For the past month or more now, I have been reading posts both on Facebook and in local newspapers about Congressman Cline and his needing to do Town Hall meetings. I have some very bad news for the people who are screaming for Town Hall Meetings from Ben. He’s been doing them since first being elected to Congress in 2018.
With Ben’s first Town Hall meeting in early 2019, Ben has been available to his constituents and does Town Hall meetings regionally up and down the Congressional District. These are done on an annual basis. I know this because I have attended many of them. His 1st one was in Warren County/Front Royal. There were near 100 people in attendance, with about 25% of the attendees being Democrats. The Democrats in attendance were very respectful, saying that while they did not agree with Ben’s ideology, they appreciated Ben taking the time to give them an update on what is occurring in the District and in Washington DC.
Ben does these regularly regionally – again on an annual basis. Ben normally does one in Winchester/Frederick. He then will hold a Town Hall in Front Royal. Last year he held one in Strasburg (again I was at this, as were near 80 local constituents, including a few local Democrats). Last year Ben also held a Town Hall in Harrisonburg (near 50 were in attendance, including a few local Democrats). Still in 2024, Ben held a Town Hall meeting in Lexington, and one in Staunton. He also held Town Hall meetings in Covington City (Alleghany County) and one in Botetourt and then another in Roanoke City. One was also done in Salem. Democrats attended each one.
For those of you who say this is not enough and more are needed, I must remind you that the Congressional District is 196 miles long North to South (Brucetown Va to Salem) and 42-49 miles wide. Ben meets with local business owners or local civic leaders whenever he’s not doing our business in Washington DC. He does these meetings all the time. Ben is everywhere from meeting with agricultural leaders to business owners. Yesterday Ben was talking to students in the District about the importance of learning to read. One day last week Ben was meeting with Members of the American Alliance for Museums. He also met with Members of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to learn about what they do. Last week Ben walked with Winchester WATTS on their Coldest Night of the Year Walk-a-thon/Fundraiser.
Ben is out and about in the community. Maybe instead of coming up with an Astro Turf complaints about Ben’s record, sit down and calmly attend one of Ben’s meetings. Democrats are doing this to each of our 5 Congress Members. Maybe it’s because our legislators are doing a good job in Washington DC and Democrats don’t have anything to run on?
John Massoud is the Chairman of Virginia’s 6th Congressional District Republican Committee
