Gloucester News

Democratic Congressional Candidate Comes To Gloucester for Rally

Qasim Rashid heads to Cottage Point as VA-01 Election heats up

Editor Tyler Bagent

9/20/2020

Ever since 1978, Gloucester County has voted reliably Republican for their US Representative. However, that didn’t stop Democratic Congressional Candidate Qasim Rashid from making a stop in Gloucester for a rally and town hall with voters.

Last Sunday, the 13th, Qasim Rashid and his team put on an Ice Cream Social, hosted by the Gloucester Democrats at Cottage Point on the Ware River. After some music and refreshments, Rashid spoke on the need for political action, a plan he calls ‘Compassion Through Action,’ then took some questions from the audience. First he spoke on healthcare, expressing his support for a Medicare for All system. After being asked about student debt, he advocated to cancel all student debt along with a raise in the minimum wage. He committed that his biggest priority if elected would be to work to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. He attacked both Incumbent Representative Rob Wittman and President Donald Trump several times, criticizing them on their COVID and climate change responses. He ended the event with a meet-and-greet, taking photos and recruiting volunteers for his campaign.

Other than his Gloucester trip, Rashid has been quite active on the campaign trail across the district. Over the month of August, he has participated in car parades, rallies, Zoom forums, and other methods of campaigning as candidates adapt to the pandemic.

For the next 46 days, both Qasim Rashid and Incumbent Rob Wittman will cross the district campaigning to represent VA-01. Wittman was recently seen at an event in Richmond County on Tuesday, while Rashid wrapped up an event in Fredericksburg on Wednesday. While there have been no public polls of the district, enthusiasm remains high for both candidates on the ground. Their next debate will take place on September 21st, after previously debating on August 20th at a criminal justice forum.