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.
September 28th, 2023 12:10 pm
Tim Kaine from what I’ve seen and heard is very good for democracy and a better future. Nice to see him featured here.
September 28th, 2023 12:26 pm
He would/could/should have been our VP (or even president now) if Hillary had won the election.
He is the epitome of a good politician and a lovely human being. From his webpage: “Tim Kaine has helped people throughout his life as a missionary, civil rights lawyer, teacher, and elected official. He is one of a few dozen people in American history to have served as a Mayor, Governor and United States Senator.”
In reference to the last picture of me and the Ironworker, I just now learned that Kaine is from a family of ironworkers too: “Tim grew up working in his father’s ironworking shop in Kansas City. His parents taught him the value of hard work and showed him how small businesses and technical skills strengthen this country every day. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Tim started his public service career by running a technical school founded by Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He trained teenagers to become carpenters and welders, equipping them with skills to lift up themselves and their communities.”
September 28th, 2023 10:31 pm
There’s a nice aura about the man who many of us in Canada hoped would be vice-president to Hillary Clinton. We were gutted when that didn’t happen. Joined the Women’s March, trying to work through the disappointment. So many missed opportunities in history such as Gore losing to Bush. Gore would have been more pro-active about climate change, although it would have been a big battle as it unbelievably still is today. We have the same deniers in Canada. Focused only on short-term gains.
September 29th, 2023 12:50 pm
We are living in unimaginable times. Floyd had a Women’s March to and I covered ti for out local paper at the time. Excerpt: Nearly 200 people took part in a Woman’s March in Downtown Floyd on Saturday. It was a “Sister March,” held for those who were unable to attend the larger Washington D.C. Women’s March but still wanted to have their voices heard in support of equal rights, women’s rights, health care, public education and environmental protections.
Men, women and children participated in solidarity with marches that were taking place all over the country and the world. Some were first time marchers who held signs in support of civil rights and the funding of Planned Parenthood and Obamacare. Many spoke of friends or family members that had gone to march in Washington, which was reported to have drawn as many as half-a-million people.
“I’m just here for the solidarity with millions of people around the world that feel threatened by this new administration,” said a Brenda Aker (below center) of Wyethville, who came with a group of friends. https://looseleafnotes.com/2017/01/we-march-to-know-we-are-not-alone/