• 6:45-7:30 pm private reception
• 7:30-8:30 pm general reception

At Ireland’s Four Courts (1 block from Courthouse Metro; 2051 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201; map, click here).

RSVP online, click here.

We need to do everything to keep this year’s crop of Tea Party extremists out of the state Senate. With the Governor’s mansion and the House of Delegates both controlled by Republicans, our majority in the Senate is the only thing standing in the way of the Tea Party’s extreme ideological agenda that will cost us jobs and decimate the Commonwealth’s education system.

We can’t let these radical Tea Partiers turn back all the progress we’ve made. Please join Senator Al Franken and Congressman Jim Moran and Congressman Bobby Scott for a reception on Tuesday, November 1st – your support will help give Virginia Democrats the resources and grassroots energy they need to prevent a Tea Party majority in the state Senate.

If you can’t make it, please consider contributing online, even just $5 can make a big difference this November.

Senator Al Franken, Congressman Moran and Congressman Scott are appearing at this event only as special guests. Senator Franken, Congressman Moran and Congressman Scott are not asking for funds or donations.

1. Virginia would change radically if the McDonnell-Cuccinelli Cantor Republicans take over the Senate
   In less than three weeks Virginia voters will go to the polls and make decisions that will affect the future of our Commonwealth and the families who live here. If Republicans are successful in taking over the state Senate they will have complete control of our government and free rein to advance their backward agenda – unless we spend the next 20 days doing everything we can to stop them and elect our Democratic candidates. To read Chairman Brian Moran’s rundown of what’s at stake and how you can help click here. To read an Associated Press column on the many radical right-wing laws that would go through if Republicans have full control of our government click here.
2. McDonnell’s Department of Education credits President Obama for saving or creating more than 7,000 jobs
   As President Obama visited Virginia again to talk about his plan to put more Americans back to work and more money in their pockets, Governor Bob McDonnell’s Department of Education told the Huffington Post that the President has already saved more than 7,000 jobs in Virginia. Maybe McDonnell’s thank you card got lost in the mail. To read about the jobs that President Obama saved in Virginia click here.
3. Jason Flanary signed Norquist’s anti-tax pledge before he didn’t
   Controversy erupted this week in the 37th Senate District race (incumbent, Democrat Dave Marsden) about whether Tea Partier Jason Flanary did or did not sign Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge. During the primary Flanary seemed all too eager to bow to Grover and kiss the ring, but now that he’s running in a general election against a results-oriented leader like Dave Marsden, Flanary seems to have changed his tune. Luckily, Norquist isn’t letting him off the hook. To read more about the right-wing spat between Flanary and Norquist click here.
4. DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz stresses the importance of keeping the state Senate this year
   At the recent DPVA reception in Arlington DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DPVA Chair Brian Moran and U.S. Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly urged all Virginia Democrats to do everything they can to get out the vote for our Democratic candidates in the Senate and the House of Delegates this year. To view a video of each leader talking about this year’s elections click here.
5. Virginia communities brace for McDonnell’s budget cuts
   Governor Bob “McGimmick” McDonnell has dropped his self-congratulation over the “budget surplus,” and has replaced it with dire warnings of looming budget cuts to state agencies that could further damage education, transportation and other core services. To read more about the potential for new budget cuts to Virginia communities click here. To read statements from Democratic leaders across Virginia urging the Governor to put middle class families ahead of the Tea Party click here.

from Frank Leone, DNC Virginia –

The DPVA Steering Committee met last night in Woodbridge for their regular quarterly meeting and endorsed the State Senate-passed Congressional redistricting plan that provides for two opportunity districts. The Steering Committee recommended nominating the next US senator from Virginia in a primary, to be held on June 12, 2012 (the same time as the GOP primary). The Steering Committee further recommended the selection of George Mason University in Fairfax as the location for the June 2, 2012 VA Democratic Convention. This would be the first Northern Virginia Convention ever, and we hope to draw high level speakers as well as doing the business of electing National Convention Delegates and DNC members.

Other business at the Steering Committee:

• Discussed 2011 general assembly races – 52 days away
• Adopted resolutions: merging the Bedford city and county committees, and honoring the late Ken Geroe
• Mike Henry of the Kaine campaign and Brandyn Keating of OFA spoke about their efforts to help 2011 candidates as well as prepare for 2012
• Dr. Lateef, Democratic candidate for Prince William County chair spoke
• Brian Coy (DPVA Communications) spoke about new and increasing DPVA communications – they are doing a great job, check out the DPVA website
• DPVA 1st Vice Chair Gaylene Kanoyton reported on the DNC meeting in Chicago and Association of State Democratic Chairs meeting in Portland – Gaylene is doing an excellent job of representing Virginia at these organizations, bringing information back, and moving these groups forward
• Reviewed the success of this summer’s DPVA Summit in Richmond – which was attended by 500 party activists
• DPVA Vice Chair, Technology & Communications, Craig Fifer, spoke about continuing tech updates, including the new iPhone app
• Heard presentations from state party counsel, Jeff Bourne, and deputies Fred Mittelman and Steve Cobb, especially regarding Protect and Promote the Vote (P2tV) efforts for 2011 – contact legal@vademocrat.org
• After the meeting the Democratic Latino Caucus of Virginia had an excellent reception, honored Senators Henry Marsh and John Edwards, heard Terry McAuliffe, recognized a number of elected officials who attended, and noted Alfonso Lopez, who will join the General Assembly the upcoming session
• Next meeting will be in Hampton on December 2
• State Central Committee to meet today

• Steering Committee meets Friday evening, September 16 at 7:30 pm at Osprey’s Landing (401 Belmont Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191)
• 2nd Annual DLOV Hispanic Heritage Reception (Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia) – Friday, September 16 from 9-11 pm at Osprey’s Landing Bar & Lounge celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Latino-inspired food and an open bar (tickets required, click here).
• Central Committee meets (and workshops) Saturday, September 17 at Harbour View (13200 Marina Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191)
  8:30 Veterans and Military Family Caucus
  9-9:45 am VA Association of Democratic Chairs (Sewells Point Ballroom)
  10-noon Central Committee Meeting
  noon-12:30 pm Box Lunch Service
  12:30-2:00 pm Campaign 2011 Update (Sewells Point Ballroom)
  12:30–2:00 PM Phone Banking (River Room)

Accommodation Details

• DPVA Hotel Block
  Hampton Inn (1240 Annapolis Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191 ), rate: $109/night. To make reservations, please call 1-703-490-2300 and ask for the “Virginia Democrats” room block. Or you can book online, click here (Group Code: VAD).
• Other Hotels
  These are hotels in the general vicinity. The DPVA does not have a block at any of the following:
• Inns of Virginia (951 Annapolis Way, Woodbridge, VA), (703) 490-3400
• Quality Inn (1109 Horner Road, Woodbridge, VA), (800) 228-5151
• EconoLodge (13317 Gordon Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA), (800) 553-2666

Introducing the iPhone and iPad App for the Democratic Party of Virginia.  Search “DPVA” in the App Store or click here to download.

This is your party – and with this free app you can react to the latest news and video, post messages to Facebook and Twitter, find events near you, and get involved with your local Democratic Committee. Together we can fight for equal opportunity and make Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

All resources are a work in progress – we want to hear from you regarding ideas for how to improve the app, so send your suggestions and feedback to app@vademocrats.org.  You can also rate the app in the Apple Store.  Don’t wait, download the app and help change Virginia today!