Over the years, RK has made endorsements in numerous Democratic primary contests. To do so, what's required is that a particular candidate receive 5 votes - 1 from the RK community and 4 from the RK executive board.
Today, after significant internal discussion, we have reached 5 votes in favor of endorsing Miles Grant in the 47th House of Delegates district, with the community voting 72%-28% for Miles and 4 RK executive board members also voting "yes." FYI, 2 members were not ready to make any endorsement at this time, 1 member is considering whether or not to endorse a candidate, and another (Miles) didn't participate in the vote since it directly affected him.
As you probably know, Miles has been a "front pager" here at RK for nearly 2 years. In his writings, Miles has demonstrated himself to be a fighter for the environment (hence the nickname "The Green Miles"), smart growth, and other progressive causes (e.g., human rights, smoking in bars and restaurants, reproductive rights). In his "day job," Miles works on environmental issues at the National Wildlife Federation. According to Miles' campaign website:
In addition to his time as [Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment] chair, Miles has served as chair of Arlington Community Role Models and community service director of Arlington Young Democrats. He's been recognized for his volunteer work with a 2007 James B. Hunter Arlington Community Hero Award and a 2007 Arlington County Outstanding Volunteer Award. Under his chairmanship, CRM was recognized by the National Association of Counties with a 2008 Acts of Caring Award.
Why are we making this endorsement now? Three main reasons: 1) we believe that our friend Miles would make an excellent delegate for the 47th district; 2) by all accounts, the incumbent (Al Eisenberg) will be announcing his retirement sometime in the next few months, but we don't know when; and 3) RK is shutting its doors at the end of December, so we wanted to get this endorsement in before it's too late.
Here's an expanded version of what I had to say about Miles the other night at the "Farewell to RK" party:
...Arlington's 47th House of Delegates district is about as blue as they come, which in my mind means that we should be sending strong progressives to Richmond with energy and a willingness to fight for the environment, human rights, and other important values we care about. Having worked with Miles the past couple of years, I can definitely say that he has that fighting spirit, energy, and can-do attitude. When Miles gets to Richmond, one thing's for sure - he won't be a shrinking violet.Believe it or not, I've actually had one or two people tell me that Miles should "wait his turn" or "wait in line" for this seat. As far as I'm concerned, that's antithetical to everything we netroots, bottom-up, citizen activists democrats (small "d") believe in. Think about it; if Barack Obama had "waited his turn," he might have been president in...oh, 2028 or so. If Jim Webb had opted out in 2006 because he hadn't spent years in the Democratic Party of Virginia trenches, George Allen would have been reelected to the U.S. Senate, run for president, and might even have won (god forbid). In short, NO THANKS to this antiquated, top-down, anti-democratic "wait in line" mentality. As far as I'm concerned, "the more the merrier" in the 47th HoD primary, and "may the best person win!"
Again, RK's choice in the 47th House of Delegates district is Miles Grant. Having said that, let me just repeat the last two points I made the other night: "the more the merrier" in this race and "may the best person win!"
Have a nice weekend, all.
Peace.
I'll expand on my reasons in the months ahead at bluecommonwealth, where I Miles and other bloggers will sustain the voice of progressive Virginia after rk shuts down