Showing Up For You
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. |
Memorial Day / May 29 
On Monday I attended the formal and reverent Memorial Day service conducted by the Northern Neck Chapter of Military Officers Association of America at Historic Christ Church. The service is a 25 year tradition in our community. The Lancaster High School JROTC Presented and Posted the Colors and Retired the Colors after Taps. These young people ensure that the sacrifice of those who died for our freedom and democracy will not be forgotten.
|
Heathsville Strawberry Festival / May 27
The Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend is a tradition in Heathsville. The weather on Saturday was perfect for getting outside to speak with voters, browse the variety of crafts from vendors both local and from afar, and of course sample the star attraction, strawberries! Naturally, one serving of shortcake just isn’t enough, so we found it necessary to stop by the strawberry bulk sale table to pick up strawberries to go.
|
Caroline County Spring Into Action Event / May 26
Friday night I made a campaign stop in Caroline County at the Caroline County Democratic Committee (CCDC) Spring Into Action event. A part of Caroline County is in District 99, part is in District 54, and yet another part in District 55. Yes, the county has been gerrymandered into three districts for representation in the House of Delegates, making it difficult for the folks there to have their voices heard in a unified manner in Richmond. The splitting of the county into three districts is a prime example of the need to take party politics out of the redistricting maps that will be drawn based on the 2020 census.
Morgan Goodman, running in District 55, the campaign manager for Al Durante, who is running in District 54, and I were all there to speak with voters individually as well as addressing the entire committee. Also attending to support the evening were Josh Cole, running in District 28, and Vangie Williams, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District race in 2018.
Morgan Goodman, running in District 55, the campaign manager for Al Durante, who is running in District 54, and I were all there to speak with voters individually as well as addressing the entire committee. Also attending to support the evening were Josh Cole, running in District 28, and Vangie Williams, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District race in 2018.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Justin Fairfax, who is running for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the June 13 primary. Dr. Jay Brock presented valuable information about healthcare options and how to make healthcare affordable for all.
While it was a full agenda event, the CCDC made sure everyone was well fed. The kitchen staff worked hard to keep the buffet line moving. I popped in earlier to thank the staff and was given the opportunity to sample the meatballs. I think my expression gives the meatballs a “two thumbs up” rating!
While it was a full agenda event, the CCDC made sure everyone was well fed. The kitchen staff worked hard to keep the buffet line moving. I popped in earlier to thank the staff and was given the opportunity to sample the meatballs. I think my expression gives the meatballs a “two thumbs up” rating!
Tidewater Oyster Growers' Association (TOGA) Event / May 20
Saturday was a beautiful spring day in the Northern Neck, a great day for learning, eating, and talking to voters at an event sponsored by the Tidewater Oyster Growers Association (TOGA) at one of our local wineries. Even though the smell of smoked oysters was calling to me, the oyster growing 101 tutorial at the TOGA tent was time well spent.
My oyster growing water is approved as safe for direct harvest for consumption. Now that is good news for my personal consumption, but for me there is an even larger concern, making sure that our waterways are protected for those folks in the 99th who depend on our waterways for their livelihood.
Wearing my rapidly becoming infamous No Fracking Way shirt led to a number of conversations about the importance of protecting our waterways not only for today, but for our future generations as well. There is grave concern about the negative impact fracking would bring to the resource that drives the economy of the Northern Neck. Protecting our environment is a bipartisan issue and also why my candidacy is also gaining bipartisan support.
My oyster growing water is approved as safe for direct harvest for consumption. Now that is good news for my personal consumption, but for me there is an even larger concern, making sure that our waterways are protected for those folks in the 99th who depend on our waterways for their livelihood.
Wearing my rapidly becoming infamous No Fracking Way shirt led to a number of conversations about the importance of protecting our waterways not only for today, but for our future generations as well. There is grave concern about the negative impact fracking would bring to the resource that drives the economy of the Northern Neck. Protecting our environment is a bipartisan issue and also why my candidacy is also gaining bipartisan support.
Westmoreland Indivisible Meeting / May 22
Monday night I returned to a well attended Westmoreland Indivisible meeting where I had the opportunity to reconnect with friends of the campaign and meet some new arrivals.
As always, the best part of bringing the campaign message to voters is the question and answer period where I have the opportunity to listen and respond to voter concerns.
As always, the best part of bringing the campaign message to voters is the question and answer period where I have the opportunity to listen and respond to voter concerns.
Indivisible Town Halls / May 17-18
On May 17, I spoke at a House of Delegates candidate forum sponsored by Rappahannock Indivisible - We the People in White Stone, Lancaster County. Both Democratic primary candidates and the incumbent delegate, Margaret Ransone, were invited to participate. Both Democratic candidates participated, but Ransone was a no show. In fact, she never responded to repeated invitations and went so far as to mark the certified invitation “refused to accept”!
These days there is talk about redefining what is known as “The Virginia Way” to mean politicians are accountable to all their constituents and should interact with those they represent with respect and common courtesy. Refusing to respond is acting neither with dignity nor with courtesy towards those of us who live in the 99th.
Each candidate at the forum had ten minutes to share information about themselves and their platform positions. Afterwards there was a lively question and answer period with many questions about the serious issues and challenges that face us today. I especially enjoy this part of speaking opportunities because the process of give and take truly gets to the heart of what matters. This is what democracy looks like — the time honored tradition of the town hall format.
The next stop was the Northumberland County Democratic Committee meeting in Heathsville on May 18, where a fired up and energetic group showed up for the monthly meeting. Again, the question and answer period provided valuable insight into how I can best represent the folks of the 99th. The campaign is really off and running, so I appreciated the opportunity after the meeting concluded to thank those who have generously volunteered their time and sign up some new volunteers to help going forward.
These days there is talk about redefining what is known as “The Virginia Way” to mean politicians are accountable to all their constituents and should interact with those they represent with respect and common courtesy. Refusing to respond is acting neither with dignity nor with courtesy towards those of us who live in the 99th.
Each candidate at the forum had ten minutes to share information about themselves and their platform positions. Afterwards there was a lively question and answer period with many questions about the serious issues and challenges that face us today. I especially enjoy this part of speaking opportunities because the process of give and take truly gets to the heart of what matters. This is what democracy looks like — the time honored tradition of the town hall format.
The next stop was the Northumberland County Democratic Committee meeting in Heathsville on May 18, where a fired up and energetic group showed up for the monthly meeting. Again, the question and answer period provided valuable insight into how I can best represent the folks of the 99th. The campaign is really off and running, so I appreciated the opportunity after the meeting concluded to thank those who have generously volunteered their time and sign up some new volunteers to help going forward.
Climate Change Town Hall, Fredericksburg / May 8
On Monday, May 8, Francis joined a panel of local Virginia candidates to discuss "Clean Air, Clean Water, and Clean Energy" in Virginia.
Francis' stand on protecting the environment of the Northern Neck, particularly on the issue of fracking, led to the invitation to be a panelist. The event was hosted by We Are For America (WAFA) and was held at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg. Francis was joined by two other candidates for the House of Delegates: Josh Cole, District 28 and Steve Aycock, District 88. Two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the 1st Congressional District, Vangie Williams and Edwin Santana, were also panelists. Panelists addressed a series of questions on environmental concerns asked by the moderator, Matt Rowe, a prior candidate for the 1st Congressional District, and the audience was also given the opportunity to submit questions. Approximately 100 people from the greater Fredericksburg area, including King George and Caroline Counties attended the event. |
The topics addressed included fracking, particularly in regards to the Taylorsville Basin, the identification of the Rappahannock River as being “at risk” for becoming one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, loss of funding to continue the recovery efforts currently working in the Chesapeake Bay, coal ash, coal mining, the Atlantic Pipeline, and off shore drilling.
No matter your politics, we can agree that besides the people in our Northern Neck family, our environment is our most important resource and I will fight to protect it. I will protect our Northern Neck livelihoods and our families so that our children can have a better future. 
To view a video of the town hall meeting, click here.
|
