Tag: 10th Congressional District

By Josh Stanfield of Activate Virginia Yesterday, I stumbled across a couple of articles breaking the shocking news of a federal indictment of Shaun Brown, 2016...

This is our new Leadership Team! Thursday night, I was unanimously elected to become the next Chairman of the Occoquan District Democratic Committee! It feels like...

Chances are you’ve seen the political Top Gun spoof that people are calling the worst political ad they've ever seen, but it's so bad it's good.  That...

Though intended to serve at least two purposes, the $450 million spent on anti-Affordable Care Act (ACA) ads have failed their purpose(s) and may have unintentionally informed the uninsured that they have a path to healthcare coverage. The other intent, to support Republican candidates by inference, may also backfire.

The correlation of negative ad spending to enrollment is not direct and is affected by demographics, but research prepared by Brookings Institution fellow Niam Yaraghi provides some very interesting data. The chart for the television markets that encompass Virginia shows raw spending data from 2013 (national TV market map and data). This is not per capita data, so cannot be used for an accurate correlation, but it is informative. And Yaraghi does point out that the market where the highest per capita spending occurred, Washington, D.C., had the highest Obamacare enrollment rate, 11%.

In the states where more anti-ACA ads are aired, residents were on average more likely to believe that Congress will repeal the ACA in the near future. People who believe that subsidized health insurance may soon disappear could have a greater willingness to take advantage of this one time opportunity.

What is also clear from the spending data is that this advertising is aimed at assisting Republicans in states with the most competitive mid-term Senate races: Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. The aim is probably as much voter suppression as it is support for the Republican candidates. In Virginia, these ads may influence the outcome of two Congressional races (7th and 10th) more than the U.S. Senate race not only because Senator Warner has a nuanced position on the ACA but also because his opponent is a cold fish.  

I had a chance to meet General John Douglass a couple weeks ago, and was very impressed. I definitely feel like he's a strong challenger to Frank Wolf, aka the rubber stamp for John Boehner and Eric Can'tor's radical, right-wing agenda in the House of Representatives. Clearly, 2012 should be the year that Frank Wolf is sent to a well-deserved retirement, and replaced by someone like General John Douglass. Anyway, check out the press release and well-made video and see what you think.

Our country is under tremendous stress.  But too many in Washington are playing political games instead of facing up to the challenges of jobs, energy, transportation, education, health care, national security, and more.

I've served this nation for over three decades. I've served presidents of both parties.  I rose to the rank of General because I have a proven record of standing up, taking on the tough fights, and winning them.

That's why I've decided to run for Congress. I hope that you'll join me.

This won't be easy.  My opponent has been in Congress for decades, getting a free pass for too long.  As I've talked with my neighbors throughout Virginia's 10th district, I've heard them loud and clear: It's time for an independent voice and a focus on practical solutions to our nation's challenges.

We face grave challenges.  But when it comes to America, failure is not an option.

Here's what you can do:  Watch my announcement video and share it with your friends.  Visit JohnDouglassForCongress.com to learn more and endorse my candidacy.  Make a financial donation to kick off our campaign.  Share your ideas with me on Facebook.

There's a long road ahead.  And today, we take the first step.

John

Brigadier General John Douglass (ret.)

Two points on this: 1) gotta hand it to Frank Wolf, at least he's been consistent in his dislike of tunnels, either at the airport (where we don't need one) or in Tysons Tunnel (where we badly DO need one); and 2) good for the union members protesting Wolf's constant anti-worker, pro-corporate, right-wing ideological votes on everything from health care reform to the environment to huge tax breaks to rich people to defunding Medicare to...you name it. Every time Wolf pokes his head out of his spider-hole, he deserves to be confronted with protests like these.

The 10th CD Republican Committee convention just started. The question is, as "Loudoun Insider" at Too Conservative puts it, whether Republicans will "have a competent, well qualified statesman as Chairman in Dave Schmidt, or a loudmouth malcontent in Howie Lind."  

Among other things, Lind is reportedly (according to Dave Schmidt) a big fan of "Republican loyalty" tests, has "a record of causing party divisions and excluding coalitions that could forge majorities in November," has "one of the worst attendance records on the 10th District Committee," and was "asked by Congressman Wolf to withdraw from the Tenth District chairman race because he could divide the party." The "end result" of all this? "Victory for the Democrats," according to Schmidt.

Bottom line: I strongly endorse Howie Lind for 10th CD Republican Committee chair, as I sincerely believe he would best for the Republican Democratic Party in the 10th CD. Go "loudmouth malcontent!" Heh.

UPDATE 1:30 pm: Hahahahahah, it looks like good news, "Howie Lind wins." Exxxxcellent. :)

UPDATE 3:02 pm:  One big happy family, nice to see! :)

UPDATE 9:20 pm: Gotta love this!

Frank Wolf is lucky he has long term incumbency on his side because he is now majorly marginalized in northern Virginia GOP politics. The 10th District Committee (and its largest component, the LCRC) are firmly in Cuccinelli camp, and completely beholden to him, and that is absolutely at odds with someone like Frank Wolf (you know, thoughtful and non-confrontational). Wolf didn't want to get involved at all in this contest and he will now have to deal with these people. Good luck, Congressman.

Before he withdrew from the race on February 26, 2010, Dennis Findley was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I had a chance to meet Dennis and talk to him on several occasions, and there's no doubt that he is a class act all the way. Today, unfortunately, we received very sad news about Dennis' wife, Bonnie. I just wanted to convey my deepest condolences to Dennis and his family on this tragedy.

To Dear Friends of Bonnie Barit and Dennis Findley,

With great sadness we share with you that Bonnie Barit, wife of Dennis Findley, mother of Tillman and Stirling, and faithful Franciscan, died suddenly on Monday, May 10 at their home in McLean.

In accordance with ancient church tradition Bonnie's casket will be brought to the church on Sunday evening, where the family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 pm. On Monday May 17 at 11 am we will celebrate a choral Requiem Eucharist, to be followed by a reception in Millen Hall. Interment will take place later in the day, attended by family and close friends.

Further details about memorial donations will follow. Please keep Dennis, Tillman, Stirling, and Bonnie's mother Mickey in your prayers in this very difficult time.
If you can help with hospitality on Sunday evening or Monday please contact the parish office.

fc[Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light light perpetual shine upon her.

Penny Bridges, Rector

St. Francis Episcopal Church
9220 Georgetown Pike
Great Falls, VA 22066
703-759-2082

Although Rep. Jim Moran is a Democrat and Rep. Frank Wolf is a Republican, I don't think I've ever heard Moran say a negative word about Wolf, or vice versa. Well, last night, at former Del. Margi Vanderhye's house (at a fundraiser for 10th CD Democratic nominee, Jeff Barnett), that changed.  Watch as a fired-up Jim Moran strongly lays out the case against Frank Wolf and why he need to be replaced. Good stuff.

Well, this is a bummer:

Dear Friends,

It is with great disappointment that I must announce that I will no longer be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the United States Congress in the 10th district of Virginia.
Over the past 3-4 weeks I have been experiencing a reoccurrence of a back injury I suffered years ago.  While I attempted to push through the pain and continue on, I found myself in an orthopedic surgeon's office on Monday.  He gave me the news I hoped I would never hear, I need to have surgery on my back.  

After discussing all of my options, I was told that postponing the surgery until after the election could result in permanent nerve damage.  The best case scenario puts my recovery at 4 to 6 weeks.  During that time I would not be able to actively campaign.  With only 8 weeks until the election, such a time frame simply does not allow me to run an effective primary campaign.  So, in conjunction with my doctor and my family, I have come to the sad conclusion that I must end my campaign for congress in Virginia's 10th district.
The decision is disappointing, and was difficult to make. I truly feel that with my background in economic and workforce development and my strong message of getting our economy on the right track would have made me a strong alternative to Frank Wolf in the fall. But I believe this is the best decision for my family and me.  

I want to thank all of my supporters, my staff and my family for all of their help.  I can't put into words how much it has meant to me personally.  I will contact as many of you as I can in the days ahead.

Once my treatment is complete I intend to do everything I can to support Jeff Barnett's campaign and focus on our ultimate objective, defeating Frank Wolf in the Fall.

All my best,

Rich
Richard Anthony

I'll have more to say about this race in coming days. For now, let me just encourage everyone to support Jeff Barnett, a strong progressive (see my Blue Virginia interview with Jeff here) like Rich Anthony.