Ericka Kopp, candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District
This letter was submitted by Ericka Kopp, a 2014 VCU forensic science alumna and Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.
The Revolutionary War began with the “shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775. In 1776, the U.S. declared independence from British monarchical rule. The war officially ended in 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. From that point forward, the future was to be lived under no king’s rule.
On Saturday, March 28, “No Kings 3” gave us an outlet. Maybe you marched in the streets or stood with us in protest. I spent the day meeting people at the heart of VCU campus, listening to what they hoped the event would spark.
I don’t believe we’ve met. Hi, I’m Ericka Kopp (‘14). I’m running for Congress this year in Virginia’s 1st District. As a congressional candidate, I’d like to hear your top issues with the government or with Virginia. Do you know who your congressional representative is? It’s okay if we don’t know, but we should now, right?
My family has called Virginia home for decades. We’ve watched the region shift in countless ways. The most noticeable changes now are in the people. It’s not just here; it’s happening everywhere. Communities are shrinking. Many folks stay quiet and stick close. Behind that are emotions we recognize: frustration, hurt, anger and exhaustion.
“No Kings 3” happened days after the U.S. Treasury quietly released a bombshell report on the country’s insolvency, noting “material weaknesses” and “unsustainable long-term fiscal path.” It was a reminder of how complex and uncertain the moment feels. Shouldn’t we expect the government to fix things when they are broken? We absolutely should.
We cannot afford to withhold votes on the referendum or at midterms in these unstable times. The decision of how and whom to vote for remains ours, and we need to be the ones to reconcile the fact that no one is coming to right the injustices we see unless the people appoint them. We are responsible for our choices, and we give those elected to office the greater responsibility of representing us. Let’s hold them accountable today and every day.
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