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Hal Miles

About the Race

The election for Ward 2’s seat on the Petersburg School Board takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Abita Muse is not running for re-election, leaving Hal Miles, a youth mentor and motivational speaker, unopposed in this race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Hal Miles is the former head wrestling coach at Virginia State University and is a retired plant production manager. Miles sees serving on the school board as an extension of the youth mentoring and motivational speaking work he has done for years.

Miles previously ran for this office in 2016 and said he wanted to provide teachers and staff with training, proper appreciation, and fair contracts.

Miles will work to conduct comprehensive assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. He wants to increase educational opportunities throughout the city.

Miles has posted messages on his social media pages and written columns for online publications to support racial justice.

Miles is running unopposed in this race. The incumbent, Atiba Muse, is not running for re-election.

Hal Miles is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The election for Ward 2’s seat on the Petersburg School Board takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Abita Muse is not running for re-election, leaving Hal Miles, a youth mentor and motivational speaker, unopposed in this race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Hal Miles is the former head wrestling coach at Virginia State University and is a retired plant production manager. Miles sees serving on the school board as an extension of the youth mentoring and motivational speaking work he has done for years.

Miles previously ran for this office in 2016 and said he wanted to provide teachers and staff with training, proper appreciation, and fair contracts.

Miles will work to conduct comprehensive assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. He wants to increase educational opportunities throughout the city.

Miles has posted messages on his social media pages and written columns for online publications to support racial justice.

Miles is running unopposed in this race. The incumbent, Atiba Muse, is not running for re-election.

Hal Miles is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Petersburg

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Election Day November 3, 2020
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Federal

President and Vice President

Joseph Biden photo
Democrat

Joseph Biden

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Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on. The 2020 Presidential race comes at a defining moment in our history, and this is a pivotal election that will decide the fate of America for generations to come.

Joe Biden was the 47th Vice President of the United States, serving in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. He represented the state of Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. During his time with the Obama administration, he was an influential adviser to the President, helping usher in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a monumental reform to America’s healthcare system where 20 million Americans gained health coverage. Biden also oversaw infrastructure spending under Obama’s stimulus package response to the 2008 recession and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

If elected President, Biden has pledged to codify Roe V. Wade, restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood, and repeal the Hyde Amendment. His response to the coronavirus pandemic involves widespread, free testing, and the distribution of a vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Biden wants to make affordable healthcare available to more Americans by strengthening the ACA and offering a public option for health coverage. Biden believes that gun violence is a public health crisis and plans to ban the manufacture and sale of assault rifles and high capacity magazines, close loopholes that allow guns to get in the wrong hands, require background checks for gun sales, and institute red flag laws.

Biden’s platform to address climate change involves embracing central components of the Green New Deal––getting the world to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 and aligning environmental and economic policies. He announced a $2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy while creating economic opportunity and strengthening infrastructure.

Biden also pledged to restore the Voting Rights Act. As a U.S. Senator in 2006, Biden co-sponsored legislation to renew key sections of the Voting Rights Act. It was signed by then President George W. Bush.

Biden plans to address economic inequality by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, increasing affordable housing, ending discrimination in the housing market, investing in transportation, protecting tenants’ rights, boosting the power of unions and workers’ rights to collectively bargain, and checking corporate power over workers.

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election. During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to Trump’s racism, attacks on immigrants, attempts to take away healthcare, and proven inability to lead our nation, Joe Biden is the clear progressive choice for the 2020 Presidential election.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on. The 2020 Presidential race comes at a defining moment in our history, and this is a pivotal election that will decide the fate of America for generations to come.

Joe Biden was the 47th Vice President of the United States, serving in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. He represented the state of Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. During his time with the Obama administration, he was an influential adviser to the President, helping usher in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a monumental reform to America’s healthcare system where 20 million Americans gained health coverage. Biden also oversaw infrastructure spending under Obama’s stimulus package response to the 2008 recession and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

If elected President, Biden has pledged to codify Roe V. Wade, restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood, and repeal the Hyde Amendment. His response to the coronavirus pandemic involves widespread, free testing, and the distribution of a vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Biden wants to make affordable healthcare available to more Americans by strengthening the ACA and offering a public option for health coverage. Biden believes that gun violence is a public health crisis and plans to ban the manufacture and sale of assault rifles and high capacity magazines, close loopholes that allow guns to get in the wrong hands, require background checks for gun sales, and institute red flag laws.

Biden’s platform to address climate change involves embracing central components of the Green New Deal––getting the world to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 and aligning environmental and economic policies. He announced a $2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy while creating economic opportunity and strengthening infrastructure.

Biden also pledged to restore the Voting Rights Act. As a U.S. Senator in 2006, Biden co-sponsored legislation to renew key sections of the Voting Rights Act. It was signed by then President George W. Bush.

Biden plans to address economic inequality by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, increasing affordable housing, ending discrimination in the housing market, investing in transportation, protecting tenants’ rights, boosting the power of unions and workers’ rights to collectively bargain, and checking corporate power over workers.

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election. During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to Trump’s racism, attacks on immigrants, attempts to take away healthcare, and proven inability to lead our nation, Joe Biden is the clear progressive choice for the 2020 Presidential election.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Kamala Harris photo
Democrat

Kamala Harris

Facebook (Twitter)

Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color. She was elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate in 2016, before that she was Attorney General of California. As a Senator, Harris serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.

During her time in the Senate, Harris became known for grilling Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General William Barr during their confirmation hearings. 

Harris blames the Trump administration for the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. 
Harris believes that the federal government should respond to the coronavirus pandemic by giving Americans $2,000 monthly stipends while banning evictions, utilities shutoffs, foreclosures, and rent increases. She signed onto the Masks For All Act, which would provide free masks to Americans at no cost. Harris introduced legislation that would establish a task force to address health inequities made apparent by pandemic. She also believes free and widespread testing should be available. 

Harris supports a $15 minimum wage for working families. While in the Senate, Harris worked to repeal Trump’s 2017 tax breaks for the richest one percent through her legislation called the LIFT Act, which would cut taxes for the working class and lift 9 million people out of poverty. Harris also introduced a bill to help Americans with housing by offering 13.3 million families tax subsidies to afford rent. Harris received a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO. She also introduced legislation to strengthen the rights of public sector workers and their right to collectively bargain. 

While in the Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019. During her run for President, she proposed a 10-year transition plan for universal coverage where private insurers would be allowed to compete provided they follow certain rules. As candidate for Vice President, Harris supports Joe Biden’s plan to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by offering a public option.    

In response to the police murder of George Floyd, Harris introduced with other Senators the Justice in Policing Act, legislation that would bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set national standards to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, prohibit racial profiling, and established a national data collection system on police misconduct.  

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color. She was elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate in 2016, before that she was Attorney General of California. As a Senator, Harris serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.

During her time in the Senate, Harris became known for grilling Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General William Barr during their confirmation hearings. 

Harris blames the Trump administration for the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. 
Harris believes that the federal government should respond to the coronavirus pandemic by giving Americans $2,000 monthly stipends while banning evictions, utilities shutoffs, foreclosures, and rent increases. She signed onto the Masks For All Act, which would provide free masks to Americans at no cost. Harris introduced legislation that would establish a task force to address health inequities made apparent by pandemic. She also believes free and widespread testing should be available. 

Harris supports a $15 minimum wage for working families. While in the Senate, Harris worked to repeal Trump’s 2017 tax breaks for the richest one percent through her legislation called the LIFT Act, which would cut taxes for the working class and lift 9 million people out of poverty. Harris also introduced a bill to help Americans with housing by offering 13.3 million families tax subsidies to afford rent. Harris received a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO. She also introduced legislation to strengthen the rights of public sector workers and their right to collectively bargain. 

While in the Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019. During her run for President, she proposed a 10-year transition plan for universal coverage where private insurers would be allowed to compete provided they follow certain rules. As candidate for Vice President, Harris supports Joe Biden’s plan to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by offering a public option.    

In response to the police murder of George Floyd, Harris introduced with other Senators the Justice in Policing Act, legislation that would bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set national standards to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, prohibit racial profiling, and established a national data collection system on police misconduct.  

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Other Candidates

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election.  During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s running mate is Vice President Mike Pence, a yes-man to Donald Trump who co-chairs the administration’s failed response to the coronavirus. As Vice President, he advocated for repealing the Affordable Care Act.  Pence is known for his discrimination against the LGBTQ community by opposing same-sex marriage, and advocating for gay conversion therapy. He praised a Trump administration rule that allows adoption agencies to discriminate against gay couples. When Pence was Governor of Indiana, he signed a bill that enacted some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the country. The bill was later ruled to be unconstitutional. 

The Liberatian Party has nominated Jo Jorgensen for President and Jeremy “Spike” Cohen for Vice President. Jorgensen is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Clemson University. Cohen owns a podcast platform. The ticket’s platform includes radically reducing the size of government, turning America into “one giant Switzerland,” reducing environmental protections to increase coal and oil production, and eliminating the federal Department of Education.

Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are the clear progressive choices for the 2020 Presidential election. 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election.  During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s running mate is Vice President Mike Pence, a yes-man to Donald Trump who co-chairs the administration’s failed response to the coronavirus. As Vice President, he advocated for repealing the Affordable Care Act.  Pence is known for his discrimination against the LGBTQ community by opposing same-sex marriage, and advocating for gay conversion therapy. He praised a Trump administration rule that allows adoption agencies to discriminate against gay couples. When Pence was Governor of Indiana, he signed a bill that enacted some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the country. The bill was later ruled to be unconstitutional. 

The Liberatian Party has nominated Jo Jorgensen for President and Jeremy “Spike” Cohen for Vice President. Jorgensen is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Clemson University. Cohen owns a podcast platform. The ticket’s platform includes radically reducing the size of government, turning America into “one giant Switzerland,” reducing environmental protections to increase coal and oil production, and eliminating the federal Department of Education.

Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are the clear progressive choices for the 2020 Presidential election. 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

U.S. Senator

Mark Warner photo
Democrat

Mark Warner

Website Facebook (Twitter)

About the Race

This election occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Current Senator Mark Warner (D), who has also served as the governor of Virginia, will be running against Daniel Gade, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who worked in the Trump administration.

About the State

Every eligible Virginia voter may cast a ballot in the US Senate election. Virginia saw an incredibly high turnout in 2016, with 72% of registered voters turning out to vote, more than 15% higher than the average US voter turnout. Virginia usually sees more than 70% of registered voters turn out for presidential election years.

Recommendation

Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Warner has represented Virginia as United States Senator since 2008. Before his election to the Senate, he served as Virginia’s Governor from 2002 to 2006. In the Senate, Warner is the Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and he also serves on several other committees.

Warner is known for his service on the Intelligence Committee in investigating and condemning Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He is also a fierce advocate for protecting the country’s electoral process. Warner sponsored legislation that was supported by representatives on both sides of the aisle to prevent foreign meddling in elections and promote greater transparency in online political advertising. In 2020, Warner voted to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office at the end of the Senate impeachment trial.

In 2019, Warner joined other senators in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 2020, he called on the Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell failed to bring it up for a vote.

Sen. Warner voted against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He opposed a federal abortion ban and believes that abortion is a constitutionally-protected right.

Warner wants to invest in infrastructure projects to create jobs and boost the economy. During his time in the Senate, Warner has pushed for increased federal spending on transit, water improvement projects, and airports in the Commonwealth. In 2020, Warner championed the Great Outdoors Act to bring federal relief to the country’s national park system, which would bring over 10,000 jobs to Virginia alone.

Warner joined other Senators in lambasting the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. During the coronavirus pandemic, he has pushed for more funding for testing supplies and PPE while also supporting the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare coverage to more Americans. Warner has pushed for increased broadband access so more people can use the Internet during the pandemic to work from home and attend school.

Warner’s opponent, Daniel Gade, is a U.S. Army veteran and professor at American University. Gade supports cutting taxes, reducing the size of government, promoting economic deregulation with free market policies. He believes that the U.S. economy should re-open as quickly as possible during the pandemic. Gade has said he approves of President Trump’s performance so far.

Due to his record of service supporting abortion rights, healthcare access, the environment, and protecting our democracy, Senator Mark Warner is the more progressive choice to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

This election occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Current Senator Mark Warner (D), who has also served as the governor of Virginia, will be running against Daniel Gade, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who worked in the Trump administration.

About the State

Every eligible Virginia voter may cast a ballot in the US Senate election. Virginia saw an incredibly high turnout in 2016, with 72% of registered voters turning out to vote, more than 15% higher than the average US voter turnout. Virginia usually sees more than 70% of registered voters turn out for presidential election years.

Recommendation

Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Warner has represented Virginia as United States Senator since 2008. Before his election to the Senate, he served as Virginia’s Governor from 2002 to 2006. In the Senate, Warner is the Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and he also serves on several other committees.

Warner is known for his service on the Intelligence Committee in investigating and condemning Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He is also a fierce advocate for protecting the country’s electoral process. Warner sponsored legislation that was supported by representatives on both sides of the aisle to prevent foreign meddling in elections and promote greater transparency in online political advertising. In 2020, Warner voted to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office at the end of the Senate impeachment trial.

In 2019, Warner joined other senators in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 2020, he called on the Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell failed to bring it up for a vote.

Sen. Warner voted against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He opposed a federal abortion ban and believes that abortion is a constitutionally-protected right.

Warner wants to invest in infrastructure projects to create jobs and boost the economy. During his time in the Senate, Warner has pushed for increased federal spending on transit, water improvement projects, and airports in the Commonwealth. In 2020, Warner championed the Great Outdoors Act to bring federal relief to the country’s national park system, which would bring over 10,000 jobs to Virginia alone.

Warner joined other Senators in lambasting the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. During the coronavirus pandemic, he has pushed for more funding for testing supplies and PPE while also supporting the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare coverage to more Americans. Warner has pushed for increased broadband access so more people can use the Internet during the pandemic to work from home and attend school.

Warner’s opponent, Daniel Gade, is a U.S. Army veteran and professor at American University. Gade supports cutting taxes, reducing the size of government, promoting economic deregulation with free market policies. He believes that the U.S. economy should re-open as quickly as possible during the pandemic. Gade has said he approves of President Trump’s performance so far.

Due to his record of service supporting abortion rights, healthcare access, the environment, and protecting our democracy, Senator Mark Warner is the more progressive choice to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

4th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Representative Donald McEachin photo
Democrat

Representative Donald McEachin

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Virginia’s 4th district includes 12 counties and parts of Chesterfield County, Henrico County, and Southampton County. With a population of 790,811 this district leans Democratic.

About the Race

This election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent congressman, attorney Don McEachin (D), is running against Leon Benjamin (R), a Richmond pastor and Gulf War veteran who is the current GOP chair of the Richmond Republican Party.

About the District

The 4th congressional district of Virginia contains most of the area between Richmond and Hampton Roads, including all or parts of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Henrico, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex, and all or part of the independent cities of Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg, Richmond, and Suffolk. In 2012, the neighboring 3rd district was deemed unconstitutional. It was redrawn, with parts of it being put into the 4th district, since then the district has been reliably Democratic, with Don McEachin earning over 62% of the vote in 2018.

Recommendation

Democratic Representative Donald McEachin is seeking his third term serving the 4th Congressional District. He was first elected to the position in 2016. Before serving in Congress, McEachin was a member of Virginia’s House of Delegates from 1996 to 2002 and 2006 to 2008. He was then elected to the state Senate from 2008 to 2017. He’s a 1986 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University. He’s married to Collette McEachin, Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Richmond. The couple has three children together.

As a member of Congress, Rep. McEachin serves on the Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce committees and Select Committee on Climate Crisis. He has introduced legislation to make solar energy more affordable for low-income families and the Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act. McEachin also wants the U.S. to recommit to the Paris Climate Agreement.

McEachin believes it is the responsibility of Congress to protect citizens’ right to vote. He supports the John Lews Voting Rights Advancement Act.

In 2020, McEachin voted with other Democratic members of Congress to protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle healthcare reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act seeks to expand Medicaid coverage to insure more Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and reduce health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. McEachin also introduced legislation this year aimed at addressing the country’s Black maternal health crisis.

McEachin believes that Virginians deserve better pay and voted for the Raise the Wage Act this year to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. He voted for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which seeks to close the gender wage gap. McEachin supports immigrant rights and voted for the American Dream and Promise Act in 2019. He also voted to send $4.5 billion to the border that same year to address the humanitarian crisis suffered by migrants attempting to enter the U.S.

NARAL Pro-Choice America gave McEachin a score of 100% for his voting record on reproductive freedom. He believes everyone should have access to safe and legal abortion and decide for themselves whether, how, and when to have children. McEachin supports federal funding of Planned Parenthood and believes that health insurance companies should cover birth control. McEachin also voted to impeach Trump in 2019.

Rep. McEachin is facing a challenge from Pastor Leon Benjamin, an evangelical leader and Chairman of the Republican Party in Richmond. Benjamin works to garner African-American support for President Trump. He attended Trump’s inauguration and stated that Trump was “not a racist.” In 2010, Benjamin urged the U.S. Congress not to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, which banned openly gay people from serving in the military. He also opposes a person’s right to abortion access.

Due to his extensive service to constituents in his district and commitment to progressive values, Rep. Donald McEachin is the most progressive candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City District Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following district races on your ballot.

Petersburg, Ward 2

Petersburg City Council, Ward 2

Darrin Hill photo
Non-Partisan

Darrin Hill

Facebook

About the Race

The election for the Ward 2 seat on the Petersburg City Council takes place on November 3rd as part of the general election. Current Councilman Darrin Hill, a local business owner who has been vocal about issues of racial justice, is running for re-election against Marlow Jones, a former Petersburg Fire Marshall in this nonpartisan election.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Councilman Darrin Hill is a local business owner who has served as the representative of Petersburg’s second ward since 2015. He owns A Personal Touch Barbershop, which has served Petersburg for twenty years.

While on City Council, he’s worked to address the city’s financial problems and reduce the number of “food deserts.”

He is vocal on racial justice issues and has attended numerous Black Lives Matter protests in the Petersburg area. Since the pandemic began, Hill has supported local businesses hurt by the economic fallout from the crisis on his social media accounts.

In December, Hill joined other members of the Petersburg City Council in refusing to vote on a proposal to turn Petersburg into a second amendment sanctuary city.

His opponent, Marlow Jones, is a former Petersburg Fire Marshall who was recently cleared of all charges after an arrest resulting from an altercation with individuals who came to his home to repossess his vehicle wrongfully. Currently, Jones has no information posted on his campaign’s Facebook, nor does he seem to have any other campaign website.

Due to his stance on racial justice, his actions in support of common-sense gun legislation, and his concern for local businesses during the pandemic, Darrin Hill is the more progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The election for the Ward 2 seat on the Petersburg City Council takes place on November 3rd as part of the general election. Current Councilman Darrin Hill, a local business owner who has been vocal about issues of racial justice, is running for re-election against Marlow Jones, a former Petersburg Fire Marshall in this nonpartisan election.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Councilman Darrin Hill is a local business owner who has served as the representative of Petersburg’s second ward since 2015. He owns A Personal Touch Barbershop, which has served Petersburg for twenty years.

While on City Council, he’s worked to address the city’s financial problems and reduce the number of “food deserts.”

He is vocal on racial justice issues and has attended numerous Black Lives Matter protests in the Petersburg area. Since the pandemic began, Hill has supported local businesses hurt by the economic fallout from the crisis on his social media accounts.

In December, Hill joined other members of the Petersburg City Council in refusing to vote on a proposal to turn Petersburg into a second amendment sanctuary city.

His opponent, Marlow Jones, is a former Petersburg Fire Marshall who was recently cleared of all charges after an arrest resulting from an altercation with individuals who came to his home to repossess his vehicle wrongfully. Currently, Jones has no information posted on his campaign’s Facebook, nor does he seem to have any other campaign website.

Due to his stance on racial justice, his actions in support of common-sense gun legislation, and his concern for local businesses during the pandemic, Darrin Hill is the more progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Petersburg City School Board, Ward 2

Hal Miles photo

Hal Miles

About the Race

The election for Ward 2’s seat on the Petersburg School Board takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Abita Muse is not running for re-election, leaving Hal Miles, a youth mentor and motivational speaker, unopposed in this race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Hal Miles is the former head wrestling coach at Virginia State University and is a retired plant production manager. Miles sees serving on the school board as an extension of the youth mentoring and motivational speaking work he has done for years.

Miles previously ran for this office in 2016 and said he wanted to provide teachers and staff with training, proper appreciation, and fair contracts.

Miles will work to conduct comprehensive assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. He wants to increase educational opportunities throughout the city.

Miles has posted messages on his social media pages and written columns for online publications to support racial justice.

Miles is running unopposed in this race. The incumbent, Atiba Muse, is not running for re-election.

Hal Miles is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The election for Ward 2’s seat on the Petersburg School Board takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Abita Muse is not running for re-election, leaving Hal Miles, a youth mentor and motivational speaker, unopposed in this race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 2 encompasses the southeastern part of the city.

Recommendation

Hal Miles is the former head wrestling coach at Virginia State University and is a retired plant production manager. Miles sees serving on the school board as an extension of the youth mentoring and motivational speaking work he has done for years.

Miles previously ran for this office in 2016 and said he wanted to provide teachers and staff with training, proper appreciation, and fair contracts.

Miles will work to conduct comprehensive assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. He wants to increase educational opportunities throughout the city.

Miles has posted messages on his social media pages and written columns for online publications to support racial justice.

Miles is running unopposed in this race. The incumbent, Atiba Muse, is not running for re-election.

Hal Miles is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Petersburg, Ward 4

Petersburg City Council, Ward 4

Marcus Squires photo

Marcus Squires

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Two progressive candidates are running for office in Ward 4, Sam Jean and Marcus Squires.

Sam Jean is running on a limited platform focused on recreating the city’s culture by restoring and supporting the arts and businesses. He wants to help businesses in Petersburg by decreasing “red tape” that limits their growth.

On issues of racial justice, Jean believes there is a need for open conversations with law enforcement to hold them accountable.

Jean is committed to community improvements, particularly clean-up efforts. He wants to create better road conditions and build a dog park to improve livability in Ward 4.

Marcus Squires is a Petersburg public school teacher with a history of personal interest in the city’s revitalization and building efforts. He is the driving force behind an effort to turn Petersburg’s Walnut Hill neighborhood into a historic district. That way, homeowners can receive tax credits for repairing and maintaining their historic homes, rather than replacing traditional elements with newer, cheaper options.

Squires is dedicated to preserving the city’s historic areas and sees restoring and maintaining these homes as educational opportunities.

He is deeply concerned about the number of buildings and assets that the city has acquired but has not used. Squires has worked to find and catalog these properties to be put to better use by the city. He supports Councilwoman Smith-Lee’s suggestion to use some of the city’s land to create a dog park and increase the number of green spaces.

The third candidate, incumbent Charlie Cuthbert, worked against the city’s efforts to build more government-subsidized housing by filing lawsuits against his fellow council members to block development. In his vote against changing the zoning rules to allow for public housing, Cuthbert stated that public housing would lead to an increase in crime.

Due to Squires’ commitment to transparency and Jean’s views on police accountability, Marcus Squires and Sam Jean are both progressive options for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Two progressive candidates are running for office in Ward 4, Sam Jean and Marcus Squires.

Sam Jean is running on a limited platform focused on recreating the city’s culture by restoring and supporting the arts and businesses. He wants to help businesses in Petersburg by decreasing “red tape” that limits their growth.

On issues of racial justice, Jean believes there is a need for open conversations with law enforcement to hold them accountable.

Jean is committed to community improvements, particularly clean-up efforts. He wants to create better road conditions and build a dog park to improve livability in Ward 4.

Marcus Squires is a Petersburg public school teacher with a history of personal interest in the city’s revitalization and building efforts. He is the driving force behind an effort to turn Petersburg’s Walnut Hill neighborhood into a historic district. That way, homeowners can receive tax credits for repairing and maintaining their historic homes, rather than replacing traditional elements with newer, cheaper options.

Squires is dedicated to preserving the city’s historic areas and sees restoring and maintaining these homes as educational opportunities.

He is deeply concerned about the number of buildings and assets that the city has acquired but has not used. Squires has worked to find and catalog these properties to be put to better use by the city. He supports Councilwoman Smith-Lee’s suggestion to use some of the city’s land to create a dog park and increase the number of green spaces.

The third candidate, incumbent Charlie Cuthbert, worked against the city’s efforts to build more government-subsidized housing by filing lawsuits against his fellow council members to block development. In his vote against changing the zoning rules to allow for public housing, Cuthbert stated that public housing would lead to an increase in crime.

Due to Squires’ commitment to transparency and Jean’s views on police accountability, Marcus Squires and Sam Jean are both progressive options for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05
Sam Jean photo
Non-Partisan

Sam Jean

Facebook

Two progressive candidates are running for office in Ward 4, Sam Jean and Marcus Squires.

Sam Jean is running on a limited platform focused on recreating the city’s culture by restoring and supporting the arts and businesses. He wants to help businesses in Petersburg by decreasing “red tape” that limits their growth.

On issues of racial justice, Jean believes there is a need for open conversations with law enforcement to hold them accountable.

Jean is committed to community improvements, particularly clean-up efforts. He wants to create better road conditions and build a dog park to improve livability in Ward 4.
 
The third candidate, incumbent Charlie Cuthbert, worked against the city’s efforts to build more government-subsidized housing by filing lawsuits against his fellow council members to block development. In his vote against changing the zoning rules to allow for public housing, Cuthbert stated that public housing would lead to an increase in crime. 

Due to Squires’ commitment to transparency and Jean’s views on police accountability, Marcus Squires and Sam Jean are both progressive options for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Two progressive candidates are running for office in Ward 4, Sam Jean and Marcus Squires.

Sam Jean is running on a limited platform focused on recreating the city’s culture by restoring and supporting the arts and businesses. He wants to help businesses in Petersburg by decreasing “red tape” that limits their growth.

On issues of racial justice, Jean believes there is a need for open conversations with law enforcement to hold them accountable.

Jean is committed to community improvements, particularly clean-up efforts. He wants to create better road conditions and build a dog park to improve livability in Ward 4.
 
The third candidate, incumbent Charlie Cuthbert, worked against the city’s efforts to build more government-subsidized housing by filing lawsuits against his fellow council members to block development. In his vote against changing the zoning rules to allow for public housing, Cuthbert stated that public housing would lead to an increase in crime. 

Due to Squires’ commitment to transparency and Jean’s views on police accountability, Marcus Squires and Sam Jean are both progressive options for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Petersburg City School Board, Ward 4

No Recommendation

Celeste Wynn currently works at Virginia State University as an office specialist. Wynn has supported Democratic politicians in the past and attended an event for Mark Warner’s campaign in 2016. She has never served on a school board, but has experience working in higher education through her job at VSU.

Celeste Wynn is running unopposed in this race, however, given the lack of available information about her positions or values, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Celeste Wynn currently works at Virginia State University as an office specialist. Wynn has supported Democratic politicians in the past and attended an event for Mark Warner’s campaign in 2016. She has never served on a school board, but has experience working in higher education through her job at VSU.

Celeste Wynn is running unopposed in this race, however, given the lack of available information about her positions or values, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Petersburg, Ward 6

Petersburg City Council, Ward 6

Patrick Ingram photo
Non-Partisan

Patrick Ingram

Website Facebook (Twitter)

About the Race

The election for Ward 6’s seat on the Petersburg City Council is held on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Candidate Patrick Ingram, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, is running against incumbent Annette Smith-Lee. This race is nonpartisan.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically earning over 85% of the vote. Ward 6 is located in the northwestern portion of the city.

Recommendation

Patrick Ingram is a Virginia native with a history of service. He’s served in the U.S. Coast Guard and volunteered to support individuals recently diagnosed with HIV. He is running on a platform of transparency, ethical conduct, and community engagement.

Ingram is committed to open communication with residents and sees fixing the water billing issues in Petersburg as a top priority. He plans to create a community oversight board for the City Council to increase accountability.

Ingram supports the Black Lives Matter movement and has advocated for the need to focus on protecting Black Trans lives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ingram used social media to spread awareness of public events designed to educate renters about tenants’ rights.

Current Councilwoman Annette Smith-Lee has been progressive on some issues. She took action against Confederate flags flying near her district. However, Smith-Lee also did not support the widespread reconnection of water services to Petersburg residents who had not been able to pay their water bills during the pandemic, which could have prevented them from maintaining proper hygiene and contributed to further spread of the disease in vulnerable communities. State and federal pressure was required to get the City Council to restore service to the city’s residents.

Patrick Ingram is the progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The election for Ward 6’s seat on the Petersburg City Council is held on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Candidate Patrick Ingram, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, is running against incumbent Annette Smith-Lee. This race is nonpartisan.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically earning over 85% of the vote. Ward 6 is located in the northwestern portion of the city.

Recommendation

Patrick Ingram is a Virginia native with a history of service. He’s served in the U.S. Coast Guard and volunteered to support individuals recently diagnosed with HIV. He is running on a platform of transparency, ethical conduct, and community engagement.

Ingram is committed to open communication with residents and sees fixing the water billing issues in Petersburg as a top priority. He plans to create a community oversight board for the City Council to increase accountability.

Ingram supports the Black Lives Matter movement and has advocated for the need to focus on protecting Black Trans lives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ingram used social media to spread awareness of public events designed to educate renters about tenants’ rights.

Current Councilwoman Annette Smith-Lee has been progressive on some issues. She took action against Confederate flags flying near her district. However, Smith-Lee also did not support the widespread reconnection of water services to Petersburg residents who had not been able to pay their water bills during the pandemic, which could have prevented them from maintaining proper hygiene and contributed to further spread of the disease in vulnerable communities. State and federal pressure was required to get the City Council to restore service to the city’s residents.

Patrick Ingram is the progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Petersburg City School Board, Ward 6

Bernard Lundy Jr. photo

Bernard Lundy Jr.

About the Race

The election for Ward 6’s Petersburg School Board seat occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Incumbent Bernard Lundy Jr., who has served on the school board since 2004, is running unopposed in this nonpartisan race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 6 is located in the northwestern portion of the city.

Recommendation

Bernard Lundy Jr. has served on the Petersburg School Board since 2004. He has more than 35 years of experience working in public and correctional schools. Lundy’s career includes working as a special education teacher, an activities coordinator, and an in-school suspension teacher.

During his time on the school board, Lundy voted to remove Confederate names from Petersburg City schools.

Lundy and other board members investigated and uncovered instances of cheating at AP Hill Elementary School regarding SOL testing methods.

Lundy is an advocate for advanced placement education coursework in Petersburg schools.

Lundy is running unopposed in this election.

Bernard Lundy Jr. is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The election for Ward 6’s Petersburg School Board seat occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Incumbent Bernard Lundy Jr., who has served on the school board since 2004, is running unopposed in this nonpartisan race.

About the District

Petersburg is an independent city with a population of about 32,000 located at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake in Hampton Roads. For the purposes of local elections, the city is broken up into six wards. Each ward elects its own representative for the School Board and City Council. Petersburg is one of the most reliably Democratic cities in the Commonwealth, with Democratic presidents typically winning over 85% of the vote. Ward 6 is located in the northwestern portion of the city.

Recommendation

Bernard Lundy Jr. has served on the Petersburg School Board since 2004. He has more than 35 years of experience working in public and correctional schools. Lundy’s career includes working as a special education teacher, an activities coordinator, and an in-school suspension teacher.

During his time on the school board, Lundy voted to remove Confederate names from Petersburg City schools.

Lundy and other board members investigated and uncovered instances of cheating at AP Hill Elementary School regarding SOL testing methods.

Lundy is an advocate for advanced placement education coursework in Petersburg schools.

Lundy is running unopposed in this election.

Bernard Lundy Jr. is a progressive choice for this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Constitutional Amendments

Virginia Redistricting Commission Constitutional Amendment

VOTE NO

Vote NO on this Flawed Amendment

We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want. They’ve done this by rigging district maps to dilute the power of communities of color and prevent people from making their voices heard. This November, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot that enshrines in our state constitution the power of politicians to pick their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their representatives. We need to vote no on this political bait and switch and ensure that the power stays with the people, not power-hungry politicians.

About the Amendment
This amendment gives the power to draw political maps to a commission made up of politicians and people hand-picked by politicians. They will draw the maps, and then members of the General Assembly will vote to accept or reject them. This amendment does not remove politicians from the process. The amendment also fails to adequately protect people of color in the constitution, instead relying on separate legislation that could be repealed, jeopardizing civil rights protections.

We deserve a truly independent commission to ensure fair and equitable redistricting. Vote no on this amendment to put the power back in the hands of the people and keep politicians from choosing their voters instead of the other way around.

About the Decision
We can’t get clean elections with dirty maps drawn by politicians more interested in protecting their power than ensuring our voices are heard in our democracy.  We need to give the power back to the people and remove politicians from the process of drawing political boundaries completely. We can create a commission of concerned voters and nonpartisan experts who can draw fair, compact districts that ensure communities of color are protected, and everyone can make their voice heard equally.

Amending the constitution is a big deal, and if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure we are getting it right. We don’t have to accept a flawed amendment or nothing at all. We can go back to the drawing board and ensure that what we are enshrining permanently in our constitution is fair, just, equitable, and gets us the results we want. Leaders in our community such as Congressman Donald McEachin and Congressman Bobby Scott know that this amendment is the wrong move. 


The most progressive approach to redistricting is to vote NO on this flawed amendment and demand better to simultaneously protect historically underrepresented communities and draw fair district lines by including strong, specific, and clear rules to protect communities of color.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want. They’ve done this by rigging district maps to dilute the power of communities of color and prevent people from making their voices heard. This November, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot that enshrines in our state constitution the power of politicians to pick their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their representatives. We need to vote no on this political bait and switch and ensure that the power stays with the people, not power-hungry politicians.

About the Amendment
This amendment gives the power to draw political maps to a commission made up of politicians and people hand-picked by politicians. They will draw the maps, and then members of the General Assembly will vote to accept or reject them. This amendment does not remove politicians from the process. The amendment also fails to adequately protect people of color in the constitution, instead relying on separate legislation that could be repealed, jeopardizing civil rights protections.

We deserve a truly independent commission to ensure fair and equitable redistricting. Vote no on this amendment to put the power back in the hands of the people and keep politicians from choosing their voters instead of the other way around.

About the Decision
We can’t get clean elections with dirty maps drawn by politicians more interested in protecting their power than ensuring our voices are heard in our democracy.  We need to give the power back to the people and remove politicians from the process of drawing political boundaries completely. We can create a commission of concerned voters and nonpartisan experts who can draw fair, compact districts that ensure communities of color are protected, and everyone can make their voice heard equally.

Amending the constitution is a big deal, and if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure we are getting it right. We don’t have to accept a flawed amendment or nothing at all. We can go back to the drawing board and ensure that what we are enshrining permanently in our constitution is fair, just, equitable, and gets us the results we want. Leaders in our community such as Congressman Donald McEachin and Congressman Bobby Scott know that this amendment is the wrong move. 


The most progressive approach to redistricting is to vote NO on this flawed amendment and demand better to simultaneously protect historically underrepresented communities and draw fair district lines by including strong, specific, and clear rules to protect communities of color.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Exemption for Disabled Veterans Constitutional Amendment

No Position

No Position: Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

This tax exemption will exclusively benefit veterans residing in Virginia who have a disability 100% connected to their service.

This amendment was proposed by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and was approved unanimously in the Senate and near-unanimously in the House. It will grant a property tax exemption for a single vehicle to disabled veterans whose disability is 100% connected with their service. There have been calls to limit the maximum value of cars that may be included in this exemption or limit the exemption based on the veteran’s income, which would be addressed later through legislation in the General Assembly.

Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) both objected to this exemption because they believed that property tax exemptions should remain under local jurisdiction and not be mandated by the General Assembly. The VML argues that because localities do not decide to declare and send soldiers to war, the financial responsibility for caring for them should fall not on localities but on the federal government.
 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

This tax exemption will exclusively benefit veterans residing in Virginia who have a disability 100% connected to their service.

This amendment was proposed by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and was approved unanimously in the Senate and near-unanimously in the House. It will grant a property tax exemption for a single vehicle to disabled veterans whose disability is 100% connected with their service. There have been calls to limit the maximum value of cars that may be included in this exemption or limit the exemption based on the veteran’s income, which would be addressed later through legislation in the General Assembly.

Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) both objected to this exemption because they believed that property tax exemptions should remain under local jurisdiction and not be mandated by the General Assembly. The VML argues that because localities do not decide to declare and send soldiers to war, the financial responsibility for caring for them should fall not on localities but on the federal government.
 

Last updated: 2023-04-05