February 8, 2022

Dear Lynchburg-area Citizens,

What a year we had in 2021.  The elections did not go our way in November, and it is time to  begin organizing to turn things around–especially at the local level, where we can do the most good and have a  lasting impact.

2021 brought some changes!  Locally, redistricting has meant that we are now a part of the Fifth Congressional District, and are represented by Republican Bob Good.  The good news is that Lynchburg is no longer split into two House of Delegates and two State Senate districts!  We are now represented by House of Delegates District 52 and State Senate District 8.  Additionally, the state legislature moved municipal elections to November.  This means that this November we will hold elections for the Fifth Congressional District as well as At-Large City Council elections.  And, depending on what the courts decide, possibly the House of Delegates as well.

It is crucial that we keep our City Council in progressive hands.  Not only does the City Council impact municipal issues, but they also appoint our School Board.  If we want to continue to have a City Council that puts the good of its citizens and our children first, we need to get out to organize and vote this November.

This year will be a busy year for Democrats.  In addition to the November elections, June 21 is the Democratic  Primary.  The Lynchburg Democratic Committee does not endorse candidates during primary races, but we are committed to sharing information and events for groups supporting the Democratic candidate of their choice.   We need to keep Lynchburg, and Virginia blue, and have a lot of work ahead of us.  Please come by a meeting, attend a Meet and Greet, make phone calls, and hopefully canvass (if we are clear this fall!)

Membership dues in the Lynchburg Democratic Committee are just $10 per calendar year.  Your dues and any additional contribution will help us support: public monthly meetings, forums, and guest speakers; dues to DPVA; access to our voter database; voter registration; maintaining our office for voter and campaign outreach; candidate recruitment; collecting signatures on candidate petitions; transportation to the polls; voter information; yard signs, bumper stickers, and campaign literature; sample ballots; our website and social media presence; voter protection at voting precincts; collaboration with other organizations; and providing candidates with financial support, publicity, door-to-door and phone canvassing.  The LDC office is frequently used by campaign staff and is critically important for direct contact with voters and volunteers, distribution of campaign material, and a visible presence to provide continuity from one election to the next.

Please make your 2022 contribution, of which the first $10 will cover annual dues.  Contributions of $100 or less annually are not made public. We strongly encourage small-dollar monthly contributions of $5, $8, or $10, which currently account for nearly half our monthly operating expenses!  ActBlue handles  one-time or recurring contributions at https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/lynchburgdems

There may be hard work ahead of us, but the difficulty of the task has never stopped us before.  Together we can face the challenges and win.

With thanks for your continued support,

Nichole Sanders, Chair, Lynchburg Democratic Committee