A black, silver and gray balloon sculpture was behind the panelists in the multipurpose room at United Faith Christian Ministry last week, but the speakers were talking strategy, not celebrating just yet.
They came to the North Stafford church to drum up support for the “yes” vote on an April 21 voter referendum that asks whether the state Constitution should be amended to allow the Virginia General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts.
The idea is being pushed by Democrats as a way to fight the creation of pro-Republican districts in other states as President Donald Trump tries to keep a GOP majority in Congress. If the referendum is approved, Democratic leaders in Richmond will draw new boundary lines to fashion districts likely to give Democrats a 10-1 majority in the House of Representatives. Currently, the party has a 6-5 edge.
Rep. Eugene Vindman, whose 7th District includes the Fredericksburg area, convened the North Stafford meeting with faith and community leaders — and with fellow Democrats Josh Cole, Nicole Cole, Stacey Carroll and Margaret Franklin who represent the region in the House of Delegates.
Vindman started by identifying what he said is a fact that Americans know but that Trump has forgotten.
“America can’t be great, you can’t make America great, if America isn’t good,” he said. “And, right now, we’re seeing a lot of things that are not good in this country.”
Those are what he has previously labeled as the three C’s that have come with the Trump administration: chaos, cruelty and corruption.
So, in a way, the lawmaker said, a campaign motto for the redistricting referendum is simple: “Dump Trump, and vote yes.”
Community leaders can also describe the need to vote yes as one to fight back against rising fuel prices, said Franklin, who represents parts of Stafford and Prince William counties.
“If y’all need a policy reason, go to the gas station,” she said.
Democrats gathered last week to discuss strategy for the April 21 redistricting referendum. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Eugene Vindman’s office)
Other voters will want to know more details about the referendum, said Keren E. Charles Dongo, who manages the “yes” campaign for Virginians for Fair Elections. They will need to be convinced that the referendum will level the playing field in national politics, which is now controlled by the GOP.
“When you’re in a minority, there is no stopping” policies, said Dongo, who was also at the meeting. “And even in the Senate, the best Senator Kaine and Senator Warner have been able to do is slow bad things, not stop them.” She was referring to Virginia’s U.S. senators, Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
Opponents of the redistricting have also sent out mailers and used other means of communication to try to suggest that prominent Dems such as former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger oppose the move, audience members noted at the meeting.
That’s why it’s important for community leaders to speak out, Dongo said: that diffuses the power of the opposition’s tactics.
The misinformation is just noise, she said, a distraction.
“What voters are looking for are the voices of those they have trusted and been in the trenches with for a long time,” she said.
Del. Josh Cole, who represents Fredericksburg and parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, agreed. A preacher himself, he said faith leaders have a responsibility to lead their congregations.
“I’m not coming out here telling you to be hyper-partisan across the pulpit,” he said, “but to say what is right, and what is wrong. Call it out, and say it like it is. And encourage the people of God to mobilize their civic sacrament and to vote when it’s time to vote.”
