STATE & LOCAL NOTEWORTHY ITEMS

Anyone who wants to run for a state-wide office in Virginia must submit a petition signed by at least 2,000 citizens to become an official candidate. This year, due to the pandemic, these petitions can be handled online. 

Thanks to VA Young Democrats, we now have a central location for
"signing" petitions for all statewide candidates.

Dr. Cameron Webb Named a White House Advisor

Dr. Cameron Webb, who came very close to winning the November election to become our U.S. Congressman, was named to serve as the Senior Policy Advisor on President Biden's Covid-19 Response Team to help develop an effective strategy to equitably administer the coronavirus vaccine. Congratulations, Cameron! We know you'll be a great addition to the team.

The Biden Administration is working to fix the 2020 Census that the Trump Administration deliberately messed up so it would favor Republicans during redistricting, which is based on data from this census. Our sources say that the census will not be completed until as late as July, which means redistricting will not take place in time for Virginia’s upcoming elections. Too bad, but better to get it right! 

On Tuesday, February 9, CVS Pharmacy opened registration for individuals in our health district (Blue Ridge Health District formerly Thomas Jefferson Health District) ages 65 and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at local CVS Pharmacies.  Go Here to attempt scheduling an appointment participating CVS stores.

All these appointments are handled directly through CVS

First-come, first-served

BRHD is not involved in CVS scheduling.

If you are 65 or older AND have already registered with the Blue Ridge Health District, you can also try scheduling an appointment through CVS. Limited appointments may fill quickly. You are advised to keep trying because new appointments will be added every day.

Go here for all other information about Covid-19 in our health district and to sign up for a vaccination if you are 65 and older and have not yet done so.

ELECTIONS 2021  and  2022!

If you're interested in poking around for some preliminary information, here is a good place to start....

Click here for ELECTIONS 2021

Click here for ELECTIONS 2022

We need Folks to Stand Up for Democracy and Run in the following Elections...General Election will be November 2, 2021

Greene County Board of Supervisors: The terms of two of the five members’ seats end on December 31, 2021. After winning twice (2013 & 2017), Bill Martin (Stanardsville District), an Independent who votes with intelligence and non-partisan intent, will not be running again. It is crucial that his seat be filled with a level-headed, intelligent person who can help steer our county away from the right-wing agendas on important issues such as schools, reservoir, rezoning, budget, sheriff’s office, 2nd amendment, and much more! Also, Marie C. Durrer’s first term ends (Midway District) this year. She has not said if she will run again. She has been a reasonable moderate on the board.

Greene County Democrats Executive Committee: At the end of this calendar year, the terms of all the officers (chair, co-vice-chairs, secretary, and treasurer) expire. Most of the executive committee members would love for younger folks to take our places. Anyone who wants to take over the reins and run for any of these offices, please stand up now!

Greene County Democratic Committee Volunteers: We need all the help we can get to help with special initiatives, canvassing, contacting voters, voter registration, outreach to young folks, etc. Got any good ideas? Share them with us!

State Delegate for VA 58th District (includes Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna & Rockingham):

No Democrats have declared yet. We must unseat conservative Republican Rob Bell, who has been the delegate for our district since 2002. He serves on the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee, among others. Remember: this is the guy who sponsored legislation that a woman wanting to end a pregnancy must have a (unnecessary) vaginal-probe ultra-scan before the procedure. And he’s on the Health Committee! Bell supported the voter ID law, and is against felons having the vote. He is a fervent “2nd amendment” guy with an “A” score from the NRA. He supports home-schooling, tax credits for religious school attendance, traditional marriage only, etc.

         Bell previously ran unopposed until challenged in 2019 by Greene County’s own Elizabeth Alcorn and in 2017 by Kellen Squire. They each made inroads in this Republican-leaning district and the dynamics here continue to be discouraging for Democrats. But you never know! Will you consider running to represent our district in Richmond? The primary is in early June.

To discuss any of these offices, please contact: Mark Heinicke

They want to hear from YOU!

Whether you approve or disapprove of how your U.S. Senators and U.S. Congressman are voting, let them know what you think! They are elected to represent their constituents – that means YOU – and they care about their approval ratings.

Important Issues

Covid Relief Package: negotiations, proposals and details change day by day, while Americans are hurting. The vote in the Senate may be delayed by the impeachment trial. We advocate going BIG.

From D21:  H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, will be on the House floor for consideration the week of March 1st.  As of Feb.18th, there were 220 Democratic sponsors of the legislation, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Sarbanes. This means there are enough votes in the House to pass H.R. 1, as the House did in 2019.

The legislation would then go to the Senate where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Jeff Merkley and Amy Klobuchar are leading the effort to pass S. 1, the companion bill to H.R. 1.

H.R. 1 and S. 1 would provide federal candidates with a new way to finance their campaigns that frees them from the existing corrupting system that is dominated by influence-seeking, big money funders. Candidates would be able to fund their campaigns with small contributions and public matching funds and free themselves from being indebted and obligated to monied, special interests.

The legislation would also ensure access to the ballot for all eligible citizens who want to vote, and would establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions to redraw congressional districts following the 2020 Census.

Prompt enactment of this legislation is a must in light of what is now taking place in state legislatures around the country.
 

It’ s Easy! If you’ve never phoned an elected official before, give it a try. It’s easy. You'll speak to an intern who will listen and check off some boxes. Tell them you are a constituent. You may have to give your name and address. You don’t have to be erudite or even well-versed in the intricacies of policy issues. If you are supportive, let them know – positive feedback is always appreciated! If you don’t agree, let them know.

Emailing is easy, too. Go to the official’s contact page and fill out a form. Most Senators and Congresspeople screen contacts and you’ll only be able to message them if you are a constituent. (However, the majority and minority leaders in both Houses can be contacted this way.)

Here's the Contact Information

Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat)

Phone: (202) 224-4024

Click here to email Kaine.

Senator Mark Warner (Democrat)

(202) 224-2023

Click here to email Warner.

Congressman Bob Good (Republican)

(202) 225-4711

Click here to email Good.

And while you’re at it, let’s heart President Biden!

Biden’s approval rating is higher now than Trump’s ever was and it continues to climb!

Click here to email President Biden.