Author: RVDW

LOCAL UPDATE:

Roanoke County School Board Candidates

Candidates have stepped up in all three Roanoke County school board district races to oppose the extremists whose seats are open this fall. Be on the lookout for more information on these candidates.

This opportunity to bring common sense back to Roanoke County Schools is important for the entire Roanoke Valley.  School board seats, by Virginia law, are non-partisan. No party designation will appear on the ballot. However, never forget that all three incumbents proudly associate themselves with the Republican Party. 

STATE UPDATE:

As expected, when the General Assembly reconvened April 2^nd, they rejected most of Governor Youngkin’s legislative amendments, sending bills back to him and thus forcing him to outright veto or approve the bills as they were written.  We are still awaiting the Governor’s decision on these bills; many we are following such as the Right to Contraception and the Conference Budget which removes the support cap that has limited public school funding. Read more here:

https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-04-02/glenn-youngkin-don-scott-mamie-locke-delegates-state-senators-virginia

ACTION ITEM: Call and/or email Governor Youngkin’s office and urge him to pass the bills the General Assembly has returned to him.

(804) 786-2211
glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov

On April 23rd, voters had a unique opportunity to hear directly from five of the six Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at a highly anticipated candidate forum in Roanoke, hosted by Roanoke Valley Democratic Women and Red Wine and Blue Virginia. This event was one of the rare occasions where full slate of contenders appeared together ahead of the June primary, offering voters a closer look at a diverse, dynamic field in one of the most competitive statewide primaries in recent years.

Ghazala Hashmi, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado and Levar Stoney responded to questions on a range of critical issues affecting southwest Virginians, including economic development, education, healthcare, climate, and voting rights. (Alex Bastani was unable to attend due to illness.)

“This was an important opportunity for southwest Virginians to hear from the people who are hoping to serve as the Commonwealth’s next Lieutenant Governor,” said Sarah Goodman, RVDW Political Affairs Chair and Regional Organizer for Red Wine and Blue Virginia. “We were proud to bring this level of access and civic engagement to Roanoke.”

THANK YOU ALL for your donations to The Grove on Patterson at our March 18, 2025 Dems After Dark event. The shelves of the soon-to-open facility are filling up thanks to the generous, caring people of the Roanoke Valley.

Contact The Grove on Patterson to find out how you can continue to support their volunteer, supply, and financial resources to serve pregnant women grappling with substance use disorder, addressing increased risks that can impact prenatal health and child development.

The Grove on Patterson
info@thegroveonpatterson.org
PO Box 20062
Roanoke, VA 24018

Updates with Action Items
Reported by Sarah Goodman, Political Affairs Chair

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PROCEED

Right to Reproductive Freedom (HJ1, Delegate Herring and SJ247, Senator Boysko)
Right to Marry (HJ9, Delegate Sickles and SJ249, Senator Ebbin) with bipartisan support
Right to Vote (HJ2, Delegate Bennett-Parker and SJ248, Senator Locke)

All three of the constitutional amendments have passed both the House and Senate! Three Republicans crossed party lines to vote in favor of the Right to Marry including Sens. David R. Suetterlein (Roanoke), J.D. “Danny” Diggs (York) and Tara Durant (Stafford). As we were reminded at January’s meeting, the constitutional amendment process is long. All three will have to be approved again in next year’s General Assembly session; then they will advance to a statewide referendum in November 2026. We must keep our General Assembly blue and work to elect Democrats this fall!

Many have asked and Red Wine & Blue has delivered!

RW&B extends an invitation to RVDW members and friends to jump on the Trouble Bus to Washington DC on January 18 for the 2025 Women’s March.

Saturday, January 18, 2025
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Meet at Valley View Mall
4802 Valley View Blvd NW
Roanoke, VA 24012
Ticket price: $30

After filling out the form at this link, you will be automatically redirected to the ActBlue page to purchase your ticket. (If you cannot attend but would like to give the chance to another TroubleMaker you can sponsor a spot for any amount you choose.)

Roanoke City Mayor-Elect Joe Cobb invites RVDW members and friends for brunch to support Del. Sam Rasoul (D-HD38) before Sam heads to Richmond for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Saturday, January 4, 2025
10:30 am
441 Highland Ave SW
Roanoke VA 24016
RSVP Today to Show Your Support!

Delegate Rasoul has been a steadfast advocate for our region, working tirelessly to address the needs of families and students. As Chair of the Education Committee, Sam has led efforts to improve our schools, support educators, and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

This year Del. Rasoul has a challenger. Joe encourages, “Together, we can ensure Sam continues to advocate for the values and future our community deserves.”