Hosted by UJFT’s Community Relations Council
Monday, Oct. 20, 6:30 pm, Sandler Family Campus
by Robin Mancoll
In what may be one of only a few appearances together, the two candidates hoping to represent Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District for the next two years in Washington, D.C., will discuss issues important to the Tidewater Jewish community at the Sandler Family Campus.
The election is November 4. The 2nd Congressional District is comprised of Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore and parts of Norfolk and Hampton.
Incumbent Scott Rigell (R) and Suzanne Patrick (D) will meet the community in this free and open to the public event. After presenting their platforms from the stage, the candidates will spend time up close and personal with attendees, answering questions face to face, instead of from the stage. Topics sure to be included in conversations will focus on the candidates’ views on the American- Israel relationship, the U.S. role in the Middle East, as well as domestic concerns important to Tidewater Jewish community agencies.
Rigell, a former marine and a local car dealer, is seeking his third term in Congress. Patrick, a former Pentagon official and retired naval officer, is making her first bid for public office.
“Attending the UJFT Meet the Candidates reception remains one of my fondest memories as a first-time candidate in 2010,” says Rigell. “Listening and learning are two key attributes for anyone in public service, and one of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure that the full fabric of our community crosses the finish line together. Teri and I look forward to listening, learning and seeing old friends as well as making new ones on October 20.”
Patrick says about the event, “I welcome this opportunity to talk about the issues important to the constituents in the Second District and thank United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for its hard work to organize the forum. It comes at an important time in our world history. During this period of heightened instability and conflict in the Middle East, I look forward to discussing my strong support of Israel and its special relationship with America.”
Megan Zuckerman, chairman of the Community Relations Council, says, “I am very pleased that Second District Congressman Rigell and candidate Suzanne Patrick are making it a priority in their campaign schedules to spend an evening with the Jewish community. The CRC’s mission is to motivate, educate, and advocate on issues important to our Jewish community locally, nationally and globally. In this vein, we must know the people we elect to represent us and they must know us, and the issues impacting our community. We hope the community will turn out to demonstrate how critical this election is to our Jewish community.”
This forum offers an opportunity to become personally informed and engaged, and to demonstrate that Tidewater consists of a strong, concerned, involved community whose votes and opinions matter.
For more information or to RSVP by Oct. 15, visit www.JewishVA.org/CRC, email SMaslin@ujft.org, or call 767-965-6107.