While David spent this penultimate weekend of the race campaigning hard throughout the 45th district, a crew of Vote Strong Volunteers spent Saturday afternoon helping another David reach out to voters in his bid to unseat a far-right extremist incumbent.

David spent Saturday knocking on doors in Alexandria’s public housing neighborhoods, listening to people’s concerns and reminding them to get out and vote on Nov. 8 for Tim Kaine for Governor, Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor, Creigh Deeds for Attorney General, Dana Lawhorne for Sheriff, and, of course, David Englin for Delegate.

“When I’m out there talking with voters and listening to their thoughts about the issues and the election, there’s a palpable excitement about the opportunity a week from Tuesday to elect a ticket of Democrats who are committed to efficient, effective, progressive government that will build on the progress we’ve seen under Governor Mark Warner’s leadership,” said David. “People who usually only vote in federal elections are definitely planning to vote this year, which gives me great hope for the future.”

Meanwhile, keeping David’s promise to use his grassroots energy to help elect other fair-minded Democrats who will be allies on issues that matter to people in the 45th district, Team Englin’s grassroots troops lent a hand in the 32nd district to help David Poisson unseat Delegate Dick Black, who is one of the most extreme right-wing legislators in Virginia.

On Sunday, David, Shayna, and Caleb joined hundreds of other families in the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade. David then dropped by the Taylor Run Citizens Association’s annual Halloween party to talk with voters. Later, David, Shayna, and Caleb joined scores on friends and neighbors at the annual Halloween bash at the home of Councilman Rob Krupicka.

The time is now! Join us at Campaign Central on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday evening this week from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to make phone calls, stuff envelopes, and reach out to thousands of voters to elect David and the entire Democratic ticket. Let Mel know when you’re coming: gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council’s TechPAC, which represents Northern Virginia’s high-tech business community, has named David as its choice to represent the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

“We are looking forward to working with David Englin on advancing policies and initiatives in Virginia to promote science and technology education and workforce development; to fully fund George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology; to increase e-commerce and the growth of the Internet and technology; to grow entrepreneurship; to bolster economic development; to provide for a tax policy framework that better promotes technology-based economic growth; and, to improve the quality of life in our region,” said John Backus, Chairman, NVTC TechPAC.

“I appreciate the support of Northern Virginia’s high-tech business community and I look forward to working together to advance our common goals,” said David.

A full crew of Vote Strong Volunteers turned out yesterday evening for another successful Volunteer Night, making hundreds of calls for our own David, for David Poisson in the 32nd district and for Bruce Roemmelt in the 13th district.

“We can all feel the momentum building for the entire Democratic ticket and for all of the terrific Democratic challengers we’re helping. We’re only going to keep working harder over the next 13 days until the polls close,” said Melissa Mattingly, Team Englin’s campaign manager.

Join us Saturday to knock on doors in the 45th district and for a special field trip to Loudon County to knock on doors for David Poisson. Contact Mel for details: gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov, 703-549-3203.

The Connection Newspapers, which includes the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Arlington Connection, and the Mount Vernon Gazette, today named David as its choice to represent the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates:

David Englin in the 45th District
Alexandria Gazette Packet, Arlington Connection, Mount Vernon Gazette
Nov. 27, 2005

David Englin (D) emerged as the top vote-getter in a hotly-contested Democratic primary in Alexandria and Arlington that featured six candidates.

The Harvard-educated stay-at-home parent is a bundle of intelligence and energy who is not afraid to tout his mandate to serve as a progressive successor to Marian Van Landingham. His ideas include some that might have a chance in Richmond, like his plan to help Virginia residents save money on prescription drugs. More than a decade serving in the Air Force will boost Englin’s credibility.

At 31, Englin still has plenty to learn and Van Landingham’s unparalleled legacy to live up to. He won’t fit seamlessly into the Richmond power structure, and even some of his soon-to-be Democratic colleagues in the House of Delegates raise an eyebrow at his confidence and enthusiasm. But we predict that Englin will be a quick study and will have an impact in Richmond, much as Adam Ebbin had in his first term.

David and Shayna joined a packed ballroom of Tim Kaine supporters for today’s Women for Kaine lunch at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington. Following rousing remarks from lieutenant governor candidate Leslie Byrne, the special guest speaker, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, inspired the audience with her message of strength and hope for the future as she introduced Tim Kaine.

“Governor Granholm is an inspirational leader who is the epitome of a Democrat with a spine,” said Shayna. “We’re lucky to have her leading our party into the

Shayna with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
future, and her strong support for Tim Kaine speaks volumes about the kind of leader he will be for Virginia.”

Tim Kaine buoyed the crowd for the final 13 days of the race for governor with his strong, positive message on issues like early childhood education, transportation, and health care.

“Tim really was on fire this afternoon,” said David. “It’s clear that there is only one strong leader in the race for governor, only one man with the ideas and the courage to lead Virginia into the future, and that’s Tim Kaine.”

With exactly two weeks before the polls close on Election Day, Campaign Central was bursting at the seams as Team Englin and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia joined forces again tonight to fight for progress. Nearly two dozen Vote Strong Volunteers made hundreds of phone calls — on land lines and cell phones! — for David here in the 45th and for other pro-choice candidates. They also helped get out another mailing for Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor, and wrote scores of postcards urging their neighbors to vote for Tim Kaine for Governor.

“We need to elect this entire Democratic ticket to keep us moving in the direction of progress,” said David.

Meanwhile, David spent another evening knocking on doors and talking with voters, despite the rain.

“It’s been terrific teaming up with NARAL, Democracy for Virginia, and other grassroots activists to fight for David and other candidates who will help him advance his agenda for the 45th district,” said Melissa Mattingly, Team Englin’s campaign manager.

“Many of our volunteers have been at this for nearly 10 months, devoting their time and energy to the politics of hope and progress. It’s so inspiring to come home from knocking on doors in the rain to a house full of friends and neighbors who believe in their own power to make a difference,” said David.

Join us and tomorrow night or this Saturday afternoon to add your energy to the fight! Check the campaign calendar for details and let Mel know when you’ll be here: 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.

Team Englin spent another rainy Saturday afternoon knocking on doors throughout the 45th district and sharing David’s strong progressive agenda for the future. David focused his energy on meeting families in Alexandria’s public housing neighborhoods, whom he has gotten to know well.

“Sometimes it’s nice just to check in and see how people are doing,” said David. “Some of the hardest working people I know live here in the Berg — people who work 60 or 70 hours a week and still don’t make enough to get by because minimum wage is insultingly low and the costs of health care, housing, and other basic needs are so high. We need to recognize that poverty is not a personal moral defect — it is a defect in our ability as a community to live up to our claim of liberty and justice for all.”

Later that evening, David attended the annual awards dinner for the Alexandria NAACP, where the keynote speaker was the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, former congressman from Oakland, California, who recently announced that he is running for mayor of Oakland.

“I think everyone in the room was moved by Congressman Dellums’ strong message of hope and call to activism and social justice,” said David.

Sunday morning David joined several other candidates for delegate as well as Leslie Byrne and a representative of her far-right opponent, Bill Bolling, at a candidate’s forum hosted by Beth El Hebrew Congregation, where David, Shayna, and Caleb are members.

Join Team Englin on Tuesday or Wednesday evening this week for Volunteer Night or Saturday at 2 p.m. to keep fighting for every possible vote. Check the Campaign Calendar for details and let Mel know when you’re coming: gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov or 703-549-3203.

Many thanks to Arlington County Board Member and Fairlington resident Paul Ferguson for joining our grassroots fight this evening, knocking on doors in the Arlington part of the 45th district with David and some of our Vote Strong Volunteers. Ferguson filled in for Libby Garvey, who was scheduled to join us but had a last-minute family obligation.

Meanwhile a separate crew of Vote Strong Volunteers spent the evening at Alexandria Hyundai making phone calls to help elect Bruce Roemmelt in the 13th district.

“We’re proud to do whatever we can to push Bruce Roemmelt to victory,” said David. “He’s a strong leader and a terrific Democrat who will help me fight for sensible, progressive legislation that will improve the lives of people in the 45th district.”

Yesterday evening, while David and Shayna represented Team Englin at the 8th congressional district’s annual Kennedy-King Dinner, Campaign Central was packed with grassroots volunteers calling voters in the 45th district for our David and in the 41st district to help elect Dave Marsden, who will be another strong ally in Richmond. Volunteers also wrote dozens of handwritten postcards to their friends and neighbors urging them to turn out and vote for Tim Kaine for Governor and for the entire Democratic ticket.

Join us Saturday at 2 p.m. to knock on doors and win votes throughout the 45th district, and join us next week for more Volunteer Nights. Check the Campaign Calendar for details and let Mel know when you’re coming at 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.

The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund has named David as its choice to represent the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

“Virginians can rest assured that their health will be a priority under the leadership of David Englin,” said William V. Corr, Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund’s executive director. “The policies that David Englin supports will make a real difference for Virginia by helping to reduce smoking, save lives and save money by reducing smoking-caused health care costs.”

“As a parent whose own mother died of respiratory illness exacerbated by smoking, I will fight for effective programs to help smokers quit and prevent kids from starting in the first place,” said David. “I’m honored to have the support of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, and I look forward to working with them to reduce tobacco addiction.”

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Virginia, claiming more than 9,200 lives each year and costing the state $1.92 billion annually in health care bills, including $369 million in Medicaid payments alone. Government expenditures related to tobacco amount to a hidden tax of $543 each year on every Virginia household. Some 21 percent of Virginia high school students are current smokers, and 18,800 more kids become regular smokers every year.

Click here for more information about Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund.

Another crew of Vote Strong Volunteers — including some new faces! — enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend knocking on doors and sharing David’s strong progressive message with voters throughout the 45th district.

“It gives me great hope for the future to see still more grassroots volunteers responding to our call, even after all these months of campaigning,” said David.

On Sunday, David joined Del. Brian Moran, Sheriff candidate Dana Lawhorne, and their respective opponents at Agudas Achim synagogue for a candidate’s forum hosted by the synagogue’s Men’s Club. Candidates answered questions on a range of issues, from affordable housing to transportation to the death penalty. Things got exciting when David’s Republican opponent melted down and threw his wallet at a woman in a fit of anger.

“Many thanks to the Agudas Achim Men’s Club for putting together a lively event that gave us a chance to delve into some tough issues,” said David. “We all benefit — voters and candidates alike — from a lively exchange of ideas, but I’m confident that the undecided voters in the room left knowing that I have the energy, the ideas, the vision, and the temperament to carry on our community’s fight for progress in Richmond.”

At today’s candidate’s forum hosted by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, David went head-to-head with his opponent’s communications director, who was sitting in for the candidate whose outburst punctuated yesterday’s debate.

Join Team Englin on Tuesday or Wednesday this week beginning at 6 p.m. to make phone calls, stuff envelopes, and do what it takes to fight for a progressive future! Let Mel know you’re coming at 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@reetnulov.