Dear Nelson County Democrats and Supporters:

Here’s What You Can Do

I’m sure most of you were as disheartened as I was by Donald Trump’s first few days in office. I wasn’t expecting anything good, but it turned out to be even worse than I could have imagined.

In just his first day, he withdrew the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate agreement, pulled us out of the World Health Organization, and stripped employment protections for tens of thousands of federal workers (many of whom he will presumably replace with MAGA loyalists). He pardoned some 1,500 members of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, and issued an executive order intended to end birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

What can you, an individual citizen, do about it?  I have a lot of suggestions, but they all fall under one general heading — speak out and get involved. Join our ranks of volunteers and help us elect Democrats to statewide offices this year and to Congress the year after. Please believe me when I tell you it’s never been more important for all of us to join the fight.

Protecting Basic Rights in Virginia

Here’s one example of what’s at stake. Currently, there are three proposed amendments to the state Constitution that would enshrine reproductive rights and marriage equality and restore the voting rights of felons who have served their time and been released.

All three amendments were approved in both our Democrat-controlled House of Delegates and Senate this year. But before the amendments can go before voters in a general election, they require legislative approvals again in 2026. It’s important that we maintain our majorities in both chambers during the November 2025 elections for these amendments and a host of other issues that come up year after year in the legislature.

And while we’re at it, it's very important that we elect a Democratic Governor and a Democratic Attorney General. We need a governor who isn’t preoccupied with bending the knee to Trump. By electing a Democratic Attorney General, we add to the team of state Attorney Generals who will help hold the line on the Trump administration. I would also tell you that a strong Democratic voter turnout will send a message to the rest of the country that we can fight Trump and his MAGA allies and these wins put us in a better position for the midterm elections next year.

Finally, let me offer a few words of thanks to President Biden. We can all be proud of the accomplishments of his administration, in particular how he turned the broken economy left to him by Trump into one that is now, as The Wall Street Journal put it, “the envy of the world.” I have no doubt that the new president will try to take credit for Democratic successes, but we won’t let Trump rewrite history.

Your Voice Matters to Us

If you want to an opportunity to channel your energies and your concerns, here’s another reminder regarding the Nelson County Democratic Committee 2025 kickoff meeting, which is organized around a Public Listening Session & Potluck Dinner at 6 p.m., Feb. 3, at the Faber Firehouse, 8207 Irish Road, Faber, Va. 22938. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.