House District 082

Virginia’s new 17th State Senate district encompasses Suffolk City, Isle of Wight County, parts of Portsmouth City, Southampton County, Brunswick County, Greensville County, Franklin City, parts of Dinwiddie County, Emporia City, and parts of Chesapeake City. With over 164,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in one direction or another.

Democrat Amy Laufer is a former middle school teacher. She taught in Jamaica as a Peace Corps volunteer before teaching at Louisa Middle School and Tandem Friends School in Charlottesville. Laufer has served on the Charlottesville City School Board and is the founder of Virginia’s List, an organization that supports Democratic women running for office.

Laufer’s platform prioritizes education, including raising teacher pay and investing in pre-k classes. She also supports criminal justice reform and tackling the problem of mass incarceration. Laufer supports Medicaid expansion, would vote to repeal the punitive work requirements, and will continue to fight to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. She also supports the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

Incumbent Republican Senator Bryce Reeves voted against Medicaid expansion and against raising the minimum wage in Virginia. He is anti-choice and opposes commonsense gun violence prevention measures. Senator Reeves also voted against legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing and public employment.

Laufer is the progressive choice in this race.

Virginia’s new 82nd House of Delegates district encompasses Petersburg City, parts of Dinwiddie County, parts of Prince George County, and Surry County. With almost 64,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in one direction or another.

In 2013, Democratic candidate Gayle Johnson built the first net zero energy home in Virginia Beach to inspire others to invest in energy efficient building. After graduating from Oberlin, she founded and led Capriole, a baroque music ensemble, which became an internationally acclaimed Ensemble in Residence at William and Mary and Old Dominion University.

Johnson’s campaign platform is focused on building a sustainable future built on common sense policy, high quality jobs, and a fair and just political system. She vows to address the flooding and sea level rise occurring in Hampton Roads.

Incumbent Republican Delegate Jason Miyares was elected a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 2015. Miyares supports legislation that hinders the reproductive rights of Virginians. He he voted prohibit the usage of state funds on abortion and against expanding Medicaid in Virginia. He also supported a bill that would prohibit sanctuary cities in Virginia.

Gayle Johnson is the more progressive choice in this race.