[Shrewsbury laid the blame for so many West Virginia problems at
unchallenged corporate power and the corruption that always
accompanies unchecked corporate power. He called for unity amongst
working families.]
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BETWEEN THE RIVERS: A U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE FOR WORKING-CLASS WEST
VIRGINIANS  
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Stewart Acuff
November 13, 2023
Stansbury Forum
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_ Shrewsbury laid the blame for so many West Virginia problems at
unchallenged corporate power and the corruption that always
accompanies unchecked corporate power. He called for unity amongst
working families. _

On Oct. 15 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Zach Shrewsbury
announced his Democratic candidacy to represent West Virginia in the
U.S. Senate. Photo handout,

 

While we walked knocking on doors in Ranson in a political campaign,
Zach Shrewsbury and I talked about how politics can make life better
for everyday people in West Virginia. 

The conversation deepened as we worked together and with others to
push Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) to support President Biden’s
visionary Build Back Better with child tax credits, union jobs in new
energy, environmental cleanup, infrastructure and new economic boosts
to foster high wagesfrom the bottom up.

We couldn’t believe that Manchin, a Democratic senator from a poor
and suffering state, would, or could, stop something his own voters
needed so much.

Shrewsbury, 32, a Fayetteville resident, announced on October 15th
that he is running against Manchin for the Democratic nomination for
the U.S. Senate.  On the 10th of November Senator Manchin announced
he would not be seeking another, sparking speculation that he will
mount a third party run for the presidency.

Shrewsbury announced his campaign in front of the old Jefferson County
Courthouse in Charles Town surrounded by a modest crowd of supporters.
Those supporters include Danielle Walker, a Democrat who represented
Morgantown in the House of Delegates, and Pam Garrison, who is Fayette
County Democrat of the Year. Those in the crowd included union
organizers and leaders, religious and spiritual leaders, low-wage
workers and everyday people.

Shrewsbury’s campaign announcement speech reflected the diversity
and makeup of the people who came to support him. He accurately and
plainly laid the blame for so many West Virginia problems at
unchallenged corporate power and the corruption that always
accompanies unchecked corporate power. He called for unity amongst
working families strong enough to put everyday people above corporate
greed. 

The following morning Shrewsbury and his team walked a UAW picket line
at the General Motors plant in Martinsburg. Afterwards on a bench in
downtown Shepherdstown this is what Shrewsbury told me:

_“I’M RUNNING TO WIN AND TO SHOW THAT WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE CAN AND
NEED TO RUN FOR OFFICE, EVEN HIGH OFFICE. WE CAN’T BE RULED BY THE
WEALTHY ELITE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND EVERYDAY AMERICAN LIFE.”_

_“I THINK JOE MANCHIN [AND HIS KIND] HAS FORGOTTEN HOW EVERYDAY
PEOPLE LIVE, ESPECIALLY IN WORKING-CLASS POVERTY.”_

When asked how his background prepared him for such a huge challenge,
Shrewsbury answered, “I’m from small town America. I grew up on a
farm.”

_“I SERVED AMERICA IN THE MARINE CORPS WHICH ALLOWED ME TO SEE MUCH
OF THE WORLD.”_

The grandson of a coal miner, Shrewsbury was born in Ripley, West
Virginia, and graduated from James Monroe High School in Monroe
County. After serving five years in the Marine Corps, he began working
on political campaigns from Seattle to West Virginia. He has organized
rallies and town halls to engage local communities that are often
“forgotten” within both political parties. 

Since 2020 he has worked as a community organizer for the needs of
everyday West Virginians, promoting legislation to address climate
change and veterans issues.

_“MY WORK IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA AND APPALACHIA HAS
SHOWN ME THE MULTITUDE OF ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE WHOSE VOICES
ARE NEVER HEARD. I INTEND TO REMEDY THAT AND AMPLIFY THOSE VOICES.”_

_“NOBODY CAN REPRESENT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR
THEIR CRIES.”_

Asked about his legislative priorities, Shrewsbury didn’t hesitate:

_“I WANT TO SERVE ON THE SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE TO STRENGTHEN AND
ENERGIZE THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND WORKERS RIGHTS, TO ORGANIZE UNIONS AND
BEGIN AGAIN TO LIFT WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.”_

_“I ALSO WANT TO SERVE ON THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS
AND THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE TO GET THE DEFENSE CONTRACTORS OFF
THE NECK OF THE MILITARY AND MOVE FUNDING FOR ENLISTED MEN. THE
ENLISTED MILITARY PEOPLE ARE FROM WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES. THEY MUST BE
RESPECTED, HONORED AND PRIORITIZED.”_

Shrewsbury’s overall legislative priority is “taking on corporate
America and making sure working-class people have a voice. As senator,
I will echo and amplify that voice. I will work for the people, not
the bought bureaucrats of the oligarchy.”

As a proud, patriotic West Virginia veteran, Shrewsbury said the needs
and priorities of veterans are close to his heart. He will work to
address homelessness and mental health issues of veterans.

Shrewsbury supports transitioning the Affordable Care Act into
universal health care because he said he believes health care is a
right, not a privilege.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade Shrewsbury has spoken
out and supported women’s rights to choose. Indeed, what does
freedom mean if a person can’t control their own bodies? 

In my view, Shrewsbury is a Democrat standing for democracy and
freedom.

Here are Zachary’s links:

FACEBOOK
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[[link removed]] TWITTER/X
[[link removed]]  TIK-TOK
[[link removed]] ACTBLUE
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_Stewart Acuff, a Shepherdstown resident, is a co-chair of the West
Virginia Poor People’s Campaign. He retired in 2016 after a 40-year
career as a union and community organizer. He also served as vice
chair of the Atlanta Human Rights Commission and a member of the
Atlanta Federal Reserve Advisory Board._

* West Virginia
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* Working Families
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* Joe Manchin
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* US Senate
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* corporate power
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