by Judith Herman

Virginia’s upcoming statewide election on November 2 is critical to the future of both the commonwealth and the country. This election has been quiet so far, and we need to make some noise. Early voting is underway for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and the House of Delegates. But many Virginians don’t even know there IS an election. 

Democrats urgently need positive results from Virginia that, amplified in the national media, would ripple across state lines. The outcome will impact runs by candidates in other Southern states and the issues they run on. Losing Virginia to Republicans in 2021 would give the GOP a huge advantage in 2022 and 2024.

The governor’s race is particularly critical. Governors play a key role in protecting the most fundamental rights of Americans. Terry McAuliffe, Democratic governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018, is virtually tied with Republican Glenn Youngkin and may lose votes to two other fringe candidates. 

Youngkin has Trump’s endorsement and obediently spreads anti-democratic conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. He regularly speaks against Virginia’s mask requirements in schools and favors state action to block local officials from implementing such mandates. He supports requirements for other types of vaccines but not for Covid. He’s been caught on tape saying he would hide his support for banning abortion and defunding Planned Parenthood from the voters of Virginia.

McAuliffe has vowed to combat Covid aggressively and is a proven champion for reproductive rights and the freedom to vote.

 “As governor, [McAuliffe] restored voting rights to more people than any other governor in history,” Stacey Abrams said in a recent note to supporters. “He fought hard to make sure Virginia was one of the most welcoming, inclusive, and forward-looking states in the country.

“This is not just about electing Terry,” Abrams adds. “It’s also about sending a message to the entire country that candidates who oppose reproductive rights and voting rights — and who spread Donald Trump’s big lie — will lose.”

Abrams and President Biden have both thrown robust support behind McAuliffe’s campaign. But it’s unclear how enthusiastically Democrats will turn out to vote this year and during the 2022 midterms, now that Trump is out of the White House. 

“What we’re seeing in Virginia suggests GOP radicalization against democracy and against public health measures may not be sufficiently motivating them,” says Washington Post columnist Greg Sargent. He notes that Virginia Republicans appear much more enthusiastic about voting this year than Democrats do and that early voting, which tends to favor Democrats, will likely be lighter than in 2020.

“With Republicans increasingly campaigning on an open vow to contest future election losses, it’s important for voters to deliver a resounding message that this will not be rewarded,” Sargent adds. “If not, it will encourage more such candidates, which could further undermine confidence in democracy or lead to more electoral crises.”

This could arguably be the most important election in 2021. And it’s going to be very close. Let’s make sure we keep Virginia blue.

Races once considered safe in Virginia have become toss-ups, and it’s time for the cavalry to arrive. That means you and me! There are plenty of ways we can help (see below). 

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ACTIONS

Phone banking

Statewide Hubdialer Phonebank with the VA Turnout Project 

https://www.mobilize.us/virginiaturnoutproject/event/416881/

Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays through October 31

Keep Virginia Blue! 

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/412564/

Wednesdays (4pm ET) and Saturdays (1pm ET) through Oct 30 

Sister District & Partners National Phonebank! 

https://www.mobilize.us/sisterdistrict/event/387377/

Most days through November 2

Sister District MA-RI & Friends Phonebank! 

https://www.mobilize.us/swingbluealliance/event/387564/

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through October 28 

• Tuesdays 12:30-2pm
• Wednesday 6:30-8:00pm
• Thursday 6:30-8:00pm 

Keep Virginia Blue!

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/412564/

Wednesdays and Saturdays through October 30

Zoom link for training: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88069827156?pwd=SUUwTkJrREhyaHluUmpFajY5a3ZYZz09 

Fundraising

Sister Diestrict: Support our most critical candidates now!

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sdp-va-gotv

Join Sister District in supporting Alex Askew, Wendy Gooditis, Elizabeth Guzman, Joshua Cole, and Nancy Guy for the Virginia House of Delegates — the 5 candidates most in need and best positioned to turn your dollars into action right now: