Community Corner

'Ready for Hillary' Showing Early Support for 2016 Election

Q&A with the organization's executive director and communications director.

By Raytevia Evans

When Adam Parkhomenko and Allida Black started Ready for Hillary at the beginning of the year, they simply had a post office box and a Facebook page (which now has more than 300,000 likes).

Parkhomenko previously worked for Hillary Clinton and Black is a professor at George Washington University. They knew many supported Hillary Clinton in 2008, but they still didn't expect so many supporters to step up so soon.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ready for Hillary recently leased the space next door to Tippy's Taco at the Huntington Station Shopping Center — an ideal place due to the fact that it's close to the post office, not far from the metro and provides a lot of parking for the organization's volunteers, explained Seth Bringman, communications director.

Bringman also said the owner is a supporter and the space has "good karma" as it previously served as a campaign office for Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The super PAC's recently launched its online store and Bringman said the T-shirts, buttons and hats will be shipped out of the Alexandria office. They currently have four interns and four regular staff members working in the office, and the organization is offering supporters a .

Patch recently sat down with Bringman and talked to Parkhomenko via phone about the organization and what they're expecting to accomplish.

Patch: The 2016 Presidential Election is three years away. Why start so early?

Bringman: We want to get people in at the grassroots level. We now have 300,000 supporters, and we started early because of the energy from people across the country. Also, in modern political campaigns, you have to get started early. She's [Clinton] going to have to make a tough decision and we want her to know how many people are behind her if she decides to run.

Parkhomenko: We want to make sure she knows we're supporting her. If people want to help out [at the Alexandria office], we won't turn them away. It's a decision she'll have to make with her family and it's an important decision. And when you decide to run, it's good to know you have the support. We don't want to look back two years from now and say, 'What could we have done differently?'

Patch: What do you think of the response you've received from supporters?

Parkhomenko: I think the support is very overwhelming. We feel very hopeful that it's going to be everything we wanted and more.

Bringman: The support is very overwhelming. We go to another storefront here in the shopping center all the time and they ask us, 'Can my children volunteer for you?'

Patch: What response have you received from Clinton herself?

Bringman: First, we are independent from her office, but they issued a statement where they said all of the excitement surrounding her potential candidacy is inspiring, but the decision is ultimately hers.

Patch: Why Hillary Clinton?

Bringman: She presents a tremendous opportunity for the country. She was first lady, senator and then secretary of state. She is the most qualified. She'd be the first woman president [if elected], and no on is better prepared to do it.

Patch: It's still early, but who do you think may be possible competition for her if she decides to run?

Bringman: As you said, it is early so I can't really say who may decide to run against her if she enters the race.

Patch: What if Clinton decides not to run?

Parkhomenko: We hope we never have to deal with it. But whatever she decides to do, we'll support that. We're not trying to force her to make a decision, and no one is going to be mad if she decides not to run. We think she is the best person to run. Ultimately, we think the decision she makes will be what is best for this country.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here