statehouses to the White House.”
Simonds knows better than anyone that every single vote counts. In 2017, she and Republican incumbent David Yancey earned the same number of votes. The race – and the Republican majority in the House of Delegates – was then decided by a random draw.
“When we talk about making Virginia blue,” says Carroll Foy who fought for equal rights and better health care, “these are the common-sense measures we’re talking about. But the Republicans killed every single one with their two-seat majority. Their time is up.”
After winning her election in 2017, Carroll Foy went to fight for progress in Richmond, but Republicans used their narrow majority to stonewall legislation to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, increase the minimum wage and protect the LGBTQ community.
“Year after year, Republicans use their two-seat majority to stop efforts that would preserve our local economy and our way of life for future generations,” says Hernandez. “We need leaders who will meet this challenge.”
Sea levels are rising faster in Virginia than anywhere else on the east coast. As a native of Hampton Roads, Hernandez has seen the effects first hand, which is why he’s made climate change a centerpiece of his campaign for HD-100.
“Democrats across Virginia are making it clear they’ll take action in Richmond – and their message is gaining momentum across the Commonwealth,” said Jessica Post, executive director of the DLCC. “We are running a record number of candidates, we earned more voters in the primary and we outraised Republicans by millions of dollars. We’re going to keep up the momentum and flip the General Assembly blue this November.”
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