City of Richmond

Virginia’s new 16th State Senate district encompasses parts of Chesterfield County and parts of Richmond City. With almost 141,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.

Independent candidate Waylin Ross was born and raised in Petersburg. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Old Dominion University. Ross went on to get a graduate degree in public policy from George Mason University. During his time at ODU, he graduated from the Sorensen Institute’s College Leaders Program. Ross is the Founder and first president of ODU's political honor society, Phi Sigma Alpha. Ross previously worked at Northern Virginia Community College teaching both micro and macro economics. During this time, Ross opened his own company, ParaLobby, which gives government support to businesses. In 2015, Ross was appointed by the Governor to the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Ross supports women and families, and supports the ratification of the ERA. His website also states that he believes in reproductive rights. While he supports the 2nd Amendment, he wants gun safety measures to ensure less violence and lowered recidivism. Ross supports the expansion of Medicaid and wants mental health and addiction services to be readily available to Viriginians. Ross supports at-home monitoring systems for non-violent offenses, which challenges the pre-trial detention system we currently have. He supports automatic rights restoration and Election Day voter registration.

His opponent, Democrat Joseph Morrissey, was a member of the House of Delegates from 2008-2015. Morrissey self-identifies as “pro-life” and has supported anti-choice legislation. This includes supporting legislation that limited state funding for abortion. Morrissey is an attorney whose law license has been suspended multiple times. In 2013, Morrissey was convicted for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He fulfilled his Delegate duties while on work release from the local jail.

Ross is the more progressive choice for this race.

Virginia’s new 57th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Henrico County and parts of Goochland County. With almost 63,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in either direction. 

Democratic candidate Sally Hudson is a teacher, economist, and community organizer. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Virginia.

She vows to champion innovative, progressive policies as Delegate. Hudson would vote to raise teacher pay, support a public health insurance option so that everyone can see a doctor when they need to, and join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to combat climate change.

She has also discussed the need for a modern Voting Rights Act. She supports automatic registration, early voting, independent redistricting reform, campaign finance reform, and a host of other electoral upgrades that hold politicians accountable to the people they serve.

Hudson is running unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.

Virginia’s new 58th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Henrico County. With close to 61,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic. 

Democratic candidate Dr. Elizabeth Alcorn has been a dentist, small business owner, healthcare provider, and volunteer in the Commonwealth for over 30 years. Dr. Alcorn is committed to ensuring everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. She aims to increase state funding for public schools and increase teacher pay. She would also vote to bring fast, quality, affordable internet to all areas of Virginia.

Her opponent is incumbent Republican Delegate Rob Bell. Bell was elected in 2001. Delegate Bell is staunchly anti-choice, and he even voted in favor of a bill requiring all women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound prior to having an abortion in 2012. He is also against increasing the minimum wage and did not support Medicaid expansion.

Dr. Alcorn is the more progressive choice in this race.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Cliff Hayes is a life-long resident of the Chesapeake area. He has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2016. He serves as the Chief Information Officer / Technology Director for the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. Prior to being elected to the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate Hayes served as a member of the Chesapeake City Council from 2004 to 2012.

Delegate Hayes has a long record of supporting progressive issues. He is an ardent supporter of senior citizens rights, healthy alternatives for youth, public safety, technology, job creation and retention, and the city’s school system. He has sponsored bills that would increase affordable housing in the Commonwealth and has been a champion for reproductive rights.

Delegate Hayes is running uncontested and is the progressive choice in this race.

Incumbent Delegate Steve Heretick (D) attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology. Heretick was accepted into a dual doctoral (J.D./Ph.D.) program sponsored jointly by Hahnemann University Medical School and Villanova University Law School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1988.

Delegate Heretick is a state leader in supporting independent nonpartisan redistricting reform and critical criminal justice reforms. He is fighting to bring economic development and jobs to Virginia by investing funds into the Port of Virginia. He has also sponsored legislation that fosters criminal justice reform in Virginia.

Heretick is running unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.

Democratic candidate Don Scott is a former United States Naval Officer. Scott graduated from Texas A&M University and obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University. He serves on several boards and commissions, including as the 1st Vice President of the Southeastern Employment and Training Association, as a Commissioner for the Portsmouth Economic Development Association, and a member of Future of Hampton Roads. He previously served as the chair of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, on the board for the California Workforce Association, and as a member and board member of 200+ Men Hampton Roads.

Scott’s campaign prioritizes economic equality, education, and criminal justice reform. He promises to defend the environment in Virginia and to protect the air, water, and open spaces. He has also voiced his support of fair redistricting in Virginia so that everyone can have an equal voice in the democratic process.

Both Republican Jim Evans and Independent Ryan Collin Benton lack a thorough campaign proposal that focuses on the critical issues impacting the Commonwealth. Evans wants to make Virginia more business friendly and supports change in Virginia’s transportation system. Benton would like to decriminalize marijuana and believes the best way to reduce crime is to promote economic development, vocational education, and support programs that keep our youth on a positive track.

Don Scott is the more progressive choice in this race.

Democratic candidate Lenard Myers began his legal career as a prosecutor but now fights for clients as a successful consumer rights lawyer throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is also an officer in the Virginia Defense Force, an integral component of the Virginia National Guard.

Myers is an outspoken advocate for sensible gun laws. His campaign focuses on bringing more jobs to the Commonwealth, providing accessible healthcare, prioritizing education and fighting flooding through strong environmental policies.

Republican incumbent Delegate Barry Knight was elected a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in a special election in 2009. He does not support sensible gun laws and voted to prohibit sanctuary cities in Virginia.

Lenard Myers is the more progressive choice in this race.