Why I'm Asking You To Support Salaam Bhatti for Congress
We have a real chance to flip a red seat blue, but it will take all of us
My good friend Salaam Bhatti is a public interest lawyer, and has just announced his run for US Congress in Virginia’s First. I am writing this to ask you to donate to his 100% people funded campaign and to support him to flip Virginia’s First District Blue.
Six years ago, right before COVID wreaked havoc, I made the decision to run for U.S. Congress. I then lived in Virginia’s First District, a deep red seat, and ran against a right wing MAGA fascist named Rob Wittman. While I did not win, I earned record turnout and the most votes ever by a Democrat in the history of that district. Many people reading this are from Virginia and remember that run. I’m grateful to the thousands that supported me then, and if you are reading this while in Virginia District 1, I earnestly encourage you to consider Salaam, and to support him for the reasons I share below. Let’s Address This.
Let me get the donation ask out of the way, and then dive into the three main reasons why I hope you donate anywhere from $1 to the max of $3500 to Salaam’s campaign.
1. Who Is Salaam Bhatti?
Below is Salaam’s simple launch video. He doesn’t believe in high priced consultants, fancy cameras, or flashy messages. He has a simple message—he knows what its like to be hungry, he’s spent his life ensuring people have enough to eat, and he wants to go to Congress to ensure we eradicate hunger and economic injustice in America. And he’s advanced the work in Virginia to prove it can be advanced nationwide. Watch Salaam’s 90 second launch video:
Because of Salaam’s leadership, tens of thousands of families in Virginia, and millions of families nationwide now have access to food. And to be sure, he hasn’t “just helped Democrats.” He’s served all people in this country, because that’s what a true public servant does. Moreover, like me, Salaam grew up low income and on social welfare programs. His lived experience is one reason he’s so driven to stop the economic warfare that MAGA Republicans and billionaires are waging against working people.
Speaking of, Salaam rejects all corporate money, because he knows corporate influence in our politics is killing our Republic, and wants to lead by example that he will never let corrupt money influence his decisions. That’s why it is that much more important that we, as citizens, donate our small dollar donations to his campaign. We can prove “the many” can overcome “the money.”
2. Who Is Incumbent Robb Wittman?
Wittman is basically your classic MAGA sycophant who pretends to care about working people but votes with Trump without question. He supports Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires, SNAP cuts for working people, Medicaid cuts to 17 million Americans, and the Trump tariffs which have so far forced Americans to spend another $106B out of our pockets. As climate change destroys our planet, Wittman ignores the erosion on Virginia’s coast and aligns with Trump’s claim that “climate change is a Chinese hoax.” Wittman support’s Trump despite his 28 cases of credible sexual abuse, voted to block the Epstein list from going public, and stands by Trump even as he called Charlottesville Nazis “very fine people.”
Wittman and Trump are effectively the same corrupt person.
In a past lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, Wittman argued that Virginia’s redistricting of his Congressional district was unfair because it included “too many Black people.” Yes, that was his actual argument. The Supreme Court ruled against him 9-0. Wittman’s wife is a public school teacher, meaning he knows full well that Trump’s move to eliminate the Dept of Education will devastate countless kids, teachers, and schools. Yet, Wittman supports Trump’s destruction of public education anyway. This is the spineless MAGA cultist that Salaam is facing in Virginia’s First District. It’s why we must make sure Wittman’s time in office ends in 2026.
3. Is Virginia Congressional District 1 Flippable?
In a word, yes.
For one, Salaam is the right candidate and this is the right moment. Americans are tired of MAGA politicians, they’re tired of corporate funded Democrats, and they’re tired of people who refuse to fight. Salaam is a fighter, he’s committed to We the People, and he has the proven career chops to lead and get things done.
Two, early polling conducted by the Democratic Party shows a clear path to victory. In fact, in 2024 the district went for Trump by only 5 points. Salaam can flip it Blue, provided we build the momentum, raise the funds needed, and build a volunteer army to knock doors and make phone calls.
Three, the Democratic Party has targeted Virginia District 1 as flippable for 2026. That means that the Party will be investing national resources behind this seat to help make that happen.
Which reminds me, I hope you donate, but also, I definitely hope you visit Salaam’s website sign up a volunteer. (Scroll to the bottom of the home page for the form).
In Closing
I loved my time in Virginia. I returned home to Illinois to take care of my aging parents, who have both since passed. For anyone who supported me in Virginia, know that I give Salaam my full and total endorsement and support. And I hope you do as well. Salaam has the experience, the empathy, and the execution to win this District, and flip it Blue. What he needs are your trust, your resources, and your time investment. We are facing an existential threat to our Republic, and we need fighters like Salaam at the forefront to protect our basic economic and civil rights. That’s what Salaam has done his entire career, and that’s what he will do as your next Congressman. So whether it is $1 or $3500, please take a moment to donate to Salaam’s campaign for U.S. Congress, and let’s elect a true public servant who will lead with compassion through action. Are you in?
I jst donated $25 because flipping read seats blue is what we do now, regardless of him not being in my district.
Every seat counts from now on.
Qasim, thanks for sharing this! I am glad to support you and Salaam in this fight against fascism and Trumpism ♥️!