Sixth District Democratic chair passes

Story by Chris Graham
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Sixth District Democratic Party Committee chair David Layman has died.

Layman died of an apparent heart attack that he suffered at a committee meeting in Lexington Tuesday night.

Layman’s passing was first reported on hburgnews.com this morning.

“David was one of the hard-working and unsung people behind the scenes who keep the political process working, rarely running for office or gaining public acclaim themselves, but doing the difficult and time-consuming tasks that make democracy work,” former Harrisonburg mayor Joe Fitzgerald wrote in a post on hburgnews.com today.

“His e-mails always ended, ‘Thanks for all you do.’ It’s a fitting goodbye for him,” Fitzgerald wrote.

Sixth District Democratic Party congressional nomination candidate Drew Richardson addressed Layman’s passing before doing an interview with “The Augusta Free Press Show” today.

“From the day that we first met to the last time that I saw him a month ago at a Sixth District meeting, he was the same person. A Democrat is a Democrat, and we’d do anything, personally or professionally, in order to support that cause,” Richardson said.

“He was very much a common man’s Democrat, and very interested in the plight of the labor workforce and so forth,” Richardson said.

“He’ll be sorely missed,” Richardson said.

Richardson’s opponent for the Sixth District congressional nomination, Sam Rasoul, released a statement about Layman today.

“Over the past year, David and I spoke three to four times weekly about plans for our district, and he often shared a vision with me of worker rights, fighting for the middle class, womens’ rights, and progressive ideas that would help carry our country forward. David fought hard to build coalitions that he believed stood for justice and he made it his personal mission to fight for those less fortunate,” Rasoul wrote.

“I don’t tell my father nearly enough how much I love him, but I can tell you that I also carry a very warm place in my heart for my friend David Layman. David, you helped guide me into the beginning of my life of public service and for that I am eternally grateful. You sacrificed for us and we love you for it,” Rasoul wrote.

“We will continue to carry your torch and battle the injustices facing our world, but today let us remember your warm inviting personality and morn your passing. The North Star will never be the same. As my eyes well up, I’m gonna miss you, buddy,” Rasoul wrote.

Chris Graham is the executive editor of The Augusta Free Press.