The latest from Tristan Shields

by | May 4, 2019 | Candidates, Virginia, Voting | 0 comments

Tristian Shields at the 2019 Blue State Bluegrass Brunch in Washington, VA

Tristan Shields is running against Laura Galante in the Democratic Primary on June 11 for the Virginia 18th House District. The nominee will challenge Republican Del. Mike Webert  on November 5.

Here is Tristan’s short YouTube video about the recent corruption scandal in Warren County (which sounds like an episode of House of Cards!). About Del. Webert, he asks, “Where are our elected officials in protecting the taxpayers?” Good question!

We’ll keep you posted about Tristan’s schedule. To find out more about his campaign, click here

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Political Civility: Talking to People Who Disagree with You — a note from our chair

by | Apr 26, 2019 | Issues, Rappahannock County, Virginia | 0 comments

In the Library on Tuesday April 23, Meg Heubeck told a crowd of 25 or so, “We need to bring back the political center.” Director of educational outreach at the UVA Center for Politics, Heubeck held a training workshop for constructive conversations across party lines.  

Even though animosity has shrunk that center since the mid-1990s, Heubeck said, some 80 percent of us actually still identify somewhere between the extreme right and left. However, the 24-hour news cycle, and our tendency to look for information that confirms what we already think, locks us into a kind of hunter-gatherer political tribalism.  

But, said Heubeck, we can train ourselves out of it. “Remember that each of us loves our country, our community, and our families,” she said. And everyone has a voice. “That’s at the core, those American values. That’s what we’re protecting, even in a diverse community.” 

The friendly crowd of two dozen participants spanned the political spectrum from conservative to liberal, according to organizer Bob Burney. They broke into small problem-solving groups to test those voices. A simple question—what is the greatest challenge to the future of Rappahannock?—brought a gamut of answers and a prescription for positive citizenship.  

First, we need to get to know our neighbors. Ask them about their experiences. Learn how government works. Identify areas of similarity. Be prepared to compromise toward a consensus.  

“Bring your brain,” said Heubeck, “and be ready to be nice to people. Then listen with both ears.” 

Heubeck praised organizations like the National Institute for Civil Discourse, Unite America, No Labels, and Common Cause for bridging the political divide in America and bolstering its political center. For more information, contact Bob Burney, BurneyRG@me.com. 

–Mary-Sherman Willis, RCDC Chair

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A Letter from April Moore

by | Jan 20, 2019 | Candidates, Events, Issues, Our Neighboring Committees, Virginia | 0 comments

Dear Friend,

I am running for the Virginia Senate (SD-26) this coming November.

As you may remember, I ran for this seat back in 2015.  I challenged the Republican incumbent Mark Obenshain because I could see that it was not the people of this district he was serving.

That is still true:  So I will challenge him again on issues like corruption in Virginia’s government, where he is an instrument of the Koch Brothers; and on climate change, in which he is in the pocket of Dominion Energy; and on health care, where, until the bitter end, he put the ambitions of his party above the well-being of the citizens of Virginia.

But this year I will challenge Mr. Obenshain in a whole new way because of the unthinkable and dangerous thing his Republican Party has become–the Party of Trump.  I will challenge him to tell us which side he’s on, in this battle for our American democracy and our national security.

In a conservative district like ours, any candidate who wants to win must earn the support of a good many Republicans. I know there are Republicans in our area who are unhappy with what their party has become–people who are like my life-long Republican parents, who could never have supported a Republican party like this one, one that tramples on the conservative values they held dear.

It is such principled Republicans that I will work to pry away from Sen. Obenshain by challenging him to declare where he stands on all the ugly things the Trump Party is doing.

This is the heart of my strategy to win this seat.

And, in addition, I will use my platform, as the major party nominee I hope to be, to speak the urgently important truth that all of my Trump-supporting neighbors need to hear.

So please join me as I officially launch my campaign for state senate with a press conference.  Show the press and the public that you support my campaign’s efforts to:

  • protect our climate;

  • build a state government that puts people before Big Money;

  • make all our public schools truly excellent;

  • solve the opioid crisis.

When and Where?

When:   Tuesday, January 29

               11:00 am

Where: Rockingham County Government Building

               Board Room

               20 E. Gay Street

               Harrisonburg, Virginia

Hope to see you there!

-April

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I’m Running and It Starts Now – Tristan Shields for Delegate

by | Dec 3, 2018 | Candidates, Democratic Party, Rappahannock County, Virginia | 0 comments

Photo Caption: Tristan Shields performing at a Tim Kaine Rally, Nov 4

 

I’m running for Virginia Delegate in District 18 in 2019.

Here’s why: we can WIN.

Sunday evening I played rock n’ roll to a Democratic crowd of hundreds who knocked thousands of doors throughout Virginia’s 18th this campaign season. I felt the passion, energy and determination to make the blue wave a mid-term reality.

When I asked “Are you ready to keep it going in 2019?” the roar of the crowd was overwhelming. More energy and money has been spent in District 18 to get out the Democratic vote in the last two years than ever before. We must keep the momentum going.

The incredible transition from being afraid to talk to my neighbors about politics in 2016 to now seeing Democrat signs sprouting up all over the back roads of rural District 18 is just stunning.  WE CAN WIN in DISTRICT 18 if we keep this going.

I am asking once again for your support so together we can win the 18th and flip the House of Delegates blue. I’m not accepting money from corporate PACs.  I want and need grassroots support. No amount is too big or too small. Please join my campaign today.

I want to talk with every person who wants to speak with me and their friends and their friends’ friends. That means meet and greets, rallies, coffee meetups, karaoke parties, ice cream socials, high tea, low tea, middle tea (I’m not fluent in tea), whatever you think will help get out the vote, I’ll be there. So call/text at 540-216-2095 or email and let’s get started. — Tristan

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