Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Progress Virginia

No Recommendation

About the Race

Poquoson City’s mayoral election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Unlike the Poquoson City Council elections, which are broken down by precinct, the mayor is elected at-large by the entire city. Current Mayor Gordon Helsel is running unopposed.

About the District

Gordon Helsel is a Vietnam War Veteran with a long history of holding political office. He served as the town’s mayor from 1996-2010. Helsel represented the 91st district in the House of Delegates from 2012 to 2019.

Recommendation

Helsel supported many conservative policies during his time in the House of Delegates, including prohibiting the establishment of immigration sanctuary cities in Virginia, prohibiting state funding of abortion services, requiring ultrasounds before abortions, prohibiting cities from increasing the minimum wage, and removing limits on handgun purchases.

Given Helsel’s extensive record of voting against progressive legislation, we cannot trust him to make progressive policy decisions.

Since Gordon Helsel is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

About the Race

Poquoson City’s mayoral election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Unlike the Poquoson City Council elections, which are broken down by precinct, the mayor is elected at-large by the entire city. Current Mayor Gordon Helsel is running unopposed.

About the District

Gordon Helsel is a Vietnam War Veteran with a long history of holding political office. He served as the town’s mayor from 1996-2010. Helsel represented the 91st district in the House of Delegates from 2012 to 2019.

Recommendation

Helsel supported many conservative policies during his time in the House of Delegates, including prohibiting the establishment of immigration sanctuary cities in Virginia, prohibiting state funding of abortion services, requiring ultrasounds before abortions, prohibiting cities from increasing the minimum wage, and removing limits on handgun purchases.

Given Helsel’s extensive record of voting against progressive legislation, we cannot trust him to make progressive policy decisions.

Since Gordon Helsel is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

City of Poquoson

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Election Day November 3, 2020
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Federal

President and Vice President

Joseph Biden photo
Democrat

Joseph Biden

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

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

1st Congressional District

Member of the House of Representatives

Qasim Rashid photo
Democrat

Qasim Rashid

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

Virginia’s 1st district includes 15 counties and parts of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties. With 810,541, this district leans Republican. 

About the Race

This election is held on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. A human rights lawyer, Qasim Rashid (D), is running against incumbent Rob Whitman (R), who has been in Congress since 2007.

About the District

Virginia’s 1st Congressional District stretches from the fringes of Northern Virginia suburbs to the Hampton Roads area. It contains the entire city of Fredericksburg, as well as all or part of the following counties: Caroline, Essex, Fauquier, Gloucester, Hanover, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Prince William, Richmond County, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland. The district has been Republican for over twenty years. However, it has moved increasingly left since 2016.

Recommendation

Attorney Qasim Rashid is the first Muslim to run for Congress from Virginia. He’s an immigrant from Pakistan and a graduate of the University of Richmond Law School. Rashid and his wife live in Stafford County with their three daughters. He’s never held elected office before, but practices human rights law, advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and has authored several books.

Rashid is centering his campaign on bolstering working families by increasing the minimum wage and providing paid family leave. He wants to address the gender wage gap by fighting for pay equity. He believes in the rights of workers to unionize and collectively bargain and supports repealing right to work laws. He also sees expanding broadband access to rural communities as a key economic driver for Virginia.

Rashid supports restoring the Voting Rights Act. He is also in favor of a nonpartisan redistricting process and the drawing of fair district lines that keep communities intact.

Rashid promises to expand healthcare access by working toward a national single-payer system. He sees that the black maternal mortality rate is a national crisis and should be addressed head-on with federal action. Rashid supports access to safe and legal abortion, agreeing that everyone should be able to choose whether, how, and when to have children for themselves.

As a supporter of the Green New Deal, Rashid wants to create jobs through investment in the green job sector. He plans to cut subsidies to the fossil fuel industry by ceasing further exploration by oil and gas industries. He also promises to protect the Chesapeake Bay from further environmental damage.

Rashid believes in protecting the Second Amendment, but also in keeping guns out of the wrong hands by passing red flag laws. He wants to implement universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods on gun purchases while banning automatic assault rifles and high-capacity magazines to curb gun violence in America.

Rashid is running against Republican incumbent Robb Wittman, who has represented the 1st District since 2007. Ninety-three percent of Wittman’s votes are in line with President Trump. Wittman voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He also voted against increasing housing assistance and an economic stimulus package to help people during the coronavirus pandemic. He opposes raising the minimum wage and abortion rights. Wittman received a 10% score from the League of Conservation Voters for his voting record on the environment.

Due to Wittman’s support of Donald Trump, his votes to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and his opposition to reproductive rights, Qasim Rashid is the most progressive choice for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Poquoson

Poquoson Mayor

No Recommendation

About the Race

Poquoson City’s mayoral election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Unlike the Poquoson City Council elections, which are broken down by precinct, the mayor is elected at-large by the entire city. Current Mayor Gordon Helsel is running unopposed.

About the District

Gordon Helsel is a Vietnam War Veteran with a long history of holding political office. He served as the town’s mayor from 1996-2010. Helsel represented the 91st district in the House of Delegates from 2012 to 2019.

Recommendation

Helsel supported many conservative policies during his time in the House of Delegates, including prohibiting the establishment of immigration sanctuary cities in Virginia, prohibiting state funding of abortion services, requiring ultrasounds before abortions, prohibiting cities from increasing the minimum wage, and removing limits on handgun purchases.

Given Helsel’s extensive record of voting against progressive legislation, we cannot trust him to make progressive policy decisions.

Since Gordon Helsel is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

About the Race

Poquoson City’s mayoral election occurs on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Unlike the Poquoson City Council elections, which are broken down by precinct, the mayor is elected at-large by the entire city. Current Mayor Gordon Helsel is running unopposed.

About the District

Gordon Helsel is a Vietnam War Veteran with a long history of holding political office. He served as the town’s mayor from 1996-2010. Helsel represented the 91st district in the House of Delegates from 2012 to 2019.

Recommendation

Helsel supported many conservative policies during his time in the House of Delegates, including prohibiting the establishment of immigration sanctuary cities in Virginia, prohibiting state funding of abortion services, requiring ultrasounds before abortions, prohibiting cities from increasing the minimum wage, and removing limits on handgun purchases.

Given Helsel’s extensive record of voting against progressive legislation, we cannot trust him to make progressive policy decisions.

Since Gordon Helsel is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

City District Races

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

Central Precinct

Poquoson City Council, Central Precinct

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for the Central Precinct’s seat on Poquoson City Council is held on November 3, 2020, during the 2020 general election. The city is broken down into precincts with each electing its own representative for the City Council. Incumbent Councilman Thomas Canella is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

Incumbent Councilman Thomas Cannella is running unopposed for reelection as the councilman for Poquoson's Central Precinct. At 19, Canella was the youngest person ever to hold public office in Hampton Roads when he was elected in 2016.

Canella said that Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem during football games was “distasteful, disrespectful, and sets a bad example for young people.”

The Poquoson City Council, including Cannella, voted unanimously to make the city a sanctuary for Second Amendment rights and to authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson's shared police department with York county.

In light of Thomas Canella’s conservative views and voting record, and given that he is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

About the Race

The election for the Central Precinct’s seat on Poquoson City Council is held on November 3, 2020, during the 2020 general election. The city is broken down into precincts with each electing its own representative for the City Council. Incumbent Councilman Thomas Canella is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

Incumbent Councilman Thomas Cannella is running unopposed for reelection as the councilman for Poquoson's Central Precinct. At 19, Canella was the youngest person ever to hold public office in Hampton Roads when he was elected in 2016.

Canella said that Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem during football games was “distasteful, disrespectful, and sets a bad example for young people.”

The Poquoson City Council, including Cannella, voted unanimously to make the city a sanctuary for Second Amendment rights and to authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson's shared police department with York county.

In light of Thomas Canella’s conservative views and voting record, and given that he is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Eastern Precinct

Poquoson City Council, Eastern Precinct

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for the Eastern Precinct’s seat on Poquoson City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Each city precinct elects a representative to the City Council. Incumbent councilwoman Jana Andrews, who supported making Poquoson a second amendment sanctuary city, is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

Jana Andrews is running unopposed for re-election as the councilwoman for Poquoson’s Eastern Precinct. Her platform mainly consists of infrastructure projects such as widening Wythe Creek Road and Victory Boulevard and the construction of the Legacy project and other residential developments.

Andrews has expressed some progressive opinions on issues of education, particularly regarding school resource officers (SROs). She has stated that she believes that licensed counselors can do a better job of handling student disciplinary issues than SROs.

Andrews voted to make the city a sanctuary for second amendment rights and authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson’s shared police department with York County.

Due to Jana Andrews’ conservative voting record and the fact that she is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

About the Race

The election for the Eastern Precinct’s seat on Poquoson City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the U.S. presidential election. Each city precinct elects a representative to the City Council. Incumbent councilwoman Jana Andrews, who supported making Poquoson a second amendment sanctuary city, is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

Jana Andrews is running unopposed for re-election as the councilwoman for Poquoson’s Eastern Precinct. Her platform mainly consists of infrastructure projects such as widening Wythe Creek Road and Victory Boulevard and the construction of the Legacy project and other residential developments.

Andrews has expressed some progressive opinions on issues of education, particularly regarding school resource officers (SROs). She has stated that she believes that licensed counselors can do a better job of handling student disciplinary issues than SROs.

Andrews voted to make the city a sanctuary for second amendment rights and authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson’s shared police department with York County.

Due to Jana Andrews’ conservative voting record and the fact that she is running unopposed, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Western Precinct

Poquoson City Council, Western Precinct

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for Poquoson City Council’s Western Precinct seat is held on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the U.S. presidential election. Each city precinct elects its representative for the City Council. Incumbent councilman David Hux is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for Congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

David Hux, an employee of Newport News Shipbuilding, is running unopposed for re-election in Poquoson’s Western Precinct.

Hux wants to preserve the small-town atmosphere of Poquoson and properly fund public services such as police, schools, and firefighters.

In 2019, Poquoson’s City Council unanimously voted to make the city a sanctuary for second amendment rights and to authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson’s shared police department with York County.

There is very little information about Hux publicly available.

Given Hux’s support for gun rights and police militarization, and a lack of other information about him, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

About the Race

The election for Poquoson City Council’s Western Precinct seat is held on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the U.S. presidential election. Each city precinct elects its representative for the City Council. Incumbent councilman David Hux is running unopposed for re-election.

About the District

Poquoson is an independent city in Hampton Roads, located near York County, with a population of just over 12,000. The district is reliably Republican with the GOP winning the city in every presidential election for over twenty years. During his 2018 run for Congress, Scott Taylor (R) earned over 70% of the vote in Poquoson.

Recommendation

David Hux, an employee of Newport News Shipbuilding, is running unopposed for re-election in Poquoson’s Western Precinct.

Hux wants to preserve the small-town atmosphere of Poquoson and properly fund public services such as police, schools, and firefighters.

In 2019, Poquoson’s City Council unanimously voted to make the city a sanctuary for second amendment rights and to authorize the purchase of a tank for Poquoson’s shared police department with York County.

There is very little information about Hux publicly available.

Given Hux’s support for gun rights and police militarization, and a lack of other information about him, we do not recommend this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

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