Contact:
Riley Ploch
Driving Force Action
Email: press@drivingforceaction.org
VIRGINIA – September 19, 2023 –Driving Force Action (DFA), a nationwide alliance of gearheads, car enthusiasts, and automotive small businesses, launched a new campaign in Virginia today aimed at educating voters about the importance of repealing the state’s internal combustion engine (ICE) ban. DFA’s statewide campaign will inform Virginia voters about the importance of selecting statehouse candidates committed to rolling back the ICE ban legislation passed in 2021. The campaign comes as Governor Glenn Youngkin has pledged to repeal the ban, setting the stage for a crucial policy shift in the state that returns power to voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Virginia ICE ban, enacted in 2021, linked the state’s emission standards to those of California, effectively adopting California’s burdensome rules banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. DFA’s Virginia campaign will highlight the critical need for Virginians to have a say in their state’s automotive policies rather than allowing California bureaucrats to dictate their future.
“Virginians deserve the right to determine their own automotive future,” said DFA spokesperson Riley Ploch. “By linking Virginia’s emission standards to California’s, we are essentially allowing another state to make decisions that negatively impact Virginia’s economy, jobs, and personal choices. That’s unacceptable and we’re encouraging voters to take action at the ballot box.”
The campaign will focus its efforts on key Senate districts across Virginia and urge voters to support candidates who, if elected to the state legislature, are fully committed to Governor Youngkin’s commitment to repeal the ICE ban. By targeting these districts, DFA aims to ensure that voters are well-informed about the potential consequences of the ICE ban and the importance of electing legislators who prioritize the interests of Commonwealth citizens over those of unelected California bureaucrats.
DFA plans to engage and inform Virginia voters through grassroots outreach, digital and traditional advertising, community events, and social media campaigns. These efforts will emphasize the automotive industry’s vital role in the state’s economy and the potential for job loss and economic impact if the ICE ban remains in place.
The campaign’s central message, “Why are we allowing California bureaucrats to make rules for Virginia?” will encourage voters to consider the implications of ceding Virginia’s legislative independence to California bureaucrats more than 2,500 miles away from Virginia voters.
The campaign invites all residents of Virginia to join in the effort to protect their automotive freedom and economic well-being.
For more information about the Driving Force Action campaign and its efforts to roll back the ICE ban in Virginia, please visit www.drivingforceaction.org or contact DFA spokesperson Riley Ploch at press@drivingforceaction.org
Driving Force Action is a project of the Specialty Equipment Marketers Association (SEMA), a trade association that represents the $52.8 billion specialty automotive aftermarket industry. The specialty automotive aftermarket creates over 24,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and contributes $373 million in state and local taxes. Founded in 1963, SEMA has a diverse membership of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams, and more.
