Williamsburg JCC Indivisible formed 10 years ago to fight back against the authoritarian Donald Trump and his MAGA followers, one of whom is our current Congressman, Rob Wittman. We are determined this year to vote out Wittman, who committed Sedition on January 6, 2021, when he refused to vote to certify the election of Joe Biden, the legitimate winner of the 2020 Presidential election. With this as our driving force, we examined the candidates running in this race.

One of our main requirements in endorsing a candidate in this election cycle is supporting someone who understands the gravity of taking an oath. For us, that person is Retired Commander Jason Knapp, who has already lived his oath by serving 21years in the Navy as a F/A-18 pilot. Jason was awarded the Legion of Merit during his service. (The Legion of Merit is a prestigious military decoration awarded by the United States Armed Forces to service members and allied foreign officials. It recognizes exceptionally outstanding, meritorious conduct and achievements that greatly surpass normal expectations, usually in key leadership or high-responsibility positions.)

Our Indivisible group has immeasurable respect for the sacrifices made by our Veterans and their families on behalf of our Country. They place service before self, which is a necessary attribute to be an effective Congressman. By electing Jason, we will be represented by the most loyal and best of us as Americans. Veterans have spent their careers standing for our democracy and have demonstrated their willingness to put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Strength is an attribute we are looking for in a candidate before we endorse them. How many times during the Trump administration have we been screaming for someone to have the backbone to stand up and do the right thing – to cast the hard votes, even if they are difficult and may adversely affect one’s career. We expect members of Congress to have the strength to do this, and we have no doubt that someone who can land a plane on an aircraft carrier has the nerve to stay the course and see it through!!!

A key virtue of any candidate is gravitas, so they can represent our country abroad and work with our allies – something that Rob Wittman lacks in abundance. Our reputation has been demolished around the world, and we need a candidate who will speak out with experience and wisdom, born of service. Commander Knapp served as the Executive Officer and senior staff officer on the NATO International Military Staff in Brussels. He also held both political and senior legislative positions at both NATO and U.S. European Command.

Understanding the struggle with affordability is a quality we are looking for in a candidate. Jason’s mother was a single parent who needed Medicaid and welfare to make ends meet. Jason will represent all of his constituents by legislating access to more affordable food, housing, health care, and education, so no one is left behind by the billionaire tax cuts. He will continue to fight for women’s rights, reproductive rights, and to protect social security and the environment, by expanding clean energy programs. This will enable his constituents to pursue happy productive lives and an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

We will only endorse a candidate if that person is someone who will fight for us, evidenced by showing up to earn our vote. Jason is willing to fight for the privilege of serving as our Congressman.

We want to be excited to vote for a candidate and be proud of that vote, and for all of these reasons, it is our honour to endorse Jason Knapp for Congress in VACD01.