Renewing the American Promise.
Chair’s Corner | Virginia Beach Democratic Committee
What an extraordinary week for Virginia Beach, Virginia, and our nation!
On November 3rd, Americans made history. Democrats secured control of Congress, and here in Virginia, voters delivered victories for Senator Mark Warner and Congresswoman-Elect Elaine Luria, returning a proven public servant to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District.
Virginia voters also approved three historic constitutional amendments protecting reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and automatic restoration of voting rights.
And here at home, we have so much to celebrate!
Our VBDC-endorsed candidates delivered an outstanding showing:
City Council: Janet Byrnes (District 4), Worth Remick (District 6), Joash Schulman (District 9), and Jennifer Rouse (District 10).
School Board: Dr. Alveta Green (District 4), Antoinette Kahan (District 6), Natalie Bray (District 8), and Dr. Betty Spencer-Chapman (District 10).
I also want to recognize Chris Lewis, who ran a strong, community-centered campaign for School Board District 2. Chris worked hard to connect with the people he hoped to represent, and he was a genuine teammate throughout this election. He showed up for his fellow candidates, collaborated wherever he could, and reminded us that building a stronger community is about more than any one race. Chris has much to be proud of.
To our candidates and their families, campaign teams, community partners, donors, and especially our extraordinary volunteers: THANK YOU!
Every door knocked, phone call made, sign placed, and voter greeted helped bring us to this moment. These victories belong to all of you. I'm incredibly proud of what we accomplished together through focus, urgency, effort, and love.
And we're not quite finished…
In School Board District 9, the outcome remains undetermined as the electoral process continues. We stand with Suzanne Berman and her steadfast commitment to ensuring that every lawful vote is counted and every voter's voice is respected. This is about getting it right, and we will continue to support Suzanne as the process moves forward.
Winning Is Easy. Leading Is Harder.
There's a line from Hamilton that has been on my mind since Election Night: "Winning is easy, young man. Governing's harder."
We should enjoy this moment. We worked hard for it, and these victories matter. But I also think we need to be clear-eyed about what voters told us.
Our fellow Americans are frustrated. They're worried about the cost of living, their economic security, and whether government is actually working for them. They're concerned about corruption and the direction of our country. And while independent voters helped deliver significant Democratic victories, many remain skeptical of both political parties.
We shouldn't mistake an opportunity to lead for an unconditional endorsement of everything we believe.
Voters have given our leaders an opportunity, not a blank check.
Now comes the harder part.
Families need to be able to afford a home and build some financial security. Our schools must prepare children for a future that is changing faster than ever. Healthcare shouldn't threaten a family's financial stability. Our neighborhoods need to be safe, our infrastructure reliable, and our government worthy of the public's trust.
None of this will be easy.
Building more housing puts pressure on roads, schools, and infrastructure. Improving wages requires us to consider the small businesses that employ our neighbors. New technologies bring tremendous opportunity, but also real questions about jobs, energy, and community impacts. And every public dollar we invest should produce something meaningful for the people we serve.
These are real challenges, and reasonable people will disagree about how best to address them.
That's okay. In fact, that's where the work begins.
Renewing the American Promise
I've been thinking a great deal about the kind of country we're building for the next generation.
What must we build, protect, and change today so that a child born in America in 2026, and the generations already counting on us, can look back in 2050 and say we kept our promise?
I want an America where hard work provides a real opportunity to get ahead. Where our children have multiple pathways to fulfilling, prosperous lives. Where illness doesn't bankrupt a family. Where innovation improves people's lives. And where government earns the trust of the people it serves.
That's the American Promise I believe we have a responsibility to renew.
But trust doesn't come automatically with an election victory or a political title. It must be earned through transparency, integrity, meaningful participation, and results.
And our newly elected leaders cannot do this alone.
This is where I believe the members of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee has an important responsibility. We have an extraordinary collection of experience, talent, and perspectives within our membership. Our elected leaders need that experience. They need our ideas, our counsel, our willingness to roll up our sleeves, and yes, our constructive criticism.
We should be willing to help them wrestle with difficult decisions, understand competing interests, and find solutions that genuinely improve people's lives. We should be just as committed to helping them govern well as we were to helping them win.
One Foot in Front of the Other
The American Promise has never meant that every decision will be easy or that everyone will agree. It means each generation has a responsibility to confront difficult choices fairly, protect opportunity, and leave this country stronger for those who follow.
We have accomplished something special in Virginia Beach. I hope every one of you takes a moment to appreciate that.
But I also hope we carry the same energy, commitment, and sense of purpose into what comes next.
Winning matters. What we do with the opportunity matters even more.
Thank you for everything you've given to this effort. I'm proud to be part of this team, and I'm excited about the work ahead.
One foot in front of the other. Renewing the American Promise.
Sean Monteiro
Chair, Virginia Beach Democratic Committee