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  • A Rockbridge County native, Democratic candidate Jade Harris, currently lives in Glasgow, Virginia. She traces her lineage back to enslaved individuals at Buffalo Forge. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Baldwin University in 2020. Harris is a grassroots organizer who has lobbied at the state level, served as a member of Glasgow town council, and was the town’s first ever Vice-Mayor. Additionally, Harris is a novelist, having published her first book in March 2023.

    Harris identifies as queer and advocates for LGBTQ+ protections. She supports enshrining same-sex marriage in the Virginia Constitution, removing the current ban. She has expressed her support of the transgender community, stating she would sponsor legislation to make the Commonwealth a safe harbor for those and their families who are fleeing anti-trans criminalization. In announcing her endorsement from Equality Virginia, she stated she would be a “bold fighter for equality.”

    Harris supports raising teacher pay to at least the national average. She opposes voucher school systems and believes public money should stay in public schools. Harris believes tax payer dollars should fund our public schools, not private, unregulated, unaccredited, for-profit schools. To foster a strong workforce, she advocates for expanding technical education. She aims to prioritize students and faculty of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, noting that she wants Virginia to be in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

    Harris believes that gun violence is a public health issue in the Commonwealth, and will seek real bipartisan solutions to this problem. She proposes instating a gun education and safety course in public schools, advocating for safe storage practices, and expanding and enforcing extreme risk protection laws. She believes that combining early mental health intervention and removing the stigma, along with common sense laws can aid in preventing gun violence in the Commonwealth.

    Harris has expressed the need to stand up against the attacks on abortion access. She believes the decision should be with individuals and their doctors. She supports enshrining the right to abortion in the Virginia Constitution. Additionally, she advocates for comprehensive sex education, accessible and affordable contraceptives, and expanded childcare services. During the 2023 House of Delegates District 24 Special Election, Harris was endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

    Harris is facing Delegate Chris Head. Delegate Head has served in the House of Delegates since 2012. He is anti-abortion and has pushed for legislation that creates barriers to access. He received a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association. In 2019, he supported Roanoke becoming a 2nd Amendment sanctuary. He is against making voting accessible and has supported bills to remove ballot boxes.

    Because of her support for LGBTQ+ communities, abortion access, and public schools, Jade Harris is the progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Jade Harris

    A Rockbridge County native, Democratic candidate Jade Harris, currently lives in Glasgow, Virginia. She traces her lineage back to enslaved individuals at Buffalo Forge. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Baldwin University in 2020.

    A Rockbridge County native, Democratic candidate Jade Harris, currently lives in Glasgow, Virginia. She traces her lineage back to enslaved individuals at Buffalo Forge. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Baldwin University in 2020. Harris is a grassroots organizer who has lobbied at the state level, served as a member of Glasgow town council, and was the town’s first ever Vice-Mayor. Additionally, Harris is a novelist, having published her first book in March 2023.

    Harris identifies as queer and advocates for LGBTQ+ protections. She supports enshrining same-sex marriage in the Virginia Constitution, removing the current ban. She has expressed her support of the transgender community, stating she would sponsor legislation to make the Commonwealth a safe harbor for those and their families who are fleeing anti-trans criminalization. In announcing her endorsement from Equality Virginia, she stated she would be a “bold fighter for equality.”

    Harris supports raising teacher pay to at least the national average. She opposes voucher school systems and believes public money should stay in public schools. Harris believes tax payer dollars should fund our public schools, not private, unregulated, unaccredited, for-profit schools. To foster a strong workforce, she advocates for expanding technical education. She aims to prioritize students and faculty of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, noting that she wants Virginia to be in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

    Harris believes that gun violence is a public health issue in the Commonwealth, and will seek real bipartisan solutions to this problem. She proposes instating a gun education and safety course in public schools, advocating for safe storage practices, and expanding and enforcing extreme risk protection laws. She believes that combining early mental health intervention and removing the stigma, along with common sense laws can aid in preventing gun violence in the Commonwealth.

    Harris has expressed the need to stand up against the attacks on abortion access. She believes the decision should be with individuals and their doctors. She supports enshrining the right to abortion in the Virginia Constitution. Additionally, she advocates for comprehensive sex education, accessible and affordable contraceptives, and expanded childcare services. During the 2023 House of Delegates District 24 Special Election, Harris was endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

    Harris is facing Delegate Chris Head. Delegate Head has served in the House of Delegates since 2012. He is anti-abortion and has pushed for legislation that creates barriers to access. He received a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association. In 2019, he supported Roanoke becoming a 2nd Amendment sanctuary. He is against making voting accessible and has supported bills to remove ballot boxes.

    Because of her support for LGBTQ+ communities, abortion access, and public schools, Jade Harris is the progressive choice in this race.

    Jade Harris

    A Rockbridge County native, Democratic candidate Jade Harris, currently lives in Glasgow, Virginia. She traces her lineage back to enslaved individuals at Buffalo Forge. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Baldwin University in 2020.

No Recommendation

Stephine Clark is the former mayor of Covington, Virginia, and she is the Democratic candidate for HD 37. Clark was appointed to city council in 2004, and she subsequently ran for three terms unopposed. She served as the mayor of Covington from 2012 to 2016, and she is passionate about making herself accessible and familiar to her community.

Clark has said that she wants to focus on healthcare, as well as schools as a Delegate. She also wants to uplift the needs of families, and she questions how many children in Covington are suffering from hunger. She has said that veterans’ rights is one of the issues that she is most passionate about, and she would like to use her platform to create positive change for them. About veterans life after deployment, she said, “It is so disheartening to me that our veterans can’t have housing units”

Incumbent Republican Delegate Terry Austin has served in the House of Delegates since 2014. During the 2022 General Assembly session, he introduced a harmful bill dealing with marijuana and traffic offenses. He is anti-abortion and votes against common sense gun prevention measures. He also voted in favor of an anti-trans bill that would ban trans students from playing women’s sports.

Due to a lack of information, we are unable to make a strong recommendation in this race. Remember there are other races in this election.

No Recommendation

Stephine Clark is the former mayor of Covington, Virginia, and she is the Democratic candidate for HD 37. Clark was appointed to city council in 2004, and she subsequently ran for three terms unopposed.