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
Today is Juneteenth
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. While President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until two and a half years later that the news reached Galveston, Texas, making it the last place where slaves were emancipated.
With the arrival of this news in Texas, many former slaves left to reconnect with family in neighboring states. Celebrating June 19th, or Juneteenth, as it became known, was a way to pray for guidance for dealing with the new realities and challenges brought on by freedom and to gather with remaining family members. Over the years the traditions surrounding Juneteenth have changed, but it is still a time of gathering, praying, and sharing special foods which often includes barbecue.
After a period of time, economic and cultural forces caused a decline in Juneteenth activities, but the Civil Rights movement in the 20th century led to a resurgence in honoring this holiday. Activities honoring Juneteenth have been held in institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Henry Ford Museum. Today, 45 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday, ceremonial holiday, or day of observation. Juneteenth is now celebrated as a recognition of African American freedom and achievement while encouraging on-going personal development and respect for all cultures.
With the arrival of this news in Texas, many former slaves left to reconnect with family in neighboring states. Celebrating June 19th, or Juneteenth, as it became known, was a way to pray for guidance for dealing with the new realities and challenges brought on by freedom and to gather with remaining family members. Over the years the traditions surrounding Juneteenth have changed, but it is still a time of gathering, praying, and sharing special foods which often includes barbecue.
After a period of time, economic and cultural forces caused a decline in Juneteenth activities, but the Civil Rights movement in the 20th century led to a resurgence in honoring this holiday. Activities honoring Juneteenth have been held in institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Henry Ford Museum. Today, 45 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday, ceremonial holiday, or day of observation. Juneteenth is now celebrated as a recognition of African American freedom and achievement while encouraging on-going personal development and respect for all cultures.
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.
Francis Edwards Wins the 99th House District Democratic Primary /
June 13
Thanks to your votes and hard work, I am now honored and humbled to be your Democratic nominee for the House of Delegates in the 99th District! I am fired up and ready for the task ahead. In her last election, only 3.3 out of 10 people voted for the incumbent. Yes, you read that correctly only 3.3 out of 10! Today 6 out of 10 want a change in representation, and Tuesday’s turnout was a sure indication that the Northern Neck is ready for a new delegate in Richmond! I am confident that we have a campaign strategy that will bring us victory.
I will show up, stand up and work for you, but I can’t do it alone. I need your help and am asking for your volunteer efforts as we work for a win in November. Part of the reason for our success last night was due to Primary Day efforts by a number of volunteers working at the polls. In the days ahead we will be asking for your help in phone banking and going door to door in your neighborhood to help turn out the vote for a November victory.
Wondering if you can do this? We will organize training and materials just as we did for the folks who came out to work the polls today.
With gratitude to those who gave their time on June 13:
I will show up, stand up and work for you, but I can’t do it alone. I need your help and am asking for your volunteer efforts as we work for a win in November. Part of the reason for our success last night was due to Primary Day efforts by a number of volunteers working at the polls. In the days ahead we will be asking for your help in phone banking and going door to door in your neighborhood to help turn out the vote for a November victory.
Wondering if you can do this? We will organize training and materials just as we did for the folks who came out to work the polls today.
With gratitude to those who gave their time on June 13:
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Westmoreland County:
Hope Jackson, Pam Tolson, Daisy Douglas (phone banking and absentee ballot assistance), and Janice Jones-Miano. Lancaster County: Vicki Kinsel, Gus Shelton, Steen and Trudy Baerentz, Amy Sommers, Leah Parker, Stephanie Manley, Tonya Bohlke, Susan Johnson, Shaquille Townsend, and Cyrus Jett. |
Northumberland County:
Patricia Bell, Tina Williams, Frank Goyette, Tina Gordon, Wanda Hinkle, Jennie Evans, Charles Paige, LaShonda Robinson, Tamika Robinson, Patti Doyle, Gerald Howard, Rick Skelton, Queen Jordan, Denise Mazyck, Melayne Layne, Lynn Melton, David Cariens, Denzel Mitchell, Tanya Mitchell, Steve Harris, Judy Burgess, Syd Garriss, Keese Williams, Elizabeth Appel, Larry Fritsche, Carol Brown, Dick Saxer, Hal White, Frank Kober, Eve Jordan, Horace Walker, Marge Rowden, and Jim Long. |
Potomac River Festival / June 10
Campaigning is no day at the beach—well, unless you are in Colonial Beach for the annual Potomac River Festival. Saturday was a perfect beach day, with a great breeze and hot sun. Lots of people were out for a fun day, and it was a good opportunity to walk in the heart of town and along the boardwalk to interact with voters and sign up new volunteers.
The Westmoreland County Democratic Committee (WCDC) had a tent in the vendor area where we were able to support the committee while taking a break from the sun. The location was also great for viewing the midday parade, and what a parade! There were lots of fun floats and decorated golf carts, fire engines, music and dancers from other countries such as Bolivia. Caryn Self Sullivan (WCDC) organized the booth, which was also manned by the Committee Chairman, Inigo Walker Howlett. Caryn is a positive voice promoting her community and rightfully so. We look forward to the chance to return!
The Westmoreland County Democratic Committee (WCDC) had a tent in the vendor area where we were able to support the committee while taking a break from the sun. The location was also great for viewing the midday parade, and what a parade! There were lots of fun floats and decorated golf carts, fire engines, music and dancers from other countries such as Bolivia. Caryn Self Sullivan (WCDC) organized the booth, which was also manned by the Committee Chairman, Inigo Walker Howlett. Caryn is a positive voice promoting her community and rightfully so. We look forward to the chance to return!
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- Epictetus
Kilmarnock Town Hall Meeting / June
Not every community issue has a solution in the House of Delegates, but it is always worth listening. Listening provides insight into what a community values and what gives it concern. Last week, I attended a town hall style informational meeting in Kilmarnock about the changes at the local hospital. Whether it is a packed fire station in Westmoreland where the topic was fracking, or a middle school auditorium with 150 citizens concerned about healthcare access, I will show up for you.
Clean Up the Chesapeake Bay
On Saturday, the Edwards Campaign headed to Westmoreland State Park to participate in the Clean Up the Chesapeake Bay Day. We had the chance to meet and speak with a number of volunteers who were also picking up trash or coordinating the volunteer effort. They commented on the No Fracking Way shirt and were even more excited by the Edwards for Delegate on the back of the shirt! Picking up trash and picking up votes on a beautiful Virginia Saturday morning. Fortunately, there were not many large trash items on the beach and in the picnic area, but who knew how much bottles caps could weigh? The park is a great spot for families, and a number of families were there, with picnics and grills, enjoying the beach.
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Irvington Farmers' Market /
After signing out from our shift, it was back down Route 3 to Irvington and a stop at the Farmer’s Market. The Lancaster County Democratic Committee has a tent at the market near the gazebo. The market is always a good place to connect with friends, neighbors, and voters. We also learned about the good work being done by the local chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Organization. This corps of volunteers provides education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the community. So many folks are working to protect the beauty of the land and waterways we value here in the 99th District.
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Northumberland Indivisible / June 4
Sunday afternoon we joined the hard working Northumberland Indivisible group in a little “down time.” We connected with a number of campaign volunteers who are making GOTV calls and working the polls for the campaign on Primary Day, June 13. Thank you hugs are the best!
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
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.
