Loudoun Democrats

Former Leesburg Supervisor Kelly Burk will formally announce her candidacy for the Leesburg Town Council on Feb. 3, during Leesburg’s First Friday festivities. Burk will make her announcement on the Town Green in front of Leesburg Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.  A special election will be held on Tuesday, April 17, to fill the seat currently occupied by interim council member, Terry Titus.

Kelly Burk has a long history of public service in Leesburg, having previously served on the Leesburg Town Council and as the Leesburg representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. For more information, please visit Kelly Burk for Leesburg Town Council on Facebook.

Senator Barbara A. Favola has announced legislation to create Virginia’s Health Benefit Exchange (HBE), required under the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The proposal, SB 615, would implement the recommendations of the Virginia Health Reform Initiative (VHRI) Advisory Council, a bipartisan panel of legislators, experts, and health industry leaders handpicked by Governor Bob McDonnell to advise him on the structure and governance of the HBE.

A key component of the ACA, the HBE will enhance competition in the health insurance marketplace and make insurance more affordable for individuals and small businesses. More than 10 percent of Loudoun residents under age 65 has no health insurance.

“Regardless of whether or not the Supreme Court strikes down the individual mandate,” Favola stated, “the vast majority of the ACA will likely remain law, and the market-based exchange is an incredibly valuable tool to lower costs and increase choices for Virginia consumers.  We need to start planning now or we are setting ourselves up for failure.”

Favola crafted the legislation alongside Sen. Ralph Northam. A subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor will hold a hearing on SB 615 Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 8:00a.m.  For updates, please check www.barbarafavola.org

General John Douglass (retired), the Democratic challenger for Frank Wolf’s 10th Congressional District was included in the list of 12 “Emerging Races.” The Emerging Races list was announced by DCCC Chairman Steve Israel, highlighting candidates that are becoming competitive with smart campaigns.

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said ““These candidates are going to be aggressively holding Republicans accountable for consistently choosing Millionaires over Medicare, oil companies subsides over middle class tax cuts and ideology over solutions. In 2012, House Republican candidates are going to have to defend the indefensible.”

Full Article

Sen. Herring has released his legislative priorities for the 2012 General Assembly session. They are directly aimed at solving the problems of Virginians from Loudoun and beyond.

Thank you Sen. Herring, for your relentless focus on the simple issues of such critical importance to your constituents.

We invite everyone to help stand in honor of the memory of one of the greatest architects of progress in the 20th century, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Every year there is a March in honor of Rev. King and his legacy of progress, a legacy of special significance to our African American neighbors, but one which every Democrat does well to embrace, because it is a legacy of justice and inclusion that we all, together, own. Remember, Dr. King died in his fight for a union. He died fighting for economic, as well as civil, rights. He knew that there was no division between types of rights, just as there is no division in the family of humankind.

This year, we will be marching on MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 16th at 10AM. We will be gathering in front of the Leesburg Courthouse at 9:45am. We will march down Market Street to the Douglass School, where there will be a program of events.

We look forward to seeing you there.

LEESBURG - The members of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee elected new officers at its biannual reorganization and election meeting held Saturday at the National Conference Center in Landsdowne, VA.  The new officers are Evan Macbeth, Chairman; Joe Pabis and Daniel Lloyd, Vice Chairmen; Jenniffer DeNigris-Kalinowsky, Secretary and Hari Sharma, Treasurer.  Over 200 Loudoun Democrats attended and participated in the reorganization meeting.

The new officers expressed a commitment toward cooperation and cohesiveness and outlined the committee’s key mission: to build a strong Democratic grassroots effort in support of Democratic candidates in upcoming local, state and national elections:

“I am humbled and honored to have been elected by Loudoun’s Democrats to serve as Chair of the LCDC,” Evan Macbeth stated, “We have an amazing opportunity, and responsibility, to fight for Democratic values and re-energize Loudoun’s Democratic majority to reelect President Obama, elect Governor Tim Kaine to the United States Senate and send Congressman Frank Wolf to a well-deserved retirement.  The LCDC knows that electing Democrats is the best way to ensure the future progress and prosperity of our country, of Virginia, and of Loudoun County.  Loudoun Democrats stand for dignity, opportunity and justice for all and we will fight alongside those who share our values in pursuit of a brighter future.”

Loudoun’s elected Democratic officials offered their thoughts on the reorganization meeting:

“Now is a great time to be a Democrat in Loudoun County,” said State Senator Mark Herring, “There was positive energy and enthusiasm in the room on Saturday and I am looking forward to working with the new executive committee and membership to grow our party and offer a positive vision for the future of our county, commonwealth and country.”

Stated Senator-elect Barbara Favola, “I am confident that Evan and the new executive committee will provide the leadership and energy necessary to take the Loudoun County Democratic Committee to a new level.”

“Evan will do a fantastic job,” said Leesburg Town Councilman Dave Butler, “I’ve had the pleasure to work with him and the rest of the executive committee, and I have no doubt that this will be an excellent year for Democrats in Loudoun County.”

In addition to the election of committee officers, members elected District Chairs and Vice Chairs for each of Loudoun’s eight magisterial districts, former Sterling District Supervisor Candidate Alfonso Nevarez was elected President of the Loudoun County Chapter of Virginia Young Democrats, and the membership approved the applications of 34 new at-large committee members.

For more information contact the Loudoun County Democratic Committee by visiting www.loudoundemocrats.org or calling 703-771-3366.

Leesburg (1/5/2012) - State Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax) today released the following statement regarding the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors vote this week to request that the General Assembly grant the county the authority to impose a variety of new taxes including a meals tax:

“This week, the new Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 5-4 to request that the General Assembly grant them the authority to impose a meals tax.

In the last decade, the citizens of Loudoun County have voted down a meals tax by referendum three times. A meals tax is a regressive tax that would unnecessarily burden low and middle-income families already struggling to make ends meet in this difficult economy.

The General Assembly should not attempt such an end-run around the voters of Loudoun County who have spoken clearly and repeatedly on this issue. I will not introduce, nor will I support, legislation granting this new taxing authority to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.”

The unassembled caucus of Loudoun County Democrats, previously scheduled for January 7, 2012 beginning at 12 o’clock noon, has been cancelled.  Instead, the organizational meeting of the 2012-2013 Loudoun County Democratic Committee will be held at the time and place originally scheduled for the caucus.

Under the rules of the Democratic Party of Virginia and the by-laws of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, candidates for membership on the Loudoun County Democratic Committee who are not opposed in their candidacies may be declared elected without holding a caucus.  A review of the applications for membership received before the December 31, 2011 filing deadline shows that a total of 135 qualified individuals applied for membership, and that none of those applications was opposed.  Because there are no contested applications for membership, no caucus is required and the 135 unopposed applicants for membership are declared elected.

The new Loudoun County Democratic Committee will hold its organizational meeting at the National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg VA 20176 on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Doors to the meeting room will open at 12 o’clock noon for registration and check-in of new members, and the meeting of the committee will commence at 1:00 pm.  All newly-elected members of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, and any other persons interested in joining the Committee, are urged to attend and participate in this important meeting.

Mike Turner, Chair

Loudoun County Democratic Committee

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNASSEMBLED CAUCUS BY THE LOUDOUN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

DECEMBER 16, 2011

Loudoun County Democratic Committee Chair Mike Turner has announced the scheduling of the biennial election of new members to the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.The election of new Committee members will be conducted at an unassembled caucus of Loudoun County Democrats, to be held on January 7, 2012, beginning at 12 o’clock noon, at the National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg VA 20176.

All Loudoun County registered voters who subscribe to the principles of the Democratic Party are eligible to attend the caucus and to apply for membership in the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.Those wishing to seek membership on the Committee must complete a membership application and pay the application fee of $35.00 not later than December 31, 2011. The membership application forms, and additional information about LCDC membership, are available on the web site of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, www.loudoundemocrats.org All persons interested in joining the Loudoun County Democratic Committee or participating in the January 7, 2012 caucus are encouraged to visit the LCDC web site.
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Unassembled Caucus Rules

Nomination and Election Procedures

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LCDC Membership Form

To join the LCDC, use the online form. If you use the paper form, please print the form, and use the address within to mail it. The deadline is December 31st, 7:00 PM.

Online LCDC Membership Form
Paper LCDC Membership Form

Please use this link to ActBlue, and please consider paying $40.00 to cover the fee that ActBlue charges the LCDC: ActBlue http://www.actblue.com/page/lcdcmembership

Please see these additional forms:Candidate for Officer Form Candidate Questionnaire

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NOTICE OF LOUDOUN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE UNASSEMBLED CAUCUS

The Loudoun County Democratic Committee hereby announces that it will hold an unassembled caucus beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg VA 20176, for the purpose of electing members to the Loudoun County Democratic Committee for the 2012-2013 term.  The caucus will elect one member from each precinct in Loudoun County, for a total of seventy-six members, and an additional seventy-six at-large members.

Any person wishing to seek election as a Member of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the Loudoun County Democratic Committee not later than 7 p.m. on December 31, 2011.  Declaration of Candidacy forms may be obtained on the web site of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee at www.loudoundemocrats.org.   A voluntary administrative fee of $35.00 (which may be waived) will be charged at the time of filing for those wishing to become members of the Committee.  Payment of this fee will satisfy the applicant’s membership dues obligation for 2012.

Completed Declaration of Candidacy forms, together with the administrative fee of $35.00, may be submitted by mail to:  LCDC, P.O. Box 544, Leesburg VA 20178; in person or by mail to Denis F. Gordon at 20781 Unison Road, Round Hill VA 20141; or by e-mail to Denis F. Gordon at denisg2490@gmail.com.  Those filing Declarations by e-mail may pay the filing fee of $35.00 online at www.actblue.com/page/lcdcmembership.    Completed Declarations must be received, and the administrative fee paid (unless waived) by the filing deadline on December 31, 2011.

There is no charge for those wishing to attend and vote at the caucus.

Doors to the caucus will open at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 7, 2012 for check-in.  Any person attending the caucus and wishing to participate in the caucus will be asked to sign a Caucus Participation Form stating that he or she is a Democrat; does not intend to support any candidate who is opposed to a Democratic nominee in the next ensuing election; believes in the principles of the Democratic Party; and is a registered voter in Loudoun County.  Caucus Participation Forms must be filled out at the caucus prior to participating in the caucus.  At 1:00 p.m. the doors to the caucus room will be closed, and no person who has not filled out a Caucus Participation Form, or is in line to complete such a form, at that hour may participate in the caucus.

Immediately following the completion of the business of the unassembled caucus on January 7, 2012, the organizational meeting of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee will be held for the purpose of electing officers of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, and the conduct of such other business as there may be before the Committee.

For further information please contact LCDC Vice Chair Denis F. Gordon at 540-554-9719, or by email at denisg2490@gmail.com.

Authorized and paid for by the Loudoun County Democratic Committee

On Wednesday evening, December 14, at Rust Library in Leesburg, LCDC member Nancy Goetzinger and her husband Tom Ramsay will present a lecture and multi-media presentation focused on the ecological evolution of the North American continent’s Atlantic shoreline. The program is being sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy: www.loudounwildlife.org

Their 50-minute production utilizes video, stills, and graphics to demonstrate the beauty of coastal habitats and the diversity of the resulting life forms there, all within the context of the geologic and hydrologic formation of the East Coast shoreline.

The Atlantic Coast program is delivered as live narration with full digital visualization, sound effects, and music. This lecture promises beautiful images of the natural world from Georgia to Newfoundland, as well as an incredible educational experience.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, see www.momentwithnature.com

On Election Day, Nov. 8^th, 2011 you have a choice between a hopeful, optimistic future for Loudoun County and a future driven by some of the most extreme right wing ideologues ever to hold office in Virginia.  Consider the following:

“Before Republican Richard H. ‘Dick’ Black lost his bid for reelection to the House of Delegates in 2005, he was known as one of the legislature’s most over-the-top ideologues, notorious for such stunts as sending plastic fetuses to lawmakers…and rants against homosexuals.  Even fellow Republicans distanced themselves from his antics. Now he’s running in [State Senate District 13].

“A vastly better choice is Democrat J. Shawn Mitchell, a cogent, serious-minded businessman who has common-sense proposals for encouraging banks to lend to small businesses.” (Washington Post, Oct. 19, 2011).

Full article, including Scott York, Eugene Delgaudio and Jim Plowman.

Senate 33rd District Map, serving Leesburg, East to Countryside (North of Route 7), South on both sides of Route 28 including Sterling, Eastern Ashburn Village, Loudoun County Parkway, Brambleton, South to Route 50, and parts of Chantilly and Herndon.

Senator Mark Herring is your advocate in Richmond for funding our schools, building and maintaining our roads, creating new jobs here in Loudoun, and protecting our families. Patricia Phillips is running for Senate so she can push her ideological agenda, which includes banning books, criminalizing abortion, slashing funding for public schools, and halting the Dulles Rail project. This year’s election will be heavily influenced by voter turnout, and specifically Democratic turnout. If Democrats do not vote, and bring other Democrats with them, Republicans will take control of the only body they do not currently control: the Virginia State Senate.

Senate 13th District Map, serving Northern Loudoun County, from Loudoun Heights to Bluemont to the South and to the East past Lucketts up to the Potomac River. The district continues South, including Purcellville, most of Ashburn (but not Leesburg or Lansdowne), Broadlands, (not Brambleton), Gilbert’s Corner, Stone Ridge, and into Manassas.

Shawn Mitchell is an Iraq war veteran and founder of his successful HVAC company, creating 14 jobs. Shawn will focus on adequate funding for education, opposing over-crowded classrooms and trailers, solving the transportation crisis, and using his experience as a small business owner to create jobs.
His opponent is Dick Black, one of the most controversial figures in the state. This career politician was voted out of office after focusing on ultra-conservative social issues, criticized even by the Republican leadership for his stunts against the freedom to choose.

House of Delegates 10th District Map, serving Leesburg, South to Gleedsville, Western Brambleton, and then West to Gilbert’s Corner, Aldie, Middleburg, St. Louis, Airmont, Unison, continuing West to Clarke County, up to Interstate 81.

Dave Butler has been honored to serve on the Leesburg Town Council since 2008, where he has been the deciding vote to lower taxes each of the last three years. He is committed to growing jobs, improving education, and finally solving our transportation crisis. This presents a stark contrast with his opponent, Republican development lawyer Randy Minchew, who is pledging to join the regressive, socially extremist majority in the House of Delegates. Dave will fight for our fair share!

House of Delegates 87th District Map, serving South Countryside, West Sterling, the Loudoun County Parkway corridor, Brambleton South of Ryan and East of Belmont Ridge, South bridge, Stone Ridge, Arcola, and West of Route 15 South to I-66

Mike Kondratick is running to bring innovative, common-sense solutions to Loudoun and Prince William Counties and address the issues that matter to all of us, like transportation, education, and economic development. Dave Ramadan, on the other hand, is an ideological extremist who has cited his anti-choice beliefs as one of the primary reasons he decided to run for office. One of the tightest races in the state, Mike has a great shot at winning with a strong final push from volunteers to help turn out voters. For more information, to sign up to volunteer, or to make a contribution, you can visit www.MikeKforVA.com

House of Delegates 34th District Map, serving Potomac Falls, North Cascades, Sugarland Run, Lowes Island, and Fairfax.


Pamela Danner is running to take her over 25 years of leadership experience and understanding of our community to Richmond to serve you. Pamela will always vote for the interests of Northern Virginia first and will be a strong advocate for our schools, roads and small businesses. The Republican opponent, Barbara Comstock, has voted with down-state Republicans to cut public education by $620 million, close down women’s health clinics that provide a range of care, and to prohibit state funding of stem cell research. Pamela looks forward to seeing you at the polls on Tuesday, November 8th and encourages you to vote for Northern Virginia First.




Senate 31st District Map, serving East Potomac Falls, North Cascades, Sugarland Run, Lowes Island, and Fairfax.


Barbara Favola shares our values. She will be a champion for women’s health in the state senate. Barbara’s a fiscally responsible leader who will make key investments in education and transportation to attract new businesses and keep unemployment low in Northern Virginia. Caren Merrick is a Tea Party Republican supported by extremists in her party who want to criminalize abortion and put women’s health at risk.