With the roller-coaster ride of a presidential-candidate switcheroo now in the rearview mirror, Arlington Democrats have pivoted to the nuts and bolts of turning out voters.
“A lot of fun between now and Nov. 5 –[and] a lot of work to do,” Arlington County Democratic Committee chair Steve Baker said at the organization’s Sept. 4 meeting.
One of the party’s key priorities for September is distribution of its Messenger newsletter touting Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. Volunteers will walk more than 500 routes, depositing the print publications at doorstops between Sept. 14 and 28.
Funding for the Messenger, Democratic sample ballots and other literature comes from sales of the party’s Gold Card, which provides access to a host of events leading up to the election. Tony Weaver, who is heading that operation, said on Sept. 4 $26,000 had been raised so far – about 75 percent of the party’s goal.
While Democrats have a fund-raising advantage in Arlington politics, county Republicans have ramped up their fund-raising game this year.
“We already raised more in September 2024 than what we raised in September 2023,” Republican chair Matthew Hurtt said in a Sept. 5 e-mail.
Republicans Make Push for Latino Support: The Arlington County Republican Committee is working to court Hispanic/Latino voters, and is putting two of its candidates front and center.
“With Juan Carlos Fierro [for County Board] and Jerry Torres [for U.S. House of Representatives] on the ballot in Arlington, the opportunity has never been greater to take our message to this important community,” county GOP chairman Matthew Hurtt said in an e-mail to supporters.
Polls have shown that while Democrats nationally still hold an edge over Republicans with the Latino electorate, the margin has narrowed considerably – and while Latino votes may not tip the balance in Northern Virginia races, they could play a key role in the state’s final tally for president.
The Trump campaign is dispatching personnel, accompanied by Arlington volunteers, to events in the county marking Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Forward Party Offers Chance to Meet Its Candidates: The Forward Party, which is running candidates for Arlington County Board and School Board in the Nov. 5 election, will host a meet-the-canddiates event on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 Wilson Blvd.
Those attending will have the opportunity to meet County Board candidate Madison Granger and School Board candidate James “Vell” Rives IV. Each is running in fields of four for the one open County Board seat and two open School Board posts.
“The Forward Party aims to bring competition back to local elections, and the voice of the people back into government,” organizers said. “Backing 100 candidates nationwide this year, the Forward Party is proud to endorse two local candidates in Arlington. Come meet them.”
Kaine, Beyer Expected for Voting Kickoff: U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-8th) and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) are expected to be on hand Friday, Sept. 20 as the Arlington County Democratic Committee holds a morning block party to kick off early voting in Virginia.
The event will be held starting at 7:30 a.m. in the plaza outside the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Voting begins at 8 a.m.
“We’re really excited,” Arlington Democratic chair Steve Baker said of having the elected officials on hand.
GOP on Hunt for Election-Night Locale: The Arlington County Republican Committee is on the hunt for a location in which to hold its Election Night watch party.
The local party in recent years has held those events at Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill in Clarendon, but that venue closed in March.
Party chair Matthew Hurtt is asking party members to suggest options.
Arlington Democrats typically hold election-night watch parties at restaurants in the county. No word yet on whether the nascent Forward Party, which has fielded contenders for County Board and School Board, will do the same.
Democrats to Honor Duo for Lifetime of Service: Natalie and Mike Hall will be honored with the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s 2024 “Distinguished Democrat” award.
The honor, for a lifetime of service, will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the home of former County Board member Jay Fisette.
They become the third “power couple” to have received the award jointly through the years. Other years, the honor has gone to one or several unrelated individuals.
The award comes after Natalie Hall in 2023 received the party’s top honor, the Mary Marshall Outstanding Democrat of the Year award, for her service as precinct captain, area chair (coordinating work of other precinct captains) and in a variety of other roles.
The annual event helps Democrats raise funds in the run-up to each November’s election. Previous recipients have included such luminaries as Peg Hogan, Charley Conrad, Herschel Kanter, Joan McDermott, Charlene Bickford, Richard and Jean Barton, Sharon Davis, Tom and Mary Margaret Whipple, Cragg Hines, Marjorie Hobart and Madi Green.
For ticket information, see the Website at www.arlingtondemocrats.org.
