Lashrecse Aird

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 63

(includes the City of Petersburg, Dinwiddie County and parts of Chesterfield County)

Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird is running for re-election in Virginia’s 63rd House District. Upon being sworn in as a member of the Virginia General Assembly in January 2016, Delegate Aird earned special distinction as the youngest woman ever elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.

The daughter of a teenage mother and young naval torpedoman, Delegate Aird grew up experiencing first-hand every harsh reality of income inequality, the deprivation of living in impoverished communities, and the reverberating hardships of relocating frequently. Her mother and father worked multiple jobs while pursuing their education, instilling in her the work ethic, perseverance and grit that are evident in every facet of Delegate Aird’s life today.

Delegate Aird has earned the reputation of a trusted, bi-partisan leader. She has been appointed to the Appropriations Committee, the General Laws Committee, and the Health Welfare and Institutions Committee. An effective coalition builder, Delegate Aird has been recognized by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, repeatedly, for her work to incentivize job creation in distressed communities.  She was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Education Association in recognition of her bold education legislation. Delegate Aird currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Tobacco Commission.

Delegate Aird helped Virginia make history with the passage of Breonna’s Law, prohibiting the use of no-knock search warrants. Her legislation also led Virginia to become the first southern state to declare racism a public health crisis, to declare access to water a human right, and to impose a ban on the use of facial recognition technology. Delegate Aird was also a staunch advocate in securing the state’s first certification and reimbursement policy for doulas, to combat maternal and infant mortality.

Delegate Aird resides in Petersburg with her husband Blaine Aird and her two young boys, Blaine and Blake.

Priorities

Fight for affordable healthcare, quality education, economic opportunities, and a safe environment for all of us. Together, we can create positive change for our community.

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Dawn Adams

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 68

(includes Brookland, Clover Hill, Midlothian, Tuckahoe, Bon Air)

Dr. Dawn M. Adams is a certified adult nurse practitioner, small business owner, educator, and author. She is the only openly lesbian member of the General Assembly and first and only member of the LGBTQ community to be elected outside of Northern Virginia. As a legislator with the Virginia House of Delegates her committee assignments include Health, Welfare and Institutions, where she is also Chair of Health Profession, General Laws, and Privileges and Elections. Delegate Adams is seeking reelection to continue her role as an active advocate on behalf of her constituency.

Priorities

Increasing accessibility and affordability in healthcare, strengthening public education, improving the economy, protecting the environment, and criminal justice reform.

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Alex Askew

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 85

(includes Virginia Beach)

Alex was born in Virginia Beach and raised here by his mother, a public school teacher. He came up through the Virginia Beach public education system, including Tallwood High School, before attending Hampton University. After graduating, he worked for nearly seven election cycles on a variety of local, state-wide, and national campaigns and projects. In Alex’s first term as the Delegate for the 85th District, his office had 9 bills signed into law; with 7 of them receiving unanimous bipartisan support. Alex is seeking reelection to continue to be a fierce advocate for Virginians in the 85th district.

Priorities

Fight for affordable healthcare, quality education, economic opportunities, and a safe environment for all of us. Together, we can create positive change for our community.

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Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 45

(includes Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Belle Haven, and Huntington)

Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is the current Vice Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, and a candidate for Delegate in the 45th Virginia House District. Born in Alexandria to two Naval officers, Elizabeth is dedicated to serving her community. She co-leads Together We Bake, a nonprofit job training and personal development program for under-served women. She was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017. She has served on the Community Criminal Justice Board and the Commission on Employment, as well as the boards of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, Agenda:Alexandria, and the United Way Regional Council for Alexandria. She is a graduate of Emerge Virginia and the Alexandria City Academy.

Priorities

High quality education, economic opportunity for all, racial and social justice, resilient infrastructure, and the climate crisis.

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Nadarius Clark

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 79

(includes Norfolk, Portsmouth)

Nadarius Clark is a young progressive community activist and organizer working in the 79th district. Born in Norfolk, he attended I.C. Norcom High School and Virginia Union University, an HBCU in Richmond, Virginia. He comes from a military family with a background in business entrepreneurship. Nadarius grew up in a strong faith community and his family attends Holy Light Church of Deliverance in Portsmouth. Nadarius’ organizing work came to the forefront in 2016, after a KKK march disrupted classes at VUU. Following the white supremacist demonstration, Nadarius co-founded the charter chapter of Generation Now Network, an organization committed to faith based activism, advocacy, and education. 

Priorities

Funding schools, climate justice, racial justice, policing reform, accessible health care, affordable housing, labor rights, COVID-19, and promoting economy and entrepreneurship.

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Joshua Cole

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 28

(includes parts of Fredericksburg, Brook, and Stafford)

In 2019, Joshua became one of the youngest members elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Raised in the 28th, Joshua has lived in Fredericksburg and Stafford County his entire life. A product of the Stafford County Public School system, Joshua was raised by a single mother. His experience dates back to 2005, when he was appointed by the then-Speaker of the House, the Honorable William J. Howell, as a Page for the Virginia House of Delegates. That same year, he was chosen as the Governor’s Page. Delegate Cole has served on Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent’s Equity, Diversity and Opportunity Committee. Delegate Cole is seeking reelection to continue his work as a fierce advocate for progressive policy.

Priorities

Ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, protecting reproductive freedom, economic justice, criminal justice reform, and environmental action.

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Dr. Mark Downey

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 96

(includes James City County and York County)

Mark Downey has been a resident of the 96th District for the majority of his life, beginning when he moved there with his parents at the age of two, after his father retired from the US Air Force. He grew up in the Queens Lake neighborhood in upper York County attending Bruton High School. He currently works as a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, a practice of Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. He is honored to be the father of four fantastic children with his wife, Kristin. Mark hopes to take his passion as a pediatrician, father, and neighborhood volunteer to serve the wonderful people of the 96th District as their Delegate for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Priorities

Expanding opportunity through public education, addressing economic inequality, encouraging economic growth, and increasing health care access.

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Dr. Jeffrey Feld

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 81

(includes parts of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake)

With deep roots and a growing family in Virginia Beach, Jeffrey is cut from the same cloth of bold, independent thinkers who bring a balanced approach for enacting change. He is committed to an approach of non-partisan recognition of all voices and all perspectives, creating an environment of collaboration. Moving into the community nearly 20 years ago, Jeffrey “Doc” Feld has made his home and family in Virginia Beach, where he is a local Podiatrist and his wife is a teacher in the public school system. As an active community member, he is dedicated to supporting local businesses, protecting the environment, and securing the 81st District’s future.

Priorities

Improving healthcare access and quality, restoring safety and opportunities in education, integrating common sense legislation, and bringing the community’s voice to every decision.

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Kelly Fowler

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 21

(includes parts of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake)

Kelly is a mother, advocate, and policy-maker. As a lifelong member of the Virginia Beach community, she understands the struggles of her constituents because she’s lived through many of those same experiences herself. It’s not easy, that’s why she’s here. As a Delegate, what guides her is the belief that the central function of elected officials is to improve the lives of their constituents — of all humans. That is why she’s running for re-election in 2021, because Virginia Beach is her home, her family, and her community. She wants to keep helping and serving others.

Priorities

Ensuring free and fair elections, healthcare for every family, paying educators fair wages, revitalizing the community, and preserving the environment.

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Debra Gardner

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 27

(includes Rockwood, and parts of Brandermill, Manchester, and Bon Air)

A tireless advocate for those in need, Debra has worked both personally and professionally to make a difference for Virginians. After serving at the chief deputy level of 3 state agencies and devoting countless hours to organizations that provide aid and services to the community, she is uniquely qualified to represent the 27th District in the House of Delegates. A resident of Chesterfield County for more than 30 years, Debra and her daughter live in North Chesterfield. She holds a B.A. in sociology from North Carolina Central University and a Masters of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she later taught graduate courses in executive leadership.

Priorities

COVID-19 recovery, quality education for all, public safety reform, protecting our environment, and access to affordable health care.

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Wendy Gooditis

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 10

(includes Leesburg, Boyce and Millwood)

Wendy resides on a farm in Clarke County, Virginia with her husband, five horses, and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. She was a founding member of an Indivisible chapter in the predominantly red Clarke County. In 2017, she ran an incredible campaign and became one of the 15 Democrats to flip state House of Delegates seats. In 2019, the same Republican incumbent ran to reclaim his seat, spending over $500,000 of his own money only to lose to Wendy by a larger margin than in 2017. She is seeking re-election for a third term to continue to serve the people of Virginia. She lives by her favorite quote by John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”

Priorities

Wendy will continue to fight for competitive public schools for every Virginia child, for a robust and environmentally friendly economy that provides good jobs, accessible healthcare, and laws that protect our children and the environment.

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Nancy Guy

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 83

(includes parts of Virginia Beach and Norfolk)

Nancy grew up in a Navy family in the 83rd District and attended Thoroughgood Elementary and Cox High School. She graduated from The College of William and Mary with a B.A. in Government and got her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is seeking re-election to the House of Delegates in the 83rd District. In keeping with her passion for public education she was originally a member of the Education Committee and appointed to the Boards of the Intrastate Compact for the Education of Military Children and the Southeastern Virginia Higher Eduction Center. Finally, she was appointed this year to the powerful Courts of Justice Committee, which reviews the highest volume of bills in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Priorities

Nancy will fight for improving public education, protecting the environment, and fighting for shared Virginian values.

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Dan Helmer

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 40

(includes Clifton, Centreville, and Fairfax Station)

Dan lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Karen, a public school teacher, and their sons, Aaron and Harris, who attend Fairfax County Public Schools. Dan is the son of an immigrant and the grandson of refugees. His grandparents came to America as Holocaust survivors. He has always wanted to serve the country that welcomed his family. His passion for service led him to West Point, took him on tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea, and now motivates his service as Delegate here in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Dan is seeking reelection as a delegate who puts country and community ahead of partisan politics.

Priorities

Improving gun safety, health care reform, protecting women’s rights, honoring our veterans and first responders, and fighting for racial justice.

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Chris Hurst

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 12

(includes Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties)

As a journalist, Chris has been a fierce advocate for families struggling for access to mental health care and equality in education for students with special needs. He’s investigated the reasons why the workforce must adapt for the careers of the future, documented the dramatic rise of child abuse and opioid addiction, and held government leaders accountable while showing how first responders are left without vital resources. However, he decided to leave journalism and run for office after recovering from a profound tragedy. His career in news was fulfilling but instead of asking questions, he became focused on finding solutions.

Priorities

Strengthening mental health care, ensuring gun safety, affordable schools with adequately paid teachers, increasing job growth, and protecting land and water from pollution.

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Dr. Ben Moses

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 59

(includes Albemarle, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, and Nelson Counties)

Following his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Dr. Ben Moses served for more than a decade in the US Army in the Medical Service Corps and Medical Corps. Ben currently serves as a critical care physician and anesthesiologist at the University of Virginia. Ben stepped up into leadership at UVA as a Faculty Senator, serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, as well as on the Ethics Committee for UVA Health. In his free time, Ben is an active community leader volunteering at the Nelson County Pantry, Blue Ridge Food Bank, and Habitat for Humanity, and works with PACEM (People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry) as a member of Congregation B’nai Israel, providing shelter for women experiencing homelessness.

Priorities

Equal healthcare access, ensuring quality education, environment reform, expanding broadband access, and justice for all.

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Martha Mugler

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 91

(includes Poquoson, and parts of Hampton and York County)

A native of Hampton, Martha attended middle and high school in Poquoson before earning a Bachelors in Communications from Radford University in Southwest Virginia. Martha became involved in politics through her election to the Hampton School Board in 2008. Seeking to provide the best possible education to the children of the district, Martha served on the school board for twelve years, and was Chair of the Board for four years. As Delegate, Martha brings a lifelong passion for education and a deep understanding of the communities that make up the 91st District. Martha is seeking a second term as Delegate to build upon the achievements of her time in the house.

Priorities

Focus on economic recovery, increasing job growth, increasing funding for public education, access to high quality healthcare, and investing in renewable energy sources.

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Finale Norton

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 100

(includes Accomack and Northampton counties)

Finale Norton is the first woman to run for Virginia’s House of Delegates in District 100, the district where she was born and has worked for most of her professional life. Finale will be a tireless advocate for working families in the General Assembly because her own family had to work hard to make ends meet. She was raised in Exmore, a rural town on the Eastern Shore. Before becoming a candidate, Finale spent 26 years at Bank of America, where she was responsible for a team of more than 3,500 employees and hundreds of thousands of customers. She is running for Delegate in House District 100 because she believes our community deserves a representative who puts people and working families above profit

Priorities

Equal access to education, fair pay, environment with a green economy, investing in accessible healthcare, prioritize infrastructure, and expand broadband.

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Katie Sponsler

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 66

(includes Chesterfield County)

Katie Sponsler was born the 5th of 7 children in Warren, Ohio. She went on to serve in the U.S Air Force as a weapons loader for f-16 and A-10 aircraft. Subsequently, she worked as a Park Ranger where she sought to protect natural resources through education and community involvement. As an Airman in the USAF, and a Park Ranger with the National Park Service she spent most of her adult life serving the nation. As a mother of two, she is always fighting to protect her children’s future. She first ran for office in 2017, yet the issues and needs don't stop after one election, so she’s been working since then with advocacy groups and candidates to ensure that the message and the work continues.

Priorities

Fighting for veteran’s healthcare and services, racial justice, gun violence prevention, equitable education system, fair labor wages, and improving air quality.

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Kathy Tran

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 42

(includes parts of Mt. Vernon, Lorton, Springfield, and Fairfax Station)

Kathy fled Vietnam with her parents as boat refugees when she was just seven months old. From her 12 years as a public servant at the U.S. Department of Labor to her advocacy work at the National Immigration Forum, she is committed to ensuring all families have the same opportunities her family had. Since first being elected in 2017, she has passed 29 bills. This includes protecting coverage for preexisting conditions, expanding voter access, improving worker’s rights, protecting waterways, and making Virginia more welcoming and inclusive. She is running for re-election to continue the fight for a just and equitable future for all Virginians.

Priorities

Strengthening public schools, growing the economy, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and protecting civil rights and democracy.

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Schuyler VanValkenburg

Virginia

Running for: Virginia House of Delegates, District 72

(includes Richmond area, Brookland, Fairfield, Three Chopt, and Tuckahoe)

Schuyler’s career in the classroom and his experiences as a father of three in Henrico County, taught him the immeasurable importance of a quality education and civic engagement. Since being elected in 2017, Schuyler has worked tirelessly to ensure that Virginia remains a leader in public education and equitable prosperity. He has helped Democrats gain ground on education, equality issues, and gun legislation. And now, he sees a key opportunity to change the game on education—to fully fund our schools and ensure access for every child.

Priorities

Improving healthcare access, protecting reproductive rights, investing in education, creating economic opportunity, and fighting against climate change.

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