Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Progress Virginia
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Democrat

Michelle Davis-Younger

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About the Race

The Manassas mayoral election takes place on November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 General Election. Democratic candidate and current Councilwoman Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the City Council. She is running against Theresa Ellis, a small business owner who is on the Manassas City Republican Committee.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with 55% of the vote.

Recommendation

Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the Manassas City Council. She owns a human resources consulting firm located in historic downtown Manassas. She is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Business Association. She serves on several committees, including the Manassas Historic Resources Board, the Social Services Advisory Board, and the COG Air Quality Committee.

During her time on City Council, Davis-Younger showed her support for racial justice through projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean, a pioneer in Black education. She also worked to rename Stonewall-Jackson High School as Stonewall High School.

Consistent with her stated values of community engagement and transparency, she supported Vice-Mayor Sebesky’s initiative to create online applications for city advisory boards and committees.

Davis-Younger’s platform focuses on service and transparency. She is also interested in economic development and wants to attract jobs to Manassas City. Davis-Younger believes that delivering a world-class education for all Manassas students is essential to the city’s future development and growth.

Davis-Younger’s Republican opponent, Theresa Ellis, has been silent on racial injustice issues in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Much of her platform focuses on COVID-19 response. Ellis has supported the reelection of Councilman Lovejoy, who has allied with gun rights and anti-abortion groups.

Given her stance on racial justice, her advocacy for governmental transparency, and her work on the City Council, Michelle Davis-Younger is the most progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The Manassas mayoral election takes place on November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 General Election. Democratic candidate and current Councilwoman Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the City Council. She is running against Theresa Ellis, a small business owner who is on the Manassas City Republican Committee.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with 55% of the vote.

Recommendation

Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the Manassas City Council. She owns a human resources consulting firm located in historic downtown Manassas. She is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Business Association. She serves on several committees, including the Manassas Historic Resources Board, the Social Services Advisory Board, and the COG Air Quality Committee.

During her time on City Council, Davis-Younger showed her support for racial justice through projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean, a pioneer in Black education. She also worked to rename Stonewall-Jackson High School as Stonewall High School.

Consistent with her stated values of community engagement and transparency, she supported Vice-Mayor Sebesky’s initiative to create online applications for city advisory boards and committees.

Davis-Younger’s platform focuses on service and transparency. She is also interested in economic development and wants to attract jobs to Manassas City. Davis-Younger believes that delivering a world-class education for all Manassas students is essential to the city’s future development and growth.

Davis-Younger’s Republican opponent, Theresa Ellis, has been silent on racial injustice issues in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Much of her platform focuses on COVID-19 response. Ellis has supported the reelection of Councilman Lovejoy, who has allied with gun rights and anti-abortion groups.

Given her stance on racial justice, her advocacy for governmental transparency, and her work on the City Council, Michelle Davis-Younger is the most progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Manassas

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Election Day November 3, 2020
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Federal

President and Vice President

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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

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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

Congress

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.

7th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Representative Abigail Spanberger photo
Democrat

Representative Abigail Spanberger

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Virginia’s 7th district includes 9 counties and parts of Prince William County and Albemarle  County. With a population of 798,820, this district leans Democratic and Republican.

About the Race

This congressional election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D), a former operations officer with the CIA, is running for re-election against Nick Freitas (R), a US Army veteran.

About the District

The 7th congressional district spans most of Central Virginia. It includes all of Orange, Culpeper, Goochland, Louisa, Nottoway, Amelia, and Powhatan counties, as well as large portions of Chesterfield, Henrico, and Spotsylvania counties. The district went from Republican to Democrat in 2018, when Spanberger won her seat by just 2% and is considered one of the most competitive congressional districts in the state.

Recommendation

A former officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger was first elected to serve the 7th District in 2018 when she defeated incumbent Dave Brat. Before her election, Spanberger’s career included working for the U.S. Postal Service investigating narcotics and money laundering and living undercover abroad as a spy for the CIA. She was raised in Short Pump and graduated from the University of Virginia. She and her husband, Adam, have three daughters and live in Glen Allen.

Spanberger is a moderate Democrat who prides herself on being the 5th most bipartisan member of the House. She’s a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Agriculture committees. During her time in office, Spanberger sponsored legislation to bring transparency to prescription drug prices and give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. She also introduced a bill aimed at strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supported providing a public option for universal coverage.

Spanberger supports protecting voting rights, restoring key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, and putting a stop to voter suppression. In 2019, she co-sponsored the Voting Rights Advancement Act. She believes in strengthening people’s access to the ballot by restoring and modernizing the Voting Rights Act.

Spanberger believes that climate change is a national security threat. This year, she proposed the Growing Climate Solutions Act to reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere by allowing farmers to engage in carbon cap and trade programs. In 2019, she helped introduce the Climate Action Now Act, which would require the U.S. to remain in the Paris Climate Agreement.

In response to the police murder of George Floyd, Spanberger co-sponsored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The bill calls for bans on chokeholds and no-knock warrants, sets national standards to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, prohibits racial profiling, and establishes a national data collection system on police misconduct.

Spanberger is a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus and worked with other members of the caucus to introduce the “Momnibus Bill” to address the nation’s crisis in Black maternal mortality. She introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, which seeks to close the gender wage gap. Spanberger also supports a person’s right to access reproductive healthcare and abortion. Spanberger voted to impeach Donald Trump in 2019.

Spanberger is being challenged by Republican candidate Nick Freitas, who currently serves in Virginia’s House of Delegates. While serving in the House, Freitas was known for attacking abortion rights, saying on the House floor that the “abortion industry” and “broken homes” were contributing to mass shootings. He voted against allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students and granting driving privileges to immigrants while voting in favor of prohibiting sanctuary cities in Virginia. Freitas voted against expanding Medicaid coverage to 400,000 Virginians. Freitas also voted against requiring background checks on firearms sales in Virginia, a red flag law to keep guns out of the wrong hands, and banning the sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

Due to her commitment to improving healthcare for her constituents, fighting climate change, protecting women’s rights, and advocating for Black maternal health, Spanberger is the more progressive choice for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

10th Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Representative Jennifer Wexton photo
Democrat

Representative Jennifer Wexton

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

Virginia’s 10th district includes 5 counties, and parts of Prince William County and Fairfax County. With a population of 784,684, this district leans both Democratic and Republican.

About the Race

This congressional election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent congresswoman, lawyer Jennifer Wexton (D), is running for re-election against Aliscia Andrews (R), a veteran who served in the Marine Corps.

About the District

Virginia’s 10th district includes a few inner and many outer suburbs in Northern Virginia, including all of Clarke, Frederick, and Loudoun counties and portions of Fairfax and Prince William counties. It also contains the independent cities of Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester. Though the district voted for Clinton in 2016, the congressional seat did not flip until Wexton won in 2018 with 56% of the vote. The 10th district is considered one of the more competitive districts in the commonwealth.

Recommendation

A native of the Washington D.C. metro area, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton was first elected to represent the 10th District in 2018. Before that, she served in Virginia’s State Senate for five years, where she voted to expand Medicaid coverage to 400,000 Virginians. She also worked as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Loudon County and advocated for abused children. She lives in Leesburg with her husband and their two sons.

In Congress, Wexton serves on the Financial Services Committee, which oversees fair housing and consumer protection laws. She’s also a member of the Space, Science, and Technology Committee. Wexton believes that pre-existing conditions should be protected and has voted to keep the Affordable Care Act (ACA) safe from the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the landmark legislation. She also voted to lower prescription drug costs and strengthen Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Wexton voted for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in 2019, which restores key provisions of the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. She also said that Election Day should be a federal holiday and that partisan drawing of district lines should end. While serving in the state Senate, Wexton fought back against attempts to restrict voting in the Commonwealth.

Throughout her political career, Wexton has believed that gun violence can be prevented with common sense legislation and gun violence is a public health issue. As a state Senator, she voted for universal background checks, red flag laws, bump stock bans, and closing gun show loopholes. In Congress, she voted to ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines, close gun purchase loopholes, and pass universal background checks.

Wexton has been recognized by several environmental groups for advocacy to protect our planet. She co-sponsored the Climate Action Now Act to prevent the U.S. from withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and legislation to cut carbon emissions to improve air quality in the nation. She also voted to stop offshore drilling for gas and oil exploration.

In response to systemic police brutality and racism, Wexton voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, enhance transparency and data collection, and eliminate discriminatory policing practices. She supports reforming mandatory minimums, ending the use of private for-profit prisons, reducing recidivism, and restoration of voting rights.

Aliscia Andrews, a former Marine, is challenging Wexton. Andrews supports Trump’s border wall and believes national security is the number one issue facing our country. She vows to protect the 2nd Amendment and to oppose access to abortion. Andrews marched in Richmond in January to defend gun rights and is a leader of the “Wexit” campaign, which is trying to get West Virginia to annex parts of Northern Virginia. She also supports defunding Planned Parenthood.

Wexton’s advocacy for the environment, affordable healthcare, gun violence prevention, and criminal justice reform makes her the progressive choice for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Manassas

Manassas Mayor

Michelle Davis-Younger photo
Democrat

Michelle Davis-Younger

Website Facebook (Twitter)

About the Race

The Manassas mayoral election takes place on November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 General Election. Democratic candidate and current Councilwoman Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the City Council. She is running against Theresa Ellis, a small business owner who is on the Manassas City Republican Committee.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with 55% of the vote.

Recommendation

Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the Manassas City Council. She owns a human resources consulting firm located in historic downtown Manassas. She is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Business Association. She serves on several committees, including the Manassas Historic Resources Board, the Social Services Advisory Board, and the COG Air Quality Committee.

During her time on City Council, Davis-Younger showed her support for racial justice through projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean, a pioneer in Black education. She also worked to rename Stonewall-Jackson High School as Stonewall High School.

Consistent with her stated values of community engagement and transparency, she supported Vice-Mayor Sebesky’s initiative to create online applications for city advisory boards and committees.

Davis-Younger’s platform focuses on service and transparency. She is also interested in economic development and wants to attract jobs to Manassas City. Davis-Younger believes that delivering a world-class education for all Manassas students is essential to the city’s future development and growth.

Davis-Younger’s Republican opponent, Theresa Ellis, has been silent on racial injustice issues in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Much of her platform focuses on COVID-19 response. Ellis has supported the reelection of Councilman Lovejoy, who has allied with gun rights and anti-abortion groups.

Given her stance on racial justice, her advocacy for governmental transparency, and her work on the City Council, Michelle Davis-Younger is the most progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The Manassas mayoral election takes place on November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 General Election. Democratic candidate and current Councilwoman Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the City Council. She is running against Theresa Ellis, a small business owner who is on the Manassas City Republican Committee.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with 55% of the vote.

Recommendation

Michelle Davis-Younger is the first Black woman to be elected to the Manassas City Council. She owns a human resources consulting firm located in historic downtown Manassas. She is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Business Association. She serves on several committees, including the Manassas Historic Resources Board, the Social Services Advisory Board, and the COG Air Quality Committee.

During her time on City Council, Davis-Younger showed her support for racial justice through projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean, a pioneer in Black education. She also worked to rename Stonewall-Jackson High School as Stonewall High School.

Consistent with her stated values of community engagement and transparency, she supported Vice-Mayor Sebesky’s initiative to create online applications for city advisory boards and committees.

Davis-Younger’s platform focuses on service and transparency. She is also interested in economic development and wants to attract jobs to Manassas City. Davis-Younger believes that delivering a world-class education for all Manassas students is essential to the city’s future development and growth.

Davis-Younger’s Republican opponent, Theresa Ellis, has been silent on racial injustice issues in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Much of her platform focuses on COVID-19 response. Ellis has supported the reelection of Councilman Lovejoy, who has allied with gun rights and anti-abortion groups.

Given her stance on racial justice, her advocacy for governmental transparency, and her work on the City Council, Michelle Davis-Younger is the most progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Manassas City Council (top 3 vote getters)

Mark Wolfe photo
Democrat

Mark Wolfe

(Twitter)

Mark Wolfe has served on the Manassas City Council since 2008. He is the recipient of the Community Leader Award from VFW Post 7589 (Manassas) and the Kathy Seefeld Pioneer Award, which honors lifetime achievement in promoting cultural arts in Manassas City.

During his time on City Council, Wolfe advocated for arts funding in Manassas City. Along with the rest of the City Council, he oversaw the city beginning its work on erecting a statue of Jennie Dean and an increase in mixed-use developments in the downtown area.

Wolfe attended a March Against Hate, which was organized in response to the murder fo George Floyd.

He is supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, standing against Trump’s ban on transgender service members as the father of a service member killed in action in Iraq.

Wolfe is outspoken on issues of common-sense gun violence prevention and supports firearms restrictions designed to protect domestic violence victims. Given his stance on gun reform, we believe Wolfe can be trusted to support and respect state gun violence prevention laws.

Mark Wolfe is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mark Wolfe has served on the Manassas City Council since 2008. He is the recipient of the Community Leader Award from VFW Post 7589 (Manassas) and the Kathy Seefeld Pioneer Award, which honors lifetime achievement in promoting cultural arts in Manassas City.

During his time on City Council, Wolfe advocated for arts funding in Manassas City. Along with the rest of the City Council, he oversaw the city beginning its work on erecting a statue of Jennie Dean and an increase in mixed-use developments in the downtown area.

Wolfe attended a March Against Hate, which was organized in response to the murder fo George Floyd.

He is supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, standing against Trump’s ban on transgender service members as the father of a service member killed in action in Iraq.

Wolfe is outspoken on issues of common-sense gun violence prevention and supports firearms restrictions designed to protect domestic violence victims. Given his stance on gun reform, we believe Wolfe can be trusted to support and respect state gun violence prevention laws.

Mark Wolfe is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05
Pamela Sebesky photo
Democrat

Pamela Sebesky

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky is a registered nurse who served as president of the Baldwin Elementary School PTA before running for the Manassas City School Board in 2010. She served on the School Board until she was elected to City Council for the first time in 2016.

During her time as the Vice Mayor of Manassas City, Sebesky has supported measures to increase community engagement with the City Council. She started a program that allows citizens to sign up to serve on city boards online.

Sabesky and the rest of the City Council broke ground on projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean and increasing mixed-use developments in the downtown area. Sabesky has posts supporting equality and the celebration of Juneteenth on social media.

Pamela Sabesky is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky is a registered nurse who served as president of the Baldwin Elementary School PTA before running for the Manassas City School Board in 2010. She served on the School Board until she was elected to City Council for the first time in 2016.

During her time as the Vice Mayor of Manassas City, Sebesky has supported measures to increase community engagement with the City Council. She started a program that allows citizens to sign up to serve on city boards online.

Sabesky and the rest of the City Council broke ground on projects such as erecting a statue of Jennie Dean and increasing mixed-use developments in the downtown area. Sabesky has posts supporting equality and the celebration of Juneteenth on social media.

Pamela Sabesky is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05
Tom Osina photo
Democrat

Tom Osina

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Tom Osina is an active local community leader in Manassas City. He is a member of the City of Manassas Strategic Plan Workgroup and Citizens' Advisory Committee of Solid Waste. He is a board member of the Georgetown South Community Council. He is a founder and board member of Equality Prince William, an LGBTQ+ rights organization. He is also the treasurer of the Georgetown-South HOA.

Osina supports expanding affordable housing options in Manassas City.

He will work to ensure all students in Manassas City have access to quality education. Osina wants the City to be well-served by public transportation.

He believes that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city will need to keep a closer eye on revenue and work to bring more jobs back to the city.

Osina is outspoken on issues of racial justice and equality. He attended marches against hate in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Osina is openly gay and has done extensive work toward LGBTQ+ equality through Equality Prince William.

Tom Osina is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Tom Osina is an active local community leader in Manassas City. He is a member of the City of Manassas Strategic Plan Workgroup and Citizens' Advisory Committee of Solid Waste. He is a board member of the Georgetown South Community Council. He is a founder and board member of Equality Prince William, an LGBTQ+ rights organization. He is also the treasurer of the Georgetown-South HOA.

Osina supports expanding affordable housing options in Manassas City.

He will work to ensure all students in Manassas City have access to quality education. Osina wants the City to be well-served by public transportation.

He believes that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city will need to keep a closer eye on revenue and work to bring more jobs back to the city.

Osina is outspoken on issues of racial justice and equality. He attended marches against hate in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Osina is openly gay and has done extensive work toward LGBTQ+ equality through Equality Prince William.

Tom Osina is a progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Other Candidates

Republican candidate Harry Clark focuses primarily on economic development, with no acknowledgment of the city’s affordable housing crisis. He has also attended rallies to back police and made posts praising the Manassas Police department in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Clark is on the Manassas Regional Airport Commission. He has used his social media to advertise in support of people getting on airplanes to take leisure trips during the pandemic.

Republican candidate Lynn Greene has said that she is focused on eliminating “wasteful spending” and lowering taxes. In the aftermath of protests in response to George Floyd’s murder, Greene attended a Back the Blue rally in Manassas City, to show support for police. She is running for council on a platform of transparency, community engagement, and low taxes. Due to her support for police and desire to decrease revenue, we do not believe that Greene can be trusted to make progressive choices.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Republican candidate Harry Clark focuses primarily on economic development, with no acknowledgment of the city’s affordable housing crisis. He has also attended rallies to back police and made posts praising the Manassas Police department in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Clark is on the Manassas Regional Airport Commission. He has used his social media to advertise in support of people getting on airplanes to take leisure trips during the pandemic.

Republican candidate Lynn Greene has said that she is focused on eliminating “wasteful spending” and lowering taxes. In the aftermath of protests in response to George Floyd’s murder, Greene attended a Back the Blue rally in Manassas City, to show support for police. She is running for council on a platform of transparency, community engagement, and low taxes. Due to her support for police and desire to decrease revenue, we do not believe that Greene can be trusted to make progressive choices.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Manassas City School Board

Suzanne Seaberg photo
Non-Partisan

Suzanne Seaberg

Facebook (Twitter)

About the Race

The school board election for Manassas takes place on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Voters will select their choice for four seats at large seats. Candidates Robyn Williams and Suzanne Seaberg are running for reelection. Candidate Carl Hollingsworth, Jr. is also running. Since there are only three candidates running for four seats, feel free to write in the name your choice.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with more than 55% of the vote. 

Recommendation

Suzanne Seabergand has been on the School Board since 2016. She and her husband, Walter, have three children in MCPS schools. 

Seaberg supports full distance learning to protect students and staff during the pandemic and serves as Chair of the Academic Committee.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and our students and their families is more important than the reopening of schools in person at this time,” Seaberg said. “I acknowledge that option three is not ideal for some reasons. In some situations parents will need to find child care … these matters have to take a backseat to health and safety.”

On her Facebook page, Seaberg has promoted free Covid-19 testing, the City of Manassas' new Equity and Inclusion Task Force, and City Council’s decision to postpone their meeting because it fell on Juneteenth.

Seaberg voted ‘Yes’ to both the 2020 LGTQ/Pride Proclamation and the 2020 Affirmation Condemning Racism.

While she was a school board member, Manassas City Public Schools was one of six winners in the 2019 Virginia School Board Association Food for Thought Competition, an award created in 2012 to "educate, engage, and empower school leaders to address childhood hunger and provide all students in Virginia with healthier, more nutritious school meals." MCPS received the top award (among divisions with fewer than 10,000 students) in the "Meal Access to Fight Hunger" category for its after-school dinner program.

Seaberg’s involvement in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) has been extensive, including serving as President of the Jennie Dean Elementary and Metz Middle Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), as well as Vice President of the Mayfield Intermediate PTA. Additionally, she has served as chairperson for the division’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee, Vice-Chair of the MCPS Safe Schools Advisory Council. She is a founding member of the Mayfield and Metz Band Boosters.

Her community involvement includes graduating from the 2015 MCPS Parent and Community Leadership Academy and serving on the City of Manassas Citizens Advisory Committee and Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation. Seaberg has further served the community’s youth through leadership roles in organizations such as the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital and 4-H. Additionally, she has volunteered for Emergency Families for Children and the successful Manassas Backpack Attack Program.


Suzanne Seaberg is a progressive choice for this race. 
 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

About the Race

The school board election for Manassas takes place on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Voters will select their choice for four seats at large seats. Candidates Robyn Williams and Suzanne Seaberg are running for reelection. Candidate Carl Hollingsworth, Jr. is also running. Since there are only three candidates running for four seats, feel free to write in the name your choice.

About the District

Manassas City is an independent city located near Prince William County in Northern Virginia, which also serves as the county seat for Prince William. It has a population of roughly 40,000. Hillary Clinton won the city in 2016 with more than 55% of the vote. 

Recommendation

Suzanne Seabergand has been on the School Board since 2016. She and her husband, Walter, have three children in MCPS schools. 

Seaberg supports full distance learning to protect students and staff during the pandemic and serves as Chair of the Academic Committee.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and our students and their families is more important than the reopening of schools in person at this time,” Seaberg said. “I acknowledge that option three is not ideal for some reasons. In some situations parents will need to find child care … these matters have to take a backseat to health and safety.”

On her Facebook page, Seaberg has promoted free Covid-19 testing, the City of Manassas' new Equity and Inclusion Task Force, and City Council’s decision to postpone their meeting because it fell on Juneteenth.

Seaberg voted ‘Yes’ to both the 2020 LGTQ/Pride Proclamation and the 2020 Affirmation Condemning Racism.

While she was a school board member, Manassas City Public Schools was one of six winners in the 2019 Virginia School Board Association Food for Thought Competition, an award created in 2012 to "educate, engage, and empower school leaders to address childhood hunger and provide all students in Virginia with healthier, more nutritious school meals." MCPS received the top award (among divisions with fewer than 10,000 students) in the "Meal Access to Fight Hunger" category for its after-school dinner program.

Seaberg’s involvement in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) has been extensive, including serving as President of the Jennie Dean Elementary and Metz Middle Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), as well as Vice President of the Mayfield Intermediate PTA. Additionally, she has served as chairperson for the division’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee, Vice-Chair of the MCPS Safe Schools Advisory Council. She is a founding member of the Mayfield and Metz Band Boosters.

Her community involvement includes graduating from the 2015 MCPS Parent and Community Leadership Academy and serving on the City of Manassas Citizens Advisory Committee and Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation. Seaberg has further served the community’s youth through leadership roles in organizations such as the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital and 4-H. Additionally, she has volunteered for Emergency Families for Children and the successful Manassas Backpack Attack Program.


Suzanne Seaberg is a progressive choice for this race. 
 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Other Candidates

School Board Member Robyn Williams has lived in the City of Manassas for over 15 years with her husband, Rob, and two children. She holds a BS in Economics from George Mason University. 

Past accolades and positions include Volunteer of the Year for the City of Manassas, current Chair of the City of Manassas Beautification Committee, Rotary Club of Manassas current member, was on the Old Town Sector Planning Committee, was on the Facility Alternatives Steering Committee for the Manassas City Public Schools, and was a volunteer instructor for the Prince William County Soil and Water Conservation.

Williams supported some in-person learning for the 2020 school year and serves as Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Williams voted ‘Yes’ to both the 2020 LGTQ/Pride Proclamation and the 2020 Affirmation Condemning Racism.
While a school board member, Manassas City Public Schools was one of six winners in the 2019 Virginia School Board Association Food for Thought Competition, an award created in 2012 to "educate, engage, and empower school leaders to address childhood hunger and provide all students in Virginia with healthier, more nutritious school meals." MCPS received the top award (among divisions with fewer than 10,000 students) in the "Meal Access to Fight Hunger" category for its after-school dinner program.

Another candidate in this race is Carl Hollingsworth, Jr. Little is known about Hollingsworth other than he is not an incumbent for the Manassas School Board. The only information available at this time is in regards to funds raised, showing that he has only raised $10 for his campaign. 

Last updated: 2023-04-05

School Board Member Robyn Williams has lived in the City of Manassas for over 15 years with her husband, Rob, and two children. She holds a BS in Economics from George Mason University. 

Past accolades and positions include Volunteer of the Year for the City of Manassas, current Chair of the City of Manassas Beautification Committee, Rotary Club of Manassas current member, was on the Old Town Sector Planning Committee, was on the Facility Alternatives Steering Committee for the Manassas City Public Schools, and was a volunteer instructor for the Prince William County Soil and Water Conservation.

Williams supported some in-person learning for the 2020 school year and serves as Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Williams voted ‘Yes’ to both the 2020 LGTQ/Pride Proclamation and the 2020 Affirmation Condemning Racism.
While a school board member, Manassas City Public Schools was one of six winners in the 2019 Virginia School Board Association Food for Thought Competition, an award created in 2012 to "educate, engage, and empower school leaders to address childhood hunger and provide all students in Virginia with healthier, more nutritious school meals." MCPS received the top award (among divisions with fewer than 10,000 students) in the "Meal Access to Fight Hunger" category for its after-school dinner program.

Another candidate in this race is Carl Hollingsworth, Jr. Little is known about Hollingsworth other than he is not an incumbent for the Manassas School Board. The only information available at this time is in regards to funds raised, showing that he has only raised $10 for his campaign. 

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