The Virginia General Assembly convenes each year on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and for 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend annual sessions for a maximum of 30 days. State Senators and Delegates are actually part time positions.

Three other events followed for Delegates and Senator representing Lee District

• Del. Vivian Watts’ Pre-Session Gossip & Goodies Reception,
• Del. Scott Surovell’s 2012 Rock ‘n Roll on the Potomac, and
• Sen. Elect Adam Ebbin’s Richmond Send Off (until noon Wednesday, when he’ll be Sen. Ebbin)

For pictures from the events see the slideshow below or on Facebook, Flickr, or Picasa.

See pictures from the Luau below or on Facebook, Flickr, or Picasa (thank you, ‘Mahalo Nu’i Loa’, to Janelle Hartman for being our Luau photographer).

For those interested: the average high temperature for July 23rd at National Airport is 89 degrees. A record high of 101 in 1991 was tied at our Luau last year on Saturday, July 24, 2010. This year was a NEW record for July 23rd of 102 degrees at National Airport at 3:39 pm (humidity was the lowest during the day at 1:00 pm at 37%).

The Luau is an event where like minded Democrats, Progressives and Liberals from all across the region socialize in a relaxed atmosphere and raise money at the same time. This year’s proceeds go to our efforts to help re-elect Democrats who have made government work for people, especially in the toughest economy in generations, and to elect those who those will join their Lee District colleagues in this effort.

We want to especially recognize Senator Patsy Ticer and Delegate David Englin. Senator Ticer is retiring after serving in the Senate since 1996 (a primary on August 23rd will decide our General Election candidate). As a result of the decennial census redistricting, Delegate Englin will no longer have precincts in Lee District (Delegate Mark Sickles will represent David’s precincts). Both Patsy and David have been champions for Democrats in the General Assembly, and it has been our pleasure to have them representing us there. We welcome back Senator Dick Saslaw (Senate Majority Leader), who will once again represent part of Lee District (Crestwood and Lynbrook precincts), also as a result of redistricting.

We heard from former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe and Congressman Jim Moran reminding us why we need to get every Democrat out, especially this year. Chairman Bulova, Supervisor McKay, and our General Assembly members Senator Barker (Senator Puller had to leave early) and Delegates Sickles and Watts echoed that request, as well as reaffirm the importance of cooperation among all levels of government, federal, state and local to achieve success. Outgoing Lee District School Board member, Brad Center, spoke about the importance of the partnership between the school board and the board of supervisors, and Brad introduced Tammy Derenak Kaufax who is running with his enthusiastic support to succeed him.

The three Democratic candidates running to succeed Senator Ticer (30th Senate District) were all in attendance (Adam Ebbin, Libby Garvey, Rob Krupicka). We heard from both Adam and Rob (Libby had to leave early). For more information about the three candidates and the August 23rd primary, click here.

We are pleased to recognize the following people, businesses and organizations for their support – thank you:

• our host Susie Warner
• UFCW Local 400 (united food & commercial workers)
• Congressman Jim Moran
• Senator Dick Saslaw
• Terry McAuliffe
• King Street Blues, Kingstowne (Martin White)
• D&P Printing (John Dwyer, union printing services)
• Mason District Democratic Committee
• Allure Salon
• Grounded Coffee Shop
• Telegraph Station
• Wash Fair Car Wash
• Jeff Evans Photography
• Lee District Dems Luau Committee (Kathy Robertson, Chair; Alex Kirkland, Linda Waller, Pat Mahoney, Todd Smyth, Hugh Robertson, Steve Bunn), and all the Lee District Dems

Volunteers were welcomed by Congressmen Moran and Connolly, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran, Chairman Bulova, Supervisors McKay (Lee) and Jenkins (Prince William), Senator Barker, Delegate Charniele Herring, School Board At-Large Ilryong Moon, Soil and Water Director George Lamb,  and a host of candidates (Chris Wade – Braddock Supervisor, Jack Dobbyn – House of Delegates 42nd District, Alfonso Lopez – House of Delegates 49th District, Tammy Kaufax – School Board Lee District, John Wittman – School Board Springfield District). The opening was followed by a canvass and phone bank.

See pictures from the opening below or on Facebook, Picasa or Flickr. Also see an article from the Patch about the office opening, click here.

Notably present: Senator Toddy Puller, Delegate Mark Sickles, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi, Mt. Vernon School Board member Dan Storck, Soil and Water Director Johna Good Gagnon (Delegate Scott Surovell could not be present since he is on trade delegation mission).

NOTE: the Commerce St 2011 Democratic HQ Grand Opening is next Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 pm.

See the pictures from the kickoff below and on Facebook, Picasa and Flickr.

“Citizens United” – the January 21, 2010 Supreme Court ruling, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, giving corporations a constitutional “right” to spend unlimited money influencing elections.

See Congressman Jim Moran’s (video) part below or click here, and the other videos:

• Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO
• Marge Baker, People For The American Way
• Craig Holman, Public Citizen
• Eric Byler, Coffee Party USA
• Question & Answer

Over the weekend, volunteers from every corner of the state gathered together for a training and celebration in Richmond, with special guests including Governor Tim Kaine. See the slideshow below or click here.

Greenspring Democratic Club hosted the event and also got more than 50 ballot petition signatures for Supervisor McKay and Delegate Vivian Watts.

See the pictures below or  on Flickr, Facebook, and Picasa.

Chairman Sharon Bulova kicked off the day. We heard from Senator Barker, and Delegates Watts, Sickles and Englin. Candidates for the open seat in the 30th Senate District (Ticer – retiring), Adam Ebbin, Libby Garvey, and Rob Krupicka spoke to the crowd. We also were introduced to candidates for Fairfax School Board At-Large: Ilryong Moon (incumbent), Maria Allen, Greg Brandon, Charisse Espy Glassman and Ted Velkoff. Lee District School Board member, Brad Center, is not running for re-election and our candidate for that seat, Tammy Derenak Kaufax, spoke to us briefly. We were fortunate also to have both Soil and Water Directors running for re-election, Johna Good Gagnon and George Lamb, address the group.

See more about our 2011 Candidates and elections, click here.

See the pictures below or on Flickr, Picasa or Facebook. We apologize if your picture was taken and does not appear – some did not turn out well.