Skip to main content

State Senate

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.


  • Former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy represented the 87th District from 2017 to December 2020, when she resigned to make an unsuccessful run for Governor. She is now seeking the State Senate in District 33 in 2023. During her stint as Delegate, she fought to pass Medicaid expansion to 400,000 Virignians. She also voted for a pay raise for Virginia teachers. She co-patroned a bill to increase the grand larceny threshold from $200 to $500. She supports legislation to increase abortion access, affordable public transportation, and criminal justice reform.

    As Delegate, Carroll Foy was a strong advocate for building good jobs and ensuring sustainable development. In 2018, she earned the Champion of Enterprise Award from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for her efforts. Carroll Foy passed bipartisan legislation to give veterans greater access to the capital they need to start and grow a business. She co-sponsored a bill that rewarded companies for creating jobs in underserved communities. Additionally, she passed legislation to give small minority-owned businesses more opportunities to secure contracts with utilities. She passed legislation to provide greater access to coding courses in high school, preparing students for the 21st-century economy. Finally, she passed a bill allowing local school divisions to enter into College and Career Access Pathways Partnerships with community colleges.

    Fmr. Del. Carroll Foy has always fought for unions and working families. As a Delegate, she passed groundbreaking legislation that instituted a prevailing wage on all state-funded construction projects, sponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and passed a bill that cracks down on companies that don't pay their workers. She also sponsored legislation to ensure that workers' compensation covered firefighters who contracted cancer on the job. She co-sponsored legislation repealing the "Comstock rule" that banned the use of Project Labor Agreements, which would help thousands of construction workers get quality health coverage. Their efforts led to the biggest expansion of labor rights in decades.

    Fmr. Del. Carroll Foy has spent her career fighting for equal rights. She led the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and has made concrete changes to advance equality for all Virginians. As Delegate, she worked to protect reproductive freedom, helped to lead the Reproductive Health Protection Act, and pushed legislation to establish equality in school dress codes. She also advocated for paid family and medical leave and passed the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act.

    Throughout her career, Fmr. Del. Carroll Foy has witnessed the systemic flaws that define the criminal justice system, which disproportionately impact our most vulnerable communities. She has advocated for those who could not advocate for themselves and on behalf of those for whom the justice system is broken. As a Delegate, she sponsored legislation to address cash bail reform, the ban on parole, and the issue of "driving poor," all of which contribute to mass incarceration and cyclical patterns of joblessness and poverty within minority communities. She also sponsored a bill prohibiting the use of neck restraints, such as chokeholds, by law enforcement and passed legislation to repeal the Habitual Drunkard law, which unfairly punishes the homeless and those struggling with substance abuse.

    Fmr. Del. Carroll Foy is facing Republican Mike Van Meter in the general election. Van Meter will do nothing to hold police accountable for abuse against the communities they’re supposed to protect. He follows in the footsteps of the worst Republican attacks on public education. He will do nothing to prevent gun violence plaguing our communities.

    Given her record of supporting sustainable development, lifting up unions, pursuing equality, and fighting for a fair criminal justice system, Fmr. Del. Carroll Foy is the clear progressive choice in this race.
  • Senator Scott A. Surovell has represented Eastern Fairfax County since 2010. Prior to his time in the Senate, Senator Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Senator Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

    Senator Surovell has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans. He voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act and voted against prohibiting state funding for abortion services. Earlier in his career, he voted against requiring an ultrasound prior to an abortion and against defining life as beginning at conception.

    Senator Surovell has consistently voted as a criminal justice advocate. He voted against mandatory consecutive sentences of imprisonment, a policy that keeps people locked in a vicious cycle. He voted against requiring school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement. He voted to expand voting rights to release inmates, a move praised by both criminal justice and voting rights advocates. Amongst other policies, he also sponsored a bill to require police to inform drivers on why they are being stopped.

    Senator Surovell has also championed civil liberties and rights. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants, a practice derided by civil rights groups. He voted to repeal the state statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to adopt gender-neutral terms. He voted to prohibit state funding for conversion therapy on minors and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a bill he also co-sponsored.

    Gun violence prevention has also been at the top of his priorities. In 2021, he voted to establish gun-free zones on school board property and voted to prohibit the possession of firearms within 40 feet of a polling place. In 2020, he voted to prohibit individuals subject to a protective order from possessing firearms and voted to increase penalties for unsecured firearms. He also voted to require reporting lost or stolen firearms and authorize the temporary seizure of guns from persons posing substantial risk.

    Senator Surovell is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Springman. Springman is a typical Republican: he will do nothing to curb police violence and abuse, he will weaken public education and further attacks on trans youth, and believes cutting taxes is a panacea for all economic ails.

    Given his record on reproductive health, criminal justice, civil rights, and gun violence prevention, Senator Scott Surovell is the progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Scott Surovell

    Senator Scott A. Surovell has represented Eastern Fairfax County since 2010. Prior to his time in the Senate, Senator Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Senator Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children.

    Senator Scott A. Surovell has represented Eastern Fairfax County since 2010. Prior to his time in the Senate, Senator Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Senator Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

    Senator Surovell has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans. He voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act and voted against prohibiting state funding for abortion services. Earlier in his career, he voted against requiring an ultrasound prior to an abortion and against defining life as beginning at conception.

    Senator Surovell has consistently voted as a criminal justice advocate. He voted against mandatory consecutive sentences of imprisonment, a policy that keeps people locked in a vicious cycle. He voted against requiring school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement. He voted to expand voting rights to release inmates, a move praised by both criminal justice and voting rights advocates. Amongst other policies, he also sponsored a bill to require police to inform drivers on why they are being stopped.

    Senator Surovell has also championed civil liberties and rights. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants, a practice derided by civil rights groups. He voted to repeal the state statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to adopt gender-neutral terms. He voted to prohibit state funding for conversion therapy on minors and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a bill he also co-sponsored.

    Gun violence prevention has also been at the top of his priorities. In 2021, he voted to establish gun-free zones on school board property and voted to prohibit the possession of firearms within 40 feet of a polling place. In 2020, he voted to prohibit individuals subject to a protective order from possessing firearms and voted to increase penalties for unsecured firearms. He also voted to require reporting lost or stolen firearms and authorize the temporary seizure of guns from persons posing substantial risk.

    Senator Surovell is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Springman. Springman is a typical Republican: he will do nothing to curb police violence and abuse, he will weaken public education and further attacks on trans youth, and believes cutting taxes is a panacea for all economic ails.

    Given his record on reproductive health, criminal justice, civil rights, and gun violence prevention, Senator Scott Surovell is the progressive choice in this race.

    Scott Surovell

    Senator Scott A. Surovell has represented Eastern Fairfax County since 2010. Prior to his time in the Senate, Senator Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Senator Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children.

  • Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1966, Randolph-Macon College in 1970, and began a career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He went on to establish and operate Fairfax County’s shelter home for youth with severe family problems and was later appointed as the first Superintendent of Fairfax County’s Juvenile Detention Center. He served in the House of Delegates for four years before he was elected to the state Senate in 2009.
    Senator Marsden has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his service. Most recently, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. In previous sessions, he voted against a measure to prohibit state funding of abortion services and voted to repeal the requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion, a bill he co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden has also been a reliable voice for civil rights and liberties. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants. He also voted to repeal the State statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to include gender-neutral terms. Additionally, he voted to establish the Dress Code Equity Act, prohibit state funding of conversion therapy on minors, and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure he also co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden’s advocacy for civil liberties extends to criminal justice. In the most recent session, he voted to establish an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups. He voted against a measure to require school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement, a measure supported by civil rights groups. He voted to expand voting rights of returning citizens. He also voted to require law enforcement officers to inform drivers why they are being stopped.

    Senator Marsden has also supported measures to expand healthcare and make it more affordable throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to establish a COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also voted to limit the cost of Insulin to $50 per 30-day supply. Earlier in his career, he voted to require health insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also voted to prohibit smoking in a vehicle with minors and in restaurants.

    Senator Marsden is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Vafiades, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy. Vafiades uses dog-whistles to push his agenda, attacking civil rights movements and cozying up to hard-line Republicans. He attacks environmental regulations as radical special interests. He supports Republican efforts to police content in schools and calls measures for equity and respect defiance of parents.

    Given his advocacy for civil liberties, reproductive justice, affordable healthcare, and criminal justice, Senator Marsden is the progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Dave Marsden

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T.

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1966, Randolph-Macon College in 1970, and began a career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He went on to establish and operate Fairfax County’s shelter home for youth with severe family problems and was later appointed as the first Superintendent of Fairfax County’s Juvenile Detention Center. He served in the House of Delegates for four years before he was elected to the state Senate in 2009.
    Senator Marsden has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his service. Most recently, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. In previous sessions, he voted against a measure to prohibit state funding of abortion services and voted to repeal the requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion, a bill he co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden has also been a reliable voice for civil rights and liberties. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants. He also voted to repeal the State statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to include gender-neutral terms. Additionally, he voted to establish the Dress Code Equity Act, prohibit state funding of conversion therapy on minors, and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure he also co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden’s advocacy for civil liberties extends to criminal justice. In the most recent session, he voted to establish an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups. He voted against a measure to require school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement, a measure supported by civil rights groups. He voted to expand voting rights of returning citizens. He also voted to require law enforcement officers to inform drivers why they are being stopped.

    Senator Marsden has also supported measures to expand healthcare and make it more affordable throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to establish a COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also voted to limit the cost of Insulin to $50 per 30-day supply. Earlier in his career, he voted to require health insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also voted to prohibit smoking in a vehicle with minors and in restaurants.

    Senator Marsden is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Vafiades, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy. Vafiades uses dog-whistles to push his agenda, attacking civil rights movements and cozying up to hard-line Republicans. He attacks environmental regulations as radical special interests. He supports Republican efforts to police content in schools and calls measures for equity and respect defiance of parents.

    Given his advocacy for civil liberties, reproductive justice, affordable healthcare, and criminal justice, Senator Marsden is the progressive choice in this race.

    Dave Marsden

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T.

  • Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1966, Randolph-Macon College in 1970, and began a career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He went on to establish and operate Fairfax County’s shelter home for youth with severe family problems and was later appointed as the first Superintendent of Fairfax County’s Juvenile Detention Center. He served in the House of Delegates for four years before he was elected to the state Senate in 2009.
    Senator Marsden has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his service. Most recently, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. In previous sessions, he voted against a measure to prohibit state funding of abortion services and voted to repeal the requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion, a bill he co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden has also been a reliable voice for civil rights and liberties. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants. He also voted to repeal the State statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to include gender-neutral terms. Additionally, he voted to establish the Dress Code Equity Act, prohibit state funding of conversion therapy on minors, and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure he also co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden’s advocacy for civil liberties extends to criminal justice. In the most recent session, he voted to establish an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups. He voted against a measure to require school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement, a measure supported by civil rights groups. He voted to expand voting rights of returning citizens. He also voted to require law enforcement officers to inform drivers why they are being stopped.

    Senator Marsden has also supported measures to expand healthcare and make it more affordable throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to establish a COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also voted to limit the cost of Insulin to $50 per 30-day supply. Earlier in his career, he voted to require health insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also voted to prohibit smoking in a vehicle with minors and in restaurants.

    Senator Marsden is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Vafiades, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy. Vafiades uses dog-whistles to push his agenda, attacking civil rights movements and cozying up to hard-line Republicans. He attacks environmental regulations as radical special interests. He supports Republican efforts to police content in schools and calls measures for equity and respect defiance of parents.

    Given his advocacy for civil liberties, reproductive justice, affordable healthcare, and criminal justice, Senator Marsden is the progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-27

    Dave Marsden

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T.

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1966, Randolph-Macon College in 1970, and began a career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He went on to establish and operate Fairfax County’s shelter home for youth with severe family problems and was later appointed as the first Superintendent of Fairfax County’s Juvenile Detention Center. He served in the House of Delegates for four years before he was elected to the state Senate in 2009.
    Senator Marsden has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his service. Most recently, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. In previous sessions, he voted against a measure to prohibit state funding of abortion services and voted to repeal the requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion, a bill he co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden has also been a reliable voice for civil rights and liberties. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants. He also voted to repeal the State statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to include gender-neutral terms. Additionally, he voted to establish the Dress Code Equity Act, prohibit state funding of conversion therapy on minors, and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure he also co-sponsored.

    Senator Marsden’s advocacy for civil liberties extends to criminal justice. In the most recent session, he voted to establish an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups. He voted against a measure to require school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement, a measure supported by civil rights groups. He voted to expand voting rights of returning citizens. He also voted to require law enforcement officers to inform drivers why they are being stopped.

    Senator Marsden has also supported measures to expand healthcare and make it more affordable throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to establish a COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also voted to limit the cost of Insulin to $50 per 30-day supply. Earlier in his career, he voted to require health insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also voted to prohibit smoking in a vehicle with minors and in restaurants.

    Senator Marsden is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Vafiades, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy. Vafiades uses dog-whistles to push his agenda, attacking civil rights movements and cozying up to hard-line Republicans. He attacks environmental regulations as radical special interests. He supports Republican efforts to police content in schools and calls measures for equity and respect defiance of parents.

    Given his advocacy for civil liberties, reproductive justice, affordable healthcare, and criminal justice, Senator Marsden is the progressive choice in this race.

    Dave Marsden

    Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T.

  • Virginia’s new 36th State Senate district encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With over 151,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Stella Pekarsky and Republican candidate Julie Perry will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 36th State Senate district. Perry ran in the 2021 District 86 House of Delegates race, losing to Delegate Irene Shin.
    Stella Pekarsky is a small business owner and teacher who graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Government & Politics and a Masters in Multicultural & Multilingual Education. Pekarsky has served as the Sully District representative on the Fairfax County School Board since 2020. She is a youth advocate who is leading the lawsuit against Glenn Youngkin’s attempt to steal local control from our schools. She is also a member of the NAACP Education Committee.

    The central issue in Pekarsky’s campaign is education and public schools. She believes in investing in our students, teachers, and schools while creating a robust learning environment. She supports increasing teacher pay and has already allocated over $100 million in funding for teacher pay increases and school infrastructure upgrades in the 36th District during her time on the school board. Pekarsky also believes in funding early childhood education programs and supports expanding programs to serve all types of students and their learning needs. Pekarsky promises to stand up and fight against Governor Youngkin’s attacks on education.

    Pekarsky supports abortion access and supports a constitutional amendment to the Virginia constitution to ensure all Virginians have access to abortion and reproductive health care. Pekarsky has been able to help expand access to menstrual products for people across Virginia by volunteering her time with Bringing Resources to Aid Women’s Shelters (BRAWS). Additionally, Perkarsky has worked to pass comprehensive sex education and Title IX instruction policies in her time on the Board.

    Pekarsky believes that no one in our community should live in fear of gun violence. She supports commonsense gun violence prevention measures such as an assault weapons ban and a ban on high-capacity magazines as well as mandatory background checks for gun owners. Pekarsky also opposes allowing out-of-state concealed carry permit holders in Virginia if they are from states without proper gun law precautions such as universal background checks. As a member of the school board, she worked to close loopholes and ensure that guns never even make it to school property and expanded the gun violence prevention curriculum in our schools.

    Pekarsky also wants to ensure we have a clean and healthy environment for the next generation. She has refused money from lobbyists like Dominion Power and would support a ban on all campaign contributions from state-regulated utilities. Pekarsky supports a transition to 100% renewable energy while also creating high-quality jobs and lower energy costs in the Commonwealth. While on the school board, Pekarsky supported the electrification of the FCPS school bus fleet and invested in new, energy-efficient school facilities.

    Stella Pekarsky is running against Julie Perry.

    Republican candidate Julie Perry does not support abortion access and would vote to ban abortion in Virginia. She would give police more funding, but less accountability for their actions. Perry’s tax plan would cut taxes for the richest among us while cutting funding for critical programs we all need.

    Due to her views on reproductive rights, environmental rights, gun violence prevention, and her advocacy for investing in our teachers and schools, Stella Pekarsky is the progressive choice for this race.
  • Virginia’s new 37th State Senate district encompasses parts of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City. With almost 146,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Saddam Azlan Salim and Republican candidate Ken Reid will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 37th State Senate district. Reid previously served as the Leesburg District Loudoun County Supervisor.
    Saddam Azlam Salim is a graduate of George Mason University where he received his Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in public and non-profit finance and currently works as a Senior Consultant advising federal clients. Salim is also actively involved in several community organizations. He serves as second Vice Chair on the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee, the Co-State Director for South Asians for America, and is a founding member of the API Caucus and the FCDC Black Caucus.

    One of Salim’s priorities is reproductive rights. Salim pledges to ensure that people have access to reproductive health and education including “high quality and medically accurate sex education in our public schools.” Salim also understands the importance of having community resources and will fight to expand access to abortion in underserved communities. Additionally, Salim plans to bring down the maternal mortality rate by advocating for more resources for prenatal care, especially for people of color. Lastly, Salim has committed to making sure that accurate information regarding reproductive options are made available to patients and that no restrictions are placed on reproductive services or information.

    Another issue in Salim’s campaign is LGBTQ+ rights. He promises to oppose all legislation that negatively targets LGBTQ+ communities. Once elected, Salim has plans to add legislation that protects the rights of LGBTQ+ people by adding Virginia to the list of states that include Rainbow Wall legislation. He also has plans to sponsor legislation that codifies the right to have gender affirming care and prohibits anti-trans legislation from other states. Salim promises to be an ally and fight alongside the LGBTQ+ community against all attacks.

    This first time candidate also has a plan for climate action in the Commonwealth. Salim understands how crucial it is for Virginia to move towards clean energy. He plans to allow local governments to set energy codes in order to improve energy efficiency and aid in reaching 50% of the Virginia Clean Economy Act Goals.
    Salim also supports the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). He promises to oppose any efforts by the Governor to pull out of RGGI and be an outspoken advocate of environmental policies.

    Salim is a 2023 gun sense candidate and supports an assault weapons ban as well as legislation for mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases. He also plans to support legislation that will restrict perpetual domestic abusers from making purchases. He pledges to support legislation that provides early prevention, investing in communities with higher gun violence rates and making sure that they have access to resources such as affordable housing, healthcare, and jobs, so that gun violence is less prevalent in their communities.

    Salim’s opponent is Loudon County Supervisor, Republican Ken Reid, a former business owner and author. Reid obtained his M.A. University of Missouri School of Journalism from George Mason University along with an B.A. Rutgers in political science and Espanol. Reid builds his campaign off of his support for state income tax cuts as well as the removal of state interference in prescription medication and medical devices. Reid also shows strong support for the police department, believing that we should increase police funding despite clear and indisputable evidence that police are incapable of de escalating and stopping crime. He opposes environmental initiatives such as RGGI and allowing local government to set energy codes believing them to be “extremist environmental provisions.” Saddam Azlam Salim is the progressive choice for this race due to his advocacy for commonsense gun laws, his dedication to climate action, and his position to protect the LGBTQ+ community from growing attacks.
  • Virginia’s new 38th State Senate district encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 157,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Matthew Lang in the general election for Virginia’s new 38th State Senate district. Senator Boysko has served in the State Senate since 2019, as well as the House of Delegates from 2016 to 2019. Lang ran in the 2021 District 36 House of Delegates race, losing to Delegate Ken Plum.
    Incumbent Senator Jennifer Boysko and her husband Glenn have raised their two daughters in historic downtown Herndon, where they have lived since 1996. Senator Boysko has volunteered with numerous organizations in her community including serving on the board of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, now known as Repro Rising. She was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2016 and won a special election to the state Senate in 2019.

    Boysko is committed to social justice. She supported legislation to establish hate crime protections for individuals targeted for violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and has voiced opposition to conversion therapy. In 2020, Senator Boysko passed a bill that requires the State Registrar to issue a new certificate of birth to show a change of sex upon request of the person. The following year Boysko also passed the Equal Rights Amendment to protect against discrimination.

    She has been a champion for immigrant families, carrying legislation to provide in-state tuition to residents regardless of immigration status and establish driving privilege cards so families can safely get to school, work, and worship.

    When it comes to healthcare, Senator Boysko has also prioritized protecting and expanding access to abortion and supporting families through establishing paid family and medical leave. She also sponsored SJ255, an amendment that protects the right to an abortion. Among her efforts to ensure all people of the Commonwealth have access to healthcare, Boysko helped to expand Medicaid coverage and sponsored legislation that would require doula care to be covered by insurance.

    Boysko also champions environmental protection. Understanding that everyone should have access to clean and safe air and water, Boysko sponsored legislation that required all localities to make sure that their energy codes were energy efficient and infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, she passed legislation to include electric vehicles as a part of Virginia’s Energy Plan in order to address the poor air quality and excessive heat are issues in the Commonwealth.

    Her opponent, Republican Matthew Lang, is a retired Navy veteran with a degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management. Lang wants to increase the police budget, despite ongoing reports of police brutality. He also runs his campaign on his promise to back veterans and armed forces by expanding career opportunities for them and their spouses as they transition back to civilian life.

    Senator Boysko’s stance on healthcare, equality for all, and support for environmental protection make her the progressive choice for this race.
  • This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Republican Will Davis is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 39th House of Delegates district. This is Davis’ first general election.
    Incumbent Democratic Senator Adam Ebbin took office in 2012 after serving for eight years in the House of Delegates. A graduate of American University, Ebbin has resided in Alexandria since 1989. Additionally, Ebbin was a Flemming Foundation for Legislative Leadership in 2006, and attended the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership in 2000. He also attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

    Senator Ebbin has fought to advance progressive priorities including establishing legislation to fight for equality in the Commonwealth. In 2022, Sen. Ebbin unsuccessfully passed SJ5, a bill that reapeals and replaces the ban on same-sex marriage in the Virginia Constitution with the right to marry affirmation. Two years prior, Sen. Ebbin also passed comprehensive ban on discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, making Virginia the first southern state to create legislation to protect the LGBTQ+ community.

    Senator Ebbin understands the need for commonsense gun laws. He champions preventing gun violence most recently by introducing legislation that makes the selling of guns without serial numbers, or ghost guns, illegal. Sen. Ebbin also sponsored SB643, legislation that would’ve allowed law enforcement to prosecute those who are found with illegal firearms. Sen. Ebbin also serves as the co-chair of the General Assembly Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, where he was able to ban firearms in state buildings.

    He is a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the School Readiness Committee, the Commission on Economic Opportunity for Virginians in Aspiring and Diverse Communities, the Task force to Commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote, and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.

    Running against Senator Ebbin is Republican Sophia Moshasha. A self-described technology advocate and community builder, as well as the vice president of the DC Chapter of the VR/AR Association, Moshasha prioritizes building sustainable solutions for Virginia’s growing economy, interested in lowering taxes small businesses, which will take away from funding in education and other programs. Moshasha also advocates for Glenn Youngkin’s Parental Rights in education, which is just another way of saying she does not trust our teachers to teach our student correct historically accurate information about school curriculum.

    Because of his dedication to create commensense gun laws andhis fight for equality, Senator Ebbin is the progressive choice in this race.

House of Delegates

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below House of Delegate races on your ballot.

  • Virginia’s new House of Delegates 4th District encompasses parts of Alexandria City and Fairfax County. With almost 49,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Charniele Herring is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new House of Delegates 4th District. She was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2008.
    Incumbent Delegate Charniele Herring was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2009 and was elected as chair of the House Democratic Caucus in 2015. In 2020, she was elected as House majority leader, becoming the first woman and first African American to hold the post. Herring overcame homelessness as a child and went on to attend George Mason University and Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Herring has lived in Alexandria for over 30 years.

    Herring is a strong advocate for underserved communities in the House of Delegates. She helped create the Virginia Legislative Reproductive Health Caucus, which is dedicated to protecting women’s healthcare issues, including access to reproductive healthcare and abortion. In 2020, she sponsored the Reproductive Health Protection Act, which repealed unnecessary regulations on abortion providers. In 2021, she patroned a bill to extend health insurance coverage to include abortions. She also carried legislation to establish a task force to tackle the crisis of maternal mortality in the Commonwealth the same year.

    Herring is chair of the House Courts of Justice Committee, overseeing many progressive reforms to Virginia’s criminal justice system. In 2021, she was chief co-patron of the bill to abolish the death penalty. She helped pass the Virginia Clean Slate Act, which helps expunge certain individuals’ criminal records to give them better access to housing, education, and jobs. She also sponsored the House bill for marijuana legalization and the constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens in the Commonwealth.

    After experiencing homelessness as a child, Herring was critical to getting full funding for the Homeless Intervention Protection Act. She has also advocated for affordable housing and voted for protections for renters to stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic She has fought to address the rising cost of rent and housing shortages in the district to ensure that teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other critical community members are all able to afford to live in the 46th District.

    When Herring was thirteen, she testified before a White House committee about the critical need to improve healthcare benefits for children in military families. Since then, she has remained an advocate for the importance of quality, affordable healthcare. She has worked to lower drug costs and voted to cap the price of insulin in 2020. She also voted to expand Medicaid to 750,000 Virginians in 2018 and supported establishing a state-run health insurance marketplace, which helps uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan to get affordable coverage.

    Herring is running unopposed for this seat. Due to her support of abortion access, criminal justice reform, working families and access to affordable healthcare, Delegate Charniele Herring is the most progressive choice for Virginia’s 4th District.
  • Virginia’s new House of Delegates 6th District encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 68,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Rip Sullivan faces a challenge from Republican candidate Kristin Hoffman in the general election for Virginia’s new 6th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Sullivan has served in the House of Delegates since 2014.
    Incumbent Delegate Richard “Rip” Sullivan, Jr. has represented the 48th District since 2015. Sullivan grew up attending public schools in Northern Virginia, then received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and law degree from the University of Virginia. He is currently a partner in the law firm Bean, Kinney & Korman. In the House of Delegates, he is chair of the House Democratic Caucus, working alongside the House speaker and minority leader. He and his wife have four children and three grandchildren.

    Sullivan is dedicated to boosting economic opportunities for working Virginia families. In 2020, he voted to raise the minimum wage and for a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which extends basic labor protections to domestic workers and ensures they earn at least a minimum wage. He supports protecting tenant rights in the Commonwealth. He voted for the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back “G3” Program which makes community college more affordable to qualifying low-and middle-income students who study in certain fields.


    Sullivan recognizes how wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy are important to not only addressing climate change but creating jobs. Sullivan patroned the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which commits Virginia to 100% renewable energy by 2050. He sponsored legislation to upgrade Virginia’s transportation system to introduce electric vehicles by creating a series of bills to establish an electric vehicle grant program, rebates for purchasing electric vehicles, and building infrastructure to support electric vehicles.

    Sullivan has also advocated for LGBTQ+ people in Virginia. He was critical to strengthening laws around hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2019, he was the author of Jacob’s Law, which increased surrogacy rights for all couples and individuals in Virginia, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. In 2020, he supported the passage of the Virginia Values Act, which increased protections from discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals. He also voted to repeal Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

    Sullivan also supported criminal justice reforms to make Virginia communities safe and more equitable. In 2021, he voted to abolish the death penalty, as well as legalize marijuana. He also advocates for keeping our communities safe by passing common sense measures to prevent gun violence, including introducing a one-handgun-a-month purchase limit and universal background checks. He also supports extreme risk protection orders, which allows law enforcement to remove firearms from those who are a serious risk to themselves or others.

    Delegate Sullivan is being challenged by Republican Kristin Hoffman. Hoffman obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania as well as an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School of Business. She would support more funding without accountability for law enforcement officers. She also wants to lower taxes, which would defund critical programs that members of our community depend on.

    Due to his advocacy for Virginia working families, the environment, gun violence prevention and equality, Delegate Sullivan is the most progressive choice for Virginia’s 6th District.
  • Virginia’s new 7th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With over 67,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democrat Karen Keys-Gamarra faces Republican Luellan Maskeny in the general election for Virginia’s new 7th District in the House of Delegates.
    Karen Keys-Gamarra is an accomplished attorney, child advocate, and twice-elected At-Large member of the Fairfax County School Board. With a background in family law, she has dedicated her career to representing children's best interests. As a Guardian Ad Litem, she has worked on cases of abuse, neglect, adoption, and family law. Karen is committed to education and understands its importance in providing opportunities for children's success. She has a strong sense of community and family, having raised three sons and cared for her parents in a three-generation household.

    Keys-Gamarra is a strong supporter of common-sense gun safety measures to protect residents' health and safety. She believes in interpreting the 2nd amendment responsibly and supports laws to minimize harm caused by irresponsible gun ownership. Keys-Gamarra believes in the right of every resident to feel safe and prioritizes the need for a safe and healthy community. She supports measures such as banning assault weapons, prohibiting high-capacity magazines, enacting consumer safety laws, and preventing straw purchases of guns to make Virginia safer for all residents.

    Keys-Gamarra is committed to criminal justice reform that addresses disparities for both juveniles and adults. She believes in considering mental health concerns, differing abilities, and neurodiversity to avoid over-criminalization of specific communities. She also supports diversion programs for human trafficking victims to receive necessary services instead of facing criminal charges. Her goal is to improve procedures in the judicial system to protect public confidence and ensure fairness and equity in the implementation of Virginia's laws.

    Keys-Gamarra firmly believes that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. As a Delegate and an attorney advocating for vulnerable populations, she will be a leader in expanding healthcare access and improving public health. She is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade, expanding access to abortion, and supporting Planned Parenthood. Additionally, Keys-Gamarra aims to address infant mortality and maternal health disparities through legislative efforts, secure funding health education for women and infants, and ensure access to prenatal care for people of all income levels.

    Keys-Gamarrra is running against Republican candidate Lullean Hoffman Maskeny, a Northern Virginia native, with a professional background in sales and recruiting. She graduated from George Mason University and holds a master's degree in communications from George Washington University. Her legislative priorities include defending transphobic policies to ban trans people from school sports, banning books, and opposing the historically accurate teaching in school.

    Keys-Gamarra’s plan for affordable healthcare, climate action, criminal justice reform, and gun violence prevention make her the most progressive choice for this year’s election.
  • Virginia’s new 8th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 55,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Irene Shin faces a challenge from Republican candidate Max Fisher in the general election for Virginia’s new 8th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Shin has served in the House of Delegates since 2022.
    Incumbent Delegate Irene Shin is running to represent the 8th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Shin is the daughter of Korean immigrants and originally from Los Angeles. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California Riverside and currently serves as executive director for the Virginia Civic Engagement Table. She has worked on several political campaigns and nonprofits. Shin also worked as a finance director for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2015 successful bid for U.S. Senate.

    Access to affordable healthcare is a top priority for Del.Shin. As a teen, she witnessed her father travel back to Korea for a life-changing surgery for cancer, as it was more affordable to get treatment in his home country. She supports lowering the cost of prescription drugs and ending the practice of “surprise billing” to protect patients from unexpected charges after undergoing medical treatment. She also wants to make access to mental healthcare available to all Virginians and will push for early mental health screening at public schools.

    If elected, Del. Shin will fight for LGBTQ+ and women’s rights. She will advocate for legislation to prevent bullying or discrimination along the lines of sexual orientation or gender identity. She supports the constitutional amendment that removes the ban on gay marriage in the Commonwealth. Del. Shin believes in protecting abortion access and making birth control affordable. She also wants to pass paid family and medical leave so women can remain valuable members of the workforce.

    Del. Shin wants to work to reform the criminal justice system to reduce its harmful impact on communities of color. She plans to address mass incarceration by ending mandatory minimums for nonviolent crimes. She supports banning qualified immunity for police officers, a practice that shields them from accountability for violating people’s civil rights. She advocates for banning the sale of assault weapons and supports recent legislation that requires mandatory background checks on all gun sales and purchases.

    Del. Shin believes in making the promise of democracy real for us all by expanding access to the ballot to all voters. She supports removing deliberate barriers that restrict voting access, making vote by mail easier and automatic voter registration. In 2020, she successfully led a coalition of organizations to pressure the state government to extend its voter registration deadline after the online registration system failed. Del. Shin will also work to reform Virginia campaign finance laws using her four-step “Ethical Virginia Campaign Reform Package,” to limit the influence of rich donors in our elections.

    Delegate Shin is running against Republican candidate Max Fisher, who runs as a “representation of the average citizen” and builds his campaign on “principled conservatism.” Fisher studied Politics and Communications at Marymount University. His platform points include, protecting voter’s rights, campaign finance reform, and protections for veterans and people with disabilities.

    Due to her support of criminal justice reform, affordable healthcare, expanding access to voting , and equality, Delegate Shin is the most progressive choice in this election.
  • Incumbent Delegate Karrie Delaney has represented the 67th District since 2018. The daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida. She served on the West Melbourne City Council in Florida before moving to Northern Virginia. She works as the Communications Director of Shared Hope International, a non-profit dedicated to ending sex trafficking. She and her husband live in Fairfax where they are raising two children.

    Delaney wants to boost working families so they can live with dignity in Virginia by supporting innovative economic development to create well-paid jobs. She voted to increase the minimum wage and give municipal workers collective bargaining rights. She supported keeping protections for tenants during the pandemic in place so that people have more rights to stay in their homes. She also voted for the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which extends standard labor protections to domestic workers and guarantees them a minimum wage.

    As a member of a Parent Teacher Association, Delaney believes that strong, fully-funded schools are the backbone to thriving communities. She voted for a 5% teacher pay raise in 2021 along with additional funding to help school reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She advocates for reduced classroom sizes and full-day kindergarten to bolster students’ academic success. She also wants to provide the best resources, textbooks, and supplies to all classrooms in the district.

    Delaney supports protecting the environment and sees the unique opportunity in using the Northern Virginia technology corridor to promote energy independence in the Commonwealth. She successfully sponsored legislation in 2020 to remove restrictions on the production of residential solar energy. She also voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act the same year, which commits Virginia to 100% clean energy by 2050. She also advocated for Virginia’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2020, which combats climate change and reduces carbon emissions.

    Delany believes in guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health insurance to all Virginians. She voted to expand Medicaid to nearly 750,000 Virginians in 2018 and supported establishing a state-run health insurance marketplace, which helps uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan to get affordable coverage. She has worked to lower drug costs, voting to cap the price of insulin in 2020. She also supports abortion access and voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers.

    Delaney is facing a challenge from Nhan Huynh a Republican, veteran, and first generation immigrant who earned a degree in engineering at Virginia Tech University. Huynh’s wants to increase funding for police officers with no accountability for police brutality. Huynh would support untrained parents making decisions about school curriculums rather than educational experts who have been the filed for years.

    Due to her support of working families, public education, the environment, and access to affordable healthcare, Delaney is the most progressive candidate in this election.

    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Karrie Delaney

    Incumbent Delegate Karrie Delaney has represented the 67th District since 2018. The daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida.

    Incumbent Delegate Karrie Delaney has represented the 67th District since 2018. The daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida. She served on the West Melbourne City Council in Florida before moving to Northern Virginia. She works as the Communications Director of Shared Hope International, a non-profit dedicated to ending sex trafficking. She and her husband live in Fairfax where they are raising two children.

    Delaney wants to boost working families so they can live with dignity in Virginia by supporting innovative economic development to create well-paid jobs. She voted to increase the minimum wage and give municipal workers collective bargaining rights. She supported keeping protections for tenants during the pandemic in place so that people have more rights to stay in their homes. She also voted for the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which extends standard labor protections to domestic workers and guarantees them a minimum wage.

    As a member of a Parent Teacher Association, Delaney believes that strong, fully-funded schools are the backbone to thriving communities. She voted for a 5% teacher pay raise in 2021 along with additional funding to help school reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She advocates for reduced classroom sizes and full-day kindergarten to bolster students’ academic success. She also wants to provide the best resources, textbooks, and supplies to all classrooms in the district.

    Delaney supports protecting the environment and sees the unique opportunity in using the Northern Virginia technology corridor to promote energy independence in the Commonwealth. She successfully sponsored legislation in 2020 to remove restrictions on the production of residential solar energy. She also voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act the same year, which commits Virginia to 100% clean energy by 2050. She also advocated for Virginia’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2020, which combats climate change and reduces carbon emissions.

    Delany believes in guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health insurance to all Virginians. She voted to expand Medicaid to nearly 750,000 Virginians in 2018 and supported establishing a state-run health insurance marketplace, which helps uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan to get affordable coverage. She has worked to lower drug costs, voting to cap the price of insulin in 2020. She also supports abortion access and voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers.

    Delaney is facing a challenge from Nhan Huynh a Republican, veteran, and first generation immigrant who earned a degree in engineering at Virginia Tech University. Huynh’s wants to increase funding for police officers with no accountability for police brutality. Huynh would support untrained parents making decisions about school curriculums rather than educational experts who have been the filed for years.

    Due to her support of working families, public education, the environment, and access to affordable healthcare, Delaney is the most progressive candidate in this election.

    Karrie Delaney

    Incumbent Delegate Karrie Delaney has represented the 67th District since 2018. The daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, Delaney earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida.

  • Incumbent Democratic Delegate Dan Helmer was first elected in 2019. The son of an immigrant and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Helmer graduated from West Point Military Academy in 2003. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was also deployed to South Korea. Currently a member of the Army Reserve, Helmer runs a small business where he helps veterans access healthcare. Del. Helmer lives in Fairfax County with his wife and two sons.

    As the husband of a public school teacher, Delegate Helmer wants to increase funding for Virginia’s education system. He supports raising teacher salaries to prevent turnover, reducing classroom size, allocating more resources to our educators and students to better set them up for success. In 2021, he voted for providing additional resources to students and parents in kindergarten through third grade who are struggling with reading. He also supported giving additional funding to Virginia schools so that they can reopen safely during the pandemic.

    Delegate Helmer believes that climate change is the greatest threat that Virginians are facing and wants to guarantee access to clean water and air. He understands that Virginians need to reduce their carbon footprint and find more sustainable energy sources. He believes that part of doing this involves an immediate stop to the construction of new pipelines and fracking. Del. Helmer was a chief co-patron of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits Virginia to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Del. Helmer is an advocate for reproductive rights and believes that Virginians should have access to abortion when they need it. The delegate has supported legislation that would provide access to reproductive healthcare that includes cancer screenings, birth control, and safe and legal abortions. In 2020, he voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion care providers. He also supported making abortion coverage available on the state health insurance exchange in 2021.

    Del. Helmer supports making the promise of democracy real for us all by ensuring that our elections are free and accessible. He voted for same-day voter registration and making absentee voting easier by providing for prepaid postage on ballots, eliminating the need for a witness signature, and establishing no-excuse absentee voting in the Commonwealth. Del. Helmer also supported extending early voting and the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits voter discrimination at the polls.

    Delegate Helmer is being challenged by Republican candidate James Thomas. Thomas graduated from the University of Dayton in Ohio and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Thomas would rather untrained parents be in charge of the curriculum for our schools rather than education and curriculum experts. He also champions increasing funding for law enforcement and public safety despite the ever growing evidence that shows law enforcement’s inability to keep communities of color safe.

    Considering his support of public education, abortion access, the environment and voting access, Delegate Dan Helmer is the most progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-27

    Dan Helmer

    Incumbent Democratic Delegate Dan Helmer was first elected in 2019. The son of an immigrant and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Helmer graduated from West Point Military Academy in 2003. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was also deployed to South Korea.

    Incumbent Democratic Delegate Dan Helmer was first elected in 2019. The son of an immigrant and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Helmer graduated from West Point Military Academy in 2003. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was also deployed to South Korea. Currently a member of the Army Reserve, Helmer runs a small business where he helps veterans access healthcare. Del. Helmer lives in Fairfax County with his wife and two sons.

    As the husband of a public school teacher, Delegate Helmer wants to increase funding for Virginia’s education system. He supports raising teacher salaries to prevent turnover, reducing classroom size, allocating more resources to our educators and students to better set them up for success. In 2021, he voted for providing additional resources to students and parents in kindergarten through third grade who are struggling with reading. He also supported giving additional funding to Virginia schools so that they can reopen safely during the pandemic.

    Delegate Helmer believes that climate change is the greatest threat that Virginians are facing and wants to guarantee access to clean water and air. He understands that Virginians need to reduce their carbon footprint and find more sustainable energy sources. He believes that part of doing this involves an immediate stop to the construction of new pipelines and fracking. Del. Helmer was a chief co-patron of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits Virginia to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Del. Helmer is an advocate for reproductive rights and believes that Virginians should have access to abortion when they need it. The delegate has supported legislation that would provide access to reproductive healthcare that includes cancer screenings, birth control, and safe and legal abortions. In 2020, he voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion care providers. He also supported making abortion coverage available on the state health insurance exchange in 2021.

    Del. Helmer supports making the promise of democracy real for us all by ensuring that our elections are free and accessible. He voted for same-day voter registration and making absentee voting easier by providing for prepaid postage on ballots, eliminating the need for a witness signature, and establishing no-excuse absentee voting in the Commonwealth. Del. Helmer also supported extending early voting and the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits voter discrimination at the polls.

    Delegate Helmer is being challenged by Republican candidate James Thomas. Thomas graduated from the University of Dayton in Ohio and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Thomas would rather untrained parents be in charge of the curriculum for our schools rather than education and curriculum experts. He also champions increasing funding for law enforcement and public safety despite the ever growing evidence that shows law enforcement’s inability to keep communities of color safe.

    Considering his support of public education, abortion access, the environment and voting access, Delegate Dan Helmer is the most progressive choice in this race.

    Dan Helmer

    Incumbent Democratic Delegate Dan Helmer was first elected in 2019. The son of an immigrant and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Helmer graduated from West Point Military Academy in 2003. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was also deployed to South Korea.

  • Incumbent Delegate David Bulova has represented the 37th District since 2006. He and his wife, Gretchen, live in Fairfax County with their three children. He received his Master of Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech. He is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. When not in session, Delegate Bulova works as a project manager for a local company, helping local governments and industries comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

    Del. Bulova’s priorities around education include reducing class sizes and retaining and recruiting qualified teachers. As a member of the House of Delegates Education Committee, he worked to reform Virginia’s Standards of Learning and successfully introduced legislation in 2017 that promotes career and technical education opportunities. In 2020, he also sponsored the Early Childhood Care and Education Act that would work to improve early childhood education. He also voted for a 5% pay increase for teachers in 2021.

    Del. Bulova considers it his responsibility to fight for the environment and renewable energy sources. He successfully sponsored legislation aimed at eliminating waste and toxins in our water and protecting it from agricultural runoff. Del. Bulova was recognized by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for championing the environment. In 2020, he voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits the state to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Del. Bulova prioritizes making access to healthcare affordable to all Virginians. He cast a crucial vote in expanding Medicaid to nearly 750,000 Virginians in 2018. He voted to lower the cost of prescription medicine by capping the cost of insulin at $50. He also voted to create a state-run health insurance marketplace exchange. The exchange would focus mostly on enrolling uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan.

    Delegate Bulova is a strong supporter of equality throughout the Commonwealth. He voted for the Virginia Values Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment and housing along the lines of sexual orientation and gender identity. He also supports abortion access and voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers in 2020. Additionally, he supported making health insurance plans with abortion coverage available on the state marketplace exchange.

    Del. Bulova is being challenged by Republican candidate Almira Mohammed. Mohoammed wants to use her platform to increase police funding, despite their ongoing failing efforts to establish peace and deesculate dangerous situations. She also opposes accurate history teaching in schools, pledging to fight to instate legislation with limited partisan politics being imposed on students. She also supports gun-rights and opposes common sense gun laws making her a dangerous choice for the Commonwealth.

    Due to his support of the environment, public education, healthcare, abortion access and equality, Delegate David Bulova is the most progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    David Bulova

    Incumbent Delegate David Bulova has represented the 37th District since 2006. He and his wife, Gretchen, live in Fairfax County with their three children. He received his Master of Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech.

    Incumbent Delegate David Bulova has represented the 37th District since 2006. He and his wife, Gretchen, live in Fairfax County with their three children. He received his Master of Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech. He is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. When not in session, Delegate Bulova works as a project manager for a local company, helping local governments and industries comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

    Del. Bulova’s priorities around education include reducing class sizes and retaining and recruiting qualified teachers. As a member of the House of Delegates Education Committee, he worked to reform Virginia’s Standards of Learning and successfully introduced legislation in 2017 that promotes career and technical education opportunities. In 2020, he also sponsored the Early Childhood Care and Education Act that would work to improve early childhood education. He also voted for a 5% pay increase for teachers in 2021.

    Del. Bulova considers it his responsibility to fight for the environment and renewable energy sources. He successfully sponsored legislation aimed at eliminating waste and toxins in our water and protecting it from agricultural runoff. Del. Bulova was recognized by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for championing the environment. In 2020, he voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits the state to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Del. Bulova prioritizes making access to healthcare affordable to all Virginians. He cast a crucial vote in expanding Medicaid to nearly 750,000 Virginians in 2018. He voted to lower the cost of prescription medicine by capping the cost of insulin at $50. He also voted to create a state-run health insurance marketplace exchange. The exchange would focus mostly on enrolling uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan.

    Delegate Bulova is a strong supporter of equality throughout the Commonwealth. He voted for the Virginia Values Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment and housing along the lines of sexual orientation and gender identity. He also supports abortion access and voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers in 2020. Additionally, he supported making health insurance plans with abortion coverage available on the state marketplace exchange.

    Del. Bulova is being challenged by Republican candidate Almira Mohammed. Mohoammed wants to use her platform to increase police funding, despite their ongoing failing efforts to establish peace and deesculate dangerous situations. She also opposes accurate history teaching in schools, pledging to fight to instate legislation with limited partisan politics being imposed on students. She also supports gun-rights and opposes common sense gun laws making her a dangerous choice for the Commonwealth.

    Due to his support of the environment, public education, healthcare, abortion access and equality, Delegate David Bulova is the most progressive choice in this race.

    David Bulova

    Incumbent Delegate David Bulova has represented the 37th District since 2006. He and his wife, Gretchen, live in Fairfax County with their three children. He received his Master of Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech.

  • Virginia’s new 12th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With over 60,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Holly Seibold is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 12th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Seibold was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2023 during a special election.
    Holly Seibold is a dedicated community leader with a strong educational background. She holds a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics & Government from American University and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from George Washington University. As a small business owner, she launched a successful educational firm and founded the non-profit organization, BRAWS, which provides menstrual supplies to women and girls in need. Seibold’s advocacy efforts have earned her numerous awards and recognitions, and she continues to be actively involved in various volunteer roles within her community.

    Seibold, a former educator and mother, advocates for stronger gun violence prevention measures. She is determined to ensure our schools and communities are safer, driven by her personal experiences as a parent. With a history of bipartisan cooperation, including her work with the nonprofit Bringing Resources To Aid Women's Shelters, Holly aims to pass common-sense gun safety laws, ban assault weapons, and protect domestic violence survivors. Her commitment extends to challenging special interests like the National Rifle Association, essential in the face of opposition in the Virginia House of Delegates.

    Seibold, staunchly supports expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care. She vows to represent her constituents and community effectively. With the threat to abortion rights across the nation, Holly is dedicated to safeguarding reproductive freedom in Virginia. Her advocacy for menstrual equity, education, and healthcare access, highlights Seibold’s commitment to her community's well-being.

    As a small business owner, she understands the importance of supporting local businesses and workforce development. She has co-patroned many bills in support of the workforce such as HB 1631, a bill intended to allow dispatchers eligible to claim workers compensation benefits for those suffering from PTSD. Additionally she co-patroned HB 1566 a bill requiring state employers to hire teachers and compensate them competitively or at the rate that the law currently stipulates.

    Seibold’s dedication to affordable healthcare makes her a strong candidate for positive change in the community. She co-patroned HB 2038, a provision which allows for state employees to add incapacitated children to their health coverage. Seibold is also fighting for paid family and medical leave, as well as affordable childcare options to help working families thrive. She was a co-patron for bill SB 1112 which would’ve allowed health insurance providers to provide coverage for contraceptives.

    Seibold is running unopposed this year and is the progressive choice in this race.
  • Incumbent Delegate Marcus Simon is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County who has represented the 53rd District in the House of Delegates since 2014. He earned a bachelor's degree from New York University and earned his law degree from American University. Since obtaining his law degree, he has worked as a real estate attorney and served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps. He currently lives in Fairfax with his wife and two children.

    As chair of the Privileges and Elections Committee, Simon worked to ensure easy and fair access to our elections. In 2020, he helped pass legislation that established no-excuse absentee voting in Virginia. He also helped expand access to satellite voting sites, early voting, and Sunday voting. He supports the restoration of voting rights to returning citizens. He is also a strong advocate for campaign finance reform and has regularly introduced a bill to prohibit campaign funds from being used for personal use, though it has failed to pass the legislature.

    Simon supported marijuana legalization and sees it as beneficial to the economy, healthcare, and criminal justice system. As a delegate, he’s worked to ensure all Virginians benefit from marijuana legalization. He advocated to ensure tax revenue from marijuana sales goes to important causes, including public education, substance abuse programs, and public health organizations. He supported legislation establishing the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board and Fund, which puts tax money back into communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement laws.

    Simon has also worked to preserve the environment. He voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act to reduce Virginia’s use of fossil fuels. He supported a program to assist school boards in purchasing electric school buses as well as provide a rebate to those who buy electric vehicles. He also supported a requirement for car producers to sell a certain percentage of electric or hybrid cars. He has also worked to make sustainable transportation options safer and easier, such as voting for a bill to require drivers to change lanes when passing bicyclists.

    Simon has advocated for working families as well. He voted for a bill to require certain Virginia businesses to provide paid sick leave to their employees. He also voted for a bill increase the minimum wage and the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which provides protections for employees like nannies and housekeepers. He supported the Virginia Values Act, which protects workers from discrimination based on race, sex, national origin or sexual orientation.

    Simon is being challenged by Libretarian candidate Dave Crance. Crance is an Army veteran and the Regional Manager of a hotel chain who builds his platform on the issues of lowering taxes, which defunds safety net programs and school education. He wants tax cuts for small businesses and businessowners, and believes in establishing term limits for politicians.

    Due to his support for voting rights, the environment, criminal justice reform, and working families, Delegate Simon is the most progressive choice for Virginia’s 53rd District.
    Last updated: 2023-10-27

    Marcus Simon

    Incumbent Delegate Marcus Simon is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County who has represented the 53rd District in the House of Delegates since 2014. He earned a bachelor's degree from New York University and earned his law degree from American University.

    Incumbent Delegate Marcus Simon is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County who has represented the 53rd District in the House of Delegates since 2014. He earned a bachelor's degree from New York University and earned his law degree from American University. Since obtaining his law degree, he has worked as a real estate attorney and served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps. He currently lives in Fairfax with his wife and two children.

    As chair of the Privileges and Elections Committee, Simon worked to ensure easy and fair access to our elections. In 2020, he helped pass legislation that established no-excuse absentee voting in Virginia. He also helped expand access to satellite voting sites, early voting, and Sunday voting. He supports the restoration of voting rights to returning citizens. He is also a strong advocate for campaign finance reform and has regularly introduced a bill to prohibit campaign funds from being used for personal use, though it has failed to pass the legislature.

    Simon supported marijuana legalization and sees it as beneficial to the economy, healthcare, and criminal justice system. As a delegate, he’s worked to ensure all Virginians benefit from marijuana legalization. He advocated to ensure tax revenue from marijuana sales goes to important causes, including public education, substance abuse programs, and public health organizations. He supported legislation establishing the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board and Fund, which puts tax money back into communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement laws.

    Simon has also worked to preserve the environment. He voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act to reduce Virginia’s use of fossil fuels. He supported a program to assist school boards in purchasing electric school buses as well as provide a rebate to those who buy electric vehicles. He also supported a requirement for car producers to sell a certain percentage of electric or hybrid cars. He has also worked to make sustainable transportation options safer and easier, such as voting for a bill to require drivers to change lanes when passing bicyclists.

    Simon has advocated for working families as well. He voted for a bill to require certain Virginia businesses to provide paid sick leave to their employees. He also voted for a bill increase the minimum wage and the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which provides protections for employees like nannies and housekeepers. He supported the Virginia Values Act, which protects workers from discrimination based on race, sex, national origin or sexual orientation.

    Simon is being challenged by Libretarian candidate Dave Crance. Crance is an Army veteran and the Regional Manager of a hotel chain who builds his platform on the issues of lowering taxes, which defunds safety net programs and school education. He wants tax cuts for small businesses and businessowners, and believes in establishing term limits for politicians.

    Due to his support for voting rights, the environment, criminal justice reform, and working families, Delegate Simon is the most progressive choice for Virginia’s 53rd District.

    Marcus Simon

    Incumbent Delegate Marcus Simon is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County who has represented the 53rd District in the House of Delegates since 2014. He earned a bachelor's degree from New York University and earned his law degree from American University.

  • Virginia’s new 14th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With over 53,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Vivian Watts faces a challenge from Republican Curtis Wells in the general election for Virginia’s new 14th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Watts was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1997.
    Incumbent Delegate Vivian Watts is the longest serving woman in the Virginia House and has held the 39th District seat since 1996. A dedicated public servant, Watts’ career includes serving as the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and working at the U.S. Advisory for Intergovernmental Relations. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her service. She’s a member of the House of Delegates Finance, Rules, Courts of Justice, and Transportation committees. She and her husband, Dave, have two children.

    Twenty five years into her career as a delegate, Watts continues to fight for quality education for Virginia children. She voted for a 5% pay raise for Virginia teachers in 2021 to retain qualified teachers in the Commonwealth. The delegate also supports making secondary education more affordable by increasing state funding for institutions of higher learning. In 2020, she voted to freeze tuition at Virginia’s public universities and colleges. She also believes that Virginians saddled with student loan debt need more protections and voted for the Borrowers’ Bill of Rights in 2020, which requires more oversight of student loan servicers.

    Watts supports legislation that protects the environment and invests in clean energy. She wants to modernize the state’s power grid with solar energy and offshore wind power infrastructure. She also believes that boosting public transit options will get cars off the road and help reduce air pollution. In 2020, she was given a 100% score by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. Watts voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits the state to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

    Watts wants to increase access to affordable healthcare while protecting access to abortion in the Commonwealth. She voted for Medicaid expansion in 2018, which granted nearly 750,000Virginians access to affordable health coverage. She supported capping the cost of insulin to $50. She also voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers in 2020 and supported making abortion coverage available on the state’s health insurance exchange. She voted to boost the state’s capacity to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021.

    As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Watts understands the transportation needs of her district and worked throughout her career to address them. She supports raising state revenue to increase transportation funding to Northern Virginia to build better and safer roads, decrease traffic congestion, and boost public transit options. She wants to make roads more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists and have a guaranteed source of revenue for Northern Virginia’s transportation needs.

    Watts is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Curtis Wells about which not much is known.

    Due to her support of public education, the environment, access to affordable healthcare, and funding of Virginia’s transportation system, Delegate Vivian Watts is the most progressive choice in this election.
  • Laura Jane Cohen is a dedicated advocate with a diverse background, from working for disease prevention organizations to owning a small business. As a substitute teacher and PTA president, she actively supported her local community. Cohen’s's passion for gun violence preventionled her to volunteer with Moms Demand Action. On the School Board, she fought for education, inclusivity, teacher pay, and more. As a Delegate, Cohen will protect public schools, defend abortion access, prevent gun violence, and preserve Virginia values.

    Cohen's commitment to preventing gun violence and advocating for gun safety measures is evident through her extensive work with Moms Demand Action. As a Delegate, she will prioritize strengthening secure storage and extreme risk protection laws, disarming domestic abusers, implementing microstamping and childproofing for new handguns, and banning high-capacity magazines, untraceable "ghost guns," and assault-style weapons. Her dedication to public safety and common-sense gun laws will make our communities safer for everyone.

    Cohen's commitment to addressing the climate crisis and promoting clean energy solutions is commendable. As a Delegate, she will work to accelerate Virginia's transition to 100% carbon-free electricity, advocate for the adoption of electric alternatives for transit and school buses, prioritize communities impacted by environmental injustice, implement energy-saving measures, and invest in green workforce development. Her efforts will contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future for Virginia.

    Cohen's is also dedicated toadvocating for the rights and protections of LGBTQIA+ Virginians. As a Delegate, she will strive to repeal the ban on same-sex marriages from Virginia's constitution, advocate for comprehensive LGBTQIA+ protections in schools, and support policies that affirm gender identity and provide insurance coverage for necessary healthcare. Cohen’s commitment to equality and inclusivity will help create a more just and equitable Virginia for all residents.

    Cohen is running against Republican Marcus Evans. Evans is a U.S. Army veteran, with experience as a defense contractor. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University, University of Maryland University College, and U.S.A.F. Air Command and Staff College. Evans does not believe in the ability of our teachers and education professionals to give our children a quality education. He also holds transphobic views on “gender affirming care” which is an added threat to the current attacks against reproductive justice.

    Laura Jane Cohen’s commitment to climate action, gun violence prevention, and advocacy for equality for all make her the progressive choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Laura Jane Cohen

    Laura Jane Cohen is a dedicated advocate with a diverse background, from working for disease prevention organizations to owning a small business. As a substitute teacher and PTA president, she actively supported her local community.

    Laura Jane Cohen is a dedicated advocate with a diverse background, from working for disease prevention organizations to owning a small business. As a substitute teacher and PTA president, she actively supported her local community. Cohen’s's passion for gun violence preventionled her to volunteer with Moms Demand Action. On the School Board, she fought for education, inclusivity, teacher pay, and more. As a Delegate, Cohen will protect public schools, defend abortion access, prevent gun violence, and preserve Virginia values.

    Cohen's commitment to preventing gun violence and advocating for gun safety measures is evident through her extensive work with Moms Demand Action. As a Delegate, she will prioritize strengthening secure storage and extreme risk protection laws, disarming domestic abusers, implementing microstamping and childproofing for new handguns, and banning high-capacity magazines, untraceable "ghost guns," and assault-style weapons. Her dedication to public safety and common-sense gun laws will make our communities safer for everyone.

    Cohen's commitment to addressing the climate crisis and promoting clean energy solutions is commendable. As a Delegate, she will work to accelerate Virginia's transition to 100% carbon-free electricity, advocate for the adoption of electric alternatives for transit and school buses, prioritize communities impacted by environmental injustice, implement energy-saving measures, and invest in green workforce development. Her efforts will contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future for Virginia.

    Cohen's is also dedicated toadvocating for the rights and protections of LGBTQIA+ Virginians. As a Delegate, she will strive to repeal the ban on same-sex marriages from Virginia's constitution, advocate for comprehensive LGBTQIA+ protections in schools, and support policies that affirm gender identity and provide insurance coverage for necessary healthcare. Cohen’s commitment to equality and inclusivity will help create a more just and equitable Virginia for all residents.

    Cohen is running against Republican Marcus Evans. Evans is a U.S. Army veteran, with experience as a defense contractor. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University, University of Maryland University College, and U.S.A.F. Air Command and Staff College. Evans does not believe in the ability of our teachers and education professionals to give our children a quality education. He also holds transphobic views on “gender affirming care” which is an added threat to the current attacks against reproductive justice.

    Laura Jane Cohen’s commitment to climate action, gun violence prevention, and advocacy for equality for all make her the progressive choice in this race.

    Laura Jane Cohen

    Laura Jane Cohen is a dedicated advocate with a diverse background, from working for disease prevention organizations to owning a small business. As a substitute teacher and PTA president, she actively supported her local community.

  • Virginia’s new 16th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 55,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Paul Krizek is running unopposed in the general election for Virginia’s new 16th District for the House of Delegates. Delegate Krizek was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2015.
    Incumbent Delegate Paul Krizek has represented the 44th District since 2016 and was born in Mount Vernon. Krizek holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University. He was a staff member of former Congressman Jim Moran and worked on several Democratic campaigns. When not in session, Krizek serves as the executive director of a nonprofit organization that helps Native American youth. Krizek and his family reside in Mount Vernon.

    Krizek understands the urgency of tackling the climate crisis in the Commonwealth. He advocates funding renewable energy grant programs and incentives that will help develop greener businesses and technology. He supported Virginia joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions. He successfully sponsored legislation that increases the transparency and efficiency of Virginia Land Conservation Projects. He voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits Virginia to 100% clean energy by 2050.


    Krizek supports making healthcare affordable and accessible to all Virginians, and voted to expand Medicaid in 2018. He also voted for legislation to establish a state-run health insurance marketplace, which helps uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan to get affordable coverage. He voted to cap the price of insulin at $50 and supported making abortion coverage available on health insurance plans offered on the state marketplace. The delegate also worked on legislation that would remove the age cap on autism spectrum-related health insurance coverage, allowing more families access to autism care.

    Krizek supports Virginia’s public education system and wants to increase funding for our schools. He voted for a 5% raise for Virginia teachers and increased funding so schools can safely reopen during the pandemic. He also voted to freeze tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities. Krizek successfully carried legislation creating the Grow Your Own Teacher Pilot Program to provide scholarships to low-income high school seniors willing to teach in high-need public schools for at least four years.

    Krizek supports policies that make Virginia welcoming and inclusive for all of its residents and voted for the 2020 Virginia Values Act, which made Virginia the first state in the South to prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community in housing, employment, public spaces, and credit applications. He also voted to repeal Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

    Krizek is not facing a challenge from any opponent and is the most progressive choice in this race due to his support of the environment, public education, access to affordable healthcare, and equality.
  • Virginia’s new 17th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 60,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Mark Sickles is facing a challenge from Republican Richard Mereu in the general election for Virginia’s new 17th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Sickles was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2003.
    The son of a longtime federal worker, incumbent Delegate Mark Sickles was born in Arlington and has represented the 43rd District since 2004. From 2011 to 2014, he served as the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and two master’s degrees from Georgia Tech. Delegate Sickles has worked in government relations for 27 years, specializing in congressional affairs. Del. Sickles is an openly gay member of the House and currently lives in Franconia.

    Del. Sickles supports policies that make Virginia welcoming and inclusive for all of its residents and voted for the 2020 Virginia Values Act, which made Virginia the first state in the South to prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community in housing, employment, public spaces, and credit applications. He carried legislation to expand the Virginia Values Act to protect people with disabilities. He also voted to repeal Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage and advocated for efforts to help workers find accountability when experiencing workplace harassment and sexual harassment.

    Del. Sickles supports making healthcare affordable and accessible to all Virginians and voted to expand Medicaid in 2018. He successfully sponsored legislation to establish a state-run health insurance marketplace, which helps uninsured or underinsured residents who aren’t covered by an employer-provided health plan to get affordable coverage. He voted to cap the price of insulin at $50 and fought to make abortion coverage available on health insurance plans offered on the state marketplace.

    Del. Sickles wants to make the promise of democracy real for us all by expanding voter access to the ballot box. In 2020, he voted to extend early voting in Virginia and establish no-excuse absentee voting. He voted to keep people safe and healthy at the polls during the pandemic by removing the requirement for a witness signature on absentee ballots during an emergency and establishing dropbox voting locations in localities. He also supported the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, which prohibits voter discrimination at the polls.

    Del. Sickles is an advocate for criminal justice reform. In 2021, he voted to abolish the death penalty in Virginia, making it the first state in the South to do so. The delegate supported a bill that authorizes the expungement of criminal records for certain convictions. Del. Sickles voted to legalize marijuana and wants to hold police accountable for the violence they inflict on communities by banning qualified immunity, a practice that shields police officers from civil lawsuits for violating people’s civil rights.

    Del. Sickles is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Richard Mereu though no information could be found on his politics.

    Due to his support of Virginia’s LGBTQ community, access to affordable healthcare, criminal justice reform, and voting access, Delegate Mark Sickles is the most progressive choice in this race.
  • Virginia’s new 18th District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Fairfax County. With almost 61,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.
    This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Kathy Tran is facing a challenge from Republican Ed McGovern in the general election for Virginia’s new 18th District in the House of Delegates. Delegate Tran was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2017.
    Incumbent Delegate Tran was first elected in 2017. She was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the U.S. following the Vietnam War. Tran graduated from Duke University and obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. She worked for 12 years at the U.S Department of Labor. She and her husband live in West Springfield with their five children. Since her election in 2017, Delegate Tran has had 29 of her bills passed into law.

    As the mother of five and president of her local Parent and Teachers’ Association, Tran understands the challenges facing Virginia’s public education system and wants to improve funding for schools. She supports universal pre-K. In 2021, she voted for a 5% raise for teachers so that Virginia can retain a talented workforce, address teacher shortages, and prevent turnover. She also voted for increased funding so that schools can reopen safely during the pandemic.

    Tran supports abortion access and reproductive rights. She believes that medical decisions should be made by a person and their doctor, not politicians. She voted to repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers in 2020 and provide abortion coverage on the state health insurance exchange in 2021. She supported offering a 12 month supply of birth control under state Medicaid plans.

    Tran’s parents were able to seek asylum in the United States when she was a young child and she understands many issues faced by immigrants and refugees today. In 2020, Tran successfully sponsored legislation to allow undocumented people to get driver privilege cards in the Commonwealth and carried legislation to protect the private information of undocumented drivers the following year. She also voted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2020 and expand eligibility for state financial aid for undocumented students in 2021.

    Tran believes the state legislature must take urgent action to address climate change in Virginia. She opposes fracking and offshore oil drilling and wants to update our power grid so that it depends more on solar power and offshore wind energy. She voted for the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which commits the Commonwealth to 100% clean energy by 2050. She sponsored legislation this year to hold polluting utilities accountable by making sure they are charging customers fair prices.

    Tran is facing a challenge from the same opponent she faced in the last election, Republican Ed McGovern. He is a retired federal employee. McGovern supports using taxpayer money to fund private education opportunities like school voucher programs and opposes holding police accountable for the violence they inflict on communities. He is also against government efforts to keep our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Due to her support of public education, immigrant rights, abortion access, and the environment, Delegate Kathy Tran is the most progressive choice in this race.