Jim Zogby Supports Del. Sam Rasoul
April 26, 2021
By Dr. James J. Zogby ©
Washington D.C. - I am enthusiastically supporting Del. Sam Rasoul for Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I've known Sam for 14 years - from the time he visited me in Washington to tell me he was running as a Democrat for Congress in a bright red district. I would have tried to discourage him from what I thought was an impossible task, but I could see that he had that inner light that was determined to shine bright. Sam was young, smart, and passionate about public service. He knew he had a steep uphill climb, but I was deeply impressed by the creative and energetic campaign he ran.
He may have lost that initial contest, but it only served to energize his commitment to service. He launched efforts mobilizing citizens in support of a number of local concerns and six years later, Sam ran and won the election to Virginia's House of Delegates.
During his three terms in office, in addition to serving as an exemplary legislator, Sam continued to display his passion for service. He launched an impressive program sending volunteers door-to-door to inquire about constituent needs and then to provide them with the support they required. I was so impressed with this effort - which Sam called "Democratic Promise" - that as a member of the Democratic National Committee's Unity Reform Commission I inserted "Democratic Promise" as a model program that I hope will be adopted nationally.
Sam shares my belief that constituents are more than just donors or voters you seek to win over when you need them. They are real people whose concerns matter and who we are called on to serve. Now Sam is running for Lieutenant Governor. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, he is running an energetic statewide campaign making as much direct contact as safety allows. What makes Sam's campaign unique is that he uses it to promote plans to strengthen the Virginia Democratic Party and initiatives to provide voters better access with government services.
I've been in politics for over four decades and can tell candidates who run because they really care about serving people and those who are in it for themselves. From the first time I met Sam, until now, I could see that he defined the role of public servant - a leader who cares and one who is committed to empowering people so they can lift themselves up. This is why I'm so enthusiastic about Sam Rasoul's campaign. He has already begun to change Virginia politics. When he wins, that change will continue.
