Alexandria — The Virginia Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, this week endorsed David Englin, the Democratic candidate to represent the 45th District in the House of Delegates.

“As the father of a son in an Alexandria public school, I am especially honored to have the support of the VEA, and the teachers they represent across Virginia. I know first-hand how important teachers are to making sure Virginia’s children receive a first-rate education,” said Englin. “This endorsement is also meaningful to me because my late mother was a public school teacher and a lifelong member of the National Education Association. As your delegate in Richmond I will work to ensure that, in the 45th District and across Virginia, teachers are paid what they’re worth and treated as professionals.”

A key part of Englin’s agenda to improve education in Virginia is to raise teacher’s pay to the national average. Currently teachers across the state are paid about $3,000 less than the national average.

“If we want Virginia’s public schools to attract and retain the best teachers we will need to raise teachers pay to least the national average, or risk losing qualified teachers,” said Englin. “In Richmond I will work with other education advocates in the General Assembly for state money to help localities close that gap.”

The endorsement – called a “recommendation” in VEA parlance – came from the VEA’s political action committee, which is the union’s political arm and is funded entirely by voluntary contributions of VEA members. VEA recommended candidates in 37 House of Delegates races, 14 Republicans and 23 Democrats.

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David joined Alexandria elected officials and activists at a rally in Alexandria’s Market Square yesterday to speak out in support of freedom of the press. Along with Rep. Jim Moran, Mayor Bill Euille, Vice Mayor Del Pepper, Councilman Andrew MacDonald, Councilwoman Joyce Woodson, and New York Times reporter Lisa Guernsey, David expressed his support for New York Times reporter Judith Miller, whom the Federal Government is holding in the Alexandria Detention Center for refusing to reveal the identity of confidential sources.

Here are excerpts from David’s remarks:

“When our government plays fast and loose with the truth — whether it’s the truth about tax handouts for the rich and the crushing debt they’ve created for our children, the truth about global warming, climate change, and pollution, and their toxic effects on the health of our communities, or the truth about smoking guns and mushrooms clouds and the reasons we went to war in Iraq — when our government plays fast and loose with the truth, it undermines our ability to cast informed votes and to hold our leaders accountable. We count on the tenacity of reporters like Judith Miller to develop sources and build relationships so they can expose the truth to the sunshine of of public scrutiny, and in doing so, protect our fundamental democratic right to hold our government accountable for what it does in our name.”

“That’s why Thomas Jefferson said that “Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” That’s why, as a veteran of our Armed Forces, as the father of a son who might someday be asked to go into harm’s way for our country, and as one of thousands of Alexandrians who share Jefferson’s belief that our very liberty depends on our access to the truth, I call upon elected leaders at all levels to stand up for reporters like Judith Miller and to support shield laws that protect a reporter’s ability to seek the truth.”

Another Tuesday and another successful Volunteer Night sharing David’s progressive agenda for the future. Thank you to all of the volunteer s who joined us to make phone calls and write letters to reach out to voters in the 45th district and beyond. Our Vote Strong volunteers made hundreds of calls for David, sharing his ideas to make housing more affordable, invest in education, reduce the cost of health care, protect the rights of all Virginians, and figh t for the unique needs of Northern Virginia. In addition to their work for David, our volunteers wrote letters to help reelect Del. Brian Moran, House Democratic Caucus Chairman.

“Our fight is fueled by the dedication and energy of our terrific volunteers,” said David. “Together I know we’ll win in November and make real progress for our community in Richmond.”

Join us next Tuesday, and become part of David’s Vote Strong team. Let Mel know you’re coming: 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.

David shared his thoughts about grassroots campaigning and inspired 45th district activists at a training and organizational meeting to kick off coordinated Democratic campaign activities in Alexandria’s Fire Department Headquarters Precinct yesterday. Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Leslie Byrne, Democratic candidate for Alexandria sheriff Dana Lawhorne, and representatives from the statewide coordinated campaign also shared their thoughts about the November election.

“Winning takes work, and I promise you that, if you’re willing to put in the time knocking on doors and making phone calls and building a relationship with voters, you’ll achieve the vote goals your precinct captain has set for you,” said David.

Sarah Stott, the Democratic Party’s precinct captain for Fire Department Headquarters Precinct, conceived the event as a first step toward running a disciplined, organized grassroots campaign to turn out every possible vote in her precinct for the Democratic ticket in November.

“Sarah and her husband, Howard Jennings, are amazing organizers, and they’re recruiting others and empowering them to organize to win,” said David. “If every precinct captain would follow this example, we’d be unstoppable in November and beyond.”

Leading by example, David was the first to sign up for the Fire Department Headquarters Precinct’s phone bank on Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Alexandria Democratic Committee headquarters at 618 N. Washington Street. Contact Sarah Stott, ten.tsacmocnull@ttotss, 703-519-5245, to sign up for the phone bank or to learn how you can help in Fire Department Headquarters Precinct.

David and other Northern Virginia Democrats joined Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at a Young Professionals fundraiser for Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine yesterday evening at the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington. Obama, the rising star (and current rock star) of the Democratic Party, spoke to a cheering crowd of more than 1,000 Democratic activists, including more than a dozen members of Team Englin. Following remarks by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Obama introduced Kaine, who shared his strong, positive vision to keep Virginia moving in the right direction.

“Barack Obama is an inspiration to so many of us who share his believe that progressive values are traditional American values,” said David. “It was wonderful to spend some time with him, and I know his strong endorsement of Tim Kaine will help all Virginia Democrats in November.”

“He’s the handsomest man in the Senate, and I hugged him,” said Eryn Kawecki, one of Team Englin’s volunteers.

Obama urged members of the audience to roll up their sleeves and do the hard grassroots work of making phone calls, knocking on doors, and stuffing envelopes to ensure victory for Tim Kaine and the entire Democratic ticket in November. Join us next Tuesday and do your part to turn out the 45th District and beyond for Tim Kaine! Let Mel know you’re coming: 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.

Thank you again to all of the volunteers who joined us tonight for another successful Volunteer Night! More than a dozen people spent the evening making phone calls, writing letters, and doing myriad other important campaign activities to reach out to voters in the 45th district and beyond. In addition to sharing David’s strong progressive message with voters in the 45th, our Vote Strong volunteers made hundreds of phone calls for House of Delegates challengers David Poisson and Greg Werkheiser and wrote letters to help reelect Del. Brian Moran, House Democratic Caucus Chairman.

“I’m so proud of our amazing volunteers for pouring so much of themselves into our campaign,” said David. “They understand that for me to represent the common-sense, progressive values of the 45th district, I need other Democrats by my side. Together we need to fight to make housing more affordable, invest in education, reduce the cost of health, and protect the rights of all Virginians.”

Join us next Tuesday, when we’ll continue to share David’s Progressive Agenda for the Future with voters throughout the 45th district. Let Mel know you’re coming: 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.

David and Shayna showed their strong support for full equal rights for gay and lesbian Virginians yesterday at a reception to benefit Equality Virginia. Alexandria City Councilman Paul Smedberg and his partner opened their Old Town home for the event, which included gubernatorial candidate Tim Kaine, candidate for lieutenant governor Leslie Byrne, and a number of Alexandria and Arlington elected officials.

“Equality Virginia is fighting across the state for basic rights like nondiscrimination in employment, housing, adoption, and marriage,” said David. “America will never be the country we were founded to be as long as we continue to deny these basic human rights to an entire segment of our population.”

David and a crowd of Alexandria Democratic Committee volunteers spent several hours knocking on doors in the 45th district today spreading the word about David and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for governor.

Before heading out to talk with voters, the volunteers gathered for a “Non-Debate Watching Party” at the Alexandria Democratic Committee headquarters. The first gubernatorial debate between Kaine and Jerry Kilgore, his Republican opponent, took place this morning — in another state. Kilgore demanded that the debate not be televised, allowing him to hide from the scrutiny of the people of Virginia.

“If Jerry Kilgore doesn’t have the confidence in himself to stand before the people of Virginia and present his ideas to the voters, then he doesn’t deserve our confidence or our votes,” said David. “It shows that he’s weak and he lacks the courage and the strength of character to be our governor. Tim Kaine, on the other hand, has a strong, positive vision for the future. He has spent his life standing up for people, as a missionary in Honduras, as the mayor of Richmond, and as our lieutenant governor. Tim Kaine is a man we can trust to lead Virginia forward.”

“This is part of a pattern from Jerry Kilgore of failures to lead,” said Kerry Donley, former Democratic Party chairman and Alexandria mayor. “Tim Kaine has proven that he is a leader who deserves our support.”

Click here to volunteer to join Team Englin’s ongoing efforts to elect David, Tim Kaine, and others, and to fight for a progressive future for Virginia!

David enjoyed a busy day on the campaign trail Saturday, starting with the Summer Kickoff Celebration at the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign headquarters in McLean and ending with Alexandria’s annual USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration at the Old Town waterfront.

David, Shayna, and Caleb and other members of Team Englin joined scores of other Northern Virginia Democratic candidates, elected officials, and activists in McLean to show their support for Tim Kaine for Governor, Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor, and Creigh Deeds for Attorney General.

“I look forward to continuing the hard work of building the grassroots and building the party so together we can send Tim, Leslie, and Creigh to Richmond as our next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General,” said David. “Together we must fight to elect Democrats across Virginia so we can pass sensible, progressive legislation that will strengthen our communities, defend our values, and invest in our future.”

After Caleb closed down the moonbounce at the Summer Kickoff Celebration, the Englins were guests at the Campaign and Activist Training hosted by Democracy for Virginina, Democracy for America, and DC for Democracy at George Marshall High School in Falls Church. David joined Democratic candidates Bruce Roemmelt, David Poisson, and Dave Marsden on a panel discussing grassroots campaigning. In addition to sharing his strong progressive message with the activists attending the training, David shared his belief that hard work, standing firm on principle, and a solid grassroots plan is how Democrats can win elections.

“We win by getting out there and knocking on people’s doors, engaging them on their doorsteps, asking them what’s on their minds, and empowering them to get involved,” said David, who has personally knocked on more than 8,000 doors since January.

“Thank you for being here and for being willing to do the hard work necessary to take back our state and our country from misguided people who embrace social darwinism, economic monarchism, and religious extremism,” said David. “Progressive values — values like equal opportunity for all people — are traditional American values, and that’s what we must fight for.”

The last stop of the day was Alexandria’s annual USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration at Oronoco Park on the banks of the Potomac in Old Town, Alexandria. After greeting friends, officials, and activists at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s booth, David joined dozens of local Democrats to welcome Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine to the event. Later, David spent some time with Kaine talking with voters, thanking them for their support during the June 14th primary, and reminding them to get back out to vote in November. Following that, David, Shayna, Caleb, and several other members of Team Englin settled in for an amazing display of fireworks late into the evening.

Be sure to check Team Englin’s campaign calendar to find out how you can join David’s fight for a progressive future for Virginia.

David with Arlington School Board candidate Ed Fendley.

In a warm show of unity, Libby Garvey, Arlington School Board chair and one of David’s opponents during the primary, introduced David at yesterday evening’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. Calling David a “relentless campaigner,” Libby expressed her confidence that David will win in November and go on to represent the 45th district well in Richmond.

“I thank Libby and all of my primary opponents for a spirited and positive campaign that has made us stronger as a party. I’ve really come to like and respect Libby, and I look forward to fighting side-by-side for the progressive values I know we both share,” said David. “I look forward to working with all Arlington Democrats not only to represent the 45th district well in Richmond, but also to elect other Democratic candidates whenever and wherever we can. Together, we must fight for sensible, progressive policies that we know will make our community stronger.”

David announced the resumption of Team Englin’s weekly Tuesday Volunteer Night and shared his plans to help other Democratic candidates. Join us on Tuesday and become part of David’s ever-growing grassroots army. Contact gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.