Page County Democrats

With the elections behind us and near year’s-end fast approaching, it’s time for a wrap-up on 2023.

At the start of the year, Page County Democrats decided to operate on dual tracks this year and into the future. One track has maintained our traditional, partisan political activities—supporting
candidates for office and promoting policies and programs we value. The other track has concentrated on local, nonpartisan, civic activity aimed at issues of community concern across
the political divide.

On both fronts, 2023 has proven significant.
Election results reflect how party politics are evolving in and around our County. On the one hand, Republican nominees for the General Assembly won re-election district-wide, with strong
support here in Page County. Yet on the other hand, even in this supposed “Red” stronghold, local governments (on both the town and county levels) now include three young elected
officials who are Independent, eschewing traditional party labels.

Meanwhile, the Republican nominee for County Clerk of Court came in dead last among the four candidates running for that
office. In that and other races against Republican nominees, Independent candidates ran strong campaigns, with some prevailing and others coming close. State-wide, of course, Democrats not only retained control of the Senate, but also gained control of the House of Delegates.

Last spring, the PCDC voted to support a newly-created effort called “Community Works,” which coordinates with other local groups-- churches, nonprofits and civic organizations-- to
address important needs in Page County.  CW’s goal (and PCDC’s goal in supporting it) is to help develop trust among neighbors across the political divide, working for the common good.
Funded by a 501(c) organization called the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative, CW hired a part-time “Local Coordinator” this summer. Since then, drawing on volunteers from PCDC and other
residents with varying political views, CW has already undertaken

several programs in partnership with others, including: the West Luray Rec Center (food drive, art classes, rehabilitating a house in Stanley for a grandmother and her five grandchildren);

Page One (raising funds for home heating assistance to County families who would otherwise go cold); and the “Wesley Brown Night before Christmas” event for local kids with disabilities.