You Decide What Comes Next, Jill Biden Tells Virginians

By Erica Turman

September 18, 2020

Speaking at Sen. Mark Warner’s event, Biden urged people to get involved and help shape the country’s future

KING GEORGE-While her husband Joe prepared for a CNN town hall meeting, Jill Biden spoke to a different audience Thursday night. As part of Senator Mark Warner’s virtual “Almost Annual Pig Roast,” she reminded Virginia residents they have the ability to decide this country’s direction. 

“For the next 47 days, we don’t have to watch what happens,” Biden said. “We have to decide what happens. In this moment, we have so much power. We decide what happens next.” 

Jill Biden has ties to Virginia as she has taught at Northern Virginia Community College for the last 12 years. In her speech, Biden discussed how important the time between now and the election is.  

Here in Virginia, that includes early voting, which started today. Jill Biden also used Virginia as an example for what could happen in November. Last year, for the first time in decades, Democrats took control of both the House and Senate in the General Assembly. 

“This state showed us just what is possible when you took both chambers last year,” Jill said. “You reminded us that every vote really does count. With hard work and a great message, we can bring people together and win elections, and that is what we are going to do now.”

Other speakers echoed Jill’s sentiments and endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. Warner said beyond policy, Joe Biden would do something Americans haven’t seen in four years. 

“As important as any individual policy, [Joe Biden] is going to make us proud to be Americans again,” Warner said. “He is going to stitch this country’s heart and soul back together.”

COVID-19 Causes Roast to Go Virtual

Warner usually holds the event at his family’s Rappahannock Bend Farm in King George County. In normal circumstances, the event is held for supporters to meet and greet the senator and his wife in a fun and informal setting complete with barbeque, alcoholic beverages, and face painting. This year, the event went virtual. 

Overall, the evening consisted of casual interviews from various special guest appearances, including New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, as well as Virginia Representatives Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger, and Bobby Scott.

During his 10-minute appearance, Booker said he appreciated Warner and related his own ties to Virginia, saying he could trace his ancestry to the state all the way back to 1640.

“I am going to talk to my lineage in Virginia and make sure they come out and vote,” said Booker. “But, I need the rest of Virginia to come out and help. We can’t take Virginia for granted. Virginia is a must-win state for us.”

Warner mentioned his opponent, Republican Daniel Gade, only once, citing Gade as a supporter of President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 virus in the United States.

Senator Tim Kaine also made an appearance via video call and encouraged Virginians to vote early.

“Voting early ensures quality control,” said Kaine. “If there is a problem with your registration, voting early ensures you catch it early.”

Voters can check their registration status, register to vote, and request an absentee ballot online by visiting: iwillvote.com.

Erica Turman is a freelance writer with Dogwood. During her time in journalism, Turman’s bylines have been in the Waynesboro News Virginian, Franklin News Post and Martinsville Bulletin. Raised in the moonshine capital of the world, Franklin County, she and her husband make their home in Lexington.

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