Senate District 007

Delegate Cheryl Turpin is a high school science teacher in Virginia Beach. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University before earning a graduate degree from the University of Richmond. Turpin was elected to the House of Delegates in 2017 and is now running for the state Senate seat vacated by Republican Senator Frank Wagner.

During her time in the House, Turpin voted to expand Medicaid and raise wages for teachers across Virginia. She opposed legislation designed to scapegoat immigrant communities. She supports expanding clean energy options and ensuring all students have access to quality education. She has sponsored legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Virginia’s hate crimes statute.

Her opponent, Republican Jen Kiggans, is a Navy veteran and nurse practitioner. She is anti-choice and has been vocal in her stance against abortion. She opposes gun violence prevention measures.

Cheryl Turpin is the progressive choice in this race.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Vivian Watts was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1981, but left in 1986 to serve as the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. She was again elected to the House of Delegates in 1996 and has served ever since. She is married and has two children and six grandchildren. Watts has been involved in many community groups and served as the Executive Director of Fairfax CASA.

As Delegate, she serves on the Courts of Justice, House Finance, and Science & Technology committees. Delegate Watts is a strong supporter of education and supports reducing class sizes and increasing teacher pay. She also supports access to reproductive health care, including access to birth control and abortion. In addition, Delegate Watts voted for Medicaid expansion and supports increasing access to mental health services for all Virginians.

Delegate Watts is being challenged by Republican candidate Nick Bell. He decided to run because of his opposition to abortion access, which is the only issue he talks about on his website.

Due to her support of reproductive rights, Medicaid expansion, and increased funding for our schools, Delegate Watts is the more progressive choice in this race.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Charniele Herring was elected to the General Assembly in January 2009 in a special election. She was the first African American woman from Northern Virginia to be elected to the House of Delegates. She graduated from George Mason University with a degree in economics. She later went to law school and she currently works as General Counsel for a government contracting firm.

Since her election, Delegate Herring has supported fair, affordable housing, education, and affordable health care access. She was a strong supporter of Medicaid expansion and voted to allow an additional 300,000 Virginians to see a doctor when they need to. She is also in favor of renewable energy resources. Delegate Herring has been a champion for abortion access and founded the Legislative Reproductive Health Caucus. Additionally, she has consistently fought for gun violence prevention.

Delegate Herring is running unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Patrick Hope was elected to the House of Delegates in 2009. When not serving in the House of Delegates, Hope is a health care attorney. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Arlington.

Delegate Hope is a strong proponent of affordable health care access and supported Medicaid expansion. He also supports increased funding for public schools and transportation. Additionally, Delegate Hope pushes for clean energy and tax credits for constituents who purchase energy-efficient appliances.

Delegate Hope is running unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.
 

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Rip Sullivan was elected to the House of Delegates in a special election in 2014. He is an attorney who graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law. He served as the President of Legal Services of Northern Virginia, which helps low-income people access legal services in the region. Delegate Sullivan and his wife, Beth, have 4 children and recently welcomed their first grandchild.

As a Delegate, Sullivan has supported increased funding for education, transportation, and affordable health care access. He is an advocate for equality by backing the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive rights. He opposes discrimination against the LGBTQ community and believes in fair housing.

Delegate Sullivan is running unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.