Legislative Redistricting

Amherst County VA Democratic News

The Senate's Privileges and Elections Committee is holding hearings across the state about legislative redistricting and it is essential to have your voice heard.     For the past 3 years Democrats have fought for a fair, non-partisan process.     But each year, the Republican House of Delegates killed those bills.


Therefore it's more important, now than ever to make sure your voice is heard.      Please attend and share your thoughts on the process.


The public hearings are:

Wed., Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

Virginia Western Community College Natural Science Center
3102 Colonial Ave. SW
Roanoke, Va.






Thurs., Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Herndon Town Council Chambers
765 Lynn St.
Herndon, Va.






Thurs., Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
The Forum, Building A, Tidewater Community College
120 Campus Dr.
Portsmouth, Va.






Fri., Dec. 17, 11 .m.
Senate Room B, General Assembly Building, Capitol Square
Richmond, Va.

Thanks for all you do,

Dick Cranwell
Chairman , Democratic Party of Virginia


This is one of the last notes from Dick as Chairman,  once again he has announced he is stepping down.


Read on for the details.


Dick Cranwell steps down as Virginia Democratic Party chairman, Again

Virginia Democratic Party Chairman C. Richard Cranwell told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he intends to step down by December from the post he has held for five years.


The Roanoke lawyer and former House of Delegates Majority Leader said in an interview that will announce his decision on
Wednesday.    He said he has informed Democratic legislative and congressional leaders and top staff of the Democratic Party of Virginia of his decision.


His announcement comes three weeks ahead of congressional elections in Virginia that could reverse the three U.S. House
seats the Democrats gained in 2008 to take a majority of the state's 11 House spots.


It also comes after the Democrats took a trouncing in the 2009 gubernatorial race. Republicans won the office in a rout as well as the other two statewide elected offices.


"We've had some success during my time as chairman and we've taken a bust in the snout while I've been chairman, but I think the momentum of this year's election is starting to swing our way,"
Cranwell said in a telephone interview.


Under Cranwell's watch, Virginia Democrats elected Timothy M. Kaine governor in 2005, U.S. Senators Jim Webb in 2006 and
Mark R. Warner in 2008, and carried the state for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.


Also in the 2008 Democratic sweep, the party took from the Republicans U.S. House seats in the 2nd, 5th and 11th Districts. This year, the GOP has targeted those first-year Democrats for defeat, and with polls showing President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress unpopular, Democratic losses in Virginia appear likely.


It's the second time since 2008 that Cranwell has announced plans to step aside.    He said in late 2008 he intended to leave early the next year, but reversed himself in March 2009,  preferring to stay on to aid the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial nominee R. Creigh Deeds.


Deeds' campaign floundered, however, as Republican Bob McDonnell won with nearly 59 percent of the vote.    The GOP also
picked up seats in the Virginia House of Delegates for the first time since the elections of 2001.


The search for a successor has been under way for weeks with Warner, Kaine and others trying to persuade 2009 gubernatorial contender Brian J. Moran of Alexandria to replace Cranwell.


Moran was described Tuesday as "the first among equals," should he resolve issues regarding his family and his job that would allow him to hold the post.


Others under consideration include Greg Werkheiser, who raised and spent about $500,000 in a 2009 bid to unseat Del. David
Albo, R-Fairfax County, and Michael Signer, a Democratic strategist who unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for
lieutenant governor last year.

                                                                                                                                       ACVDN
State Democratic leaders knew Cranwell would not stay on for another year, but they were surprised that he is announcing his decision before the Nov. 2 elections.
ACV Democratic News