Meet Francis
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I'm a resident of Weems in Lancaster County, Virginia, a former political activist, and passionate about health care, human rights, job creation, the environment, and education.
I'm running for Virginia's House of Delegates in the 99th District because I want to fight to keep our waterways and land a source of livelihood for our children's future and for our economy. |
Showing Up For You
Recent Volunteer Training
We recently conducted two volunteer training sessions in Westmoreland County—one in Montross and the second in Colonial Beach at the monthly Democratic Committee Meeting. These folks are fired up and ready to work hard for victory in November!
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Francis Endorsed by the AFL-CIO
I am honored to announce that this past week I received an official letter of endorsement from the AFL-CIO!
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Signs Are Going Up in the 99th!
Teams throughout the 99th have been busy putting up large signs, and we are grateful for their hard work. Smaller signs are also being distributed, and because it is the Northern Neck, sometimes that means delivery by boat! Now is the time for all those smaller signs to “bloom!”
Canvassing in the 99th
Going forward, you will be hearing more about the ongoing canvassing throughout the 99th. Today I want to share with you the incredible experiences I have had going door to door with Denzel and Avery. These two young men are enthusiastic and hard working. They excel at academics and athletics and just as importantly care about making the community a better place to live for all of us. Did I mention that neither of them is old enough to vote?
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Time spent with them is a constant reminder of why I decided to run. Seeing voters’ faces light up as they engage in conversation with these young men reminds me it is so important to make our rural community an attractive place for our young voters to stay and raise their families. It is critical that we fight in Richmond for the investment to build the infrastructure necessary for our economy to thrive.
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Francis Edwards Condemns Hate Crimes and the Elected Officials
Who Support Them
Weems, VA – In response to the actions of the white supremacist group in Charlottesville, VA on August 12th, Edwards said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families of yesterday’s violence in Charlottesville. There is absolutely no place in public office for anyone associated with and who will not disavow the White Nationalists, the KKK, or any group that perpetrates hate and bigotry.” Francis Edwards is the Democratic candidate for Delegate in Virginia’s 99th district and faces incumbent Margaret Ransone in the November 7, 2017 election.
Be a Sign Supporter!
A member of the King George Huddle helps out with a 4'x8' sign
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The yard signs you asked for have arrived! We need your support by displaying a yard sign (please contact your local Democratic Committee, Huddle, or Indivisible group or send an email to me). There are plenty for all, a veritable forest!
We would also appreciate your support financially. Each yard sign costs $2.35 and you can choose your level of support to help cover the cost: 10 signs: $23.50 20 signs: $47.00 30 signs: $70.50 40 signs: $94.00 We also have jumbo-sized, 4’ by 8’ signs (shown in the photo)! 1 sign: $60.00 2 signs: $120.00 |
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Vicki and Gus
In the early days of the campaign these two came forward and asked, “What can we do help?” The campaign needed seed money to mount a primary race and they agreed to host our first fundraiser. This successful event played a key role in the victory on Tuesday.
Now I am asking you to join them in helping us with the financial resources that will be needed to mount a vigorous campaign against an incumbent who has been unchallenged in the last two elections.
As I have been with my personal finances, I promise to be a good steward with the money you entrust to me.
By planning ahead, I will be able to make value added purchases of material and supplies. I also know that it is always good to plan for the unexpected, to be ready to jump on an opportunity that will give us an edge in November. Planning for the expected and the unexpected is a skill that has served me well in both my business career and personal life. I will bring that skill to running a winning campaign.
Now is the time to start the ball rolling with the printing of election materials which include handouts, brochures, and yard signs for the November election. These are key and critical elements that can lead to a change on election day.
Remember: We can win! Only 3.3 out of 10 people voted for the incumbent. Today 6 out of 10 want a change in representation.
So now I am asking you to help me with the money needed to secure that victory. Every dollar counts, and we are grateful for every donation, no matter the amount. Make a contribution, make a difference.
Or, if you prefer, mail a check made out to “Edwards for Delegate” and send to P.O. Box 67, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Interested in hosting a fund raiser? Our campaign staff will be happy to help you plan an event—send us an email for more information. Fund raising events are a great opportunity to meet supporters as well as raise funds.
Now I am asking you to join them in helping us with the financial resources that will be needed to mount a vigorous campaign against an incumbent who has been unchallenged in the last two elections.
As I have been with my personal finances, I promise to be a good steward with the money you entrust to me.
By planning ahead, I will be able to make value added purchases of material and supplies. I also know that it is always good to plan for the unexpected, to be ready to jump on an opportunity that will give us an edge in November. Planning for the expected and the unexpected is a skill that has served me well in both my business career and personal life. I will bring that skill to running a winning campaign.
Now is the time to start the ball rolling with the printing of election materials which include handouts, brochures, and yard signs for the November election. These are key and critical elements that can lead to a change on election day.
Remember: We can win! Only 3.3 out of 10 people voted for the incumbent. Today 6 out of 10 want a change in representation.
So now I am asking you to help me with the money needed to secure that victory. Every dollar counts, and we are grateful for every donation, no matter the amount. Make a contribution, make a difference.
Or, if you prefer, mail a check made out to “Edwards for Delegate” and send to P.O. Box 67, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Interested in hosting a fund raiser? Our campaign staff will be happy to help you plan an event—send us an email for more information. Fund raising events are a great opportunity to meet supporters as well as raise funds.
THANK YOU To Our Volunteers
Today I want to take time to acknowledge the hard work and support from some folks who have worked tirelessly on my campaign, folks who have been on board from the very early days and helped us get to where we are now.
Meet Elizabeth and Larry
One look at a behind the scenes photo of the office “chaos” and they said, “we can help with that!’ And help they have! We call this team the Mailroom Coordinators. They organized, sorted, and made timed test runs to determine the resources needed to make a big primary voting mailing push. Based on their work we were able to organize teams such as the one pictured below to help get out the mailing. Thank you, Elizabeth and Larry, for juggling your schedule to get the job done and finding the hiccups to make sure the follow up staff had smooth sailing. Thank you too for not only getting the job done on time, but ahead of schedule. We are grateful for your hard work and thankful you signed up to volunteer for the Edwards for Delegate campaign! |
Meet Carol
We call Carol, “Can Do Carol” because when you ask for help her reply is “I can do that!” By training, her skills are communications and public relations, but she is also quick to fill in wherever needed, whether manning the welcome table at a fund raising event or stuffing envelopes. She also bakes legendary cookies, so work sessions are just a bit sweeter. Carol joined the volunteer team about one minute after the filing for office paperwork was submitted, and her support and encouraging words helped get the campaign up and running. Thank you, Carol, for your “can do” spirit and for volunteering for the Edwards for Delegate Campaign. |
Endorsements
AFL-CIO
I am honored to announce that I have received an endorsement from the AFL/CIO!
Diane Waltrip
Francis with Diane Waltrip
Diane Waltrip, long-time Democratic activist in Westmoreland County, is endorsing Francis Edwards for Delegate in the Northern Neck’s 99th District.
“For over twenty years I helped elect Democrats in the Northern Neck and served nearly ten years as County Chair among other positions,” stated Waltrip. “In addition to managing winning campaigns, I trained Democrats to manage their campaigns.”
Waltrip spent ten years working at the General Assembly as the Legislative Aide to members of the House. “I feel I have inside knowledge of what it takes to be a successful legislator,” she stated.
Waltrip met with both candidates individually for lengthy conversations regarding their campaigns. “While my politics are of like mind with each candidate, I am compelled to endorse Francis Edwards for the 99th House of Delegate Seat occupied by Margaret Ransone. “Edwards has a solid grasp of the legislative process. He has studied Ransone’s bills and is prepared to debate her,” Waltrip stated.
“His English upbringing makes him ever so polite and terminally reasonable. But fear not. As a marathon runner, he can focus and stay in the game. He has a campaign organization up and running and he has been traveling the 99th listening to voters,” stated Waltrip.
“For over twenty years I helped elect Democrats in the Northern Neck and served nearly ten years as County Chair among other positions,” stated Waltrip. “In addition to managing winning campaigns, I trained Democrats to manage their campaigns.”
Waltrip spent ten years working at the General Assembly as the Legislative Aide to members of the House. “I feel I have inside knowledge of what it takes to be a successful legislator,” she stated.
Waltrip met with both candidates individually for lengthy conversations regarding their campaigns. “While my politics are of like mind with each candidate, I am compelled to endorse Francis Edwards for the 99th House of Delegate Seat occupied by Margaret Ransone. “Edwards has a solid grasp of the legislative process. He has studied Ransone’s bills and is prepared to debate her,” Waltrip stated.
“His English upbringing makes him ever so polite and terminally reasonable. But fear not. As a marathon runner, he can focus and stay in the game. He has a campaign organization up and running and he has been traveling the 99th listening to voters,” stated Waltrip.
