A joint meeting of the Accomack County Democratic Committee and the Northampton County Democratic Committee was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Frank Moore. Approximately 25 members were in attendance. Chairman Moore introduced Jody Wagner, one of five candidates running for the Lt. Governor slot in the June 9th primary. Ms. Wagner, a former State Treasurer and Director of Finance, addressed three key areas she believes are critical to the state of Virginia: transportation, education, and fiscal balance. She spoke for about 20 minutes. Ms Wagner has been endorsed by 40 of the 67 members of the General Assembly and many city mayors.
Jody Wagner and DemCom member Barbara Thackray chat before the meeting.
Glenn Nye (on right) chats with Frank Moore during the open house at his Accomac office.
Glenn Nye Opens Local Office
Our U.S. Representative for Virginia's 2nd District, Glenn Nye, came to the shore on Saturday, January 24th to host an open house at his local office in Accomac. The office is located at 23386 Front Street. The phone number is 787-5092.
Inauguration Day!
Accomack Democrat Michael Male travelled to the inauguration with his brother Tim. Thanks to our new Congressman Glenn Nye for providing a last-minute ticket! Video on right --------------------->
McAuliffe (left) with Demcom chairman Frank Moore at the Accomac County Airport.
Terry McAuliffe visits Shore
Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee has announced his candidacy for Governor of Virginia. He is running against Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran for the Democratic party nomination. McAuliffe visited the Eastern Shore on December 20 to answer questions and get feedback from Shore citizens. Read more about his visit at:
February - Congressman Nye Meets Constituents in Cape Charles
US Congressman Glenn Nye met with approximately 60 constituents at the Cape Charles Coffee House on February 21, 2009. The event, organized by the Northampton County Democratic Committee (NCDC) and Congressman Nye’s District office in Virginia Beach, was one of a series of Congress at Your Corner events the congressman is holding in the District. Congressman Nye spoke for a few minutes about his new committee assignments and the stimulus bill. For the remainder of the meeting he spoke individually with each person attending, answering questions and hearing concerns about the federal stimulus legislation and other policy issues, getting requests for help with individual federal benefits, and receiving a list of “shovel ready projects” from Cape Charles officials. A small group of people carrying placards protesting the stimulus legislation stood outside during the two-hour event, and though invited, refused to come inside to join in the conversation.
Community Forum on May 5
State Senator Ralph Northam, Delegate Lynwood Lewis, and Candidate for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner met with a joint meeting of the Accomack and Northampton County Democratic Committees for an informal Community Forum at the Captain's Deck Restaurant in Nassawadox. Northam and Lewis introduced Jody Wagner who is running for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor
Jody Wagner and her campaign chairman speak with Jane Cabarrus
Lynwood Lewis, Ralph Northam and Jody Wagner
Ralph Northam chats with attendees
Senator Northam and Delegate Lewis then spoke about the recent general assembly session and the struggle to balance the budget with the reduced state tax revenue caused by the economic recession. Large cuts were necessary in order to achieve the balanced budget required by Virginia Law. The Obama Administration's stimulus funds allowed the state to avoid major cuts to health care, education and law enforcement. Additional stimulus funding should soon be moving into projects on the Shore and throughout the state as they are approved.
In response to questions from local radio show host Melody Scalley about offshore oil drilling, both Lewis and Northam strongly declared their opposition to drilling, citing it's potential for environmental and aquaculture industry disruption as well as the problems that it would cause for NASA operations and expansion.
Lewis also gave a spirited defense of the American public school system in response to Ms. Scalley's support of school vouchers.
June - Delegate Lewis Attends NCDC Meeting
Delegate Lyn Lewis attended the June meeting of the Northampton County Democratic Committee. He spoke about the recent Legislative session and summarized his efforts to support the economy on the Eastern Shore. He also spoke about the fact that he is facing opposition from the Republican candidate, WESR talk radio host Melody Scalley, in his re-election bid for November.
August - Reception Honoring 2009 Gubernatorial Candidate Creigh Deeds
On Thursday, August 13, 2009 the Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo hosted a reception in honor of our Democratic Candidate for Governor of Virginia, Creigh Deeds. Senator Deeds arrived at the event fresh off a clam boat that took him for a look at the rich waters of the Eastern Shore. Supporters then enjoyed lots of clams, fresh from the Shore's clean salty waters.
Our State Delegate, Lynwood Lewis and our State Senator, Ralph Northam, were both on hand to introduce candidate Deeds and to share some of their experience of him as a committed and conscientious leader.
Senator Deeds spoke of his committment to improving the infrastructure of Virginia, especially transportation, which he believes will bring jobs and prosperity. He spoke of the importance of Hampton Roads as an International Port that requires the roads and infrastructure to support it. Deeds also highlighted the need for education in Virginia to improve so that it is able to create a workforce for the future.
From left to right, Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Candidate Creigh Deeds and State Senator Ralph Northam
He also said that qualified students should have access to Virginia's institutions of higher education, regardless of their financial situation. Deeds spoke of exploring and investing in alternative energy sources, though he did not dismiss the possibility of offshore drilling for oil in Virginia, if environmental and social concerns are addressed. Throughout his remarks, Deeds emphasized his rural roots and efforts as a state senator to make government work.
Northampton County Democratic Committee Chair Linda Schulz and a constituent speak with the candidate.
Deeds appealed to the gathered supporters to help him in the upcoming election effort by donating time and money, by manning phone banks and visiting votors. He responded to questions about his poll numbers, about education, and about the conflicts that offshore drilling would pose to the military, NASA and aquaculture.
September - Dems support Del. Lynwood Lewis's re-election!
15 Dems marched with Lynwood Lewis in Cape Charle's Tomato Festival Parade on Saturday Sept. 26. His opponent, Melody Scalley also took part, but with a smaller turnout of supporters. Let's keep showing our support!
October - Harvest Festival 2009
While attending the Eastern Shore Harvest Festival at Kiptopeke on October 7, 2009, Governor Tim Kaine visited Delegate Lyn Lewis's tent. The Governor spent time conferring with Delegate Lewis and chatting with Lewis's supporters.
In front of Delegate Lewis's tent, from left to right, Governor Kaine with Northampton Dem Bill Denny, Accomack Committee Chair Frank Moore, and Northamton Committee Chair Linda Schulz.
November - ELECTION 2009
Disappointing results for Virginia's Democrats in this year's election are balanced here on the Eastern Shore by the decisive victory of Lynwood Lewis. Thanks to everyone who worked to return our Delegate to Richmond to represent the Eastern Shore!
Click here to view November 3rd election results in Virginia.
Post-Election thoughts from Linda Shulz, Chair of the Northampton County Democratic Committee
Despite the dispiriting results of the statewide election, we must be heartened by the extremely strong results in our own delegate race. As most of you know by now Lyn won his race with 64% of the vote -- a 2 to 1 margin! I know Lyn is appreciative, as am I for all your efforts to help him retain his seat and carry on his good work representing the Eastern Shore in the House of Delegates.
I want to thank all those who labored in the vineyards long and hard, who put out signs, canvassed, phone banked, wrote letters to the editor, worked the polls and more, for all your hard work. Do not be discouraged by the results of the statewide election, but do know that we have to keep up the good fight. As Dan Balz in today's New York Times states, off year elections can be notoriously unreliable predictors of the future," however, the results of this election "delivered clear warnings for the Democrats." As you all are aware, the coming year will require us to work hard to help Glenn Nye retain his seat in the House of Representatives.
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
From left to right, Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Candidate Creigh Deeds and State Senator Ralph Northam
to view November 3rd election results in Virginia.