News

Meet and greet with Lt. Gov. Dem nominee Sen. Ghazala Hashmi Oct. 5

Whedbee Mullen invites you to meet Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Sunday, October 5, 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

This meet and greet at the historic Heathsville home Mantua is an opportunity to get to know Sen. Hashmi. Ask her about her values, priorities, and experience. Meet other supporters and chat with old friends.

Tickets are free in order to ensure everyone interested has an opportunity to get to know the candidate. The address will be provided once you have RSVPd. This is a catered event. RSVP by September 21 for best possible attendee count.

Donations to support the campaign are welcome and encouraged. Guests can select free tickets or you can donate at different levels for a ticket. Secure tickets in two ways. You can use this link or use the QR code in the image above.

Suggested donation levels are Platinum ($1,000), Sponsor ($500), Contributor ($250), Champion ($100), Friend ($50), Supporter ($25), Donor ($10.00). You can also mail a donation check, made out to “Ghazala for Virginia”, to Ryan Kehl, PO Box 72923, Richmond, VA  23235. 

For more information, contact Ryan@GhazalaforVirginia.com.

Important Note:

Sen. Hashmi is one of the few candidates to meet with voters in our area.  Let’s turn out to recognize her support for us by supporting her.  Perhaps this will encourage other candidates to include our area in their campaign plans.

Kilmarnock Council considers regs Lancaster Dems believe will infringe 1A rights

From the Lancaster Dems:

Did you see the public notice in the Rappahannock Record on September 4?  The Town of Kilmarnock is holding a public hearing on September 15 at 6:00 PM to adopt amended regulations pertaining to Town Code Ch. 28, Article II, Special Events and Parades. We believe this will infringe on our First Amendment Rights, for rallies, celebrations, and parades. If applied uniformly, it may also negatively impact some of the events that are held in town throughout the year. Read the 19 page proposed ordinance by clicking: Town Council Public Hearing Monday, September 15, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – Kilmarnock, Virginia

If you are available to make comments, we understand you can just show up.  If you wish to comment on an item in the public hearing, please wait for that item on the agenda.  There is a general public time at the beginning the the meeting for other topics.

Here are some problems with the proposed ordinance:

  • Content-based restrictions: Bans flags, expressive items, or anything that “arouses anxiety.” Courts say speech cannot be restricted based on content or emotional reactions.
  • No spontaneous protests: Requires 60 days’ notice—making timely vigils or demonstrations impossible. Courts require allowance for spontaneous speech.
  • 60-day notice is excessive: Not narrowly tailored to any legitimate town interest.
  • $1 million insurance per event/vendor: May not even exist in the market. If it does, it’s an unjustified financial barrier that effectively bans assembly.
  • Unbridled discretion: Officials can deny or revoke permits whenever they deem it “appropriate.” This is unconstitutional prior restraint and risks arbitrary enforcement.
  • Ban on information sharing: Prohibits distributing promotional materials “in any form.” This is overbroad and stifles community outreach.
  • Variable permit fees: Based on vague “circumstances.” The Supreme Court has ruled such fee systems unconstitutional.
  • Time Restrictions: Limits the times of special events and parades to M-F, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

If adopted, we believe Ordinance 2025-007 could jeopardize cherished town events such as:

Music on the Half Shell

Christmas Parade

The Great Kilmarnock Find

Fall into Kilmarnock Festival

Countdown to Christmas

School Championship Parades

Trunk or Treat in Town Park

Car Show in Town Park

Classie Memorial Dog Show

Walk in the Park

School supplies. . . Check

School supplies collected by members of the Northumberland County Democratic Committee are dropped off. L-R: Lilly, Stacie, and Jim Hendrickson; Mr. Regis, principal of Northumberland High School.

On August 21, NCDC members donated supplies for classrooms in Northumberland High School. On August 22, NCDC prez Jim Hendrickson delivered them with the help of wife Stacie and daughter Lilly. HS principal Mr. Regis accepted the bags (and bags and bags) on behalf of teachers and students.

The Dems chose to collect the supplies for two reasons. First, teachers did not get raises and NCPS does not outfit classrooms with these supplies. Second, the cost of school supplies is going up. NCDC members are committed to making sure that children and teachers have what they need to learn and teach, respectively.

As part of the Elections have Consequences initiative, Northumberland County Democratic Committee members select topics and organizations throughout the year to support in order to demonstrate the decisions made by elected officials have a very real impact on real people each and every day.

Stay tuned for the next Elections have Consequences collection. Members will receive info via email. The public should watch the website and the NCDC Facebook page.