House District 021

Virginia’s new 30th State Senate district encompasses parts of Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park City. With almost 135,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.

This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic Delegate Danica Roem and Republican candidate Bill Woolf are facing each other in the general election for Virginia’s new 30th State Senate district. Delegate Roem has served in the House of Delegates since 2018.

Democratic Delegate Danica Roem has served in the House of Delegates since 2018 and is now seeking the Senate District 30 seat. Before being elected, she was a journalist for the Gainsville Times and the Prince William Times. She is the first out transgender member of the Virginia General Assembly. She was born and raised in Manassas and went on to graduate from St. Bonaventure University. Delegate Roem is the executive director of EmergeVA, an organization aimed at getting Democratic women from diverse backgrounds to run for office.

With her background in journalism, ethics and transparency are major issues of concern to Delegate Roem. She introduced legislation to increase government accountability and transparency through her Shield Law. This law prevents reporters from being detained for protecting the identities of confidential sources. She also supports making the Freedom of Information Act more accessible to those requesting public information. She supports the creation of a FOIA ombudsman and the reduction or elimination of fees associated with FOIA.

Delegate Roem supports commonsense legislation for gun violence prevention. She has voted in favor of bills for allowing localities to decide how to handle firearms in government buildings, universal background checks, and extreme risk protection orders to keep firearms out of the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves or others. She also advocates for including students in the topic of gun violence prevention. She hosted a student-led roundtable discussion with US Senator Tim Kaine in 2018.

Delegate Roem is a champion for ending childhood hunger. Ten of her bills that target ending childhood hunger have been signed into law. Additionally, she has passed two that aim to help adults facing food insecurity. One of her bills focused on banning alternative meals from being served to children who have school meal debt. Other bills increased enrollment in a federal program that offered free meals to kids at eligible schools. She also proactively legislated to end school meal debt.

When Delegate Roem took office in 2018, she was without health insurance. Understanding many of her constituents were also in a similar situation, she campaigned on expanding Medicaid. Along with voting for expansion, she also voted to decrease premiums by having Virginia establish its own health insurance exchange. Additionally, in 2020, her bill to end discrimination against transgender Virginians in health insurance passed. She also voted to protect reproductive freedoms, including abortion access, transition care, and in vitro fertilization. She vows to continue to stand against policies that attack the Affordable Care Act.

Delegate Danica Roem is facing Republican candidate Bill Woolf. Woolf is a lifelong resident of Prince William County and a former law enforcement officer. When asked about Governor Youngkin’s proposed 15-week abortion ban, Woolf did not say he would vote against the bill. He supports education programs that would divert funds from public schools to private institutions that aren’t regulated.

Because of her commitment to economic justice, views on transparency, and Delegate Danica Roem is the progressive choice in this race.

Virginia’s new 21st District in the House of Delegates encompasses parts of Prince William County. With just over 58,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district.

This election will be held on November 7, 2023. Democratic candidate Josh Thomas is running against Republican John Stirrup in the general election for Virginia’s new 21st House of Delegates District.

Josh Thomas, a Marine Corps veteran, is a committed advocate for community service and positive change. His experiences in the military and as an attorney have shaped his passion for helping others. From fighting for affordable housing and small businesses to supporting Veterans and the LGBTA+ community, Thomas's dedication to uplifting communities is evident. He aims to bring people together to address economic challenges and improve the lives of working families in Virginia's 21st District.

Thomas's dedication to reproductive rights is unwavering. In light of recent decisions, he is committed to safeguarding access to abortion and advocating for affordable and comprehensive healthcare for all Virginians. Beyond reproductive rights, he will address issues like the gender wage gap and affordable childcare. With a determination to fight discrimination and oppression, he aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for all women in Virginia's 21st District.

With a background in real estate, Thomas recognizes the environmental impact of over-development. He will champion clean energy legislation and promote programs for easier access to energy-saving resources in homes. Thomas aims to address the high energy rates faced by Virginians by advocating for increased oversight of the state's energy monopoly. By working to alleviate the energy burden on families, he seeks to create a sustainable and affordable energy future for all.

Having volunteered with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps during the pandemic, Thomas witnessed the challenges faced by families in accessing affordable and effective healthcare. He will be a champion for affordable health care, advocating for better access to primary care providers and life-saving treatments for everyone. Thomas recognizes the significance of clear and understandable medical information, supporting the increase of multilingual healthcare staff to ensure all Virginians receive comprehensive healthcare services.

Thomas understands that a strong economy requires expanding opportunities for Virginia's working families and small businesses. Committed to fostering economic growth and enhancing affordability, Thomas will work diligently to ensure a low cost of living for our community. By supporting small businesses and advocating for the prosperity of all working families, Thomas aims to build a thriving economy that benefits everyone.

Thomas’s opponent is John Stirrup a conservative Republican who opposes teaching accurate history in our schools, referring to them as “divisive politics.” He has no plan to combat the rising gun violence in our community. He also has no plan to protect reproductive rights in the Commonwealth. Climate action and human rights are also not a part of his issue areas despite the growing threat against both issues.

A champion for reproductive rights, healthcare access for all, and climate action, Josh Thomas is the progressive choice.