January

The Accomack County Democratic Committee held its Caucus on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at the Chamber of Commerce in Melfa. Members of the Accomack County Democratic Committe were elected for two year terms. Delegate Lynwood Lewis kicked off the meeting with a preview of the upcoming General Assembly Session. Newly-elected State Senator Ralph Northam and Congressional Candidate Glenn Nye also spoke to the group.

An enthusiastic group gathers for the 10 a.m. caucus

State Senator Ralph Northam discusses the upcoming session with supporters

Candidate Glen Nye answers questions from the crowd

               May 2008              Seafood Festival

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Seafood Festival enjoyed sunny weather on its 40th anniversary.  Held at the Tom's Cove Campground on the water in Chincoteague, this year's festival drew an estimated 4000 seafood lovers.    It was the last stop on former Governor Mark Warner's campaign kickoff tour.  Governor Tim Kaine gave a brief speech.   Democratic elected officials State Senator Ralph Northam and Delegate Lynwood Lewis chatted with constituents and Democratic Congressional Candidate Glenn Nye introduced himself to Eastern Shore voters.  

Glen Nye and former Governer Mark Warner greet Seafood Festival participants.

Glenn Nye with Governor Tim Kaine

Nye with former Governor Mark Warner

    Senator Ralph Northam and Glenn Nye

Delegate Lynwood Lewis and Charlie Stanton, from Senator Webb's office.

12 Delegates from the Accomack County Democratic Committee travelled to Norfolk for the 2nd Congressional District Convention on May 17.    Our Accomack Committee ran the Obama caucus of 120+ delegates from VA Beach, Norfolk, & Hampton.     Frank Moore chaired, Dan Bilicki was the timekeeper (for limiting speakers) and Tysheka Finney was the Secretary (keeping minutes of the Caucus).  Thanks to these and all of our delegates for representing Accomack County Democrats!

Frank Moore (far left) also chaired the Obama caucus which selected 3 Obama delegates and 1 alternate to attend the national convention in Denver.  

Our 12 delegates traveled to the Democratic State Convention on June 17.   Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and Jim Webb joined all of Virginia's Congressional Candidates, including OUR 2nd district's Glenn Nye. 
Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds, Candidates for Governor of Virginia in 2009 also took part. Visit our Candidates page to read more about all.

Every four years, the Democratic Party of Virginia gathers to finalize its delegation to the Democratic National Convention. This year's state convention took place at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. Delegates elected 18 At-Large Delegates, 11 Pledged PLEOs, 2 Unpledged Add-On Delegates, 3 At-Large Alternates and 2 representatives to the Electoral College. They also adopted a platform to define Democratic values and energize the State Party.

Accomack County Delegate
Jan Siglin with Brian Moran,
Candidate for Governor.

 The Accomack delegates (D) and Alternates (A) who attended the District and State Conventions are:

CLINTON 4    (3 D+1 A)

(D) Rose Moore
(D) Jan Siglin
(D) Barbara Thackray
(A) Maureen Dooley

OBAMA 8   (5 D+3 A)

(D) Clint Rogers
(D)Frank Moore
(D) Bob Halligan
(D) Bill Paige
(D) Alice Rogers
(A) Tysheka Finney
(A) Parker Dooley
(A) Dan Bilicki

June      Creigh Deeds  and Delegate Lynwood Lewis

   Accomack and Northampton Democratic Committees held a joint meeting at the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce on June 17, 2008 to welcome Creigh Deeds to the Eastern Shore.  He was the Democratic nominee for state Attorney General in 2005, losing that race by the closest margin in Virginia history.

  Deeds is meeting voters across the state as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Governors race in 2009.   His speech touched on his rural roots, his experience in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, and his plans for job growth, education, energy, and transportation if he is elected Governor.  The speech was followed by a spirited discussion of his past race for Attorney General, his thoughts on offshore drilling and poverty in rural Virginia.  Learn more at his website:

http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/

State Delegate Lynwood Lewis invited the leadership of the Virginia Port Authority to tour several of the working water communities on the Eastern Shore that have been given grants through the "Aid to Local Ports" program.

Left to right in the photo are: Rodney Oliver, Treasurer, Va. Port Authority/ Rob Ritter, Chincoteague Town manager /Charlie Stanton Senator Jim Webb's Hampton Roads Representative /Wayne Merritt, Chincoteague Harbor Master /Jerry Bridges, Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority /Del. Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr./ Suzanne Taylor, Ex Director Chincoteague Chamber /Jeff Keever, Deputy Director, Virginia port Authority/ Jerry Ryan, Chincoteague Chamber President

August 2008     Glen Nye and Brian Moran visit the Eastern Shore.    Obama Campaign in Virginia.

Glenn Nye Comes to the Eastern Shore

Glenn Nye, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd District of Virginia visited the Eastern Shore on Saturday, August 2nd.  In this video he lays out his energy policy for a group of Eastern Shore supporters.  Visit his website to learn more about this great candidate and how we can help him beat Thelma Drake in November!  Thanks to Dan Bilicki for introducing Glenn.

Accomack Demcom member Betty Martin went to Denver to work as a volunteer at the convention. 

Click here to read of Betty's convention experience

Meet and Greet with Brian Moran

Delegate Brian Moran is running to be the Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia.  He came to the Eastern Shore for a "Meet and Greet" on Friday, August 8  at the Accomac Airport Terminal Building.   Eastern Shore voters met the candidate personally and shared their ideas and concerns at this informal event.  

Brian Moran is the Chairman of the Virginia House Democratic Caucus and a Delegate representing Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria.   He was happy to share the news with Eastern Shore voters that he has just received a perfect score on the annual League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Score Card, and was also recognized at an annual LCV event as a "Legislative Hero."

Delegate Moran spoke of how his family and his desire to "leave the world a better place for his children" motivate him to run for office.  He is visiting many areas of the state to meet voters before the primary and election for governor in 2009.  He spoke of the problems Virginia faces in providing the services, education, and infrastructure that are necessary to bring prosperity to all parts of state.  He described the current situation in Virginia government as paralyzed because of rigid Republican legislators who refuse to raise revenue even to maintain vital infrastructure that allows the state to compete.

Barack Obama Campaign 2008

Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama energized the crowd at an August, 2008 rally in Chesapeake, VA. Photo by current Northampton County Democratic Committee Chair, Linda Schulz, who was in the audience that day.

Michelle Obama and Glen Nye in Norfolk - August 6

A small group of Accomack Demcom members attended a Roundtable at Old Dominion University on August 6.  Glen Nye, our candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, gave a rousing speech before Mrs. Obama began the discussion.

Glen Nye (above) speaks of his gratitude to the military who worked with him in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Six military spouses and three retired officers participated in the roundtable with Michelle Obama, who began the discussion with a brief speech that highlighted the sacrifices that members of the military and their families make for the nation and the lack of services provided for them under the Bush administration.  She explained some of the ways in which Barack Obama plans to improve military readiness and morale, and to provide 21st century medical care to members of the military who are injured while serving.

Michelle Obama opens the discussion with a brief speech that details Barack Obama's concerns about military morale and readiness.   After the roundtable, Mrs. Obama attended a fundraiser with Governor Kaine at the Harrison Opera House, which served as a World War II USO theater.   Several Accomack County dems attended this event also.   Virginia's Bruce Hornsby provided musical entertainment.

Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha (right) makes a point during the discussion.

Accomack County Demcom member Betty Martin (far right) after the discussion.

September and October 2008 - an exciting election season on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Margaret Van Clief is Field Organizer for the Democratic Coordinated Campaign for the Eastern Shore.

Campaign Headquarters is at Chesapeake Square in Onley, three doors south of the Food Lion. Margaret has yard signs and other campaign material available now.  Visit the office or contact Margaret:

757.327.8909 margaret.vanclief@vavictory08.org

Incredible Voter Registration News!

From Ruta Vaskys and Martin Freed, coordinators for My Vote Virginia on the Eastern Shore on October 6:

"We know everyone has been holding their collective breath. So here it is: 1232                 You guys are stupendous, exceptional, extraordinary, magnificent, outstanding, preeminent, remarkable, singular, towering!!!!"

Much credit also goes to Ruta and Martin for extraordinary organizing and energizing!

Warner - Nye Rally

Mark Warner and Glenn Nye came to Sting-Ray's in Capeville on Monday Sept. 29 for a rally.  Watch the video here

Sign News

The Sept.20 issue of the Eastern Shore News covers the theft of three of our large "Eastern Shore for Obama" signs from Route 13 at the Whispering Pines intersection.  Great quote from our chairman Frank Moore who reported the theft and alerted the press, "It's rather childish.  People do that, it's a reflection on their candidate...It's equivalent to trying to stifle free speech."

We Dems know how to have some FUN!   Volunteers from the Accomack County DemCommittee put up some signs on a hot Sept. 15.   Thanks to all you volunteers who've helped with signs.   Much appreciation to Ruta Vaskys and Martin Freed for designing and providing these great customized signs!

Meetings

Frank Moore, Accomack County Committee Chairman, attended the Democratic Party of Virginia Central Committee meeting in Fredericksburg on Sept. 12 & 13 as member of the Central Committee with his wife, Rose Moore.   Frank and Rose also represented Accomack County Dems on Sept. 13 when Mark Warner hosted his "Almost Annual Pig Roast" at his home on the Rappahanock. Thank you Frank and Rose for making Accomack County a strong presence among Virginia Democrats!

                                                  ELECTION 08  !!!

Thanks to Democratic Committee Voluteers who braved wind and rain to get the message to polling places across the Shore. 

Meanwhile, things were hopping at campaign headquarters.  Watch the video below!

Voter turnout for the State of Virginia was record-setting.  72% of registered voters went to the polls.  Of these, 52.26% cast their votes for Barack Obama and 46.7% for John McCain.   Congratulations Virginia Democratic Volunteers!

Our Democratic Candidate for Senate, Mark Warner, captured a whopping 64% of the state vote, 62% of Accomack County.

In Accomack County, 70% of the voters came out in the wind and rain.  In an amazingly tight race, 7607 chose Obama and 7833 picked McCain.  - a small 226 vote difference.  

Our new Representative Glen Nye led Thelma Drake on the shore by 290 votes!    Final Accomack County numbers:

Obama 7,607   Warner 9,594     Nye 7,753 McCain 7,833 Gilmore 5,379   Drake 7,463

Click here to Check Election Results in Virginia

Click here to Check National Election Results

Paid for and authorized by the
Accomack County Democratic Committee; Frank V. Moore, Chair
P.O. Box 99, Onley, VA 23418.
757-787-8623 tel | fvmoore@verizon.net

and Paid for and authorized by the
Northampton County Democratic Committee; Linda Schulz, Chair
P.O. Box 14,  Cape Charles, VA 2310.
757-331-1522 tel |Llshulz1@aol.com