WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Collective, the nation’s largest group of affiliated organizations dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government, responded to 43 Republican Senators’ votes to acquit Donald J. Trump for his role in inciting a white supremacist attack on the U.S. Capitol, that left five people dead. Founders of The Collective, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“Today, Donald Trump’s enablers and co-conspirators in the U.S. Senate have once again abdicated their duty and betrayed the American people by voting to uphold treason and domestic terrorism against our country instead of the rule of law. We will remember these 43 Republican senators whose disgraceful and cowardly actions today illuminate the need to elect leaders that value democracy, unity, diversity, and truth rather than those that cling to dangerous misinformation, misguided self interests, and a desire to maintain white supremacy. 

Make no mistake, the Republican Party’s dangerous decision to stand with a disgraced and deranged ex-president and the most vile, racist, and fringe parts of its base, will continue to cost them at the ballot box and ultimately will strip them from their positions of power. We strongly urge the Biden-Harris Administration to seek criminal charges against Donald Trump with the same fervor at which our collective will work to vote out these 43 unpatriotic senators when they’re up for reelection in 2022 and 2024.”

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE 

The Collective is a group of affiliated organizations working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. Through our affiliated organizations — The Collective PAC, The Collective Super PAC, Collective Future, The Collective Education Fund, and The Southern Strategy — we are strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government, proudly endorsed four candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“With recent votes to abolish the death penalty and legalize marijuana, it’s clear that progress has come to Virginia and Black leaders, like the four candidates The Collective PAC is endorsing today, will be instrumental in this ongoing push to make the Commonwealth more prosperous and inclusive. The work is only just beginning and Kyle Elliott, Rod Hall, Matt Rogers, and Briana Sewell will be strong advocates for progressive policies that support working families and trusted voices for their communities in the House of Delegates. The Collective PAC is proud to endorse their candidacies and we look forward to their leadership.”

Kyle Elliott (HD-68) is a long time advocate for criminal justice reform, who will become the first person of color to represent District 68 if elected. A former city attorney, Kyle is committed to securing and expanding reproductive rights, strengthening public schools, addressing the eviction crisis, and reforming Virginia’s criminal justice system.

Rod Hall (HD-31) is ready to tackle the ongoing public health crisis and its resulting economic impact by championing equitable policies that put the communities most impacted first. He will work to close the opportunity gap by championing greater investment in early childhood education and boost economic development through workforce initiatives and new infrastructure projects.

Matt Rogers (HD-47) is committed to advancing ambitious policies to address the fundamental issues that matter most to Virginia voters. He supports ending mass incarceration in the Commonwealth by combatting felony disenfranchisement, improving reentry programs to better serve formerly incarcerated Virginians, and increasing protections for domestic abuse survivors.

Briana Sewell (HD-51) knows the importance of service after growing up in a military family. Currently the Chief of Staff to the Prince William County Board Chair, Briana believes that integrity is a core principle of public service and will work to keep health care equitable and affordable and invest in infrastructure and transportation once in office.

In Virginia, The Collective PAC has also endorsed Delegate Jay Jones in his historic bid to become the state’s first Black attorney general.

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ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government, endorsed Jay Jones for Virginia Attorney General. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is thrilled to endorse Delegate Jay Jones for Virginia Attorney General, our first statewide endorsement for the 2021 cycle. Jay has a proven track record of championing progressive policies to ensure every working family can thrive and succeed, and has brought a much-needed voice and fresh perspective to Richmond as the state’s youngest Black legislator. In the push to build a better Commonwealth, he’s a generational leader who can usher in a refreshing wave of action and progress. Virginians deserve better than career politicians who have proven themselves unfit to lead based on their records of upholding racially-biased practices. With Jay in this critical office, Virginians will finally have a champion for racial equity and justice, who will reimagine reform, and rebuild a broken system that for too long has not delivered justice to Black and brown people. We’re excited about Jay’s vision for the future and look forward to supporting his historic race to become Virginia’s first Black attorney general.” 

Jay Jones is a lawyer, state delegate, and fifth-generation Virginian who has spent his career serving the people of the Commonwealth. He has long championed creating an Office of Civil Rights in the Attorney General’s Office, making equity and justice for all people pillars of his historic campaign for attorney general. Since being elected to the House of Delegates, Jay has fought for legislation to expand Medicaid, increase the minimum wage, abolish the death penalty, and implement an emergency broadcast system for missing adults, which was not covered by the existing Amber and Silver Alert Systems. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia Law School and lives in Norfolk with his wife, Mavis.

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ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.