Boucher speaks to more than 130 local Democrats at the summer picnic.
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Rep. Rick Boucher made two stops in Blacksburg on Saturday, July 31, to speak at the Montgomery County Democratic Committee (MCDC) annual summer picnic and cut the ribbon for his new campaign headquarters in Blacksburg.
The picnic at Nellie’s Cave Park attracted more than 130 local Democrats who turned out in spite of the rain to show their enthusiasm for the upcoming election and support Boucher’s re-election bid. The crowd included members of the New River Valley Young Democrats.
At the event, Boucher emphasized the importance of the upcoming Nov. 2 election, one of the most challenging during his 27 years in Congress. A native of Abingdon, Va., the congressman stressed the need to maintain Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives so that the country continues to move forward. He also highlighted his base of support in the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia’s coal country, two Democratic strongholds.
Del. Jim Shuler introduced Boucher and spoke about his long history of support for the 9th District, including Montgomery County and Virginia Tech. Former state senator Madison Mayre, also in attendance, expressed support for his former colleague in the Virginia General Assembly.
Boucher cuts the ribbon for his new Blacksburg campaign headquarters.
Earlier in the day, Boucher joined area Democrats to cut the ribbon for his new campaign headquarters in Blacksburg. In the coming months, volunteers will use this Montgomery County base of operations for Boucher’s re-election campaign to make phone calls to supporters, distribute campaign materials, and organizing canvassing and GOTV efforts.
To volunteer, call the Blacksburg campaign headquarters at (540) 443-1941 or e-mail Brittany Anderson, field organizer.
Photos of the summer picnic and ribbon cutting are available on the MCDC website.
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Rep. Rick Boucher traveled to the heart of the New River Valley to answer questions from a full house of voters at the Bull and Bones restaurant on Monday, June 21. A representative from the New River Valley Young Democrats attended the town hall-style meeting.
Sponsored by Democracy Prevails, the early-morning event gave Boucher an opportunity to explain his stance on a number of hot-button issues and discuss the importance of his re-election campaign to more than 60 voters.
After stressing his 27 years of service in the 9th District and the need to maintain Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Boucher explained his vote against health care reform legislation in March. Although the congressman supports the benefits of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, he ultimately voted against the measure because of concerns about cuts to Medicare. Boucher wants to strengthen the Medicare program to ensure that residents in the 9th District continue to receive quality, affordable care.
Boucher also allayed fears about Social Security, explaining that the federal government has funding to support the program under the current model until 2037. The congressman answered additional questions about energy and environmental issues, the U.S. strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and the Citizens United ruling on corporate-sponsored political advertising.
A native of Abingdon, Va., Boucher boasts high ratings from women’s, environmental, and labor groups and has a long list of accomplishments in the 9th District.
The New River Valley Young Democrats (NRVYD) re-elected the following officers at the June 9 meeting:
- Brittany Morrison, president
- Michael Sutphin, vice president
- Miles Mabry, treasurer
- Conrad Balder, secretary
Congratulations to the 2010 officers! More information about each of the officers will be available on the “Officer” page.
In addition, the organization voted to eliminate the position “vice president for communication” and rename the “executive vice president” to be simply “vice president.” Check back later for an updated copy of our constitution.
The Voices of Honor Tour made a stop in Blacksburg on Thursday, April 28. Members of the NRVYD and the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech attended the event to learn more about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT), a hot-button issue that has attracted the attention of policymakers, veterans, and activists in recent weeks. The event included a screening of the award-winning documentary Ask Not along with a panel discussion with veterans affected by the discriminatory 1993 law.
Terry McGuire, a Virginia Tech alumnus and field organizer with the Human Rights Campaign, wrote a nice wrap-up of the DADT event at Virginia Tech.
The New River Valley Young Democrats (NRVYD) brought a delegation of three to Alexandria, Va., for the 2010 Virginia Young Democrats Convention, April 16-18.
Congratulations to NRVYD officers Brittany Morrison and Isaac Sarver for their re-election to the positions of national committeewoman and executive vice president, respectively.
You can now become a Facebook fan of the Virginia Young Democrats, our parent organization. As before, you can also keep up to date on the VAYD on its Facebook group and Twitter account.
The New River Valley Young Democrats are also on the major social networks. If you are not already, join our Facebook group and follow us on Twitter.
The Deeds for Virginia campaign has released the following statement:
Statement from Senator R. Creigh Deeds on Election Night
November 3, 2009RICHMOND – Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for Governor, released the following statement about the election results.
“I have said from the beginning that this election is about Virginia’s future, about bringing opportunity, prosperity, and hope to every corner of the Commonwealth.
“Tonight, I’m humbled and gratified by the support and hard work that so many voters and volunteers statewide have brought to this campaign.
“Virginia is an extraordinary place—in its diversity, in the achievements of its people over 400 years of history, and in the opportunity it offers to all of us. I have loved traveling around the Commonwealth and meeting the men and women who make it such a wonderful place to live.
“I congratulate my opponent, Bob McDonnell, and I look forward to maintaining my longstanding record of reaching across the aisle and working together to create workable solutions for the challenges we face. I hope that Bob McDonnell [and Bill Bolling] [and Ken Cuccinelli] and all Democrats and Republicans will join me in that commitment.
“There are a lot of people that I have to thank for the enormous strides we made in this campaign, and that starts with my family.
“My wife, Pam, who has been so supportive of our effort to bring opportunity to every corner of the commonwealth, and who’s checked a lot of homework in the last eighteen years as I’ve commuted back and forth from Richmond.
“My children—Amanda, Becca, Susannah, and Gus. I have to thank them not only for dealing with endless road trips and crazy schedule but also for being my reason—for reminding me why I got into public service in the first place: to build a better Virginia for their future, with more opportunities and options than I had and with every tool they needed to succeed at hand.
“And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my staff and our army of volunteers. And especially the more than 6,000 volunteers who took to the phones and the streets today to turn out the vote. I am in awe at the hours they have worked and the effort they have poured into every day of this campaign. To everyone who made a phone call, stuffed an envelope, held up a sign at a rally, hosted an event, knocked on a door, brought food to hungry volunteers, or brought voters to their polling places: you have my deepest gratitude.
“And to my staff in Charlottesville and Alexandria and in field offices across the state, the best team I could have asked to have behind me. People have said that my campaigns are ‘always underestimated, never outworked’—and they have more than proved that. I could not have done this without them behind me.
“Thanks also to President Obama, the Democratic Party of Virginia, the Democratic Governors Association, the men and women of organized labor, and to Governor Tim Kaine and the Democratic National Committee, and the many local chapters and party players who have been with us every step of the way: thank you. We have worked as hard that we could and run the best race that we could.
“I wish tonight’s results were different. But now is not the time for bitterness, or retreat into our partisan corners—it’s time to overcome that disappointment with our determination to build a better Virginia, together.
“In some two decades of public service, your friendship and support in this race has been among the greatest honors I have been given. I am eager to continue to serve Virginia and keep the Commonwealth moving forward. This chapter is closed, but the next has yet to be written.
“God bless us all, and God bless the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Want to help register Virginia Tech students to vote in Blacksburg? Volunteer to go door-to-door in student neighborhoods on the day before the registration deadline:
My name is Kyle Gardiner, and I’m the campaign manager for Bryce Carter, the only undergraduate student running for the Blacksburg Town Council. For those of you who are Sophomores or older, you may remember the phenomenal job that few student groups did with registering students to vote in Blacksburg last year. In fact, in under two months, 7,000 students were registered to their local addresses in Blacksburg. The presidential election has come and past, but this November 3rd there are a number of important elections, including the Gubernatorial, House of Delegates, and Blacksburg Town Council Elections.
We are trying to get upwards of 50 students to come out this Sunday, October 4th, from 12-5 PM, and register 1000 students to vote in Blacksburg before registration ends on October 5th. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please fill out the survey below if you are interested in joining the dozens of students already signed up to canvass the major student apartment complexes, including Foxridge, Terrace View, and the Village. This is a unique opportunity to make sure students’ have their voice heard come November 3rd!
Many students don’t realize they can register to vote from their local address, and quite frankly, it makes sense; you live here (at least) 8 months of the year, and the laws passed here affect all of us, registered or not. Additionally, Virginia is one of two states that even have elections in 2009, so out of state students have no other opportunity to vote other than in this election. Finally, and most importantly, students are much more likely to vote by showing up at their polling place than if they have to mail in an absentee ballot. COME HELP US OUT! SIGN UP BELOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
What: Registering students to vote!
When: Sunday, October 4th from 12:00 PM-5:00PM
How to get involved: FILL OUT THIS SURVEY then JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP
Caroline Ickes, a member of the NRVYD, has written a letter to the Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech’s independent student newspaper, about student voting rights and responsibilities:
Learn about candidates in elections
It’s almost that time again: Time to get out to the polls and vote. After the 2008 presidential election, it was evident that young voters have a very powerful voice and wish to be heard. Here in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech voters have incredible political power.
Last year, the Montgomery County Voter Registrar added more than 8,000 new voters to its roster, most of which were Tech students.
In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that college students have the right to vote at their school address. Regardless of what may have circulated in the past, both students on and off campus can vote in Blacksburg without tax or insurance repercussions.
Let’s continue to voice our opinion in national, state and local politics. The upcoming elections in Virginia are a great way to continue to be active.
The Blacksburg Town Council election has been moved from May to November alongside the gubernatorial race. Because Tech students call Blacksburg home nine months out of the year, the Blacksburg Town Council makes policy decisions about our “home away from home.” While many students will be returning to the polls, quite a few students will be voting in a town election for the first time.
Get educated about the full slate of candidates who will appear on the ballot, from the gubernatorial race to the school board and town council elections. The last thing you want to happen while at the polls on November 3rd is to pick a candidate because of his cool last name. Make your vote an educated one. Finally, if you are not registered – get registered. Virginia’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 5.
Absentee ballot applications must be mailed by Oct. 27. You can pick up the forms at any public library, Department of Motor Vehicles or other governmental offices. Forms can also be downloaded from the State Board of Elections Web site at www.sbe.virginia.gov. Campus voter registration drives, sponsored by groups such as the Young Democrats or College Republicans, often give students a chance to register as well so look out for them.
So here’s your assignment: Figure out how you feel about smart growth, public transportation and zoning regulations – then make your voice heard.
Caroline Ickes
Master’s in public and international affairs, 2011
