Equal Rights: Iowa, Vermont, DC...Virginia next?

by: AdamGreen

Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:37

In the wake of recent equal rights votes in Iowa, Vermont, and DC, Virginia 2009 state delegate candidate (and respected environmental blogger) Miles Grant today boldly proposed Virginia move in the same direction:

“With each passing day, Virginia’s harsh restrictions on marriage and even simple domestic partnerships are cast in deeper contrast to the steady march of progress we’re seeing across America. We take pride in Virginia’s policies that attract world-class businesses. But the best businesses in the world need the top workers in the world. What message are we sending about Virginia’s values when we tell some of those workers they’re not allowed to commit their lives to the person they love and start a family together?"    

“It’s time to move our Commonwealth forward by repealing the Marshall-Newman amendment and recognizing full marriage rights for all Virginians. We’re not talking about special protections – these actions would simply ensure that all families receive basic rights, including financial protections, hospital visitation access and ability to adopt and retain custody of their children. As delegate, I’ll make it one of my top priorities to ensure civil liberties for all Virginians.”

Wouldn't it be nice if bold progressive like that actually got elected to office? Well, ahem, they can. Miles is running a great ground game in advance of the June 2009 primary. You can help him resource his campaign by chipping in here.

Miles Grant: Campaigning as a Bold Progressive

by: AdamGreen

Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:08

This is pretty neat.

Miles Grant -- who blogs about environmental issues at TheGreenMiles (and formerly blogged at RaisingKaine), works at the National Wildlife Federation, and is running for Virginia state delegate in NOVA -- is using his campaign bullypulpit and organizing structure to get local activists to pressure Senators Webb and Warner to be strong on the Employee Free Choice Act.

Miles writes to supporters:

Hey folks, we're going to be back knocking again this weekend but this time with a twist. Before we go and hit the doors a labor organizer from SEIU is going to give us an update on the Employee Free Choice Act. We will write letters to both our US Senators and then go doorknocking. It is vitally important that progressives support each other at all levels of government. We'll end the afternoon at Union Jack's as usual.

This is what someone running a "bold progressive" campaign does.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (which I co-founded) is putting together a 2009 Virginia trial run in advance of 2010 congressional elections, to hone our model for helping progressive candidates win. Candidates like Miles make life easy.

Miles "gets it" on both a progressive movement level and political campaign level. He knows that campaigning boldly -- including challenging important Democratic politicians to do the right thing on controversial issues -- is the way to run a campaign that inspires people-powered activism. And, smartly, Miles is doing a ton of door knocking with grassroots volunteers.

If Miles wins the open seat Democratic primary in Virginia District 47, he'll likely win the general. If you live in Northen Virginia, consider joining his crew this Saturday.

Regardless of where you live, consider contributing a few bucks to Miles. (In these state legislative races, a few bucks goes a long way...ahem, put another way, a few bucks goes miles.) (Sorry, couldn't resist.)