Another weekend down, and Team Englin continues to defy expectations with a growing grassroots army of committed Democratic activists.

“With the Memorial Day holiday, I expected a slow weekend in terms of volunteers,” said David. “As it turns out, we had another one of our best weekends yet, with more than two dozen people out knocking on doors and talking with voters about my progressive agenda for the future.”

David is proving that he is the only candidate in the race for the 45th with the vision and the energy to build the grassroots and build the Democratic Party to take Virginia.

“This is how we’re eventually going to win back Virginia and deliver on progressive legislation,” said David. “If we can turn out this many new, committed grassroots activists to fight for a progressive future on a beautiful three-day weekend, imagine what we’ll be able to do for Tim Kaine, Dana Lawhorne, Greg Werkheiser, Bruce Roemmelt, and other terrific Democratic candidates between now and November.”

With GOTV Weekend quickly approaching, be sure to let Mara know when you can volunteer for the Final Four at gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.

This Memorial Day let us pause to honor and remember the people who have given their lives in service to our country. We live at a time when, for many of us, fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are not distant strangers but friends, neighbors, and family members. Personally, I recall Dennis Rando, Dave Weber, and Mark Dostal among the friends and colleagues killed in the line of duty during our Air Force service together. We should honor their sacrifices by pledging to do better by the veterans still with us and by the men and women who still serve and their families.

Virginia has the fifth largest per-capita population of military veterans, but we have only one veterans care center and too few caseworkers to serve the needs of our 780,000 veterans. Between America’s ongoing military commitments and the Bush administration’s continued mismanagement of our National Guard and Reserve force, thousands of Virginians have been pulled from their civilian lives far in excess of anything they could have prepared for, putting great personal and financial strain on families who suddenly find themselves living on military pay. The men and women who volunteer to risk their safety to defend ours have a right to be treated well and fairly. We need more caseworkers and better access to health care services for military veterans. We also need incentives for employers who continue to provide benefits to the families of Guard and Reserve employees while they are serving on active duty. Let us honor those who serve with meaningful policies that make a difference to the lives of the comrades and families they leave behind.

Eighteen days until the polls close, and Campaign Central is a constant hive of activity. Team Englin volunteers have spent the week knocking on doors, making phone calls, and doing everything it takes to share David’s strong progressive message with the voters of the 45th District.

“I’ll never be able to say thank you enough to the amazing people working so hard for victory on June 14th,” said David. “Every evening when I come home from talking with voters at their doors , I come home to a house packed with volunteers talking with their friends and neighbors about a progressive future. This is how we’re going to win this race and lay the foundation for a Democratic Virginia.”

With GOTV Weekend quickly approaching, be sure to let Mara know when you can volunteer for the Final Four at gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.

The National Association of Social Workers, Virginia Chapter, completed its endorsement process yesterday and named David as their choice to represent the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

“In a crowded field, David stands out for his direct and unwavering commitment to social justice and equal rights for all Virginians, and he will be a strong and effective advocate for the families and children of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Arlington,” said Debra Riggs, NASW-VA Executive Director.

“This endorsement is particularly meaningful to me because the NASW-VA shares my commitment to social justice and equal rights,” said David. “I am honored to have their support, and look forward to fighting side by side with them for a better Virginia.”

The NASW-VA is a chapter of the largest membership association of social workers in the world.

Team Englin gratefully acknowledges Eryn Kawecki, this week’s Volunteer of the Week. Eryn co-chairs, along with last week’s Volunteer of the Week Genevieve, the Freethinker’s Society at TC Williams. Eryn has been a huge help on the campaign – knocking on doors and making phone calls – on top of her heavy load at school. THANK YOU, Eryn! We really appreciate you and everything you do!

What an amazing day for Team Englin! More than two dozen volunteers spent several hours knocking on doors Saturday to share David’s message with voters in every corner of the district. When they returned to “Camp David,” the “Knock” was followed by the “Rock,” which meant musical entertainment generously donated by Ed Smith of the local band Judge Smith.

Simultaneous to the Knock and Rock, the Zangs hosted a family party for David, including a moon bounce that drew a gaggle of kids. Many thanks to Amy and Doug Zang, Dan Solomon and Laura Dove, and everyone who helped make the family party a great success.

“This was a terrific day for us,” said David. “I’m thrilled that so many of our volunteers and friends and neighbors joined us knocking on doors, meeting voters, and getting involved. This is how we’re going to win and how we’re eventually going to make real change in Virginia — by reaching out to new people and getting them turned on to Democratic activism.”

Earlier in the day, David spent time meeting voters at the annual Riverside Apartments yard sale in Mount Vernon while other Team Englin members spread David’s message and recruited volunteers at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market in Alexandria. David then stopped by the 8th Congressional District Democratic Convention, where he shared his strong progressive message with the assembled convention delegates. Later, David made remarks about ethics at the EthiCon05 ethics conference, hosted by the T.C. Williams high school Freethinkers Society.

On Saturday, Team Englin hosted a cookout in the Berg – the Section 8 housing project in Old Town, Alexandria – to continue to reach out to voters in that community and to register new ones. More than 50 people came by during the course of the event, and David, Shayna, and Caleb enjoyed the chance to spend some time getting to know other families.

David has been building relationships with residents of low-income housing neighborhoods in the 45th District for some time now, listening to their thoughts and concerns. Saturday’s cookout was a chance to thank residents of the Berg for their support and give them an opportunity to tell David what they want him to fight for in Richmond.

“We have an obligation to actively engage those most in need of a voice and those most in need of social justicethroughout the year and not just at election time,” said David.

“All too often, we as Democrats go to low-income African American communities to ask for votes, but ignore them the rest of the year,” said David. “We must not only ask for their votes, but for their active participation – we must invite them to become a part of our Party, not just the community we lean on at election time. I am proud to be running the campaign that is doing that – and I will not stop after June 14th.”

Genevieve Loutinsky, this week’s Volunteer of the Week, is truly an inspiration. She’s an honors student at TC Williams High School who co-chairs (with Eryn Kewycki, on the left in the picture – also a valued member of Team Englin!) a political club, the Freethinkers Society, and works part time in addition to volunteering on the campaign.

Genevieve knocks on doors, has guest posted on the campaign blog, and took a break from studying for her AP exams to join us at Volunteer Night last week. Thank you so much, Genevieve, for everything! We truly appreciate your activism!

The Arlington/Alexandria Democracy for America chapter announced tonight that their membership voted by a large margin to endorse David. Two-thirds of participants said David was their first choice to represent the 45th district.

“On behalf of the dozens of grassroots volunteers devoting their time and energy to our fight for a progressive future, I’m honored to accept the endorsement of Arlington/Alexandria for Democracy. These local Democracy for America activists share our campaign’s vision and commitment to building the grassroots and standing up for progressive values, and I’m proud to have their support.”

Help make this endorsement even more powerful - nominate David for a National Democracy for America Endorsement! The local endorsement and individual nominations are two critical criteria for a DFA endorsement – your participation is vital. Tell DFA that David is the progressive, fiscally responsible candidate you want representing us in Richmond!

With just over four weeks to go until election day, Team Englin continues to build the grassroots, sending out ever growing teams of volunteers to the doors of the voters in the 45th, spreading David’s strong progressive message.

This weekend was no different – rain and shine we were out in force. “I am so honored to have the support of so many people willing to give up their weekend afternoons to join my fight for a progressive future,” said David.

We knocked on doors in all three parts of the district this weekend – Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax – and found incredible support for David’s fight to strengthen our communities, defend our values, and invest in our future.

Join us this coming weekend for Knock and Rock – knock on doors, then be our guest for a barbeque and live music provided by Judge Smith! Let Mara know you’re coming at gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.