In 9 days Virginia has primary elections. We will select nominees for both major parties for offices from the governor all the way down to the city/county constitutional offices. I believe that one important thing to concentrate on is voter turnout. However, I am concerned that my Democratic sisters and brothers are going to repeat their tribal mistake from the 2016 Presidential election.
I have read, commented, and been commented on about my disagreement with the negative campaigning in a few instances. I’m not going to name anyone here. Other DK diarists have raked those folks over the coals, and I do not care to jump on either heap. What I want to point out is that Donald Trump is our President. I believe that he was elected as a direct result of Democrats not uniting together during and after the primary to ensure a GOP defeat. Voter turnout was also a direct result of Democratic tribalism.
Democrats need to look at the long run. We must elect a Democratic governor and turn enough seats in the Virginia House of Delegates to upset the super-majority Republicans have held for too many years. You see, Virginia is a bellwether for the 2018 Congressional elections. What happens here in Virginia will foretell our chances to upset Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. We cannot wait until 2018 to start turning the tide! We must lead the charge in 2017 in Virginia!
So I ask everyone reading this diary to put forth some effort and make a difference. Go knock some doors for a Democrat, even if you have a Democratic incumbent representing you now. A neighboring district may need your help. Make some phone calls from anywhere in the country. Or drop a few dollars in someone’s campaign account. No contribution is too small. It all adds up to help a Democrat win. Contributions can be accepted from all over the United States. And after the June 13th Primary Election go out and support the Democratic nominee, even if he or she is not your first choice. I am confident that they will be a better legislator than the Republican running against them in November.
Our goals for November include protecting our waterways and environment, ending partisan gerrymandering, expanding voter access, raising the minimum wage, paying teachers and first responders a fair wage, expanding Medicaid, ensuring medical access is not decreased, and improving out public transportation. These and more are issues all Democrats can get behind. Now I’m sure I left out issues that some folks are passionate about, but I did say that the goals include those issues. So how about it? Can we all get along enough to elect some Democrats?
Susan Hippen Democratic Nominee for Virginia Beach Treasurer
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