RICHMOND, Va. - Democrats from across the Commonwealth gathered at the Richmond Marriott to celebrate the party’s annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Richmond Saturday evening.
82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee Eric H. Holder, Jr. was the keynote speaker.
All of Virginia’s statewide elected Democrats - Governor Terry McAuliffe, Lieutenant Governor and 2017 Gubernatorial nominee Ralph Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine addressed the crowd. The Hon. Tom Perriello, Lieutenant Governor nominee Justin Fairfax, U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, U.S. Rep. Don McEachin, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano, House Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele Herring, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe also spoke.
Delegate Delores McQuinn offered the invocation, while Ben Broklawski, son of DPVA Vice Chair of Rules Marc Broklawski, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
“We’re honored to celebrate this record year for Virginia Democrats with so many strong candidates, and we’re grateful that Attorney General Eric Holder was able to join us,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker, who was re-elected to her position by the party’s Central Committee earlier today. “JJ is an opportunity for us to celebrate our core Democratic values, which we look forward to communicating to voters in every corner of the Commonwealth for the next five months: We are the party of hardworking people fighting for hardworking people, and tonight we celebrate that commitment as we continue to fight for a Virginia that works for everyone.
“In 2017, Virginia elections are the frontline battleground for Democrats. We are the vanguard of the resistance to Donald Trump, and it’s time to show Republicans nationwide the consequences of standing with a President who does not represent his constituents,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “We’ve made great progress in the last four years, which is why it’s so important we elect Ralph Northam our next governor so that we can continue taking Virginia forward instead of back. No matter who you are or where you’re from, every hardworking Virginian deserves access to a good education, good health care, and a good job. I am counting on every Virginia Democrat to help us do that by electing not just a Democratic governor, but our whole ticket of Justin Fairfax, Mark Herring, and every Democrat running for House of Delegates.”
A full recording of the dinner’s speaking program is available on the DPVA Facebook page. Photos of the event are on the DPVA Twitter page @vademocrats.
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