Incumbent Senator Monty Mason has served in the State Senate since 2016, and previously served in the House of Delegates from 2014 to 2016. He serves on several committees, including Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Commerce and Labor, General Laws and Technology, Privileges and Elections, and Rehabilitation and Social Services. Senator Mason lives in Williamsburg with his wife and children.
Senator Mason believes that the right to abortion is a fundamental right. He vowed to defend that right against conservative legislators who aim to weaken access to abortion. During the 2021 General Assembly, he voted to allow Virginia Health insurance plans to cover abortion care. He votes consistently in support of abortion access bills and against legislation aimed at creating barriers to that access. He is endorsed by REPRO Rising Virginia, Roe Your Vote Virginia, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
Senator Mason advocates for strong gun violence prevention legislation, particularly when it comes to school safety. He supports background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons, and stronger firearms storage policies. During the 2023 General Assembly, he was a chief co-patron of a bill that focused on safe storage in homes where children live. In light of the recent incident of gun violence, he introduced a budget amendment to help secure classrooms in Richneck Elementary. Additionally, he is a strong supporter of extreme-risk protection orders. Senator Mason is endorsed by Giffords, an organization dedicated to gun violence prevention.
Senator Mason believes in quality public education. He has advocated for raising teacher pay and increasing funding for public schools and early childhood education programs. He is endorsed by the Virginia Education Association. Through his advocacy for gun violence prevention, he works to keep schools safe. In 2022, Senator Mason received a Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities.
Senator Mason is a proponent of environmental justice legislation. He supported the Clean Economy Act and criticized Governor Youngkin’s removal of Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. He advocates for renewable energy. Once a year, Senator Mason hosts an annual creek clean-up. He has stated that flooding and the damages from it should be a policy priority. He received a 100 percent on the Virginia League of Conservation Voters legislative scorecard.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Monty Mason is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Danny Diggs in this race. Diggs has 45 years of experience as a law enforcement officer. He was the sheriff of York County and Poquoson for more than 20 years. He supports Governor Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban. Diggs praised the Supreme Court for striking down student loan debt forgiveness.
Because of his commitment to protecting abortion access, gun violence prevention, and protecting the environment, Senator Mason is the progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-09-21
