Late last week, the Washington Post reported that “State Sen. Don McEachin has launched a new political action committee, Believe in Virginia PAC, as he aims to help Democratic candidates running in legislative races next year.” I contacted Sen. McEachin’s office for more details, and received the following statement:
The Believe in Virginia PAC is a PAC formed by Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) to support candidates and activities. Senator McEachin believes that Virginians are fair and open-minded and want a Virginia that reflects those values. This PAC will contribute to candidates, organizations and activities who want to improve the environment, support and improve public education, devise and implement a real transportation plan, create jobs and provide ALL Virginians equal opportunity, justice and fairness.
Senator McEachin said, “It’s about time that folks put their actions and resources where their mouths are. Since I have been strongly speaking about the administration and its actions and for progressive values, it’s time to support those values with my efforts and my resources. I intend to work to recruit and assist candidates, support activities and activists, and promote legislation that reflects a Virginia of which we can be proud.”
I’m very happy to see this from Sen. McEachin. The fact is, since November 2009 — when Virginia Democrats suffered through one of their worst elections in many years — Sen. McEachin has stepped up and been one of the most vocal leaders of what Howard Dean used to call “the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.” As such, Sen. McEachin has been a forceful, articulate critic of Bob McDonnell’s “Confederate History Month,” of Ken Cuccinelli’s “ludicrous” lawsuit against clean cars, and of course against Cooch’s “ludicrous and frivolous” assault against climate scientist Michael Mann. In addition, Sen. McEachin has pressed Ken Cuccinelli to return $50,000 in tainted contributions from the shady U.S. Navy Veterans Association. And McEachin has called out Fred Malek for his “recent illegal behavior.”
In addition to (justifiably and necessarily) criticizing McDonnell and Cooch, Sen. McEachin also has been an active, articulate advocate for progressive values. For instance, see here for McEachin’s opposition to Del. Bob Marshall’s assault against the new health care law. Also, see here for Sen. McEachin’s passionate defense of “the poor…those how are vulnerable…those who live in the margins.” That’s exactly why many of us are Democrats, not Republicans, as Sen. McEachin clearly understands. We’ll see where this new PAC leads, whether to effective assistance for progressive candidates, to Sen. McEachin’s own run for statewide office, or to a Virginia we can all believe in. Perhaps it will lead to all of the above? We can only hope. Stay tuned…
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