Richmond, District 4

The election for President of the United States is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris (D) is running against former president, Donald J. Trump (R), a businessman and former reality television star.
For her running mate, Vice President Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. For his running mate, former president Trump chose JD Vance.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is running to be the 47th President of the United States. She previously served as a US Senator for the state of California, as well as the Attorney General for California, and the District Attorney for San Francisco.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is the Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States. He previously served as a congressman for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. Governor Walz is a National Army Guard veteran and retired school teacher. 

Together on the Issues
⭐ They support reproductive freedom and access to abortion and will never allow a national abortion ban to become law!
⭐ They support affordable housing!
⭐ They support investing in small businesses–especially when it comes to entrepreneurs from marginalized communities!
⭐ They support making healthcare more accessible and affordable!
⭐ They support affordable quality childcare and education!
⭐ They support high-quality clean energy jobs and environmental justice!
⭐ They support passing the Equality Act and protecting the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA+ communities!
⭐ They support common-sense gun violence prevention legislation!

There’s definitely more, but you get it by now.

The Opposition
Former Republican President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance are facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. 

The Republican candidate for president is Donald Trump. If you’ve found yourself looking at our voter guide, we probably don’t need to tell you all the reasons not to vote for him–so we’ll just do a few. Donald Trump’s administration is responsible for legislation and deregulation that led to disasters such as deregulated meat distribution and increases in working class tax payments due to his 2017 tax law. Trump also fired the CDC team that was responsible for detecting zoological diseases in wildlife in China, which was a decision that directly led to the mishandling of Covid-19. Even before his presidency, Trump had a terribly long history of racism, homophobia, sexism, violence against women, and fraudulent activity. One paragraph is not enough to cover his record of being an absolutely horrible human being, let alone a deplorable president.

Let’s not forget: thirty-four counts. And an insurrection. 🤬

JD Vance, on the other hand, is just your run-of-the-mill racist. He’s not even exceptionally good at it, seeing as how he admitted to creating false stories about Haitians on national television. He also talked about single childfree women (who are free to have children or not if they wish) using “childless cat ladies” as an insult. JD Vance’s pivot from his previous statements about Trump exposes how weak his constitution is, and how it has affected his political motivations. At best, JD Vance is a grifter who was extremely critical of Trump before he realized there was money in extreme MAGA Trumpism. At his worst, Vance is your everyday sexist who knows that the general public will excuse him for being fatally boring if he spews racist and sexist rhetoric. Please, for the love of all that is good and even somewhat enjoyable, do not vote for these vile men. 

Recommendation (Note: Not an endorsement!)
For many–maybe even countless–reasons, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are without a doubt the progressive candidates in this race. We don’t even need to say anything more about the other two.

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Incumbent Democratic candidate Tim Kaine and Republican candidate Hung Cao will face each other in the general election for United States Senator for Virginia.

United States Democratic Senator Tim Kaine was first elected to the Senate in 2012. He served as Virginia’s governor from 2006 until 2010. Prior to that, he was the lieutenant governor. Additionally, Senator Kaine served as Richmond’s mayor from 1998 until 2001 and City Council District 2 representative from 1994 until 2001. In 2016, Hilary Clinton announced Senator Kaine as her running mate in her bid for the presidency. He is married to Anne Holton, former Virginia Secretary of Education. 

On the Issues 
⭐ Champions reproductive rights and access to abortion 
⭐ Was a deciding vote to protect the Affordable Care Act
⭐ Advocated for quality public education since his time in Virginia local and state politics
⭐ Helped pass the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
⭐ Strong supporter of DACA
⭐ Passed his EMBRACE Act to improve climate resiliency at military facilities
⭐ Supports Equality Act
⭐ Popularly known as America’s Dad

The Opposition
Senator Kaine is facing a challenge from Republican candidate Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain. Cao unsuccessfully ran for Virginia’s Congressional District 10 seat against former Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton in 2022. Cao is anti-abortion, regularly uses anti-immigrant rhetoric, and boldly supports former president Donald Trump. 🤬

Recommendation (Note: Not an endorsement!)
Because of his decades-long proven track record of being a champion for the people, Senator Tim Kaine is the progressive candidate in this race. 
 

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

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Incumbent Republican Rob Wittman and Democratic candidate Leslie Mehta will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. Congressman Rob Wittman has served in the House of Representatives since 2007.

Leslie Mehta is the Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. She is a civil rights attorney and previous legal director at the ACLU of Virginia. Mehta received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina. She completed her law degree at Howard University School of Law. She is an advocate for people with Rett’s Syndrome, losing her own daughter to the disorder in 2021. She grew up in North Carolina and currently resides in Chesterfield County with her husband and daughter.

On the Issues
⭐ Committed to protecting access to abortion, contraceptives, IVF, and the full spectrum of reproductive care
⭐ Lists equitable healthcare as a top priority and will fight for access to affordable, quality healthcare for all
⭐ Advocates for rare disease awareness and supports ongoing funding for rare diseases
⭐ Supports common sense gun violence prevention legislation and prioritizes community safety

Things to Note
Appointed to Governor Northam’s Commision to Examine Racial and Economic Inequity
Served on Governor Youngkin’s Rare Disease Council
Mehta represented Jason Kessler, organizer for the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her reasoning was that the First Amendment rights of Americans should be defended.

The Opposition
Leslie Mehta is challenging Republican incumbent, Congressman Rob Wittman. He has represented CD1 since 2007. Prior to that, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006-2007. Here are just some of his bad votes while in Congress:
🤡 Voted to defund Planned Parenthood [emoji]
🤡 Voted against Women’s Health Protection Act
🤡 Voted “NO” on the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act
🤡 Voted “NO” on the Strength in Diversity Act
🤡 Voted against CROWN Act of 2021
🤡 Voted against George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021
🤡 Voted in favor of repealing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
🤡 Voted against gun violence prevention bills
🤡 Voted against assault weapons ban
And he co-sponsored legislation to loosen restrictions on gun purchases. 🤡🤡🤡

Recommendation (Note: Not an Endorsement!)
While we could not find a significant amount of information on her views and values, based on her commitment to protecting access to abortion and support for gun violence prevention intervention, Leslie Mehta is the progressive candidate in this race.

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

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Incumbent Democrat Jennifer McClellan and Republican candidate Bill Moher will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan has served in the House of Representatives since 2023, when she won the special election following the death of Congressman Don McEachin, making her Virginia’s first Black congresswoman.

Democrat Incumbent Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan has served in Congress since 2023. Prior to serving in Congress, she served in the Virginia State Senate from 2017 until 2023 and the House of Delegates from 2006 until 2017. She is the daughter of community leaders and educators. She graduated from the University of Richmond and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. She lives in Richmond with her husband and two children.

On the Issues
⭐ Worked to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
⭐ Passed the Voting Rights Act of Virginia 🤩
⭐ Passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act and the Solar Freedom Act
⭐ Passed the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights
⭐ Passed the Reproductive Health Protection Act and the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act
⭐ Created a state-based health exchange under Obamacare
⭐ Carried the bill to make Virginia the first state in the South to remove the ban on abortion coverage for health insurance plans offered through the state health insurance exchange
⭐ Expanded tenant rights and protections and strengthened foreclosure protections for homeowners
⭐ Introduced legislation to fully fund public education
⭐ Introduced legislation for all kids in the Commonwealth to have access to healthcare, regardless of citizenship
⭐ Co-sponsored legislation to reinstate Virginia’s “one-gun-a-month rule” and to allow localities to prohibit guns in certain public spaces
⭐ Note: this isn’t even everything–not even close– but we think you get the picture.

Things to Note
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
2020 Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic’s Legislative Leadership & Courage Award
2020 NARAL of Virginia’s Legislator of the Year Award

The Opposition
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is being challenged by Republican Bill Moher. He is a native of Arlington and an entrepreneur. He is also an investor and advisor. Moher prioritizes protecting the Second Amendment. He wants to “crack down” on immigration. 🙄We couldn’t find too much information on his priorities, but we found enough to know he is not the one.

Recommendation (Note: Not an Endorsement!)
Congresswoman McClellan has an incredible track record of introducing legislation with progressive values. Based on her longstanding history of advocating for reproductive rights, healthcare for all, and gun violence prevention, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is the clear progressive candidate in this race.

Virginia’s 5th district includes 21 counties and parts of Albemarle County, Bedford County, and Hanover County. With a population of 797,420 this district leans Republican. 

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Republican candidate John McGuire and Democratic candidate Gloria Tinsley Witt will face each other in the general election for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. The current representative is Congressman Bob Good, who was not chosen as the Republican candidate in the 2024 primary election.

Democratic candidate Gloria Tinsley Witt grew up on a small farm in Amherst. She began working in a tobacco field when she was 14 years old. Witt earned a degree in communications and economics from Randolph College. She spent over three decades working at a leading global energy company. After retiring in 2013, she started a coaching company aimed at developing the next generation of executives and leaders.

On the Issues
⭐ Expresses the need to restore reproductive rights
⭐ Wants to expand access to basic quality healthcare, enhance mental health access for all, and advance affordable childcare
⭐ Pushes to preserve Protect the PACT Act - the largest expansion of health care and benefits for veterans
⭐ Advocates for preserving Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act
⭐ Wants to expand access to voting - Advance the John Lewis Voting Act
⭐ Supports gun violence prevention legislation, such as banning assault weapons and mandated waiting periods
⭐ Pushes for re-inventing k-12 public school education and replace “No Child Left Behind” policies
⭐ Advocates for supporting teachers through licensure, pay, and development
⭐ Wants to strengthen pathways to workforce skill development: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
⭐ Wants to adjust the federal minimum wage
⭐ Emphasizes need for smart climate-friendly economic growth and fair share tax policies
⭐ Wishes to expand access to voting - Advance the John Lewis Voting Act.

Things to Note
Served in leadership roles at several civic organizations
Previously president of the NAACP Amherst Branch and the Central Virginia Academy for Nonprofit Excellence
Endorsed as a Virginia Gun Sense Candidate
Wants to innovate immigration processing solutions to assess, relocate, employ, or deport individuals 🤔
Little information exists outside her website, so much of this information is pulled directly from that source. If possible, always seek additional confirmation of positions from other sources.

The Opposition
Gloria Tinsley Witt is facing off against Republican State Senator John McGuire. Senator McGuire has served in the Virginia State Senate since 2024. Previously, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 until 2024. Through legislation he introduced and his votes on others’ bills, Senator McGuire has shown time and again that he is anti-abortion. He also tried to repeal risk-protection order laws. He has also voted:
🤡 against establishing an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups
🤡 against extending voting rights to citizens on parole
🤡 against repealing the death penalty
🤡 against repealing the “Gay Panic” murder defense
🤡 against establishing better standards for LEO training and qualifications
🤡 against prohibiting no-knock search warrants
🤡 against establishing gun-free zones on School Board property

He also co-sponsored a bill to deny trans women and girls the right to participate in sports and a bill to require the forced outing of students exploring their gender identities to parents who may be hostile to them. Additionally, Senator McGuire voted against requiring schools to create policies friendly to transgender students. 🤬

Things to Note
The first thing you will see on McGuire’s website, after an embedded form to donate, is the following endearing statement:
About John
Pro-Life. Pro-Gun. Pro-Trump. 🤮
This should tell you all you need to know.

Recommendation (Note: Not an endorsement!)
There is too much that can be said about Senator John Mcguire. Suffice it to say, he is a Trumper through and through and is hostile to the rights of anyone who isn’t a straight white Christian man. Gloria Tinsley Witt shares many of our values, and her policy positions indicate her progressive intent. If she holds to her word, Gloria Tinsley Witt is the progressive candidate in this race.

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Independent candidates Dr. Danny Avula, Andreas Addison, Michelle Mosby, Maurice Neblett, and Harrison Roday will face each other in the general election for Richmond Mayor. Current Richmond City Mayor Lavar Stoney is not seeking re-election, instead opting to run for lieutenant governor in the 2025 election.

Democratic candidate Harrison Roday’s policy priorities and career trajectory showcase a commitment to equity. His work with Bridging Virginia and Foodshed Capital provesprove that he is willing to back up his words with action. 

Harrison Roday has consistently expressed his stance on abortion access and is the most vocal candidate about what the mayor can do to protect access on the local level. He has committed to investing $100 million in affordable housing in the next four years, as well as the creation of a tenant advisory board. Additionally, he has committed to establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Mayor’s Office. 

Harrison Roday has received notable endorsements from progressive organizations and unions including New Virginia Majority, Richmond Education Association, SEIU Virginia 512, 32BJ SEIU, and Teamsters 322.

Harrison Roday is the most progressive choice in this race.

This election will be held on November 5, 2024. Independent candidate Sarah Abubaker is running unopposed in the general election for Richmond City Council’s 4th district.

Sarah Abubaker is a community organizer and neighborhood advocate, currently serving as President of the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association. Abubaker received her BA in Political Science from JMU, her Master of Public Administration at VCU, and studied at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. She has worked in a variety of service roles, including in Constituent Services and Workforce Development Policy under Governor Tim Kaine, as Director of Advancement Operations at the University of Richmond, as the Associate Director of Advocacy and Outreach for RPS, and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at Virginia State University.

On the Issues
⭐ Abubaker specifically advocates for “walkable and liveable neighborhoods”. She argues that every Fourth District neighborhood should provide car-free access to green space, amenities, or community gathering places.
⭐ Abubaker promises to continue to prioritize supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses that bring value to their communities. She also focuses on investing in our parks.
⭐ Abubaker lists “protecting our natural resources” as one of her top priorities. She acknowledges the fourth district's natural beauty and its importance to the community.
⭐ Lists “affordable housing and property tax reform” as one of her key issues. She knows that the City must increase housing inventory to match demand while also ensuring current residents are not priced out of the market.
⭐ Finally, Abubaker lists “a more responsive and effective city hall as a key issue. She acknowledges that the taxes Richmond residents pay are not reflected in the quality of services they receive. She goes into specific issues, such as citizens enduring long waits for permits to improve their homes or having to resort to asking their City Councilmember to intervene to get a response from city departments.

Things to Note
As proof of Abubaker’s commitment to commonsense governing, current Councilmember Kristen Nye has chosen to endorse her run for the seat she will be vacating.

RECOMMENDATION
Abubaker’s policy stances and advocacy paint her as a progressive. Although she may be the only candidate in the race, she remains a solidly progressive choice.

This election will be held on November 5, 2024.

Garrett Sawyer has earned the endorsement of our education partners at The Virginia Voter Guide, which we have included below. You can also learn more about him on their website here. 

Garrett Sawyer is a community leader and the CEO of Sawyer HR Consulting, currently serving as the interim representative for District 4 on the Richmond City School Board. A lifelong Richmond resident and product of the public school system, he holds degrees in public administration and has extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, and policy implementation.