Floyd Democrats Campaign Office Ribbon Cutting with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
The following first appeared in the September 21st issue of The Floyd Press – The Grand Opening of the Floyd Democrats Campaign Office, located at 115 West Main Street, drew a crowd of supporters Friday afternoon.
It included an open house tour, a meet-and-greet and ribbon cutting with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who is up for re-election in 2024.
Floyd County resident Patty Quesenberry, a Democratic candidate for Virginia House of Delegates of District 47, and her daughter Renie Gates, who is running as a Democrat for Virginia Senate District 7, were both in attendance.
The longtime Floyd rescue squad volunteers will be on the ballot this November 7th in all Floyd County voting districts and beyond.
A dedication naming of the building, “The Hopkins Center,” preceded the ribbon cutting and was named for John Hopkins, a former chairperson of the Floyd Democrats who regularly staffs the campaign office.
A potluck reception at the Hotel Floyd Conference Center followed the open house event and was attended by approximately 75 Democrat supporters.
Kamala Bauers introduced Senator Kaine at the reception, noting his long record of service and referring to him as “the most ethical person in office right now.” Kaine spoke informally and also laid out how much is at stake in upcoming elections.
“What would Republican control of both houses and a Republican governor mean? Right now, the Republican Senate is shutting down military promotions and the Republican House is cheerleading to shut down the government. That’s the Republican party right now.”
Kaine noted that bills have passed in Republican-led House and were blocked in the Democrat-led Senate that would roll back women making their own reproductive healthcare decisions, early voting, common sense gun safety measures, minimum wage and clean energy initiatives. “Republicans have gotten in line behind a person who has demonstrated that he doesn’t have the character to represent the best of who America is,” Kaine said.
“We’re the ones battling for democracy,” Kaine said to crowd applause. “We are living under a stress test of democracy, and we are surviving but not yet passing. Because of you and the work we’re going to do, we’re going to pass,” he told the crowd.
Quesenberry and Gates both addressed the crowd. According to her comments and the Floyd Democrats webpage (floydvadems.org), Quesenberry’s platform focuses on the climate crisis, childcare, housing, infrastructure, mental health/substance abuse disorder, responsible gun ownership, women’s rights, campaign finance reform, and worker’s rights.
“My motto is the three C’s, caring, compassion and commitment,” Gates told the audience, urging attendees to get involved in the race. Her platform interests include gun safety, care for the elderly, agriculture and sustainability, women and family rights, veterans, affordable housing, substance abuse, and broadband access.
Senator Kaine toured two local innovative businesses while in the area, including SWVA Biochar, a Floyd-based business that produces highly absorbent, specially produced charcoal with a wide variety of environmentally positive applications. – Visit floydvadems.org for more information. -Colleen Redman
Photos: 1. Citizens mull about the new Democrat Campaign Office waiting to greet Senator Tim Kaine. 2. Floyd Democrat volunteer/organizer Kamala Bauers is pictured (left) with Tim Kaine’s campaign manager Keren Dongo. 3. Senator Kaine poses with local Democrat Candidates Patty Quesenberry (left) and Renie Gates. 4. The crowd responds to Senator Kaine’s arrival. 5. Former Floyd Democrats chairperson John Hopkins is honored with a plaque stating the campaign office’s name, Hopkins Center, after him. Pictured are Kamala Bauers, TracyAnne Costello (background), Anne Holton (Senator Kaine’s wife), Kaine, John Hopkins and Rebecca Daly, volunteer/organizer. 6. The ribbon is cut. 7. The crowd reacts to the ribbon cutting with applause. 8. Inside the office headquarters, candidates and attendees mingle. Pictured center is Misty Dawn Vickers, candidate for House of Delegates district 40, Salem city and three Roanoke County districts. Floyd candidate for delegate Patty Quesenberry is also pictured (right). 9. Bauers welcomed the crowd at the reception, attended by approximately 75 people. Kaine, Quesenberry and Gates each spoke. A potluck feast followed. 10. Kaine addresses the crowd. 11. Renie Gates speaks. 12. A celebratory cake made by Slaughters supermarket was front and center. 13. Pictured together on the Hotel Floyd patio are Democrat volunteer/organizers Rebecca Daly and John Hopkins, Anne Holton, Senator Kaine and Kamala Bauers, a Democrat volunteer organizer and Hotel Floyd co-owner. 14. This reporter (right), who comes from a family of metal fabricators and ironworkers, makes a new friend.