This week on By the Ballot, we’re handing the mic to Andrew Payton — dad of two, educator, climate advocate, and the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s HD-34.
Andrew came within 257 votes of flipping a Trump +7 district that hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1985. In this Guest Takeover, he breaks down what he heard knocking thousands of doors across Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, why rural and college-town organizing is shifting Virginia’s political map, and how communities in the Shenandoah Valley are demanding leaders who fight for working people, immigrant families, and a sustainable future.
A must-listen for anyone interested in rural strategy, youth turnout, and the future of Democratic politics in Virginia.
By the Ballot is an opinion series published on Substack. All views expressed are solely those of the author and should not be interpreted as reporting or objective journalism or attributed to any other individual or organization. I am not a journalist or reporter, nor do I claim to be one. This publication represents personal commentary, analysis, and opinion only.
