In this episode of By the Ballot, host Matt Royer sits down with Larry Wohlers and Parson Brown of New Rural Virginia for a wide-ranging conversation on the political landscape in rural communities ahead of Virginia's November elections.
From grassroots organizing and overlooked candidates to the real-life issues voters care about—like healthcare, cost of living, and infrastructure—this episode explores how rural Democrats are building power, bridging divides, and challenging assumptions from both the Right and the Left.
We dig into:
Why national narratives often miss the mark in rural districts
What it actually takes to run as a Democrat in deep-red communities
The disconnect between urban progressives and rural priorities
How rural candidates are focused on service, not soundbites
The misunderstood impact of data centers, agriculture, and economic uncertainty
Why voters in rural areas aren’t rejecting Democrats—they’re waiting for someone to show up and listen
Whether you’re a campaign staffer, grassroots organizer, rural voter, or just trying to better understand Virginia politics—this episode is for you.
