The Virginia Worker

The Virginia Worker Editorial Board unequivocally endorses Jason Brown II, Virginia’s only independent socialist candidate running for congress. As we state in our points of unity we stand for the political independence of the working class and we support the establishment of a working class party to fight for socialism. Brown’s campaign offers Virginia workers and socialists the much needed opportunity to achieve our goals.

Recently, independent socialist Kshama Sawant lost their bid against Democrat Adam Smith for congressional office in Washington state’s top two primary system. Had more support been provided by the various socialist organizations (such as the Party for Socialism and Liberation or the Democratic Socialists of America) Sawant would have made it to the general election, let alone win office. 

Sectarianism plagues the US left, keeping the socialist movement divided and impotent. Any win by an independent socialist candidate is an advance for the US working class regardless of what tendency a candidate may come from. We must learn from the failures of the socialist movement to unite in order to build a revolutionary workers party and movement.

We call on all socialists and workers to rally behind Brown’s campaign, provide organizational endorsements and material support in Brown’s effort to defeat Democrat Jennifer McClellan in Virginia’s 4th congressional district. Workers must press their unions for endorsement and financial contributions, while socialists must press their organizations for endorsement and aid to Brown’s campaign. Let us break through in building a united front across socialist organizations and labor unions to build a workers’ party of Virginia!