President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have thrown their support behind 23 Democratic candidates vying for victory in Virginia’s upcoming legislative elections on Tuesday. The endorsements, disclosed by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, encompass seven contenders for the state Senate and 16 hopefuls for the House of Delegates.
At present, Democrats maintain a majority in the Virginia state Senate, while Republicans exercise control over the state House and the governorship under GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The stakes are high; if the GOP manages to seize control of the state Senate and maintain its grip on the state House, they will wield complete authority over the state government, empowering them to push forward with Republican legislative agendas. These priorities span various issues, including education, the economy, crime, and, notably, abortion, which has become a focal point of contention and drawn vehement reactions from Democrats.
Youngkin and the GOP have advocated for stringent new abortion restrictions in the state, proposing a ban with exceptions only after a 15-week limit. In response, Biden and Harris issued a joint statement emphasizing reproductive rights and other key issues. They asserted, “While our party continues to demonstrate unwavering leadership in Washington, these candidates are stepping up and engaging with their communities to shape a brighter future for Virginia. Whether it involves safeguarding a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, defending voting rights, or advocating for common-sense gun safety laws, electing these candidates on November 7th will safeguard our fundamental freedoms.”
The endorsed candidates for the state Senate include state Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg (SD-16), Clint Jenkins (SD-17), state Sen. Aaron Rouse (SD-22), state Sen. Monty Mason (SD-24), Joel Griffin (SD-27), state Del. Danica Roem (SD-30), and Russet Perry (SD-31).
Additionally, Biden and Harris are backing a roster of candidates in the state House of Delegates: state Del. Michele Maldonado (HD-20), Joshua Thomas (HD-21), Travis Nembhard (HD-22), Atoosa Reaser (HD-27), Marty Martinez (HD-29), Amy Laufer (HD-55), state Del. Rodney Willett (HD-58), Joshua Cole (HD-65), state Del. Shelly Simonds (HD-70), Stephen Miller-Pitts (HD-75), Kimberly Pope Adams (HD-82), state Del. Nadarius Clark (HD-84), Karen Jenkins (HD-89), Phil Hernandez (HD-94), state Del. Kelly Fowler (HD-96), and Michael Feggans (HD-97).
