Representing Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax

Please join us for Mark's Monthly Meetup at 1:30 pm tomorrow, Saturday October 29th at Los Tios Mexican Grill in Del Ray, located at 2615 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. Like all Mark's Monthly Meetups, there is no donation required. It's just a place to sit and talk and, for most of us, eat. I always want to know what's on the mind of my constituents and supporters.



Absentee Voting Begins Today! It's easy to do. There a lot of legal "excuses" to vote absentee. See details below. And if you know someone who is not registered to vote, voter registration continues until Monday, October 17. You can legally register to vote, vote absentee or vote on Election Day WITHOUT a picture voter ID. There's been some confusion on this. But Alexandria Registrar Anna Leider confirmed this to me today. (Thanks Anna!) If you have an acceptable photo voter ID, please use it to avoid the hassle. But if you don't have an acceptable picture voter ID and wish to vote absentee, they will issue a temporary ID right on the spot at the Registrar's office and allow you to vote then and there. 


Just this week, upon my recommendation and several others, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded a $900,000 grant to the City of Alexandria to preserve the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. This unique 18th century house has been largely unaltered since the Revolutionary War era and is the oldest preserved house in Alexandria. It was once owned by George Washington's physician and will serve as a great example of 18th century life in Alexandria. We all owe thanks to Bill Dickinson and the many other dedicated people who worked so hard to make this happen.



I'm honored to announce that on Sunday, September 11, from12 Noon to 2 pm, Dr. Ralph Northam, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2017, will join Congressman Don Beyer to hold a reception in my honor at the home of David Lord, Senior Commonwealth's Attorney and President of the Alexandria Bar Association, at 1005 Russell Road in Alexandria. Earlier this year, Republicans who control the General Assembly passed a number of bills harmful to LGBT rights, women's reproductive freedom, and workers' rights. They tried to make it easier to commit gun crimes, to increase the impact of climate change, and to give massive subsidies to large polluting corporations.



Like most of you, I've been watching our party's Convention in Philadelphia this week. What a contrast from that hate-filled cesspool the Republicans put on last week. We heard Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine tell us their detailed plans to raise wages, make education more affordable, increase access to healthcare, enact commonsense gun safety measures, protect a woman's right to make her own decisions about her body, and take action to mitigate the effects of climate change. We heard eloquent speeches from Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama about Hillary's and Tim's dedication and willingness to fight for the less fortunate. But I can't think of a better speech than the one Michelle Obama gave Monday night when she explained how important a role model the President is to children around the country.



Thank you to everyone who attended the Alexandria Vigil for Orlando sponsored by Moms Demand Action: faith leaders, my fellow Members of the General Assembly, local officials, and LGBT activists. Most of all, thank you to the many hundreds who heard my cry from the heart in the YouTube video. Thank you to the very large number of you who did what I asked you to do. You called your Virginia Senators and demanded they join the filibuster and keep fighting until we have common-sense gun safety reform. Senator Mark Warner told me personally of the impact of your many calls. And that's why, despite all the odds against us, I have hope. When 90% of Americans (including 90% of Republicans) support universal background checks and oppose terrorists easily buying AR-15s, I know we can win, against even the stringent opposition of the NRA leadership. Even if we have to vote out of office every one of the NRA's Delegates, Senators, and Congressman...



With the vicious anti-choice, anti-LGBT, anti-labor, and anti-immigrant bills passed by the Republican majority that controls the Virginia General Assembly, it was only the vetoes of Governor Terry McAuliffe that saved Virginia from becoming just like North Carolina and Mississippi. We must continue with strong leadership in Richmond. That is why I'm proud to endorse Democratic Lieutenant Governor's Ralph Northam's campaign for Governor. Delegate Charniele Herring and I were happy to spend an evening with Ralph and his supporters in Alexandria and I look forward to joining him for many more campaign appearances in the future