From Del. Rip Sullivan’s Blue Dominion PAC:
Flip-A-District Friday: Volume VIII
Welcome to the eighth issue of our 2021 Flip a District Series
House District 9
Meet the candidate: Bridgette Craighead
Bridgette Craighead is a 31-year-old single mother, entrepreneur, and advocate running to represent the people of Virginia’s Ninth House District. Born and raised in Rocky Mount, Bridgette grew up on Windy Lane, an area locals call “the Bottom” due to its high levels of generational poverty. She was raised by her adopted Grandmother Elsie and other relatives, eventually graduating from William Fleming High School in 2008. After attending cosmetology school, Bridgette opened a small business in the heart of Rocky Mount where she is raising her five-year-old son, Bronsyn.
Eager to build safer, healthier communities for all Virginians, Bridgette began organizing locally in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. She was at the forefront of the Black Lives Matter movement in Franklin County. Her advocacy and that of her neighbors drew attention from national media outlets, including the Washington Post and AJ+ filmmakers whose documentary about Rocky Mount won an Emmy.
Continued media coverage propelled Bridgette’s campaign, garnering enthusiasm from grassroots supporters across the nation. Her message of unity and resilience resonated across political silos and geographic boundaries, eventually leading to her meeting the families of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Rep. John Lewis.
Bridgette’s campaign is part of a movement, not a moment. As a local business owner and single mother, Bridgette understands what it’s like to navigate everyday issues like childcare, job security, public safety, skyrocketing housing costs, internet access, and healthcare. She’s running for Delegate because she is personally invested in the future of rural Virginia and is committed to uplifting the forgotten voices of her district.
About the district:
Virginia’s 9th House of Delegates District is located in southwest Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes portions of Franklin, Patrick, and Henry counties. Bridgette’s home of Rocky Mount is the largest town in the predominantly rural district. The longtime Republican incumbent has held this seat since 2008, running unopposed nearly every election, but lost the June primary to a more conservative candidate. Bridgette’s future-focused campaign on local issues impacting people’s daily lives continues to resonate with voters ahead of the November election.
Contact the Campaign: here
House District 55
Meet the candidate: Rachel Levy
Rachel Levy is a long-time resident, parent, teacher and champion of the 55th District and a nationally recognized public education advocate. She holds a PhD in educational leadership & policy, and on education matters, she is known for her solution-oriented and evidence-based advocacy for increased funding and making our schools more welcoming and equitable for all students. She also has served as a leader of the group Friends of Hanover Schools, as a local PTA unit leader, on Governor-elect Ralph Northam’s PK-12 policy council, and as a local Education Association president. She is active in her synagogue where she currently serves on the Board of Directors, and Rachel is a member of the Hanover Democratic Committee, Together Hanover, and the Hanover NAACP.
Rachel was recognized as one of six Vox Populi (“people not afraid to speak up, and act out, for local causes they believe in”) by Richmond Magazine in 2015. She was a leader in the most recent movement to finally change the Confederate-named schools and mascots in Hanover County. As a mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes, Rachel, along with other parents, successfully lobbied for the $50 prescription insulin cap that was recently passed.
Rachel is running to strengthen our public schools and see that they are fully funded at the state level, to ensure better access to healthcare especially mental healthcare, to protect our environment and preserve our rural lands, to facilitate broadband access under the premise that high-speed internet is a public utility, and to help bring about more positive outcomes from our criminal justice and public safety systems.
HD- 55
The 55th District is a beautiful, diverse area that includes the western half of Hanover County, the Town of Ashland, 2/3rds of Caroline County, and a few precincts in Spotsylvania County. The HOD race is typically 40/60, favoring the Republicans, however this district did go blue for Barack Obama in 2012, so the district can be flipped.
Just one example of why we must defeat Fowler
Rachel’s opponent is an ineffective, inactive legislator who takes his seat and his voters for granted and who does nothing to help the people of the 55th, and otherwise votes to restrict our rights and liberties, for example voting against the ratification of the ERA, against same-sex marraige, against banning the “gay panic” defense, against the Virginia Voting Rights Act, and against access to water as a human right. He has cozied up to the Tea Party in this area that doesn’t represent our district. For many reasons, he doesn’t represent or respect the people of his district, and that needs to change.
House District 81 
Meet the candidate: Jeffrey Feld
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Fast-Facts |
● Jeffrey “Doc” Feld is a podiatrist in Virginia Beach, and the father of three sons in public schools.
● “Doc” Feld’s focus is on bringing our community’s voice to Richmond, creating an environment of collaboration and consensus that cuts through the noise of partisanship. ● “Doc” Feld has lived in the community for 20 years and raised his family here. His wife is a public-school teacher. |
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Healthcare |
● As an experienced medical provider, “Doc” Feld brings an in-depth, factual understanding to healthcare challenges within our community.
● “Doc” Feld supports protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions, requiring transparent billing, and ensuring access to quality healthcare regardless of socio-economic status. |
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Education |
● “Doc” Feld supports equitable education for long-term community success and to prepare our future generations for the modern workforce.
● “Doc” Feld supports getting more money directly into the classrooms to reduce class size and give all students a better education. |
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Environment |
● HD 81 has experienced increased property flooding and damage due to the effects of climate change, and “Doc” Feld is dedicated to protecting our communities and reversing the effects of climate change.
● “Doc” Feld believes in middle-ground solutions to drive sustainable support and the gradual transition to clean energy. |
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Jobs / Economy |
● Small businesses are in need of an honest advocate to help them recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than favoring large corporations.
● “Doc” Feld will partner will local businesses and workers to hear their personal challenges, long-term obstacles, and present concerns about the economy. |
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Bipartisanship |
● A common-sense approach has defined Jeffrey “Doc” Feld’s career, and he strives to bring a clear voice to break through the noise of partisanship in Richmond.
● Jeffrey believes in gradual, meaningful change for sustainable success rather than drastic overhauls or blanket solutions. |
Contact the Campaign: here
House District 95
Delegate Marcia Price has proudly served the people of the 95th District in the House of Delegates since 2016. In that time, she has worked to pass meaningful, progressive legislation, speaking truth to power, amplifying the voices and lived experiences of Peninsula residents, and delivering results for the people who need them the most. Among her proudest legislative accomplishments is introducing the historic and pivotal Voting Rights Act of Virginia.
As a 4th generation resident of the district and a 10th generation resident of the 757, Del. Price understands the issues facing her constituents and has dedicated her time in the legislature fighting for the district that raised her. From housing to education, from criminal justice reform to healthcare, from voting rights to public safety, Del. Price has worked with her colleagues, elected leaders, local activists, community partners and other stakeholders on these and other issues to build a stronger, more equitable district.
These aren’t theoretical discussions or abstract concepts to her; Del. Price does the work to directly improve the everyday lives of people while uplifting those most marginalized. She knows that if she remains quiet and comfortable, she is doing a disservice to the individuals and families who depend on her to be their voice.
House District 95:
Located in the Virginia Peninsula, House District 95 includes parts of Newport News and Hampton. A historically neglected, resilient, beautiful district, voters are frustrated with previous voter suppression but have shown they will turn out for candidates who prove they care.
Contact the Campaign: here
Contribute: here
House District 32
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Meet the candidate: David Reid
David Reid is a decorated Navy veteran and business professional who brings over 30 years of experience in strategic management, banking, global telecommunications, and the defense industry to his campaign to represent Loudoun County. David has the experience necessary to analyze the complex problems facing Virginia and promote innovative, bipartisan solutions that will deliver positive results in transportation, education, conservation, college affordability, and public safety.
Del. Reid is running against Scott Pio who supported the Jan 6 insurrection, organized rallies for Trump, and denies the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds just about every regressive view possible and is being funded by Glenn Youngkin.
House District 71
Meet the candidate: Jeffrey Bourne
A proud resident of Richmond and a former Richmond City School Board member, Jeff was elected to represent the 71st District in 2017. Throughout his time in the General Assembly, Jeff has championed education, environmental protection, criminal justice reform, and housing equality.
And more information about him can be found here:
Contact the Campaign: here
House District 39
Meet the candidate: Vivian Watts
That’s it for Volume VIII of our Flip-a-District Friday series. I encourage you to review this email and future editions to find a candidate or candidates whom you would like to support with your time or financial resources.
Project Blue Dominion is committed to supporting Democratic candidates in every corner of the Commonwealth. Join us. The fight to defend and expand our majority is on
Best,
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