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Ballot Drop Boxes
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th
The Virginia Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. All research in this guide was conducted July through September of 2023. Please share this guide with your friends and family.
State Senate
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
Senate District 018
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas has served in the State Senate since 1992. She is a Portsmouth native and the President and CEO of a number of businesses in her hometown. In 1971, she became the first Woman Shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban Affairs from Norfolk State University. She is the mother of three, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of nine.
Senator Lucas is a staunch advocate for abortion access and has made it clear that she will fight against any and all attempts to ban abortion. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she helped stop a number of these extreme bills. Senator Lucas supports codifying abortion rights in the Virginia State Constitution. She is endorsed by abortion advocate organizations Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and REPRO Rising Virginia.
Senator Lucas is outspoken on gun violence prevention. During the 2020 General Assembly, she introduced and passed a bill dealing with universal background checks for firearms purchases. She has expressed the need for legislators to stand up to gun lobbyists like the NRA and work to save the lives of their constituents. She supports extreme risk protection laws, regulating ghost guns, and increasing funding for community violence intervention programs. Senator Lucas is endorsed by Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives through gun violence prevention.
Senator Lucas is an advocate for LGBTQ rights and protections. Her track record shows great support for pro-LGBTQ policies. She supports codifying same-sex marriage into the Virginia State Constitution. As a co-patron, she supported amending anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity during the 2020 General Assembly. During that same session, she voted in favor of requiring schools to create transgender-friendly student policies.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas is facing a challenge from Republican Tony Goodwin. Goodwin ran for Portsmouth City Mayor in 2020, losing to Shannon Glover. Goodwin has a background in commercial real estate and hospitality. On several topics, does not make his stances explicitly clear. However, he has stated that he would align with Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban.
Because of her track record of supporting and leading progressive policy, Senator Louise Lucas is the clear progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas has served in the State Senate since 1992. She is a Portsmouth native and the President and CEO of a number of businesses in her hometown. In 1971, she became the first Woman Shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban Affairs from Norfolk State University. She is the mother of three, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of nine.
Senator Lucas is a staunch advocate for abortion access and has made it clear that she will fight against any and all attempts to ban abortion. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she helped stop a number of these extreme bills. Senator Lucas supports codifying abortion rights in the Virginia State Constitution. She is endorsed by abortion advocate organizations Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and REPRO Rising Virginia.
Senator Lucas is outspoken on gun violence prevention. During the 2020 General Assembly, she introduced and passed a bill dealing with universal background checks for firearms purchases. She has expressed the need for legislators to stand up to gun lobbyists like the NRA and work to save the lives of their constituents. She supports extreme risk protection laws, regulating ghost guns, and increasing funding for community violence intervention programs. Senator Lucas is endorsed by Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives through gun violence prevention.
Senator Lucas is an advocate for LGBTQ rights and protections. Her track record shows great support for pro-LGBTQ policies. She supports codifying same-sex marriage into the Virginia State Constitution. As a co-patron, she supported amending anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity during the 2020 General Assembly. During that same session, she voted in favor of requiring schools to create transgender-friendly student policies.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas is facing a challenge from Republican Tony Goodwin. Goodwin ran for Portsmouth City Mayor in 2020, losing to Shannon Glover. Goodwin has a background in commercial real estate and hospitality. On several topics, does not make his stances explicitly clear. However, he has stated that he would align with Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban.
Because of her track record of supporting and leading progressive policy, Senator Louise Lucas is the clear progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas has served in the State Senate since 1992. She is a Portsmouth native and the President and CEO of a number of businesses in her hometown. In 1971, she became the first Woman Shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban Affairs from Norfolk State University. She is the mother of three, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of nine.
Senator Lucas is a staunch advocate for abortion access and has made it clear that she will fight against any and all attempts to ban abortion. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she helped stop a number of these extreme bills. Senator Lucas supports codifying abortion rights in the Virginia State Constitution. She is endorsed by abortion advocate organizations Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and REPRO Rising Virginia.
Senator Lucas is outspoken on gun violence prevention. During the 2020 General Assembly, she introduced and passed a bill dealing with universal background checks for firearms purchases. She has expressed the need for legislators to stand up to gun lobbyists like the NRA and work to save the lives of their constituents. She supports extreme risk protection laws, regulating ghost guns, and increasing funding for community violence intervention programs. Senator Lucas is endorsed by Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives through gun violence prevention.
Senator Lucas is an advocate for LGBTQ rights and protections. Her track record shows great support for pro-LGBTQ policies. She supports codifying same-sex marriage into the Virginia State Constitution. As a co-patron, she supported amending anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity during the 2020 General Assembly. During that same session, she voted in favor of requiring schools to create transgender-friendly student policies.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Louise Lucas is facing a challenge from Republican Tony Goodwin. Goodwin ran for Portsmouth City Mayor in 2020, losing to Shannon Glover. Goodwin has a background in commercial real estate and hospitality. On several topics, does not make his stances explicitly clear. However, he has stated that he would align with Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban.
Because of her track record of supporting and leading progressive policy, Senator Louise Lucas is the clear progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Senate District 019
Democrat Myra Payne is a nurse, veteran, and member of the United Way Committee on Diversity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She graduated from Gordonsville High School and began volunteering for the Red Cross. After, she worked as a nursing assistant at a local hospital. She holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing Science in Adult Health Nursing, and Master of Business of Administration, and Master of Divinity.
Payne believes everyone deserves fair and livable wages in order to thrive. She also supports quality affordable healthcare and education. Payne advocates for everyone to have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without interference, especially when it comes to abortion access. She is a champion for LGBTQ rights. Payne advocates for environmental sustainability and conservation. She supports common-sense gun violence prevention laws for the safety of everyone. Payne advocates for increasing access to affordable housing programs.
Democratic candidate Myra Payne and Republican candidate Christie New Craig will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 19th State Senate district. Craig previously served on the Chesapeake City School Board. New Craig is in favor of Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban and the decision to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Because of her support for progressive policy and commitment to reproductive justice and protecting the LGBTQ community, Myra Payne is the progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democrat Myra Payne is a nurse, veteran, and member of the United Way Committee on Diversity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She graduated from Gordonsville High School and began volunteering for the Red Cross. After, she worked as a nursing assistant at a local hospital. She holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing Science in Adult Health Nursing, and Master of Business of Administration, and Master of Divinity.
Payne believes everyone deserves fair and livable wages in order to thrive. She also supports quality affordable healthcare and education. Payne advocates for everyone to have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without interference, especially when it comes to abortion access. She is a champion for LGBTQ rights. Payne advocates for environmental sustainability and conservation. She supports common-sense gun violence prevention laws for the safety of everyone. Payne advocates for increasing access to affordable housing programs.
Democratic candidate Myra Payne and Republican candidate Christie New Craig will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 19th State Senate district. Craig previously served on the Chesapeake City School Board. New Craig is in favor of Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban and the decision to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Because of her support for progressive policy and commitment to reproductive justice and protecting the LGBTQ community, Myra Payne is the progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democrat Myra Payne is a nurse, veteran, and member of the United Way Committee on Diversity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She graduated from Gordonsville High School and began volunteering for the Red Cross. After, she worked as a nursing assistant at a local hospital. She holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing Science in Adult Health Nursing, and Master of Business of Administration, and Master of Divinity.
Payne believes everyone deserves fair and livable wages in order to thrive. She also supports quality affordable healthcare and education. Payne advocates for everyone to have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without interference, especially when it comes to abortion access. She is a champion for LGBTQ rights. Payne advocates for environmental sustainability and conservation. She supports common-sense gun violence prevention laws for the safety of everyone. Payne advocates for increasing access to affordable housing programs.
Democratic candidate Myra Payne and Republican candidate Christie New Craig will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 19th State Senate district. Craig previously served on the Chesapeake City School Board. New Craig is in favor of Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban and the decision to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Because of her support for progressive policy and commitment to reproductive justice and protecting the LGBTQ community, Myra Payne is the progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Senate District 020
Democrat Victoria Luevanos grew up in a small rural town in California and enlisted in the United States Navy, where she developed a commitment to serve and support veterans and military families. Her experience with homelessness and food insecurity at a young age led her to appreciate the stability and support that government programs can provide. Victoria uses her life experiences to motivate her to serve the people of the Commonwealth.
Because Luevanos grew up around gang violence, she understands the need for gun violence prevention. As a parent, she experiences the fear of sending her children to school or to a friend’s house where guns might be present. Volunteering with Moms Demand Action has been a way to help fight for firearm safety. As a senator, she will continue to fight to prevent gun violence by supporting storing guns responsibly, banning automatic weapons from the market, supporting extreme risk protection laws, and holding the firearms industry accountable.
As a teen mom and an active-duty member of the military, Luevanos understands the importance of supporting everyone’s right to choose what they do with their own bodies and to access abortion. She will fight for these rights for all Virginians by pushing for paid parental and family leave for both parents, enshrining protections for reproductive health into law, providing public funding to those with limited resources for family planning, eliminating waiting periods to obtain reproductive healthcare including FDA-approved emergency contraception, and strengthening childcare programs for all including parents working non-traditional schedules.
Luevanos understands the importance of education in making a difference for families and communities. She will work to support giving the children of Virginia opportunities for a bright future by expanding public education to include more early childhood education, supporting free school meals, fighting for all youth so they can attend school without fear of bullying, assisting immigrant students by providing more ESL teachers for classrooms and making schools accessible through proper transportation and communication resources like sign language classes.
Luevanos believes that healthcare is human care. As a parent of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder, she understands the importance of safe, affordable medical care. She will fight for all Virginians by working towards capping prescription drug costs, eliminating co-pays and premiums, removing networks so that everyone is able to see their nearest doctor, ensuring dental, vision, and hearing are covered together under medical insurance, providing easier access to medical cannabis for veterans and other Virginians in need.
Victoria Luevanos is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Bill DeSteph. Senator DeSteph has served in the State Senate since 2016, as well as the House of Delegates from 2014 to 2016. He does not support access to abortion and has spread disinformation on the topic. During the 2022 General Assembly, Senator DeSteph introduced a bill banning books.
Because of her commitment to progressive policies and values, Victoria Luevanos is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democrat Victoria Luevanos grew up in a small rural town in California and enlisted in the United States Navy, where she developed a commitment to serve and support veterans and military families. Her experience with homelessness and food insecurity at a young age led her to appreciate the stability and support that government programs can provide. Victoria uses her life experiences to motivate her to serve the people of the Commonwealth.
Because Luevanos grew up around gang violence, she understands the need for gun violence prevention. As a parent, she experiences the fear of sending her children to school or to a friend’s house where guns might be present. Volunteering with Moms Demand Action has been a way to help fight for firearm safety. As a senator, she will continue to fight to prevent gun violence by supporting storing guns responsibly, banning automatic weapons from the market, supporting extreme risk protection laws, and holding the firearms industry accountable.
As a teen mom and an active-duty member of the military, Luevanos understands the importance of supporting everyone’s right to choose what they do with their own bodies and to access abortion. She will fight for these rights for all Virginians by pushing for paid parental and family leave for both parents, enshrining protections for reproductive health into law, providing public funding to those with limited resources for family planning, eliminating waiting periods to obtain reproductive healthcare including FDA-approved emergency contraception, and strengthening childcare programs for all including parents working non-traditional schedules.
Luevanos understands the importance of education in making a difference for families and communities. She will work to support giving the children of Virginia opportunities for a bright future by expanding public education to include more early childhood education, supporting free school meals, fighting for all youth so they can attend school without fear of bullying, assisting immigrant students by providing more ESL teachers for classrooms and making schools accessible through proper transportation and communication resources like sign language classes.
Luevanos believes that healthcare is human care. As a parent of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder, she understands the importance of safe, affordable medical care. She will fight for all Virginians by working towards capping prescription drug costs, eliminating co-pays and premiums, removing networks so that everyone is able to see their nearest doctor, ensuring dental, vision, and hearing are covered together under medical insurance, providing easier access to medical cannabis for veterans and other Virginians in need.
Victoria Luevanos is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Bill DeSteph. Senator DeSteph has served in the State Senate since 2016, as well as the House of Delegates from 2014 to 2016. He does not support access to abortion and has spread disinformation on the topic. During the 2022 General Assembly, Senator DeSteph introduced a bill banning books.
Because of her commitment to progressive policies and values, Victoria Luevanos is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democrat Victoria Luevanos grew up in a small rural town in California and enlisted in the United States Navy, where she developed a commitment to serve and support veterans and military families. Her experience with homelessness and food insecurity at a young age led her to appreciate the stability and support that government programs can provide. Victoria uses her life experiences to motivate her to serve the people of the Commonwealth.
Because Luevanos grew up around gang violence, she understands the need for gun violence prevention. As a parent, she experiences the fear of sending her children to school or to a friend’s house where guns might be present. Volunteering with Moms Demand Action has been a way to help fight for firearm safety. As a senator, she will continue to fight to prevent gun violence by supporting storing guns responsibly, banning automatic weapons from the market, supporting extreme risk protection laws, and holding the firearms industry accountable.
As a teen mom and an active-duty member of the military, Luevanos understands the importance of supporting everyone’s right to choose what they do with their own bodies and to access abortion. She will fight for these rights for all Virginians by pushing for paid parental and family leave for both parents, enshrining protections for reproductive health into law, providing public funding to those with limited resources for family planning, eliminating waiting periods to obtain reproductive healthcare including FDA-approved emergency contraception, and strengthening childcare programs for all including parents working non-traditional schedules.
Luevanos understands the importance of education in making a difference for families and communities. She will work to support giving the children of Virginia opportunities for a bright future by expanding public education to include more early childhood education, supporting free school meals, fighting for all youth so they can attend school without fear of bullying, assisting immigrant students by providing more ESL teachers for classrooms and making schools accessible through proper transportation and communication resources like sign language classes.
Luevanos believes that healthcare is human care. As a parent of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder, she understands the importance of safe, affordable medical care. She will fight for all Virginians by working towards capping prescription drug costs, eliminating co-pays and premiums, removing networks so that everyone is able to see their nearest doctor, ensuring dental, vision, and hearing are covered together under medical insurance, providing easier access to medical cannabis for veterans and other Virginians in need.
Victoria Luevanos is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Bill DeSteph. Senator DeSteph has served in the State Senate since 2016, as well as the House of Delegates from 2014 to 2016. He does not support access to abortion and has spread disinformation on the topic. During the 2022 General Assembly, Senator DeSteph introduced a bill banning books.
Because of her commitment to progressive policies and values, Victoria Luevanos is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Senate District 021
Democratic Delegate Angelia Williams Graves has represented the 90th District since a special election in January 2021. Prior to her election, Delegate Graves served on the Norfolk City Council for ten years and as vice mayor of Norfolk for three years. She attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, graduating with a degree in business administration and marketing. She owns her own realty company and has two sons. She’s a member of Grove Baptist Church.
In the General Assembly, Delegate Williams Graves advocates for equitable criminal justice reform. She was chief patron of a bill to strengthen civilian oversight of sheriff’s offices, covering a loophole in previous bills and ensuring all law enforcement officers are held accountable. She introduced legislation to expand an individual’s access to a lawyer to include their first court appearance and bail hearing. She voted to legalize marijuana and wants to ensure that legalization is done equitably to support Black and Brown communities ravaged by the Drug War.
Williams Graves supports making the promise of democracy real for us all by expanding access to the ballot. She was a chief co-patron of legislation that allows localities to expand access to early voting on Sundays. She fought to keep voters safe and healthy during the pandemic by removing the requirement for a witness signature on absentee ballots during an emergency and to establish dropboxes available for voters to leave their ballots. She voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls.
Serving on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, Williams Graves advocates for environmental protections and understands the threat of rising sea levels to her district. She worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to ensure Virginia’s rivers and bays were clean and protected from polluters. She voted in favor of a bill that establishes new fuel efficiency standards and mandates car manufacturers produce a certain percentage of low- and zero-emission vehicles, supporting the Commonwealth’s transition to relying on 100% renewable energy.
Williams Graves has also been an advocate for the rights of workers and tenants, ensuring everyone can afford to live and work in Virginia. She voted in favor of a successful bill to establish a housing tax credit for low-income individuals. She voted in favor of expanded legal protections from foreclosures for individuals living in mobile home parks. Williams Graves also received the “Family Friendly Seal of Approval” from the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy for her commitment to expanding options for childcare, eldercare, paid sick days, and family leave.
Delegate Williams Graves is facing Independent candidate Giovanni Dolmo. Dolmo ran in the 2022 District 89 House of Delegates race and lost to Delegate Jackie Glass. While Dolmo is running as an independent in this race, his Facebook page for his run for the House of Delegates listed him as a Republican. When asked about his views on Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban, he did not explicitly show support for abortion access.
Due to her advocacy for equitable criminal justice reform, working families, the environment, and voting access, Delegate Angelia Williams Graves is the most progressive choice for this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democratic Delegate Angelia Williams Graves has represented the 90th District since a special election in January 2021. Prior to her election, Delegate Graves served on the Norfolk City Council for ten years and as vice mayor of Norfolk for three years. She attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, graduating with a degree in business administration and marketing. She owns her own realty company and has two sons. She’s a member of Grove Baptist Church.
In the General Assembly, Delegate Williams Graves advocates for equitable criminal justice reform. She was chief patron of a bill to strengthen civilian oversight of sheriff’s offices, covering a loophole in previous bills and ensuring all law enforcement officers are held accountable. She introduced legislation to expand an individual’s access to a lawyer to include their first court appearance and bail hearing. She voted to legalize marijuana and wants to ensure that legalization is done equitably to support Black and Brown communities ravaged by the Drug War.
Williams Graves supports making the promise of democracy real for us all by expanding access to the ballot. She was a chief co-patron of legislation that allows localities to expand access to early voting on Sundays. She fought to keep voters safe and healthy during the pandemic by removing the requirement for a witness signature on absentee ballots during an emergency and to establish dropboxes available for voters to leave their ballots. She voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls.
Serving on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, Williams Graves advocates for environmental protections and understands the threat of rising sea levels to her district. She worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to ensure Virginia’s rivers and bays were clean and protected from polluters. She voted in favor of a bill that establishes new fuel efficiency standards and mandates car manufacturers produce a certain percentage of low- and zero-emission vehicles, supporting the Commonwealth’s transition to relying on 100% renewable energy.
Williams Graves has also been an advocate for the rights of workers and tenants, ensuring everyone can afford to live and work in Virginia. She voted in favor of a successful bill to establish a housing tax credit for low-income individuals. She voted in favor of expanded legal protections from foreclosures for individuals living in mobile home parks. Williams Graves also received the “Family Friendly Seal of Approval” from the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy for her commitment to expanding options for childcare, eldercare, paid sick days, and family leave.
Delegate Williams Graves is facing Independent candidate Giovanni Dolmo. Dolmo ran in the 2022 District 89 House of Delegates race and lost to Delegate Jackie Glass. While Dolmo is running as an independent in this race, his Facebook page for his run for the House of Delegates listed him as a Republican. When asked about his views on Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban, he did not explicitly show support for abortion access.
Due to her advocacy for equitable criminal justice reform, working families, the environment, and voting access, Delegate Angelia Williams Graves is the most progressive choice for this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Democratic Delegate Angelia Williams Graves has represented the 90th District since a special election in January 2021. Prior to her election, Delegate Graves served on the Norfolk City Council for ten years and as vice mayor of Norfolk for three years. She attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, graduating with a degree in business administration and marketing. She owns her own realty company and has two sons. She’s a member of Grove Baptist Church.
In the General Assembly, Delegate Williams Graves advocates for equitable criminal justice reform. She was chief patron of a bill to strengthen civilian oversight of sheriff’s offices, covering a loophole in previous bills and ensuring all law enforcement officers are held accountable. She introduced legislation to expand an individual’s access to a lawyer to include their first court appearance and bail hearing. She voted to legalize marijuana and wants to ensure that legalization is done equitably to support Black and Brown communities ravaged by the Drug War.
Williams Graves supports making the promise of democracy real for us all by expanding access to the ballot. She was a chief co-patron of legislation that allows localities to expand access to early voting on Sundays. She fought to keep voters safe and healthy during the pandemic by removing the requirement for a witness signature on absentee ballots during an emergency and to establish dropboxes available for voters to leave their ballots. She voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls.
Serving on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, Williams Graves advocates for environmental protections and understands the threat of rising sea levels to her district. She worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to ensure Virginia’s rivers and bays were clean and protected from polluters. She voted in favor of a bill that establishes new fuel efficiency standards and mandates car manufacturers produce a certain percentage of low- and zero-emission vehicles, supporting the Commonwealth’s transition to relying on 100% renewable energy.
Williams Graves has also been an advocate for the rights of workers and tenants, ensuring everyone can afford to live and work in Virginia. She voted in favor of a successful bill to establish a housing tax credit for low-income individuals. She voted in favor of expanded legal protections from foreclosures for individuals living in mobile home parks. Williams Graves also received the “Family Friendly Seal of Approval” from the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy for her commitment to expanding options for childcare, eldercare, paid sick days, and family leave.
Delegate Williams Graves is facing Independent candidate Giovanni Dolmo. Dolmo ran in the 2022 District 89 House of Delegates race and lost to Delegate Jackie Glass. While Dolmo is running as an independent in this race, his Facebook page for his run for the House of Delegates listed him as a Republican. When asked about his views on Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban, he did not explicitly show support for abortion access.
Due to her advocacy for equitable criminal justice reform, working families, the environment, and voting access, Delegate Angelia Williams Graves is the most progressive choice for this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-23
Senate District 022
Virginia’s new 22nd State Senate district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With almost 150,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams in the general election for Virginia’s new 22nd State Senate district. Senator Rouse was elected to the State Senate in 2023 in a special general election where he previously defeated Adams. Previously, he served on the Virginia Beach City City Council.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse has served in the State Senate since winning his 2023 Special Election in District 7. He previously served on the Virginia Beach City Council. He is a Virginia Beach native and First Colonial High School graduate. Senator Rouse holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Virginia Tech. He is a former NFL player. He and his wife, Virginia Beach Councilwoman Jennifer Valetine-Rouse live in Virginia Beach with their son and daughter.
Education is a key area of focus for Senator Rouse, having gone through the Virginia Beach public school system himself. He pledges to fight to raise teacher pay to above the national average. He believes in expanding access to preschool education programs. Senator Rouse also sees the need to modernize classrooms so all children in the Commonwealth can have a safe learning environment. He also believes that job training in schools should be expanded so children are better prepared to enter the workforce. He founded Rouse’s House, an education nonprofit that focuses on youth and families.
Senator Rouse advocates for affordable healthcare and abortion access. He believes healthcare decisions should be between patients and their doctors. His goals are to lower the overall cost of healthcare and prescription drug care costs, expand healthcare coverage, protect the right to abortion and fight against attacks on access, and ensure every person has access to contraceptives. On his win in the 7th District, Senator Rouse called it a “victory for ensuring access to reproductive healthcare across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Senator Rouse believes in investments that create an economy where every family can thrive. His focus is on new economic opportunities. While a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, he worked to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and to increase salaries for education and public safety professionals. Senator Rouse’s economic goals are to bring new good-paying jobs to the region, expand job training opportunities, increase funding for affordable housing, and building new workforce housing.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams. The two faced each other in January 2023 during the special election for District 22. Kevin Adams is a retired Naval Lieutenant Commander. He is anti-abortion and has voiced support for Governor Youngkin’s 15 week abortion ban.
Because of his commitment to protecting abortion access, Senator Rouse is the progressive choice in this race.
Education is a key area of focus for Senator Rouse, having gone through the Virginia Beach public school system himself. He pledges to fight to raise teacher pay to above the national average. He believes in expanding access to preschool education programs. Senator Rouse also sees the need to modernize classrooms so all children in the Commonwealth can have a safe learning environment. He also believes that job training in schools should be expanded so children are better prepared to enter the workforce. He founded Rouse’s House, an education nonprofit that focuses on youth and families.
Senator Rouse advocates for affordable healthcare and abortion access. He believes healthcare decisions should be between patients and their doctors. His goals are to lower the overall cost of healthcare and prescription drug care costs, expand healthcare coverage, protect the right to abortion and fight against attacks on access, and ensure every person has access to contraceptives. On his win in the 7th District, Senator Rouse called it a “victory for ensuring access to reproductive healthcare across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Senator Rouse believes in investments that create an economy where every family can thrive. His focus is on new economic opportunities. While a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, he worked to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and to increase salaries for education and public safety professionals. Senator Rouse’s economic goals are to bring new good-paying jobs to the region, expand job training opportunities, increase funding for affordable housing, and building new workforce housing.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams. The two faced each other in January 2023 during the special election for District 22. Kevin Adams is a retired Naval Lieutenant Commander. He is anti-abortion and has voiced support for Governor Youngkin’s 15 week abortion ban.
Because of his commitment to protecting abortion access, Senator Rouse is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
Virginia’s new 22nd State Senate district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With almost 150,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams in the general election for Virginia’s new 22nd State Senate district. Senator Rouse was elected to the State Senate in 2023 in a special general election where he previously defeated Adams. Previously, he served on the Virginia Beach City City Council.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse has served in the State Senate since winning his 2023 Special Election in District 7. He previously served on the Virginia Beach City Council. He is a Virginia Beach native and First Colonial High School graduate. Senator Rouse holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Virginia Tech. He is a former NFL player. He and his wife, Virginia Beach Councilwoman Jennifer Valetine-Rouse live in Virginia Beach with their son and daughter.
Education is a key area of focus for Senator Rouse, having gone through the Virginia Beach public school system himself. He pledges to fight to raise teacher pay to above the national average. He believes in expanding access to preschool education programs. Senator Rouse also sees the need to modernize classrooms so all children in the Commonwealth can have a safe learning environment. He also believes that job training in schools should be expanded so children are better prepared to enter the workforce. He founded Rouse’s House, an education nonprofit that focuses on youth and families.
Senator Rouse advocates for affordable healthcare and abortion access. He believes healthcare decisions should be between patients and their doctors. His goals are to lower the overall cost of healthcare and prescription drug care costs, expand healthcare coverage, protect the right to abortion and fight against attacks on access, and ensure every person has access to contraceptives. On his win in the 7th District, Senator Rouse called it a “victory for ensuring access to reproductive healthcare across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Senator Rouse believes in investments that create an economy where every family can thrive. His focus is on new economic opportunities. While a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, he worked to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and to increase salaries for education and public safety professionals. Senator Rouse’s economic goals are to bring new good-paying jobs to the region, expand job training opportunities, increase funding for affordable housing, and building new workforce housing.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams. The two faced each other in January 2023 during the special election for District 22. Kevin Adams is a retired Naval Lieutenant Commander. He is anti-abortion and has voiced support for Governor Youngkin’s 15 week abortion ban.
Because of his commitment to protecting abortion access, Senator Rouse is the progressive choice in this race.
Education is a key area of focus for Senator Rouse, having gone through the Virginia Beach public school system himself. He pledges to fight to raise teacher pay to above the national average. He believes in expanding access to preschool education programs. Senator Rouse also sees the need to modernize classrooms so all children in the Commonwealth can have a safe learning environment. He also believes that job training in schools should be expanded so children are better prepared to enter the workforce. He founded Rouse’s House, an education nonprofit that focuses on youth and families.
Senator Rouse advocates for affordable healthcare and abortion access. He believes healthcare decisions should be between patients and their doctors. His goals are to lower the overall cost of healthcare and prescription drug care costs, expand healthcare coverage, protect the right to abortion and fight against attacks on access, and ensure every person has access to contraceptives. On his win in the 7th District, Senator Rouse called it a “victory for ensuring access to reproductive healthcare across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Senator Rouse believes in investments that create an economy where every family can thrive. His focus is on new economic opportunities. While a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, he worked to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and to increase salaries for education and public safety professionals. Senator Rouse’s economic goals are to bring new good-paying jobs to the region, expand job training opportunities, increase funding for affordable housing, and building new workforce housing.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Aaron Rouse is facing a rematch challenge from Republican Kevin Adams. The two faced each other in January 2023 during the special election for District 22. Kevin Adams is a retired Naval Lieutenant Commander. He is anti-abortion and has voiced support for Governor Youngkin’s 15 week abortion ban.
Because of his commitment to protecting abortion access, Senator Rouse is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
House of Delegates
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below House of Delegate races on your ballot.
House District 095
Virginia’s new 95th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City and parts of Norfolk City. With over 57,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Alex Askew is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 95th House of Delegates district. Former Delegate Askew previously served in the House of Delegates.
Democrat and Former Delegate Alex Askew is a Virginia Beach native who was raised by a public school teacher. He worked for nearly seven election cycles on various local, state-wide, and national campaigns. He served as a Chief of Staff for the Virginia House of Delegates, where he helped craft groundbreaking legislation such as the nationwide Ashanti Alert, Medicaid expansion, affordable housing expansion, and school safety initiatives. In his term as the Delegate for the 85th District, he had nine bills signed into law, with 7 of them receiving unanimous bipartisan support. In 2022, he was narrowly defeated and conceded the seat. He is now running to be reelected in the newly-redrawn 95th district.
Fmr. Del. Askew has been a staunch defender of equality. He worked alongside Delegate Dolores McQuinn and sponsored HB1993, which requires state agencies to establish and maintain comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans in coordination with the Governor’s Chief Diversity Officer. “The comprehensive emphasis on equity-minded legislation throughout the 2021 General Assembly session has been historic,” said Secretary of Administration Grindly Johnson. “This legislation makes Virginia a national exemplar in fostering the business case for organizational effectiveness in our state agencies.”
Fmr. Del. Askew has also been an advocate for common-sense gun violence prevention. He voted for HB 2128, which increases the time for the State Department to complete firearm Background Checks, a necessary step in preventing unsafe gun owners from slipping through the cracks. He also voted for HB 2276, which classifies the manufacture, import, sale, transfer, and possession of certain firearms as a Class 5 felony. These measures are indicative of Fmr. Del. Askew’s commitment to firearm safety and his understanding of the policies that can help prevent tragedies.
Fmr. Del. Askew’s record also shows he is committed to racial and economic justice. As delegate, he passed a law that makes it a hate crime to intentionally make a false 911 call on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Additionally, he voted for HJ 555, which restores the civil and voting rights for returning citizens after they have completed their jail sentences. He worked with the Virginia Emergency Management Association to protect minority and other vulnerable communities across Hampton Roads—a region prone to disasters and storm flooding.
He has also been clear on abortion access and healthcare. After Texas passed a horrendously restrictive abortion law in 2021, he said simply: “Repro care is health care. Repro justice is economic justice. Repro rights are human rights.” As Delegate, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. His positions have earned him an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
Fmr. Del. Askew is running unopposed, but because of his position on firearm safety, reproductive rights, and criminal justice, he is still the progressive choice in this race.
Fmr. Del. Askew has been a staunch defender of equality. He worked alongside Delegate Dolores McQuinn and sponsored HB1993, which requires state agencies to establish and maintain comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans in coordination with the Governor’s Chief Diversity Officer. “The comprehensive emphasis on equity-minded legislation throughout the 2021 General Assembly session has been historic,” said Secretary of Administration Grindly Johnson. “This legislation makes Virginia a national exemplar in fostering the business case for organizational effectiveness in our state agencies.”
Fmr. Del. Askew has also been an advocate for common-sense gun violence prevention. He voted for HB 2128, which increases the time for the State Department to complete firearm Background Checks, a necessary step in preventing unsafe gun owners from slipping through the cracks. He also voted for HB 2276, which classifies the manufacture, import, sale, transfer, and possession of certain firearms as a Class 5 felony. These measures are indicative of Fmr. Del. Askew’s commitment to firearm safety and his understanding of the policies that can help prevent tragedies.
Fmr. Del. Askew’s record also shows he is committed to racial and economic justice. As delegate, he passed a law that makes it a hate crime to intentionally make a false 911 call on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Additionally, he voted for HJ 555, which restores the civil and voting rights for returning citizens after they have completed their jail sentences. He worked with the Virginia Emergency Management Association to protect minority and other vulnerable communities across Hampton Roads—a region prone to disasters and storm flooding.
He has also been clear on abortion access and healthcare. After Texas passed a horrendously restrictive abortion law in 2021, he said simply: “Repro care is health care. Repro justice is economic justice. Repro rights are human rights.” As Delegate, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. His positions have earned him an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
Fmr. Del. Askew is running unopposed, but because of his position on firearm safety, reproductive rights, and criminal justice, he is still the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
Virginia’s new 95th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City and parts of Norfolk City. With over 57,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Alex Askew is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 95th House of Delegates district. Former Delegate Askew previously served in the House of Delegates.
Democrat and Former Delegate Alex Askew is a Virginia Beach native who was raised by a public school teacher. He worked for nearly seven election cycles on various local, state-wide, and national campaigns. He served as a Chief of Staff for the Virginia House of Delegates, where he helped craft groundbreaking legislation such as the nationwide Ashanti Alert, Medicaid expansion, affordable housing expansion, and school safety initiatives. In his term as the Delegate for the 85th District, he had nine bills signed into law, with 7 of them receiving unanimous bipartisan support. In 2022, he was narrowly defeated and conceded the seat. He is now running to be reelected in the newly-redrawn 95th district.
Fmr. Del. Askew has been a staunch defender of equality. He worked alongside Delegate Dolores McQuinn and sponsored HB1993, which requires state agencies to establish and maintain comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans in coordination with the Governor’s Chief Diversity Officer. “The comprehensive emphasis on equity-minded legislation throughout the 2021 General Assembly session has been historic,” said Secretary of Administration Grindly Johnson. “This legislation makes Virginia a national exemplar in fostering the business case for organizational effectiveness in our state agencies.”
Fmr. Del. Askew has also been an advocate for common-sense gun violence prevention. He voted for HB 2128, which increases the time for the State Department to complete firearm Background Checks, a necessary step in preventing unsafe gun owners from slipping through the cracks. He also voted for HB 2276, which classifies the manufacture, import, sale, transfer, and possession of certain firearms as a Class 5 felony. These measures are indicative of Fmr. Del. Askew’s commitment to firearm safety and his understanding of the policies that can help prevent tragedies.
Fmr. Del. Askew’s record also shows he is committed to racial and economic justice. As delegate, he passed a law that makes it a hate crime to intentionally make a false 911 call on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Additionally, he voted for HJ 555, which restores the civil and voting rights for returning citizens after they have completed their jail sentences. He worked with the Virginia Emergency Management Association to protect minority and other vulnerable communities across Hampton Roads—a region prone to disasters and storm flooding.
He has also been clear on abortion access and healthcare. After Texas passed a horrendously restrictive abortion law in 2021, he said simply: “Repro care is health care. Repro justice is economic justice. Repro rights are human rights.” As Delegate, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. His positions have earned him an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
Fmr. Del. Askew is running unopposed, but because of his position on firearm safety, reproductive rights, and criminal justice, he is still the progressive choice in this race.
Fmr. Del. Askew has been a staunch defender of equality. He worked alongside Delegate Dolores McQuinn and sponsored HB1993, which requires state agencies to establish and maintain comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans in coordination with the Governor’s Chief Diversity Officer. “The comprehensive emphasis on equity-minded legislation throughout the 2021 General Assembly session has been historic,” said Secretary of Administration Grindly Johnson. “This legislation makes Virginia a national exemplar in fostering the business case for organizational effectiveness in our state agencies.”
Fmr. Del. Askew has also been an advocate for common-sense gun violence prevention. He voted for HB 2128, which increases the time for the State Department to complete firearm Background Checks, a necessary step in preventing unsafe gun owners from slipping through the cracks. He also voted for HB 2276, which classifies the manufacture, import, sale, transfer, and possession of certain firearms as a Class 5 felony. These measures are indicative of Fmr. Del. Askew’s commitment to firearm safety and his understanding of the policies that can help prevent tragedies.
Fmr. Del. Askew’s record also shows he is committed to racial and economic justice. As delegate, he passed a law that makes it a hate crime to intentionally make a false 911 call on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Additionally, he voted for HJ 555, which restores the civil and voting rights for returning citizens after they have completed their jail sentences. He worked with the Virginia Emergency Management Association to protect minority and other vulnerable communities across Hampton Roads—a region prone to disasters and storm flooding.
He has also been clear on abortion access and healthcare. After Texas passed a horrendously restrictive abortion law in 2021, he said simply: “Repro care is health care. Repro justice is economic justice. Repro rights are human rights.” As Delegate, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. His positions have earned him an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
Fmr. Del. Askew is running unopposed, but because of his position on firearm safety, reproductive rights, and criminal justice, he is still the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
House District 096
Virginia’s new 96th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 59,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Kelly Fowler is facing challenges from Republican Mike Karslake and Independent Nicholas Olenik in the general election for Virginia’s new 96th House of Delegates district. Delegate Fowler has served in the House of Delegates since 2018.
Incumbent Democratic Delegate Kelly Fowler is of Filipino-Mexican heritage and moved to Virginia Beach when her father, who was in the Navy, was stationed there. An engaged member of the community, she used to be an elementary school teacher and now owns a small local real estate company that specializes in military family relocation and advocacy. She and her husband reside in Virginia Beach with their three daughters. Fowler was first elected to represent the 21st District in 2017 and will now run for HD 96 with the redrawn district lines.
Delegate Fowler was motivated to run for office after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017.. In 2020, she voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers by supporting the Reproductive Health Protection Act. She supports abortion access and voted to make abortion coverage available on the health insurance exchange.
During her time in office, Delegate Fowler voted to give teachers a 5% raise, believing higher teacher pay will reduce high turnover and make it easier for schools to recruit and retain the best teachers. She also voted to increase school funding in the Commonwealth, including money to help schools reopen safely during the pandemic. She also voted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2020 and make them eligible for financial aid the following year.
Delegate Fowler recognizes the real threat of climate change. She hopes to create long-term solutions to preserving the green spaces in the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake areas. Del. Fowler has patroned legislation aimed at tackling the flooding issues of the 21st District. Additionally, Del. Fowler is in support of clean energy and green jobs and voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which aims to make Virginia 100% clean energy by 2050.
Delegate Fowler believes in making the promise of democracy real for us all by supporting our fair and free elections. In 2021, she voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls. She also voted to keep voters safe during the pandemic by removing the signature requirement on absentee ballots during an emergency and establishing drop boxes for voters to leave their ballots. In 2020, she voted to extend the early voting period and to make it easier to vote absentee in Virginia.
Delegate Fowler’s main opponent is Republican Mike Karslake, a business owner affiliated with Business Networks International. He describes himself as politically conservative and has spent 20 years working within the Republican political network. He wants to give police additional funding with no accountability. He will allow gun violence to go unchecked in our communities, and his top priority is to “preserve our religious freedoms”--so long as they support “Judeo-Christian values”.
Independent candidate Nicholas Olenik is also in the running for the race, but we could not find a website or any listed positions at the time of research.
Due to her support of abortion access, public education, voting rights, and the environment, Delegate Fowler is the most progressive choice in this election.
Delegate Fowler was motivated to run for office after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017.. In 2020, she voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers by supporting the Reproductive Health Protection Act. She supports abortion access and voted to make abortion coverage available on the health insurance exchange.
During her time in office, Delegate Fowler voted to give teachers a 5% raise, believing higher teacher pay will reduce high turnover and make it easier for schools to recruit and retain the best teachers. She also voted to increase school funding in the Commonwealth, including money to help schools reopen safely during the pandemic. She also voted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2020 and make them eligible for financial aid the following year.
Delegate Fowler recognizes the real threat of climate change. She hopes to create long-term solutions to preserving the green spaces in the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake areas. Del. Fowler has patroned legislation aimed at tackling the flooding issues of the 21st District. Additionally, Del. Fowler is in support of clean energy and green jobs and voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which aims to make Virginia 100% clean energy by 2050.
Delegate Fowler believes in making the promise of democracy real for us all by supporting our fair and free elections. In 2021, she voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls. She also voted to keep voters safe during the pandemic by removing the signature requirement on absentee ballots during an emergency and establishing drop boxes for voters to leave their ballots. In 2020, she voted to extend the early voting period and to make it easier to vote absentee in Virginia.
Delegate Fowler’s main opponent is Republican Mike Karslake, a business owner affiliated with Business Networks International. He describes himself as politically conservative and has spent 20 years working within the Republican political network. He wants to give police additional funding with no accountability. He will allow gun violence to go unchecked in our communities, and his top priority is to “preserve our religious freedoms”--so long as they support “Judeo-Christian values”.
Independent candidate Nicholas Olenik is also in the running for the race, but we could not find a website or any listed positions at the time of research.
Due to her support of abortion access, public education, voting rights, and the environment, Delegate Fowler is the most progressive choice in this election.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
Virginia’s new 96th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 59,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Kelly Fowler is facing challenges from Republican Mike Karslake and Independent Nicholas Olenik in the general election for Virginia’s new 96th House of Delegates district. Delegate Fowler has served in the House of Delegates since 2018.
Incumbent Democratic Delegate Kelly Fowler is of Filipino-Mexican heritage and moved to Virginia Beach when her father, who was in the Navy, was stationed there. An engaged member of the community, she used to be an elementary school teacher and now owns a small local real estate company that specializes in military family relocation and advocacy. She and her husband reside in Virginia Beach with their three daughters. Fowler was first elected to represent the 21st District in 2017 and will now run for HD 96 with the redrawn district lines.
Delegate Fowler was motivated to run for office after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017.. In 2020, she voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers by supporting the Reproductive Health Protection Act. She supports abortion access and voted to make abortion coverage available on the health insurance exchange.
During her time in office, Delegate Fowler voted to give teachers a 5% raise, believing higher teacher pay will reduce high turnover and make it easier for schools to recruit and retain the best teachers. She also voted to increase school funding in the Commonwealth, including money to help schools reopen safely during the pandemic. She also voted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2020 and make them eligible for financial aid the following year.
Delegate Fowler recognizes the real threat of climate change. She hopes to create long-term solutions to preserving the green spaces in the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake areas. Del. Fowler has patroned legislation aimed at tackling the flooding issues of the 21st District. Additionally, Del. Fowler is in support of clean energy and green jobs and voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which aims to make Virginia 100% clean energy by 2050.
Delegate Fowler believes in making the promise of democracy real for us all by supporting our fair and free elections. In 2021, she voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls. She also voted to keep voters safe during the pandemic by removing the signature requirement on absentee ballots during an emergency and establishing drop boxes for voters to leave their ballots. In 2020, she voted to extend the early voting period and to make it easier to vote absentee in Virginia.
Delegate Fowler’s main opponent is Republican Mike Karslake, a business owner affiliated with Business Networks International. He describes himself as politically conservative and has spent 20 years working within the Republican political network. He wants to give police additional funding with no accountability. He will allow gun violence to go unchecked in our communities, and his top priority is to “preserve our religious freedoms”--so long as they support “Judeo-Christian values”.
Independent candidate Nicholas Olenik is also in the running for the race, but we could not find a website or any listed positions at the time of research.
Due to her support of abortion access, public education, voting rights, and the environment, Delegate Fowler is the most progressive choice in this election.
Delegate Fowler was motivated to run for office after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017.. In 2020, she voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers by supporting the Reproductive Health Protection Act. She supports abortion access and voted to make abortion coverage available on the health insurance exchange.
During her time in office, Delegate Fowler voted to give teachers a 5% raise, believing higher teacher pay will reduce high turnover and make it easier for schools to recruit and retain the best teachers. She also voted to increase school funding in the Commonwealth, including money to help schools reopen safely during the pandemic. She also voted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2020 and make them eligible for financial aid the following year.
Delegate Fowler recognizes the real threat of climate change. She hopes to create long-term solutions to preserving the green spaces in the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake areas. Del. Fowler has patroned legislation aimed at tackling the flooding issues of the 21st District. Additionally, Del. Fowler is in support of clean energy and green jobs and voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which aims to make Virginia 100% clean energy by 2050.
Delegate Fowler believes in making the promise of democracy real for us all by supporting our fair and free elections. In 2021, she voted for the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits discrimination at the polls. She also voted to keep voters safe during the pandemic by removing the signature requirement on absentee ballots during an emergency and establishing drop boxes for voters to leave their ballots. In 2020, she voted to extend the early voting period and to make it easier to vote absentee in Virginia.
Delegate Fowler’s main opponent is Republican Mike Karslake, a business owner affiliated with Business Networks International. He describes himself as politically conservative and has spent 20 years working within the Republican political network. He wants to give police additional funding with no accountability. He will allow gun violence to go unchecked in our communities, and his top priority is to “preserve our religious freedoms”--so long as they support “Judeo-Christian values”.
Independent candidate Nicholas Olenik is also in the running for the race, but we could not find a website or any listed positions at the time of research.
Due to her support of abortion access, public education, voting rights, and the environment, Delegate Fowler is the most progressive choice in this election.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
House District 097
Virginia’s new 97th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 63,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in one direction or another.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh is facing a challenge from Democrat Michael Feggans in the general election for Virginia’s new 97th House of Delegates district. Delegate Greenhalgh has served in the House of Delegates since 2022.
Michael Feggans is a Virginia Beach native who graduated from Tallwood High School and enlisted in the U.S Air Force after graduation. He values education and has degrees from Virginia Tech, Norfolk State, and the University of Virginia. After 20 years of service in the Air Force, he decided to retire and become a tech entrepreneur in Virginia Beach. With the creation of the new 97th House District, Feggans is running for the House of Delegates to continue serving his community.
Feggans lists “protecting reproductive freedom and women’s rights” as the first priority on his website. He pledges to fight to safeguard and expand abortion access.He has been endorsed by Roe Your Vote Virginia.
He also lists “fighting for common sense gun safety measures to keep our communities safe” as a top priority. As a military veteran and responsible gun owner, he knows how dangerous guns can be in the wrong hands. That’s why he supports common sense solutions to curb gun violence, including expanding background checks, strengthening Virginia’s extreme risk protection order law, and bolstering safe storage requirements to keep guns out of schools and keep our communities safe. Because of these stances, he was endorsed by Giffords PAC.
Feggans pledges himself to protecting our environment and supporting renewable energy jobs to support and combat recurring flooding, sea level rise, and promote resilience in coastal Virginia. He knows that clean energy is crucially important in Virginia Beach as we face the impacts of climate change in our coastal region every day. He believes that offshore wind would bring economic and environmental benefits to this region. His positions earned him an endorsement from Sierra Club and from NRDC Action Fund.
Feggans also promises to support small businesses and entrepreneurs to create an economy that helps families and our community thrive. He says he’ll fight in Richmond to lower the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare and make housing more affordable. As a small business owner, he has personally felt the sting of rising costs and knows that a strong economy starts on Main Street. He will work to modernize processes and help to combat the issues that hold small businesses back. His language focuses on business, but he has earned an endorsement from AFL-CIO and professes support for unions.
Feggans’ opponent is incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh, a Virginia Beach business owner. Del. Greenhalgh became infamous in her 2021 race against Fmr. Del. Alex Askew for sending out an “overtly racist” mailer targeting her opponent. She supports restricting access to abortion by passing medically unnecessary regulations on abortion providers. She opposes the right of workers to form unions and will work to keep the state’s right-to-work law in place. She targets LGBTQ+ youth, having Sponsored HB 1387 to limit participation in women’s sports on the basis of sex assigned at birth and voted for HB 2432, which requires schools to inform parents of students experiencing "gender incongruence".
Because of his stances on healthcare and abortion, environmental protection, and gun safety, Feggans is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Feggans lists “protecting reproductive freedom and women’s rights” as the first priority on his website. He pledges to fight to safeguard and expand abortion access.He has been endorsed by Roe Your Vote Virginia.
He also lists “fighting for common sense gun safety measures to keep our communities safe” as a top priority. As a military veteran and responsible gun owner, he knows how dangerous guns can be in the wrong hands. That’s why he supports common sense solutions to curb gun violence, including expanding background checks, strengthening Virginia’s extreme risk protection order law, and bolstering safe storage requirements to keep guns out of schools and keep our communities safe. Because of these stances, he was endorsed by Giffords PAC.
Feggans pledges himself to protecting our environment and supporting renewable energy jobs to support and combat recurring flooding, sea level rise, and promote resilience in coastal Virginia. He knows that clean energy is crucially important in Virginia Beach as we face the impacts of climate change in our coastal region every day. He believes that offshore wind would bring economic and environmental benefits to this region. His positions earned him an endorsement from Sierra Club and from NRDC Action Fund.
Feggans also promises to support small businesses and entrepreneurs to create an economy that helps families and our community thrive. He says he’ll fight in Richmond to lower the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare and make housing more affordable. As a small business owner, he has personally felt the sting of rising costs and knows that a strong economy starts on Main Street. He will work to modernize processes and help to combat the issues that hold small businesses back. His language focuses on business, but he has earned an endorsement from AFL-CIO and professes support for unions.
Feggans’ opponent is incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh, a Virginia Beach business owner. Del. Greenhalgh became infamous in her 2021 race against Fmr. Del. Alex Askew for sending out an “overtly racist” mailer targeting her opponent. She supports restricting access to abortion by passing medically unnecessary regulations on abortion providers. She opposes the right of workers to form unions and will work to keep the state’s right-to-work law in place. She targets LGBTQ+ youth, having Sponsored HB 1387 to limit participation in women’s sports on the basis of sex assigned at birth and voted for HB 2432, which requires schools to inform parents of students experiencing "gender incongruence".
Because of his stances on healthcare and abortion, environmental protection, and gun safety, Feggans is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
Virginia’s new 97th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 63,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in one direction or another.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh is facing a challenge from Democrat Michael Feggans in the general election for Virginia’s new 97th House of Delegates district. Delegate Greenhalgh has served in the House of Delegates since 2022.
Michael Feggans is a Virginia Beach native who graduated from Tallwood High School and enlisted in the U.S Air Force after graduation. He values education and has degrees from Virginia Tech, Norfolk State, and the University of Virginia. After 20 years of service in the Air Force, he decided to retire and become a tech entrepreneur in Virginia Beach. With the creation of the new 97th House District, Feggans is running for the House of Delegates to continue serving his community.
Feggans lists “protecting reproductive freedom and women’s rights” as the first priority on his website. He pledges to fight to safeguard and expand abortion access.He has been endorsed by Roe Your Vote Virginia.
He also lists “fighting for common sense gun safety measures to keep our communities safe” as a top priority. As a military veteran and responsible gun owner, he knows how dangerous guns can be in the wrong hands. That’s why he supports common sense solutions to curb gun violence, including expanding background checks, strengthening Virginia’s extreme risk protection order law, and bolstering safe storage requirements to keep guns out of schools and keep our communities safe. Because of these stances, he was endorsed by Giffords PAC.
Feggans pledges himself to protecting our environment and supporting renewable energy jobs to support and combat recurring flooding, sea level rise, and promote resilience in coastal Virginia. He knows that clean energy is crucially important in Virginia Beach as we face the impacts of climate change in our coastal region every day. He believes that offshore wind would bring economic and environmental benefits to this region. His positions earned him an endorsement from Sierra Club and from NRDC Action Fund.
Feggans also promises to support small businesses and entrepreneurs to create an economy that helps families and our community thrive. He says he’ll fight in Richmond to lower the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare and make housing more affordable. As a small business owner, he has personally felt the sting of rising costs and knows that a strong economy starts on Main Street. He will work to modernize processes and help to combat the issues that hold small businesses back. His language focuses on business, but he has earned an endorsement from AFL-CIO and professes support for unions.
Feggans’ opponent is incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh, a Virginia Beach business owner. Del. Greenhalgh became infamous in her 2021 race against Fmr. Del. Alex Askew for sending out an “overtly racist” mailer targeting her opponent. She supports restricting access to abortion by passing medically unnecessary regulations on abortion providers. She opposes the right of workers to form unions and will work to keep the state’s right-to-work law in place. She targets LGBTQ+ youth, having Sponsored HB 1387 to limit participation in women’s sports on the basis of sex assigned at birth and voted for HB 2432, which requires schools to inform parents of students experiencing "gender incongruence".
Because of his stances on healthcare and abortion, environmental protection, and gun safety, Feggans is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Feggans lists “protecting reproductive freedom and women’s rights” as the first priority on his website. He pledges to fight to safeguard and expand abortion access.He has been endorsed by Roe Your Vote Virginia.
He also lists “fighting for common sense gun safety measures to keep our communities safe” as a top priority. As a military veteran and responsible gun owner, he knows how dangerous guns can be in the wrong hands. That’s why he supports common sense solutions to curb gun violence, including expanding background checks, strengthening Virginia’s extreme risk protection order law, and bolstering safe storage requirements to keep guns out of schools and keep our communities safe. Because of these stances, he was endorsed by Giffords PAC.
Feggans pledges himself to protecting our environment and supporting renewable energy jobs to support and combat recurring flooding, sea level rise, and promote resilience in coastal Virginia. He knows that clean energy is crucially important in Virginia Beach as we face the impacts of climate change in our coastal region every day. He believes that offshore wind would bring economic and environmental benefits to this region. His positions earned him an endorsement from Sierra Club and from NRDC Action Fund.
Feggans also promises to support small businesses and entrepreneurs to create an economy that helps families and our community thrive. He says he’ll fight in Richmond to lower the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare and make housing more affordable. As a small business owner, he has personally felt the sting of rising costs and knows that a strong economy starts on Main Street. He will work to modernize processes and help to combat the issues that hold small businesses back. His language focuses on business, but he has earned an endorsement from AFL-CIO and professes support for unions.
Feggans’ opponent is incumbent Republican Delegate Karen Greenhalgh, a Virginia Beach business owner. Del. Greenhalgh became infamous in her 2021 race against Fmr. Del. Alex Askew for sending out an “overtly racist” mailer targeting her opponent. She supports restricting access to abortion by passing medically unnecessary regulations on abortion providers. She opposes the right of workers to form unions and will work to keep the state’s right-to-work law in place. She targets LGBTQ+ youth, having Sponsored HB 1387 to limit participation in women’s sports on the basis of sex assigned at birth and voted for HB 2432, which requires schools to inform parents of students experiencing "gender incongruence".
Because of his stances on healthcare and abortion, environmental protection, and gun safety, Feggans is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
House District 098
Virginia’s new 98th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 64,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Republican.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 98th House of Delegates district. Delegate Knight has served in the House of Delegates since 2009.
Zachary Coltrain is a 20-year-old college student at Appalachian State University studying music therapy, where he also serves on the Speech and Debate leadership team. He was born in Virginia Beach and raised in this district over the past 19 years. Throughout high school and college, he learned how to articulate thoughts within political spaces and found his passion for speaking out against problems our community is facing.
Coltrain recognizes the importance of advocating for preserving and protecting wildlife and naturally occurring environments in Virginia Beach, particularly in the Pungo area. The district has miles of coastline, a national wildlife refuge, and hundreds of rural agricultural communities that make it lucky to have so much biodiversity. Coltrain understands that it is our responsibility to advocate for the interests of native flora and fauna. He also recognizes that the district relies heavily on the work of private and family farms that support our local community's economy. Therefore, we must balance these initiatives without disenfranchising the hundreds of farmers and preservationists doing their own important work for our ecological communities.
Coltrain recognizes that despite LGBTQIA+, AAPI, and BIPOC communities making their voices heard in the district and across the country, Virginia still lacks many statutory protections for historically marginalized groups. As a member of the queer community in Hampton Roads, Coltrain knows there is love for all individuals throughout the community, but we need to ensure this love and protection is preserved for future generations. He will fight tirelessly to ensure these groups are heard and advocate for additional protections to be codified into law, regardless of his status in the race.
Coltrain believes medical care and related services must be expanded throughout the Commonwealth, especially in rural areas. He understands the importance of expanding rehabilitation services by the state. However, simply defining these jobs in law is not providing equal access to those services. Therefore, Coltrain is committed to ensuring these services are equally accessible to all. He believes that your zip code should not determine your access to healthcare.
Coltrain supports access to abortion and recognizes the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion access to be a major wedge issue. He intends to be a voice for anyone wishing to make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Protecting these rights and allocating accessible resources to all in the Commonwealth should be a core function of the General Assembly. Coltrain wants to join the sitting delegates and expand their ideas until access to resources and reproductive care is universal.
His opponent is Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight. Knight opposes keeping communities safe with common sense measures to prevent gun violence. In 2020, he voted against increasing the minimum wage and establishing the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. This year, he voted for HB 212, which reintroduces mandatory waiting periods before a person can access abortion care. He voted NO on SB 1276, which repeals the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans.
Given Coltrain’s stances and record, he is the progressive choice in this race.
Coltrain recognizes the importance of advocating for preserving and protecting wildlife and naturally occurring environments in Virginia Beach, particularly in the Pungo area. The district has miles of coastline, a national wildlife refuge, and hundreds of rural agricultural communities that make it lucky to have so much biodiversity. Coltrain understands that it is our responsibility to advocate for the interests of native flora and fauna. He also recognizes that the district relies heavily on the work of private and family farms that support our local community's economy. Therefore, we must balance these initiatives without disenfranchising the hundreds of farmers and preservationists doing their own important work for our ecological communities.
Coltrain recognizes that despite LGBTQIA+, AAPI, and BIPOC communities making their voices heard in the district and across the country, Virginia still lacks many statutory protections for historically marginalized groups. As a member of the queer community in Hampton Roads, Coltrain knows there is love for all individuals throughout the community, but we need to ensure this love and protection is preserved for future generations. He will fight tirelessly to ensure these groups are heard and advocate for additional protections to be codified into law, regardless of his status in the race.
Coltrain believes medical care and related services must be expanded throughout the Commonwealth, especially in rural areas. He understands the importance of expanding rehabilitation services by the state. However, simply defining these jobs in law is not providing equal access to those services. Therefore, Coltrain is committed to ensuring these services are equally accessible to all. He believes that your zip code should not determine your access to healthcare.
Coltrain supports access to abortion and recognizes the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion access to be a major wedge issue. He intends to be a voice for anyone wishing to make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Protecting these rights and allocating accessible resources to all in the Commonwealth should be a core function of the General Assembly. Coltrain wants to join the sitting delegates and expand their ideas until access to resources and reproductive care is universal.
His opponent is Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight. Knight opposes keeping communities safe with common sense measures to prevent gun violence. In 2020, he voted against increasing the minimum wage and establishing the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. This year, he voted for HB 212, which reintroduces mandatory waiting periods before a person can access abortion care. He voted NO on SB 1276, which repeals the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans.
Given Coltrain’s stances and record, he is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-06
Virginia’s new 98th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With over 64,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Republican.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 98th House of Delegates district. Delegate Knight has served in the House of Delegates since 2009.
Zachary Coltrain is a 20-year-old college student at Appalachian State University studying music therapy, where he also serves on the Speech and Debate leadership team. He was born in Virginia Beach and raised in this district over the past 19 years. Throughout high school and college, he learned how to articulate thoughts within political spaces and found his passion for speaking out against problems our community is facing.
Coltrain recognizes the importance of advocating for preserving and protecting wildlife and naturally occurring environments in Virginia Beach, particularly in the Pungo area. The district has miles of coastline, a national wildlife refuge, and hundreds of rural agricultural communities that make it lucky to have so much biodiversity. Coltrain understands that it is our responsibility to advocate for the interests of native flora and fauna. He also recognizes that the district relies heavily on the work of private and family farms that support our local community's economy. Therefore, we must balance these initiatives without disenfranchising the hundreds of farmers and preservationists doing their own important work for our ecological communities.
Coltrain recognizes that despite LGBTQIA+, AAPI, and BIPOC communities making their voices heard in the district and across the country, Virginia still lacks many statutory protections for historically marginalized groups. As a member of the queer community in Hampton Roads, Coltrain knows there is love for all individuals throughout the community, but we need to ensure this love and protection is preserved for future generations. He will fight tirelessly to ensure these groups are heard and advocate for additional protections to be codified into law, regardless of his status in the race.
Coltrain believes medical care and related services must be expanded throughout the Commonwealth, especially in rural areas. He understands the importance of expanding rehabilitation services by the state. However, simply defining these jobs in law is not providing equal access to those services. Therefore, Coltrain is committed to ensuring these services are equally accessible to all. He believes that your zip code should not determine your access to healthcare.
Coltrain supports access to abortion and recognizes the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion access to be a major wedge issue. He intends to be a voice for anyone wishing to make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Protecting these rights and allocating accessible resources to all in the Commonwealth should be a core function of the General Assembly. Coltrain wants to join the sitting delegates and expand their ideas until access to resources and reproductive care is universal.
His opponent is Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight. Knight opposes keeping communities safe with common sense measures to prevent gun violence. In 2020, he voted against increasing the minimum wage and establishing the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. This year, he voted for HB 212, which reintroduces mandatory waiting periods before a person can access abortion care. He voted NO on SB 1276, which repeals the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans.
Given Coltrain’s stances and record, he is the progressive choice in this race.
Coltrain recognizes the importance of advocating for preserving and protecting wildlife and naturally occurring environments in Virginia Beach, particularly in the Pungo area. The district has miles of coastline, a national wildlife refuge, and hundreds of rural agricultural communities that make it lucky to have so much biodiversity. Coltrain understands that it is our responsibility to advocate for the interests of native flora and fauna. He also recognizes that the district relies heavily on the work of private and family farms that support our local community's economy. Therefore, we must balance these initiatives without disenfranchising the hundreds of farmers and preservationists doing their own important work for our ecological communities.
Coltrain recognizes that despite LGBTQIA+, AAPI, and BIPOC communities making their voices heard in the district and across the country, Virginia still lacks many statutory protections for historically marginalized groups. As a member of the queer community in Hampton Roads, Coltrain knows there is love for all individuals throughout the community, but we need to ensure this love and protection is preserved for future generations. He will fight tirelessly to ensure these groups are heard and advocate for additional protections to be codified into law, regardless of his status in the race.
Coltrain believes medical care and related services must be expanded throughout the Commonwealth, especially in rural areas. He understands the importance of expanding rehabilitation services by the state. However, simply defining these jobs in law is not providing equal access to those services. Therefore, Coltrain is committed to ensuring these services are equally accessible to all. He believes that your zip code should not determine your access to healthcare.
Coltrain supports access to abortion and recognizes the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion access to be a major wedge issue. He intends to be a voice for anyone wishing to make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Protecting these rights and allocating accessible resources to all in the Commonwealth should be a core function of the General Assembly. Coltrain wants to join the sitting delegates and expand their ideas until access to resources and reproductive care is universal.
His opponent is Incumbent Republican Delegate Barry Knight. Knight opposes keeping communities safe with common sense measures to prevent gun violence. In 2020, he voted against increasing the minimum wage and establishing the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. This year, he voted for HB 212, which reintroduces mandatory waiting periods before a person can access abortion care. He voted NO on SB 1276, which repeals the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans.
Given Coltrain’s stances and record, he is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-06
House District 099
Virginia’s new 99th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With almost 65,000 registered voters, this district leans Republican.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is facing a challenge from Democrat Cat Porterfield in the general election for Virginia’s new 99th House of Delegates district. Delegate Tata has served in the House of Delegates since 2022.
Cat Porterfield is a wife, mother, realtor, and accomplished journalist recognized for her work in military and local news. Her experience involves analyzing school and city budgets, closely monitoring development projects, and immersing herself in the mechanics of community functioning. She plans to inform and engage citizens, prioritize constituents' interests, and be an unbiased voice for her community. Coming from a Navy family and sharing a deep connection to Virginia Beach Public Schools through her son, she brings a personal investment in the community's success.
She has pledged to make no law or put forward any votes restricting a woman’s access to abortion and asserts that reproductive rights are on the ballot in November. Fighting for reproductive rights is the top priority on her website. Her stances have earned her an endorsement from Roe Your Vote Virginia and another from Vote Pro-Choice. Her commitment to affordable healthcare access echoes her position on this issue.
Porterfield supports a multifaceted approach to gun violence prevention that involves several elements: fostering community healing, encouraging positive masculinity, providing summer employment for at-risk teens, employing street intervention experts, utilizing professional violence interrupters, enacting measures to disarm domestic abusers, ensuring scrutiny when a legal gun purchase fails a background check, and establishing accountability measures for law enforcement officers.
Her pledge to protect communities extends to issues of equality. She has called out her opponent for inserting her personal religious beliefs into her politics and promises that she will protect the LGBTQ+ community. She wants to keep Republicans’ hands off schools and teachers and likens their attempts at book banning to the disastrous No Child Left Behind policy. Additionally, she abhors Republicans’ attempts to force gender conformity onto students and teachers.
She understands the importance of sustainable, clean water and acknowledges the threat of sea level rise. She pledges to propose and support measures to decrease water pollution, safeguard wetlands and water bodies, and encourage responsible water usage. Additionally, she aims to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation choices. She is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, including supporting the growth and sale of marijuana. She opposes reversing marijuana decriminalization and intends to aid farmers in entering the industry through programs and incentives akin to tobacco farming support in the past, recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is a medical sales representative, author, and wife of a Navy veteran. Tata voted for HB 212, which requires reinstating the mandatory waiting period before a person can get an abortion. She was a co-sponsor for HB 1387, which prevents trans kids from playing sports.
Given Porterfield’s stances and record, she is the clear progressive choice in this race.
She has pledged to make no law or put forward any votes restricting a woman’s access to abortion and asserts that reproductive rights are on the ballot in November. Fighting for reproductive rights is the top priority on her website. Her stances have earned her an endorsement from Roe Your Vote Virginia and another from Vote Pro-Choice. Her commitment to affordable healthcare access echoes her position on this issue.
Porterfield supports a multifaceted approach to gun violence prevention that involves several elements: fostering community healing, encouraging positive masculinity, providing summer employment for at-risk teens, employing street intervention experts, utilizing professional violence interrupters, enacting measures to disarm domestic abusers, ensuring scrutiny when a legal gun purchase fails a background check, and establishing accountability measures for law enforcement officers.
Her pledge to protect communities extends to issues of equality. She has called out her opponent for inserting her personal religious beliefs into her politics and promises that she will protect the LGBTQ+ community. She wants to keep Republicans’ hands off schools and teachers and likens their attempts at book banning to the disastrous No Child Left Behind policy. Additionally, she abhors Republicans’ attempts to force gender conformity onto students and teachers.
She understands the importance of sustainable, clean water and acknowledges the threat of sea level rise. She pledges to propose and support measures to decrease water pollution, safeguard wetlands and water bodies, and encourage responsible water usage. Additionally, she aims to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation choices. She is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, including supporting the growth and sale of marijuana. She opposes reversing marijuana decriminalization and intends to aid farmers in entering the industry through programs and incentives akin to tobacco farming support in the past, recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is a medical sales representative, author, and wife of a Navy veteran. Tata voted for HB 212, which requires reinstating the mandatory waiting period before a person can get an abortion. She was a co-sponsor for HB 1387, which prevents trans kids from playing sports.
Given Porterfield’s stances and record, she is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-06
Virginia’s new 99th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City. With almost 65,000 registered voters, this district leans Republican.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is facing a challenge from Democrat Cat Porterfield in the general election for Virginia’s new 99th House of Delegates district. Delegate Tata has served in the House of Delegates since 2022.
Cat Porterfield is a wife, mother, realtor, and accomplished journalist recognized for her work in military and local news. Her experience involves analyzing school and city budgets, closely monitoring development projects, and immersing herself in the mechanics of community functioning. She plans to inform and engage citizens, prioritize constituents' interests, and be an unbiased voice for her community. Coming from a Navy family and sharing a deep connection to Virginia Beach Public Schools through her son, she brings a personal investment in the community's success.
She has pledged to make no law or put forward any votes restricting a woman’s access to abortion and asserts that reproductive rights are on the ballot in November. Fighting for reproductive rights is the top priority on her website. Her stances have earned her an endorsement from Roe Your Vote Virginia and another from Vote Pro-Choice. Her commitment to affordable healthcare access echoes her position on this issue.
Porterfield supports a multifaceted approach to gun violence prevention that involves several elements: fostering community healing, encouraging positive masculinity, providing summer employment for at-risk teens, employing street intervention experts, utilizing professional violence interrupters, enacting measures to disarm domestic abusers, ensuring scrutiny when a legal gun purchase fails a background check, and establishing accountability measures for law enforcement officers.
Her pledge to protect communities extends to issues of equality. She has called out her opponent for inserting her personal religious beliefs into her politics and promises that she will protect the LGBTQ+ community. She wants to keep Republicans’ hands off schools and teachers and likens their attempts at book banning to the disastrous No Child Left Behind policy. Additionally, she abhors Republicans’ attempts to force gender conformity onto students and teachers.
She understands the importance of sustainable, clean water and acknowledges the threat of sea level rise. She pledges to propose and support measures to decrease water pollution, safeguard wetlands and water bodies, and encourage responsible water usage. Additionally, she aims to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation choices. She is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, including supporting the growth and sale of marijuana. She opposes reversing marijuana decriminalization and intends to aid farmers in entering the industry through programs and incentives akin to tobacco farming support in the past, recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is a medical sales representative, author, and wife of a Navy veteran. Tata voted for HB 212, which requires reinstating the mandatory waiting period before a person can get an abortion. She was a co-sponsor for HB 1387, which prevents trans kids from playing sports.
Given Porterfield’s stances and record, she is the clear progressive choice in this race.
She has pledged to make no law or put forward any votes restricting a woman’s access to abortion and asserts that reproductive rights are on the ballot in November. Fighting for reproductive rights is the top priority on her website. Her stances have earned her an endorsement from Roe Your Vote Virginia and another from Vote Pro-Choice. Her commitment to affordable healthcare access echoes her position on this issue.
Porterfield supports a multifaceted approach to gun violence prevention that involves several elements: fostering community healing, encouraging positive masculinity, providing summer employment for at-risk teens, employing street intervention experts, utilizing professional violence interrupters, enacting measures to disarm domestic abusers, ensuring scrutiny when a legal gun purchase fails a background check, and establishing accountability measures for law enforcement officers.
Her pledge to protect communities extends to issues of equality. She has called out her opponent for inserting her personal religious beliefs into her politics and promises that she will protect the LGBTQ+ community. She wants to keep Republicans’ hands off schools and teachers and likens their attempts at book banning to the disastrous No Child Left Behind policy. Additionally, she abhors Republicans’ attempts to force gender conformity onto students and teachers.
She understands the importance of sustainable, clean water and acknowledges the threat of sea level rise. She pledges to propose and support measures to decrease water pollution, safeguard wetlands and water bodies, and encourage responsible water usage. Additionally, she aims to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation choices. She is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, including supporting the growth and sale of marijuana. She opposes reversing marijuana decriminalization and intends to aid farmers in entering the industry through programs and incentives akin to tobacco farming support in the past, recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata is a medical sales representative, author, and wife of a Navy veteran. Tata voted for HB 212, which requires reinstating the mandatory waiting period before a person can get an abortion. She was a co-sponsor for HB 1387, which prevents trans kids from playing sports.
Given Porterfield’s stances and record, she is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-10-06
House District 100
Virginia’s new 100th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Virginia Beach City, Accomack County, and Northampton County. With just over 63,000 registered voters, this district leans Republican.
This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Republican Delegate Rob Bloxom, Jr. is facing a challenge from Democrat Charlena Jones in the general election for Virginia’s new 100th House of Delegates district. Delegate Bloxom has served in the House of Delegates since 2014.
Democrat Charlena Jones is an evangelist. She uses problematic language to discuss issues of equality and reproductive health. In both cases, her wording suggests that she does not support LGBTQ+ folks or abortion but asserts that people’s choices in these areas are their own.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Robert Bloxom voted to prohibit election ballot drop boxes and limit early voting to 2 weeks before an election. He voted for HB 212, which would have reinstated the mandatory waiting period before a person can have an abortion. He voted no on HB 670, which would allow localities to hold police accountable by creating Citizen Police Review Boards.
There is no recommendation in this race. We encourage people to vote and write in a candidate. Remember, there are other races this year that need your vote, so we encourage you to show up to vote anyway.
Incumbent Republican Delegate Robert Bloxom voted to prohibit election ballot drop boxes and limit early voting to 2 weeks before an election. He voted for HB 212, which would have reinstated the mandatory waiting period before a person can have an abortion. He voted no on HB 670, which would allow localities to hold police accountable by creating Citizen Police Review Boards.
There is no recommendation in this race. We encourage people to vote and write in a candidate. Remember, there are other races this year that need your vote, so we encourage you to show up to vote anyway.
Last updated: 2023-10-06
Virginia Beach, District 10
Depending on where you live, you may have the following district races on your ballot.
Kim Antonio Bentley has earned the endorsement of our education partners at The Virginia Voter Guide, which we have included below. You can also learn more about him on their website here.
Kim Antonio Bentley (I) is a single father and president of Green Run Homes Association. Bentley says that he will bring the qualities of energy, integrity, and objectivity to the school board. Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges and advocates for the correct teaching of history in schools. His campaign is centered on post graduation pathways, teacher retention, and improving infrastructure.
Kim Bentley is aware of the teacher concerns in Virginia Beach and promises to address them. Bentley prioritizes hiring and retaining qualified teachers, advocating for them on his social media platforms. A supporter of unions, Bentely speaks for change to the material conditions of Virginia Beach City Public School’s faculty and staff, helping them with their collective bargaining efforts to get teachers the support and compensation they deserve.
Bentley makes local academics a priority for his campaign. As a Black American, Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges that seek to limit what children can learn, believing that children can’t get a quality education by avoiding the truth of our complex history. Bentley is also in support of post graduation pathways, expressing the need to support “whether [students] decide to enroll, employ, enlist, or explore, we need to ensure that students are prepared for success after they graduate, whatever path they choose.”
Improving school infrastructure is an additional issue in the campaign. Bentley believes that addressing the problems that come with aging school buildings is just as important as building new school facilities to create spaces where students can thrive. Bentley’s social media pages showcase his advocacy for improving the condition of the schools. He says that in order to ensure consistency of quality education throughout the city, we must implement improvements to the school infrastructure.
Lastly, Kim Bentley supports ensuring Virginia Beach school systems are at the forefront of technology. With a twenty year history of working in tech, Kim wishes to streamline parent communications through thoughtful and efficient technology use.
Kim Bentley is running against Kathleen Brown.
Independent Kathleen Brown is a wife, mother of four, and a Virginia Beach resident for the last thirteen years. With an associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Liberty University, Brown worked as a figure skating coach for the past twenty-six years. Brown promises to thoroughly and openly consider all public input before voting on any policy changes. She is an advocate for “parental rights” which is code for book banning, transphobia in schools, and a lack of social emotional learning in the classroom.
Due to Kim Bentley’s emphasis on academics, teacher compensation, prioritization of technology implementation in schools, and improving school infrastructure, he is the most progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2024-08-22
Kim Antonio Bentley has earned the endorsement of our education partners at The Virginia Voter Guide, which we have included below. You can also learn more about him on their website here.
Kim Antonio Bentley (I) is a single father and president of Green Run Homes Association. Bentley says that he will bring the qualities of energy, integrity, and objectivity to the school board. Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges and advocates for the correct teaching of history in schools. His campaign is centered on post graduation pathways, teacher retention, and improving infrastructure.
Kim Bentley is aware of the teacher concerns in Virginia Beach and promises to address them. Bentley prioritizes hiring and retaining qualified teachers, advocating for them on his social media platforms. A supporter of unions, Bentely speaks for change to the material conditions of Virginia Beach City Public School’s faculty and staff, helping them with their collective bargaining efforts to get teachers the support and compensation they deserve.
Bentley makes local academics a priority for his campaign. As a Black American, Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges that seek to limit what children can learn, believing that children can’t get a quality education by avoiding the truth of our complex history. Bentley is also in support of post graduation pathways, expressing the need to support “whether [students] decide to enroll, employ, enlist, or explore, we need to ensure that students are prepared for success after they graduate, whatever path they choose.”
Improving school infrastructure is an additional issue in the campaign. Bentley believes that addressing the problems that come with aging school buildings is just as important as building new school facilities to create spaces where students can thrive. Bentley’s social media pages showcase his advocacy for improving the condition of the schools. He says that in order to ensure consistency of quality education throughout the city, we must implement improvements to the school infrastructure.
Lastly, Kim Bentley supports ensuring Virginia Beach school systems are at the forefront of technology. With a twenty year history of working in tech, Kim wishes to streamline parent communications through thoughtful and efficient technology use.
Kim Bentley is running against Kathleen Brown.
Independent Kathleen Brown is a wife, mother of four, and a Virginia Beach resident for the last thirteen years. With an associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Liberty University, Brown worked as a figure skating coach for the past twenty-six years. Brown promises to thoroughly and openly consider all public input before voting on any policy changes. She is an advocate for “parental rights” which is code for book banning, transphobia in schools, and a lack of social emotional learning in the classroom.
Due to Kim Bentley’s emphasis on academics, teacher compensation, prioritization of technology implementation in schools, and improving school infrastructure, he is the most progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2024-08-22
Kim Antonio Bentley has earned the endorsement of our education partners at The Virginia Voter Guide, which we have included below. You can also learn more about him on their website here.
Kim Antonio Bentley (I) is a single father and president of Green Run Homes Association. Bentley says that he will bring the qualities of energy, integrity, and objectivity to the school board. Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges and advocates for the correct teaching of history in schools. His campaign is centered on post graduation pathways, teacher retention, and improving infrastructure.
Kim Bentley is aware of the teacher concerns in Virginia Beach and promises to address them. Bentley prioritizes hiring and retaining qualified teachers, advocating for them on his social media platforms. A supporter of unions, Bentely speaks for change to the material conditions of Virginia Beach City Public School’s faculty and staff, helping them with their collective bargaining efforts to get teachers the support and compensation they deserve.
Bentley makes local academics a priority for his campaign. As a Black American, Bentley is concerned about recent curriculum challenges that seek to limit what children can learn, believing that children can’t get a quality education by avoiding the truth of our complex history. Bentley is also in support of post graduation pathways, expressing the need to support “whether [students] decide to enroll, employ, enlist, or explore, we need to ensure that students are prepared for success after they graduate, whatever path they choose.”
Improving school infrastructure is an additional issue in the campaign. Bentley believes that addressing the problems that come with aging school buildings is just as important as building new school facilities to create spaces where students can thrive. Bentley’s social media pages showcase his advocacy for improving the condition of the schools. He says that in order to ensure consistency of quality education throughout the city, we must implement improvements to the school infrastructure.
Lastly, Kim Bentley supports ensuring Virginia Beach school systems are at the forefront of technology. With a twenty year history of working in tech, Kim wishes to streamline parent communications through thoughtful and efficient technology use.
Kim Bentley is running against Kathleen Brown.
Independent Kathleen Brown is a wife, mother of four, and a Virginia Beach resident for the last thirteen years. With an associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Liberty University, Brown worked as a figure skating coach for the past twenty-six years. Brown promises to thoroughly and openly consider all public input before voting on any policy changes. She is an advocate for “parental rights” which is code for book banning, transphobia in schools, and a lack of social emotional learning in the classroom.
Due to Kim Bentley’s emphasis on academics, teacher compensation, prioritization of technology implementation in schools, and improving school infrastructure, he is the most progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2024-08-22