Read my full reflection here: 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/rodney4v...

The story of Black political representation in Virginia is a story of America itself…resilience, perseverance, and progress against all odds. From Reconstruction to Dr. Fergie Reid in 1968, to my candidacy in 2025, the throughline is clear: progress can be delayed, but never denied.

Virginia’s Democratic campaigns in heavily Republican districts don’t have the big bank balances. They need to spend their scarce campaign cash efficiently & effectively. Billboards build “name recognition” quickly. Cindy Green is running in Va. HD 44. secure.actblue.com/donate/cindy...

👉 To speak, call 757-382-6151 or register in person before 6:30 PM in the council lobby. Let’s fill the chamber, raise our voices, and make it clear: Dr. Ward is the People’s Choice for Vice Mayor. #RepresentationMatters #ChesapeakeVA #DrEllaWard

This is bigger than one appointment. In a city where African Americans make up nearly 30% of the population, yet lead only 8% of departments, representation matters. Choosing Dr. Ward would be a giant step forward toward building a city government that looks like the community it serves.

We are rallying behind Dr. Ella Ward, a trailblazer who has given 52 years of service to our incredible city and 25 years on the Chesapeake School Board and City Council. She is the most experienced public servant on council and in our city and deserves to be selected as Vice Mayor.

Supporter Shout-Out & Call to Action! Tomorrow, our City Council has an important discussion about the Vice Mayor vacancy. Let’s show up and make our voices heard: 🗓 Tuesday, September 23, 2025 🕡 6:30 PM (closed session begins at 4:00 PM) 📍 Chesapeake City Council

🚨 This just in: We’ve been officially endorsed by The Collective PAC! 🙌🏾💙 #ThriveIn25 #TeamRodney #ReadyToFight #ReadyToLead #CollectivePAC #VADEMS #Fighting90th

🗳️ 🏃🏿‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ “’…some Democratic organizers say they’re refusing to cede any ground. The full-court press is led in part by Dr. Fergie Reid Jr., a retired physician and longtime political activist who has made it his mission to recruit candidates in every district…’” www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...

They’re out panic spending on barn yard signs while we’re building a national grassroots movement under their noses! Lol!

This is grassroots power at work, people coming together, pooling resources, and proving that when we invest in bold, people-powered campaigns, we can flip seats and protect our majority in Richmond.

The Virginia Value Pack 27 has officially raised over $80,000 for candidates running in tough districts across Virginia! 💪🏾🌊 secure.actblue.com/donate/vaval... #ValuePack27 #ThriveIn25 #NickensFor90 #TeamRodney #VADEMS #GrassrootsPower #HamptonRoads

🎬 Episode 33: “Protect the Vote - Why Your Vote Matters More Than Ever” on September 19 at 12 pm EDT. open.substack.com/pub/fridaypo...

It’s time to vote Hampton Roads! www.pilotonline.com/2025/07/28/j...

“Developing Story: Virginians are stepping up. Just three weeks ago, $500 fueled a promise. Today, through Virginia Value Pack, $70,000 is driving 27 Democratic candidates forward in Republican-leaning districts. People power is real.” www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...

This is about more than politics—it’s about building power for our communities, protecting our rights, and fighting for a more just and equitable Virginia. I’m ready to fight. Ready to lead. Ready to serve. #NickensFor90 #VLBC #ThriveIn25 #HD90 #Chesapeake #HamptonRoads

Big news, fam! Honored to share that I’ve earned the endorsement of the @vablackcaucus.bsky.social in my run for the Virginia House of Delegates (HD-90)!

‘Virginia Value Pack’ candidates push fundraising, say Democratic party needs to invest more in them virginiamercury.com/2025/09/15/v...

Yes In God’s Backyard 🙏 Yes to Accessory Dwelling Units + Granny Flats 🏡 Yes to the simple promise that everyone deserves a place to call home. ❤️ Let’s build a Chesapeake + 757 where everyone can thrive. #TeamRodney #NickensFor90 #VoteHousing #ThriveIn25 #757

🌟 Endorsement Alert! 🌟 Honored to have the support of YIMBY Hampton Roads in our fight for safe, stable, and affordable housing in Virginia House District 90.

🗳 Early voting begins September 19th 📅 Election Day is November 4th #TeamRodney #NickensFor90 #EndGunViolence #MomsDemandAction #Giffords #BradyPAC #ThriveIn25

The choice in this race couldn’t be clearer: do we want a future where our children grow up safe and free from fear, or do we continue down a path of obstruction and inaction bought and paid for by the gun lobby?

Meanwhile, my opponent is fully funded by the NRA and the Virginia Rifle Association and has time and again voted against common-sense reforms, including the assault weapons ban he voted down earlier this year in 2025.

That’s why I am proud to stand with organizations like Virginians for Change, Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence, Giffords, and Brady PAC. These groups are doing the hard work every day to push for common-sense solutions that keep our communities safe.

Today’s tragic incident in Utah is another painful reminder of the rising tide of political violence and the gun violence epidemic tearing through our nation. We cannot become numb to it, and we cannot allow leaders to turn a blind eye.

This is nothing short of horrific. Charlie Kirk, UVU students, and every single person deserves to be safe from gun violence no matter where they are in our country or what their political beliefs are. abcnews.go.com/US/charlie-k...

Let’s keep the momentum rolling: secure.actblue.com/donate/rodne... #TeamRodney #NickensFor90 #ThriveIn25 #ReadyToFightReadyToLead

We are just $4 away from hitting $17,000 raised! 🚀 Every single dollar is fuel for this grassroots, people-powered campaign in my hometown and is proof that when we come together, we can move mountains. 🙌🏾

🗳 Early voting begins September 19th 📅 Election Day is November 4th Let’s make our voices heard. Let’s show the strength of our communities at the ballot box. #TeamRodney #NickensFor90 #VADems #ThriveIn25 #ReadyToFightReadyToLead

This is why I’m running. This is why we can’t sit this one out. Every voice matters. Every vote counts. And together, we have the power to shape the future of Virginia.

I’m humbled to stand on this slate of Democratic leaders who believe in justice, opportunity, and a brighter future for all Virginians.

Virginians say housing costs are a crisis, want lawmakers to act virginiamercury.com/2025/08/21/v...

Thank you to WHRO for featuring my voice in their coverage of this critical issue. Journalism like this shines a light on the fights that matter most. Now it’s on us to turn that energy into action. Early voting starts in just 9 days. Let’s show up, speak out, and vote for a more just Chesapeake.

I was proud to provide public comment before the SCC on the Chesapeake natural gas compressor project standing with Crestwood, Eva Gardens, and Chesapeake neighbors to call out the environmental injustice of placing yet another polluting facility in our community. www.whro.org/environment/...

“We are way ahead of the State Democratic party in recognizing the return on investment of contributions to all one hundred districts.” @janekleeb.bsky.social @kenmartin.bsky.social www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...

Together, we’re proving that when community comes first, we can build something unstoppable. secure.actblue.com/donate/rodne...

Thanks to our grassroots supporters, Team Rodney has already brought together 297 contributors this cycle, averaging just $50 a gift. This campaign is powered by teachers, parents, students, small business owners, and neighbors across Virginia House District 90, not big money special interests.

Love y’all, and thank you in advance for standing in the gap with me. 🙌🏾✨

Please keep me lifted in your prayers in this season of overflow I am claiming. I believe that with God’s guidance and your prayers, no weapon formed against me will prosper, and every blessing with my name on it will be released.

Family, I’m walking into this new season with full faith that God is moving and that overflow is on the way. I know I can’t do it without Him, and I can’t do it without the covering of prayer from my church family.

🙏🏾 “Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

Don’t write it off. Don’t look away. The future of this country runs straight through the South, and this November the battleground for American democracy starts right where the country started, the Old Dominion, the great commonwealth of Virginia. ✊🏾

When we invest in people, build grassroots power, and expand the electorate, we flip seats and we flip history. It's really just that simple. The South is not the problem, it’s the front line of American democracy.

The South HAS been and always will be full of Black voters, young voters, Latino voters, LGBTQ folks, API voters, indigenous voters, veterans, seniors, and working families who desperately want change. That’s not a “red” coalition. That’s a WINNING coalition waiting to be organized.

These are morally corrupt and ethically bankrupt people who are deeply scared of what happens when every voice is heard. But here’s the truth:

If the South were truly “red,” they wouldn’t have to work this hard to silence voters. And that felon in the White House wouldn't be calling politicians in Georgia and Texas asking them to find him votes and rig seats in Congress.

They rig the rules, gerrymander districts, spread misinformation and disinformation to flood the zone, and suppress votes, just to cling to power.

☀️ Let’s get something straight: The South is not “red.” It’s unorganized. The other side knows their policies are DEEPLY unpopular. That’s why they don’t compete fairly.

Hello and welcome back. It's Sunday September 7, 2025 and a lot of you seem to be really confused about what's happening in American politics today but it's really very simple. I'm here to help. Let's check the board.