Monthly 2 Cents from Vangie Williams.(This month's Two Cents features Vangie Williams, one of three Democrats vying for the Democratic nomination to run for the first Congressional District seat. The April newsletter featured John Suddarth and the June newsletter will feature Edwin Santana. We have three good candidates running for the Democratic nomination...we will be excited to wholeheartedly support the candidate who wins the June 12 primary. Don't forget to vote!)

Ready to Work For the First District

by Vangie Williams

I am from the 1st District. I grew up here, have family roots going back 300 years, and it’s where my husband and I have chosen to raise our daughters. This is my home. My experience and knowledge of the district makes me uniquely positioned to understand the issues that impact our communities. From idling in traffic on I-95 and I-64 to watching families struggle with paying out-of-pocket for medical services, I know that our current representative in Washington is not doing his job. The same problems we’ve faced for years are not getting better. They’re getting worse. At some point we have to say ‘enough is enough.’ I decided now was the time to run for Congress because the hardworking men and women of the 1st District should get a fair shot at success. We need good government that takes care of people, not the bottom line of greed-driven companies. As a strategic planner I solve problems for the government every day. I look for solutions to real problems real people face in the 1st District. My common sense agenda for our future looks like this:

• An economy that works for everyone. We can bring good jobs to the 1st District throughimprovements and new investments in education, transportation and innovation.

• Healthy families with access to world-class healthcare. I support a single-payer healthcaresystem that puts people over profits. I believe healthcare is a right and profit-driven armies oflobbyists are standing in the way of real healthcare reform.

• Investing in our communities and our hometown heroes. My INVEST Initiative will address core issues like education, public safety, military families and veteran dignity while revitalizing communities – big and small – all across our great nation. But in order for us to bring jobs and prosperity back to our district, we have to remove greed and excessive corporate profits from the system.

The influence of money in politics is at the core ofcorruption, government waste and congressional dysfunction. It’s the reason why healthcare has become outrageously expensive and we’re not improving patient outcomes. It’s time to close tax loopholes by having large corporations pay their fair share in taxes and take stepsto undo the harm from Citizens United with legislation such as the DISCLOSE Act (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting a Light On Spending in Elections). Without such measures, special interests will continue to have a strangle hold on making progress for the average American. Ultimately, we have to remove barriers and bring people together. It’s not “us versus them” when it comes to making sure our children are safe, and ensuring every school has the resources it needs for teachers to prepare the next generation for the future. The issues we face every day are not exclusive toone political party. Taking on an incumbent will be a challenge, but it’s a challenge I readily accept.

I have concrete policy proposals. And more importantly, I know government. I know how rules are made and how they are implemented. My 25 years as a public servant and work with federal contracts has given me the know how to make vision a reality. Programs we rely on a daily basis were managed under my leadership. People in the district are ready for change. I know this because I’m gaining new supporters every weekacross the entire political spectrum. My message of “we the people” resonates with residents who voted for Trump and still want Wittman out of office. Plus, many want to see a woman with a seat at thetable. In 230 years, Virginia has only sent four women to Congress.We need new leadership on Capitol Hill that will represent your interests. As your congresswoman, I’m ready to work for the people of the 1st District.

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Parent Category: News

May Meeting--A Chance to talk

Last of Candidates to Speak

Next meeting: Saturday, May 12 

Edwin Santana

Don't miss the monthly meeting of the Hanover Democratic Committee on May 12 at 10 a.m. at Ashland Coffee & Tea. In addition to meeting the last of our three Congressional Candidates, we're going to take some time to meet and greet each other. It has been a hectic three months as we have tried to give the candidates more exposure to their base in Hanover as well as have a main speaker. But now, we are more than 225 members strong. It's time to take a minute to meet and greet. AND there will be a free drawing for a Stormy Daniels kit! What's in the kit? As with everything Stormy, it will surely be a surprise.

In addition we will meet with the last of our three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the First Congressional District seat.In the candidates corner this month will be Edwin Santana. We have already heard from John Suddarth and Vangie Williams. Now, it's Edwin Santana's turn. Hanover Democrats have had several chances to hear from the candidates--the Pancake Breakfast, Women's Coffees, Men's Forum, our monthly meetings and more. We'll be ready to vote at the June primary.
As always the coffee is on us.

Apply Now for Dopp-Ostergren Scholarship

The Hanover Democratic Committee is accepting applications for the 2018 Melissa J. Dopp/Bobby Ostergren scholarship for graduating high school students. The one page application must be submitted by April 30 to P.O. Box 22, Ashland, Va 23005. This year, we hope to award four $500 scholarships to graduating High School seniors from Atlee, Patrick Henry, Hanover, and Lee-Davis  High Schools who have assisted the Hanover Democratic Committee, participated in Democratic campaigns, supported Democratic candidates or have participated in or started a Young Democrats club in his/her school. This is not a needs based or academic scholarship, but rather a scholarship designed to recognize students with the highest level of participation and involvement in Democratic campaigns and activities. Click here for the scholarship form.  For more information, contact Lyn Hodnett, 804-382-4532, lynh169125@comcast.net.  

See you Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. As always, the coffee is on us.

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Don't miss the 9th Annual Blue Wave Bash!
Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier.

Keynote Speaker--Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax
Master of Ceremonies--Sen. Jennifer McClellan

Sit-down Buffet Dinner/Cash Bar

Click Here to get your ticket on line     

OR reply to the invitation which will be coming to you in the mail
OR buy your ticket at the next HDC meeting, Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.

Be Part of the Blue Wave!

The Honorable Justin Fairfax, Virginia's dynamic Lieutenant Governor, will be the keynote speaker at the 9th Annual Blue Wave Bash on Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Center for Arts and Education. Sen. Jennifer McClellan will be our Master of Ceremonies.

You may have noticed we have changed the name of our popular annual fundraiser. When we launched this event nine years ago, we called it the Blue Moon Bash because once in a Blue Moon a Democrat gets elected in Hanover. Well after the Democratic landslide last November, we have changed our tune. We are now calling this popular event the Blue Wave Bash.  We're hoping for another Blue Wave in 2018...in fact, we are hoping for a Tsunami in 2018!

Please join us for a sit down buffet dinner and cash bar at the Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier. We changed locations because we needed more elbow room to accommodate the growing popularity of the event. We wanted to assure that everyone has a comfortable seat to enjoy the delicious buffet dinner provided by Jake's Place.

Proceeds from the Blue Wave Bash will go to support local, state and national Democratic candidates. Be part of the Blue Wave. Join us on Wednesday, April 25. Click here to buy your ticket.  

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Coffee is brewing!

thursday, may 17, 7 p.m.

At the home of

Kara Chabora 

9120 Ashlar Place

Mechanicsville, 23116

All Democratic Women are Welcome! 

Kara Chabora will host our May Democratic Women's Coffee on Thursday, May 17,  at her home at 9120 Ashlar Place, Mechanicsville, 23116  It's time for another evening coffee and Kara will welcome us at 7 pm. Kara Chabora will host our May Democratic Women's Coffee on Thursday, May 17,  at her home at 9120 Ashlar Place, Mechanicsville, 23116  It's time for another evening coffee and Kara will welcome us at 7 pm. 

Please come for great fellowship and spirited conversation with like-minded women in the relaxed setting of Kara's home, centrally located just off of Chamberlain Road, ( U.S. Highway 301). There's always much to talk about and take action on. 

For those who don't know, we are a growing group of Democratic women of all ages who meet monthly, sometimes in the day and sometimes in the evening, at the homes of volunteer hostesses at different locations around the county. Our goal is to enable as many women as possible to get to know one another so that we may better work together.  We have no formal memberships or dues.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Diane Neergaard at daneergaard@comcast.net,or 804-304-1951.

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Men's Forum

At the home of

Nelson Vaughan

209 College Avenue

Thursday, April 19 at 7pm

The next monthly gathering of the Hanover Democratic Men's Forum will be held on THURSDAY APRIL 19 at 7:00 pm in the heart of the College District in Ashland at the home of Nelson Vaughan, 209 College Avenue, Ashland.  These Democratic Men's forums provide an opportunity for Hanover Democratic men to meet, socialize, talk politics and hear interesting speakers.  The host and Chair of these Democratic Men's Forums, Nelson Vaughan, says come hungry as he will be serving heavy hors d'oevres. The next monthly gathering of the Hanover Democratic Men's Forum will be held on THURSDAY APRIL 19 at 7:00 pm in the heart of the College District in Ashland at the home of Nelson Vaughan, 209 College Avenue, Ashland.  These Democratic Men's forums provide an opportunity for Hanover Democratic men to meet, socialize, talk politics and hear interesting speakers.  The host and Chair of these Democratic Men's Forums, Nelson Vaughan, says come hungry as he will be serving heavy hors d'oevres. 

This month's speaker will be Mayor Jim Foley, Mayor of the Town of Ashland who will be retiring from Town Council after the election this May.  Come and hear Mayor Foley talk about his time in office and what the future holds for Ashland and Hanover County. 

The purpose of these monthly Men's Forums is to socialize, envigorate, educate and elect Democrats and is a great opportunity to get to know like-minded Democratic men in a way that you just can't in other venues in this predominantly Republican county.  The monthly Saturday morning committee meetings are great but you don't have the opportunity to talk and to get to know one another on a more social level.  It also gives those who can't attend the Saturday morning meetings a chance to get involved.  So please join us on Thursday April 19 at 7:00 pm.  Don't miss this opportunity to socialize and mobilize. 

RSVP to Nelson Vaughan at vnvaughan@aol.com or call cell phone and text messages 201.826.7093; home 804.496.6217.
If you are a woman and receive this, please send to your favorite Democratic male relative, neighbor or friend.

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