Virginia –  especially Northern Virginia – is facing a troubling time with this government shutdown. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay did a great job on NPR  highlighting the enormous impact it will have on Fairfax County residents.

With an administration openly hostile to our federal workforce, we must elect leaders who will stand up for Virginians impacted by its harmful policies. I cannot think of a more important time for Virginia to send a loud message to the world by electing Democrats up and down the ballot this November.

We have four more great candidates to highlight for you in this week’s Flip and Defend-a-District. I hope that you can take a moment to learn more about them and support them in any way you can.

At Project Blue Dominion, we are committed to uplifting every Virginia Democratic candidate with our Flip and Defend-a-District newsletter. This week, we are highlighting:

With Virginia in the national spotlight, the stakes are higher than ever—and you have the power to help elect Democrats. Every candidate highlighted in this newsletter deserves your support. As we race to election day, we need to stay energized, stay united, and seize this historic opportunity.

Lindsey Dougherty is a dedicated public servant running a strong campaign in one of the year’s most watched races. This is a race we can and must win.

Lindsey will represent the needs of her neighbors because she has faced the same problems so many of them have. She has had to navigate a complex healthcare system with two children with complicated autoimmune disorders, medical costs that threaten bankruptcy, sometimes working multiple jobs to make ends meet while also attending school full-time, and raising a family.

She suffered a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, and knows she wouldn’t be here today without prompt, compassionate, life-saving care provided by her medical team. She doesn’t want a government that will impose itself into private and personal medical decisions. With Lindsey, voters have the chance to elect someone who will champion their common goals and work to protect them.

After years of voting reliably red, House District 75 swung hard for Democrats in 2024, with Kamala Harris carrying this seat by 6 points, putting the seat into play this cycle.

But with a well funded incumbent and Youngkin’s handpicked successor at the top of the ballot, it cannot be taken for granted.

We need all hands on deck if we want to make 2024 a turning point for the district.

Lindsey is running against GOP incumbent Carrie Coyner. Coyner is widely regarded as one of the most vulnerable sitting delegates this cycle, narrowly winning this seat in 2023 by just over 1200 votes. She has raised nearly a million dollars in her quest to hold onto a seat that swung away from her party last cycle.

In deep southwest Virginia, Jamie Ralston Hendry is running for all the right reasons. She knows that listening, working hard, and standing up for everyday people is what being a public servant is all about.

Education has been the cornerstone of Jamie’s life. As a professor for a nationally recognized university and as someone who worked her way through her own education, she realizes the importance it has in helping provide opportunities. She was a dedicated educator, creating courses where students not only sat in classrooms, but also got real-world experience by getting involved in their community and making a difference. Now she wants to bring that passion and energy to Richmond to represent Southwest Virginia.

Jamie understands firsthand the challenges that rural Virginians face, whether it be limited job opportunities, underfunded schools, and the lack of affordable housing, healthcare, and addiction treatment. She has cared for aging parents, lost jobs, lived through financial uncertainty, and walked with friends and neighbors through some of life’s hardest struggles. Her lived experiences will make her a valuable advocate for many Virginia and those of the 46th district.

The 46th District is in the heart of Southwest Virginia. West of Roanoke and Blacksburg, Republicans have had strong performances here in previous years, often capturing over 70% of the vote.

Making inroads with moderates and moving the needle in this district and region could help Democrats have a big win in November.

With the incumbent stepping down, Jamie is running in an open seat against GOP candidate Mitchell Cornett. In his campaign announcement he used standard GOP talking points to signal he would oppose any kind of gun-safety measures and any efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights.

Likely he would be one of the staunchest conservatives in a House Republican Caucus determined to move Virginia in the wrong direction.

Cathy Rec brings real-world experience that can make a big difference to the constituents of the 33rd District. With former Minority Leader Todd Gilbert stepping down from his seat, Cathy is running in an open seat where – in a strong democratic year – anything is possible.

She is committed to bringing new energy to Richmond. She is a firm believer that constituents of the 33rd District deserve someone who will show up, listen, and never back down. Her record of steady service, from grassroots organizing to supporting local campaigns, has prepared her for this opportunity. Cathy is determined to go to Richmond to fight for issues that have often been ignored by past leaders for almost two decades, with the wellbeing of her constituents constantly front of mind.

Undoubtedly she would make a strong addition to the House Democratic Caucus.

House District 33 sits in the heart of the Shenandoah part of Virginia. Just north of Harrisonburg and west of WInchester, this district has been a GOP stronghold since its creation in 2020.

A closer race in this district would help Democrats statewide take a key voting block away from Republicans who depend on areas like this for success.

Cathy is taking on GOP nominee Justin Pence. Committed to anti-LGBTQ policies and demonization of affordable, clean energy, Pence would add another Republican who could jeopardize Democrat’s majority and stifle progress.

As a life-long member of the NRA, it is likely he will oppose gun safety policies that will help keep children and families safe.

Mary Sumner is running for the 43rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Mary wants to focus on ensuring everyone has access to a quality education, affordable housing and childcare, and healthcare. She hopes to build the tourism sector in her region while also supporting local farmers.

Being sure constituents in the 43rd District have access to good paying jobs that will help build stronger communities is a key priority of Mary’s in this race.

Mary is determined to be a strong voice and advocates for her constituents. She will help defend Social Security, Medicare, rural hospitals, PBS, and services that Virginians have paid for with their hard earned tax dollars.

House District 43 is almost the furthest Southwest you can go in Virginia. Just north of Bristol and west of Blacksburg, HD43 district has been a stronghold for Republicans, and has not voted under 74% for the GOP since 2016.

Reducing the GOP’s margin in this region could help Democratic statewide leaders have a greater chance of victory in November.

Mary is running against GOP incumbent Will Morefield. Morefield has opposed many of the Democrats’ greatest successes in recent years, including increasing the minimum wage, establishing paid family and medical leave, and protecting women’s reproductive freedom. No doubt if re-elected he will continue to oppose Democrat’s proposals moving Virginia in the right direction.

That’s it for Volume 18 of our Flip and Defend-a-District Friday series. We’ll be back next week and every week until Election Day to share more about our great candidates. In the meantime, 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 protect and expand our House majority is on.

Best,

Rip Sullivan