Reeves, Freitas Join Local Candidates at Republican Rally
“We weren’t the ones that did this.”
Those were the words of Del. Nick Freitas on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the “OC Voters Rock” event, a conservative rally held at Madison at the Mill in Orange which drew in a mix of local candidates alongside state and federal legislators.
Freitas was referring to the political controversy over public education in the Commonwealth, one of several key issues which took center stage at the Saturday evening event. From education to gun rights and human trafficking, speakers ranging from sitting Virginia state senators to school board candidates framed the upcoming Nov. 7 election as a battle for individual rights.
“We weren't the ones that started this, Freitas repeated. “We were perfectly fine with an education system that focused on things like literacy, reading comprehension, basic math, basic science. We were fine with that. We were good. We didn't need critical theory and queer theory and everything else.”
Critical race theory (CRT), an advanced academic framework that examines American institutions through the lens of systemic racism, became a hotbed issue in Virginia politics during Glenn Youngkin’s gubernatorial campaign and the subject of his first executive order; however, evidence to suggest that CRT is being taught in K-12 curriculums has been minimal thus far.
Throughout the evening, talk of school policies pivoted to masking and other COVID-related mandates.
Steve Keeler, a candidate for Orange County School Board District 3 and the organizer of the event, said that he would vote against any future masking requirements within county schools.
“There is never going to be a good reason to do that,” he said. “I'm telling you — it's coming. It's coming. You don't have the right people on the school board, those masks will be on your kids again, okay?”
Stephen LaLuna, who is running for Orange County Sheriff on a constitutional conservative platform, described COVID restrictions as “unconstitutional and arbitrary,” adding that he would not enforce business shutdowns if elected.
In contrast to the recent Piedmont Dems rally that also took place in Orange, conversations surrounding bipartisanship took a backseat to hopes of a conservative legislative sweep in November. Defending himself against accusations of being absent in his district, Virginia State Sen. Bryce Reeves stated that much of his recent focus has been on securing Republican victories in other districts throughout the commonwealth.
“Let us win the House, the Senate and keep our governor, and we will radically change Virginia,” Reeves said.
Del. Phillip Scott, speaking after Reeves, extolled his and his peers’ records for voting along party lines.
“Senator Reeves was ranked the most conservative last year in the Senate and Delegate Nick Freitas was ranked the most conservative in the House last year, and I came in tied with another two delegates for second,” Scott said. “I'm sorry I didn't get a hundred percent conservative rating last year. I got 98 percent, and everybody can make a mistake.”
Speaking directly to The OC Bulletin, Steve Keeler took a somewhat softer stance on reaching across the aisle.
“I want to make sure that everybody knows that when somebody has a good idea, it doesn't matter what side of the fence you're on,” Keeler said. “It's a good idea and you need to support it.”
In-person voting for the Nov. 7 general election will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Orange County. For more information, including deadlines and sample ballots, visit www.orangecountyva.gov/354/Voter-Registration-Elections.