Hanover County Democratic Committee

Moving Hanover Forward

Walking A Dangerous, Fine Line

by Toni Radler

The race between Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe and Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin is razor-thin. In some polls, it’s tied. And so, what if Youngkin wins the governor’s mansion? Well, it will be a disaster for Virginia and the nation.

I started making a list, trying to put the most serious losses first. Initially, I thought the most detrimental issues would be health care and a women’s right to choose. After all, more than 500,000 Virginians were able to receive health care after a Democratic legislature and Governor closed the Medicaid gap, enabling the working poor to be enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. Under a Youngkin governorship, tragically, that would be reversed. What about a woman’s right to choose? Youngkin has already said he supports the Texas version of denying abortion for any reason including incest and rape. Make way for the Virginia version of The Handmaid’s Tale.

As I was trying to think of the third most grievous loss, I realized that even more disastrous to the citizens of Virginia would be the loss of our voting rights, the very basis of democracy. The way Georgia has set up a win for Trump in the next presidential election is that if the Georgia Republican legislature doesn’t like the outcome of the vote, they can reverse it. Voters be damned! The Georgia legislature can pick the winner of its choice. That’s not democracy. It’s Putin’s way and the way of other dictatorships/oligarchies in the world.

Then, I finally realized that as bad as all these outcomes would be, the worst outcome if Youngkin wins is that Trump will be able to proclaim to all that he turned a blue state red. And his stranglehold on the Republican Party would be set in stone for decades to come. Don’t let Virginia be the domino that falls. It’s not hyperbole to talk about fascism if Trumpism takes over. Let’s do everything we can to hold the line and keep Virginia blue. Vote and call your Democratic friends and ask them to get out and vote. Explain how important it is to vote for a straight Democratic ticket. Youngkin is a Trump Mini-Me. He will do everything he can to follow the Trump catechism to the letter. Please, let’s work as hard as we can to keep our state out of the hands of Trump and his Mini-Me.

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STAY TUNED ON WOMEN'S COFFEE

All Democratic women are invited! Information about a November Hanover Democratic Women’s Coffee will be coming later.

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MCAULIFFE CAMPAIGN IN SPOTSY

The McAuliffe campaign for governor is doing a Souls to the Polls event in Spotsylvania from 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. It is a great chance to get out and support Terry, as well as U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger. Plus, 55th House District candidate Rachel Levy will be in attendance. Follow this link to register.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON ELECTION DAY

Democrats need a strong showing at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 2. Virginia is in the national news every week because of the governor’s race, and we need to be out supporting all our candidates. As usual, the HDC will be manning all the polls. We normally work two- to three-hour shifts. We typically have a table and canopy (if it rains) where we will have sample ballots, candidate literature and the like. From past experience, many people come to the polls not knowing who they will vote for, so this is a good opportunity to push our candidates. We need volunteers to staff those polling places. If you are willing to give a couple of hours, contact Betsy Farley at emfarley13@gmail.com or call Don Barth at 856.889.5905 to talk, text or leave a message. When Democrats vote, Democrats win!

RACHEL LEVY CAMPAIGN EVENTS

It's Knocktober and Calltober for the Rachel Levy campaign. As you've seen from the billboards, events and signs, there's a ton of energy behind Rachel Levy and the Rachel Runs for Us House of Delegates campaign. And we want to take a special moment to thank all of our donors, volunteers and stalwart canvassers and phone bankers who are out every weekend knocking and calling for Rachel. But they need your help! We still have a TON of voters to reach. Can you spare a few hours to volunteer for Rachel before election day on Nov. 2? You have less than a month left to let people know Rachel Runs for Us! Visit https://www.mobilize.us/rachellevyfordelegate/

Please join the last Rachel Levy outside, in-person fundraiser of the year at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7. Sen. Jennifer McClellan and former Delegate Debra Rodman will be with us. This great Ashland fundraiser for Rachel will be hosted by Jim and Lorie Foley and Charol Shakeshaft and Dale Mann at the home of the Foleys. To reserve a spot, please donate at secure.actblue.com/donate/ashlandfundraiser (or bring a check to the event) and email Lorie Foley at loriefoley@comcast.net to RSVP. Want to donate, but can't attend? Use the link above and thank you!

It's very important that all the members of the HDC vote early and encourage their Democratic friends and family to vote early as well, at the registrar's office or if you would rather, absentee. Early voting in Hanover takes place at the Wickham Building at 7497 County Complex R. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Oct. 29. Also, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 and again on Saturday, Oct. 30. Plus we would like to have an HDC presence at early voting on that Sunday and two Saturdays. If you'd like to work the table that day, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c45afa82ba7fb6-early.

Please bring an ID; it's just like voting on Election Day! You can also do ballot drop box at the Wickham Building on the Government Center through 7 p.m. on Nov.

Other key dates:

Voter registration/update ends on Oct. 12 (5 p.m. in office or 11:59 p.m. online)

Request to vote by mail ends at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22

Election Day voting - polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

More info for all of Hanover at www.the55thvotesearly.com.

And if you'd like to donate to Rachel, please go to secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-rachel-levy-1

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LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL AID IN DYING AT OUR MONTHLY MEETING

Karen Kallay will be the guest speaker at our virtual monthly meeting of the Hanover Democratic Committee at 10 a.m. on October 9. It is an important and timely topic. 

Currently, there is no option for Virginians with terminal illnesses to peacefully end their suffering under the guidance of medical professionals, despite strong support across the Commonwealth. A recent poll conducted by Christopher Newport University shows 7 in 10 Virginians, believe “mentally capable adults with a terminal disease who have less than six months to live should have the right to request and receive medication to peacefully end their life in consultation with an attending and consulting physician." Karen is a Fredericksburg resident with a long background in mental health and compassionate care. She has been an active voice for Medical Aid in Dying in Virginia.

Here are the credentials to join us:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85699040716?pwd=cGtvK0IwbkpZcjFmUUVSS0NPZ0FXdz09

Meeting ID: 856 9904 0716
Passcode: 890597

By Phone
+1 301 715 8592 US

Live Streamed on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK8XYH_xdXqcH1xE4kBoXiA

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MEN'S FORUM TAKING A BREAK

Due to the pandemic, we're going to take a temporary break for the popular Men's Forum. With so many Zoom calls going on and people moving into fall tasks, it seems prudent and more productive to wait until we can meet face to face. Watch this space for more information and we hope to be back on the ball soon.

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RACHEL LEVY EVENTS

A Floral Arranging Fundraiser is set for our own Rachel Levy, running in the 55th House of Delegates District. The time is 5:30 p.m. on Sunday Sept 12. A donation includes an outside flower arranging class with the talented HDC member Andrea Ferment, the flowers and vase to take home and great refreshments. It will be in the Ashland area, and the exact address will be sent upon donation. Co-hosted by HDC members Jennifer Chambers and Carolyn Peart. Spaces are limited, so please grab a spot early by clicking on the link below and thank you! Visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/flowers4rl

Help with billboards: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/billboards4r4del

Canvass Events Every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday; Virtual Phone Banks and Text Banks every Thursday Night: https://www.mobilize.us/dashboard/rachellevyfordelegate/events

Campaign signs: The Levy campaign has signs and hopes that folks will put them up along with their coordinated signs if they have not done so already. Use this Google form to order signs or contact Ashley at ashleyhall1984@gmail.com. Here is the link:: https://forms.gle/EynBzV4pisNQytP56

Back to school

School starts in the upcoming week. Please be mindful of traffic changes. Also, consider supporting some of our local groups who are collecting and filling backpacks to ensure that the children in our community have all that they need to succeed. The NAACP, ACEs, local elementary schools, YMCA, and other groups are sponsoring efforts to help ALL families!

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