RCDC April Meeting Recap!
Here are 10 key highlights from April’s RCDC meeting!
- Senator Lamont Bagby is the new Chair of the State DPVA.
- The Radford Democratic Committee will have a booth at the Community Fest taking place on August 23rd.
- Our pamphlet for the June Primaries is almost complete and we are looking for volunteers for the primaries.
- Please check out radfordvotes.com - This is an EXCELLENT tool for seeing all of our current elected officials as well as those that are currently running for office this year. Don Lawrence has done a fantastic job in providing this tool that will be helpful to citizens!
- The RU Young Democrats have been discussing fundraisers for their chapter.
- The budget resolutions are being discussed as we find out more about them. There was conversation about the meeting on Monday, April 14th as there is the opportunity for public commentary before the council meets.
- The budget is also currently the focus for Radford City Schools, there will be a joint meeting with City Council and Radford City Schools on Monday, April 14th to discuss the school district’s budget.
- Recapped on the first Radford Dems Happy Hour, event went very well! Next one will be on Thursday, April 24th at 5:30pm at Brick House Pizza - please join us!
- Senator Aaron Rouse will be at BT’s on Friday, April 4th from 7:30-9:00pm!
- The following candidates have qualified for the ballot for November’s General Election:
Biko Agozino - House of Delegates 42nd District
Chris Rehak - Commonwealth’s Attorney
Janet Jones - Treasurer
Kelsey Marletta -
Commissioner of Revenue
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, April 24th - Radford Dems Happy Hour at Brick House Pizza at 5:30pm located at 311 West Main Street
Wednesday, May 7th -
RCDC Monthly Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at 325 West Main Street
June 17th - DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES - LET'S GET OUT AND VOTE!
A note of hope and gratitude from our chair Kelsey Marletta
Hello!
First, I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Radford City Democratic Committee for entrusting me with the role of Chair of the RCDC. Amanda Winter did an amazing job in fulfilling the duties of Chair during her tenure while also running for a seat on our school board. In a very competitive race, we are fortunate that she won her seat. We must support and encourage her now as she steps into her role as a Radford City School Board member next month.
This election year was an incredible defeat for the Democratic Party. While it feels heavy, we must now look to the future. We have to hold our heads high, band together and aim towards electing Democrats into local, state and federal offices. Unification, collaboration and communication is more important now than ever. 2025 will hold several significant races; the Gubernatorial, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Virginia. Here in Radford, we will uphold a promise amongst the Democratic Party to support and elect those that choose to either re-run or run for their offices.
A few of my goals as Chair of the RCDC is to increase attendance at our monthly meetings, gain more members from the Radford community, continue strengthening our alliance with the Radford University Young Democrats and to make sure we have the highest level of organization at every event and meeting where we can have a presence.
The holiday season gives us a time to reflect on the year that is winding down while simultaneously building excitement for the New Year. We must apply this thinking to our efforts in our political aspirations for the Democratic Party. We have so much potential in our community to make change, inspire hope and build a solid foundation for the values that our party believes in. We faced setbacks in 2024 but we must start 2025 with a fresh perspective for hope, freedom and democracy.
If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please know that you can always e-mail us at radfordcitydemocrats@gmail.com or connect with us here.
Onward and upward we go!
Sincerely,
Kelsey Marletta
Chair - Radford City Democrats
