Former journalist and award-winning author Beth Macy officially announced her candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for the Sixth District seat in Congress Tuesday night at a crowded fire station in Roanoke.
More than 450 people RSVP’d for the event which spilled onto the streets downtown with hundreds of people cheering Macy on from just outside the venue.
Macy spent 25 years as a reporter for The Roanoke Times and is the author of Dopesick, which was later turned into an Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning series on Hulu that she helped write and produce.
Against the backdrop of a campaign banner, Macy said she’s running to make life affordable again for working families, to expand access to health and mental health care, invest in rural communities and ensure every child has a chance at a better future.
“Working-class Virginians are hurting, and too many politicians in both parties in Washington have looked the other way,” said Macy. “Costs keep rising, healthcare is out of reach, and the powerful profit while working families struggle.
“I’m running to hold them accountable and build a government working people can rely on — with affordable healthcare, strong schools and a fair shot for every child.”
Macy said she is disappointed with Congressman Ben Cline voting against important issues like addiction treatment, lowering healthcare costs and investments in rural communities.
“Time and again, he’s sided with pharmaceutical companies and party extremists while families in the Sixth District struggle to get by,” she said. “Folks feel left behind because folks have been left behind.”
ICYMI
- Roanoke: Author Beth Macy has faith Democrats can win back rural America
- New Hulu limited series ‘Dopesick’ to be filmed in Virginia
People like Andrew Tait, a father, farmer and factory worker from Mount Jackson, who feels that he is invisible to Washington politicians.
He recently penned a powerful essay in Daily Yonder, where he wrote about the unseen struggles of the working class and the fear that the American dream is out of reach for many.
“We’re still doing the work, but the promise that used to come with it has disappeared,” Tait told the crowd gathered to support Macy. “Wages haven’t kept up. Health insurance has become a gamble. When it comes to groceries, gas, childcare, it all keeps creeping higher, and yet, like millions of others, we show up because quitting isn’t an option when you’ve got family.”
One medical bill or broken-down vehicle could set his family back for years, he said.
“It’s not that the dream is dead … the truth is, the system isn’t broken. It’s working exactly as designed to keep some people comfortable at the expense of the rest of us struggling to survive.”
Macy: ‘I’ll do my homework, I’ll take notes’
Macy wrote in her most recent book, Paper Girl, about the fractures in America, and in her own family, due to hateful political rhetoric and this idea that those who disagree with you are the enemy.
“America needs to get back to what binds us together – not our politics but our shared values, our love of country, our love for our neighbors, all of our neighbors.
“I’m worried that our American democracy, the idea that gives voice, opportunity and freedom to all that once represented a light around the world, is at serious risk. If we don’t stand for democracy now, we may very well lose it.”
Before Macy squares off against Cline, she must first earn the Democratic nomination in a June 6 primary. Macy is the third Democrat to announce their intent to challenge Cline. Rockingham County veteran and organic farmer Ken Mitchell and former FEMA analyst and Augusta County resident Pete Barlow are also seeking for the Democratic nomination.
Macy believes it is time that someone is elected that will fight for the best interests of people in Virginia instead of blindly following the president’s agenda no matter how harmful it may be.
“I spent my entire professional career giving a voice to the voiceless, putting a face to the forgotten, and holding those who abuse power to account.”
“Those of us in the Sixth District, or whatever it may become, deserve a representative who will fight for all people of the region. This race is for you. It is about you. I promise to listen to everyone, to learn, to represent all the people.
“I am not promising my vote in Congress to any president or any party,” Macy said. “What I promise is that I’ll stand up for the working people of our communities.
“We need a voice. I’ll do my homework. I’ll take notes.”
Enough is enough
Macy told the crowd of teachers, factory workers, farmers, veterans and students, that her husband, Tom Landon, was originally hesitant about her plan to challenge Cline.
“Tom initially didn’t love the idea of my running for office just when I promised I would start slowing down,” she said.
However, he was concerned about the future for their two children and the constant barrage of unsettling news: the “disastrous” Big Beautiful Bill, the rounding up of immigrants and attacks on hard-working journalists, to name a few.
One night over beers in their backyard, he gave his blessing.
“You do it girl. Let’s take that MF’er down.”
Listening tour to kick off in Waynesboro
Macy will make the first stop on her listening tour in Waynesboro on Monday, Nov. 24, at Faded Poppy/The Matriarchs on East Main Street.
“I’m looking forward to hitting the road and hearing more about the issues that are impacting Virginians and showing the people of the Sixth District what real representation can look like,” Macy said.
The event is scheduled to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP online.
The entire campaign kickoff event was livestreamed on social media.
Learn more about Macy’s campaign at www.bethmacyforcongress.com.