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  • This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Emily Scott and Republican candidate Timmy French will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 1st State Senate district. Scott previously ran in the 2013 District 4 Shenandoah County Supervisor race and the 2021 District 15 House of Delegates race.

    About the District

    Virginia’s new 1st State Senate district encompasses parts of Frederick County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, Winchester County, and Clarke County. With just over 160,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Republican.
    Democratic candidate Emily Scott, a Woodstock native, attended Central High School and graduated from Randolph Macon University. A former reporter and municipal employee for Shenandoah County, she is now employed by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in Front Royal. Scott serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Woodstock Museum. She is a member of the finance committee at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Prior to redistricting, Scott ran in the District 15 House of Delegates Race in 2021.

    Scott supports abortion access, believing that the government should not dictate personal decisions about one’s healthcare. She spoke on a panel that highlighted the importance of abortion access and how it is on the ballot in Virginia. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

    Scott believes that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone and considers it a basic human right. She understands that protecting Medicaid Expansion saves thousands of lives in the Commonwealth on a yearly basis. To aid the ongoing mental health and substance treatment needs of her constituents, she favors increasing incentives to train more health care providers. Scott also wants to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment options to more rural areas.

    Environmental issues are top of mind for Scott. She advocates for protecting Shenandoah River and other waterways while maintaining safe drinking water. Scott also prioritizes securing grants aimed at preventing and protecting her constituents from wildfires. She also recognizes the need for grant support for family farms for both preservation and operation. Scott focuses on regenerative agriculture, hemp, and opportunities that can come from a robust agricultural system.

    Scott advocates for common-sense gun violence prevention, noting they are essential to saving lives. She supports banning assault weapons and considers them weapons of war.

    Scott is a strong proponent of worker's rights. She advocates for repealing “Right to Work” laws, which are anti-worker and anti-union. She sees these laws as detrimental to the working class. Scott believes that no one should have to work multiple jobs to be able to provide for their basic needs and supports workers being paid a living wage. She is endorsed by AFL-CIO.

    Scott is running against Republican Timmy French, a lifelong farmer in Shenandoah County. He is against teaching accurate history in our schools. He is anti-abortion and opposes extreme risk protection orders meant to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are in danger to themselves and others.

    Because of her support for access to abortion, stances on banning assault-style weapons, and support for environmental justice, Emily Scott is the more progressive choice in this race.
  • Democratic candidate Emily Scott, a Woodstock native, attended Central High School and graduated from Randolph Macon University. A former reporter and municipal employee for Shenandoah County, she is now employed by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in Front Royal. Scott serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Woodstock Museum. She is a member of the finance committee at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Prior to redistricting, Scott ran in the District 15 House of Delegates Race in 2021.

    Scott supports abortion access, believing that the government should not dictate personal decisions about one’s healthcare. She spoke on a panel that highlighted the importance of abortion access and how it is on the ballot in Virginia. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

    Scott believes that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone and considers it a basic human right. She understands that protecting Medicaid Expansion saves thousands of lives in the Commonwealth on a yearly basis. To aid the ongoing mental health and substance treatment needs of her constituents, she favors increasing incentives to train more health care providers. Scott also wants to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment options to more rural areas.

    Environmental issues are top of mind for Scott. She advocates for protecting Shenandoah River and other waterways while maintaining safe drinking water. Scott also prioritizes securing grants aimed at preventing and protecting her constituents from wildfires. She also recognizes the need for grant support for family farms for both preservation and operation. Scott focuses on regenerative agriculture, hemp, and opportunities that can come from a robust agricultural system.

    Scott advocates for common-sense gun violence prevention, noting they are essential to saving lives. She supports banning assault weapons and considers them weapons of war.

    Scott is a strong proponent of worker's rights. She advocates for repealing “Right to Work” laws, which are anti-worker and anti-union. She sees these laws as detrimental to the working class. Scott believes that no one should have to work multiple jobs to be able to provide for their basic needs and supports workers being paid a living wage. She is endorsed by AFL-CIO.

    Scott is running against Republican Timmy French, a lifelong farmer in Shenandoah County. He is against teaching accurate history in our schools. He is anti-abortion and opposes extreme risk protection orders meant to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are in danger to themselves and others.

    Because of her support for access to abortion, stances on banning assault-style weapons, and support for environmental justice, Emily Scott is the more progressive choice in this race.

    Last updated: 2023-10-23

    Emily Scott

    Democratic candidate Emily Scott, a Woodstock native, attended Central High School and graduated from Randolph Macon University. A former reporter and municipal employee for Shenandoah County, she is now employed by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in Front Royal.

    Democratic candidate Emily Scott, a Woodstock native, attended Central High School and graduated from Randolph Macon University. A former reporter and municipal employee for Shenandoah County, she is now employed by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in Front Royal. Scott serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Woodstock Museum. She is a member of the finance committee at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Prior to redistricting, Scott ran in the District 15 House of Delegates Race in 2021.

    Scott supports abortion access, believing that the government should not dictate personal decisions about one’s healthcare. She spoke on a panel that highlighted the importance of abortion access and how it is on the ballot in Virginia. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

    Scott believes that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone and considers it a basic human right. She understands that protecting Medicaid Expansion saves thousands of lives in the Commonwealth on a yearly basis. To aid the ongoing mental health and substance treatment needs of her constituents, she favors increasing incentives to train more health care providers. Scott also wants to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment options to more rural areas.

    Environmental issues are top of mind for Scott. She advocates for protecting Shenandoah River and other waterways while maintaining safe drinking water. Scott also prioritizes securing grants aimed at preventing and protecting her constituents from wildfires. She also recognizes the need for grant support for family farms for both preservation and operation. Scott focuses on regenerative agriculture, hemp, and opportunities that can come from a robust agricultural system.

    Scott advocates for common-sense gun violence prevention, noting they are essential to saving lives. She supports banning assault weapons and considers them weapons of war.

    Scott is a strong proponent of worker's rights. She advocates for repealing “Right to Work” laws, which are anti-worker and anti-union. She sees these laws as detrimental to the working class. Scott believes that no one should have to work multiple jobs to be able to provide for their basic needs and supports workers being paid a living wage. She is endorsed by AFL-CIO.

    Scott is running against Republican Timmy French, a lifelong farmer in Shenandoah County. He is against teaching accurate history in our schools. He is anti-abortion and opposes extreme risk protection orders meant to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are in danger to themselves and others.

    Because of her support for access to abortion, stances on banning assault-style weapons, and support for environmental justice, Emily Scott is the more progressive choice in this race.

    Emily Scott

    Democratic candidate Emily Scott, a Woodstock native, attended Central High School and graduated from Randolph Macon University. A former reporter and municipal employee for Shenandoah County, she is now employed by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in Front Royal.

  • Bob was born and raised in Chicago in a family with eight kids. In 1966, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army as a transportation movements specialist and served 19 months in South Vietnam coordinating truck convoys that resupplied troops in the field. Bob worked at USA Today at night and taught school during the day to care for his large family. Bob continues to serve his community as a member of the Edinburg VFW Post 2447 and the Woodstock American Legion Post 199. He is a member of the Edinburg Lions and is the elected Secretary of the Shenandoah Valley Democratic Committee.

    Smith supports abortion access, and he would vote against attempts to ban abortion. Smith would also vote to raise the minimum wage. He supports raising teacher pay and funding school support positions like counselors and nurses. Smith believes that everyone should have access to healthcare, and that Medicaid should be expanded to ensure that the community has that access.

    Speaker Todd Gilbert has served as the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2022, and he currently represents the 15th district. Because of redistricting, he is running as a Republican to represent the 33rd district. Speaker Gilbert is a former prosecutor, and he was a member of the Violent Crime Prosecution Team. Speaker Gilbert supports defunding public schools in favor of private, unregulated schools. He is also against common sense gun violence prevention measures and would vote for a ban on abortion access.

    While Robert Smith has some clear progressive values, we could not find enough information to make a strong recommendation.

    Last updated: 2023-10-27

    Robert Smith

    Bob was born and raised in Chicago in a family with eight kids. In 1966, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army as a transportation movements specialist and served 19 months in South Vietnam coordinating truck convoys that resupplied troops in the field.

    Bob was born and raised in Chicago in a family with eight kids. In 1966, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army as a transportation movements specialist and served 19 months in South Vietnam coordinating truck convoys that resupplied troops in the field. Bob worked at USA Today at night and taught school during the day to care for his large family. Bob continues to serve his community as a member of the Edinburg VFW Post 2447 and the Woodstock American Legion Post 199. He is a member of the Edinburg Lions and is the elected Secretary of the Shenandoah Valley Democratic Committee.

    Smith supports abortion access, and he would vote against attempts to ban abortion. Smith would also vote to raise the minimum wage. He supports raising teacher pay and funding school support positions like counselors and nurses. Smith believes that everyone should have access to healthcare, and that Medicaid should be expanded to ensure that the community has that access.

    Speaker Todd Gilbert has served as the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2022, and he currently represents the 15th district. Because of redistricting, he is running as a Republican to represent the 33rd district. Speaker Gilbert is a former prosecutor, and he was a member of the Violent Crime Prosecution Team. Speaker Gilbert supports defunding public schools in favor of private, unregulated schools. He is also against common sense gun violence prevention measures and would vote for a ban on abortion access.

    While Robert Smith has some clear progressive values, we could not find enough information to make a strong recommendation.

    Robert Smith

    Bob was born and raised in Chicago in a family with eight kids. In 1966, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army as a transportation movements specialist and served 19 months in South Vietnam coordinating truck convoys that resupplied troops in the field.