Richmond, District 8
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Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th
The Virginia Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family.
Federal
For her running mate, Vice President Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. For his running mate, former president Trump chose JD Vance.
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.
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.
Congress
1st Congressional District
Virginia’s 1st district includes 15 counties and parts of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties. With 810,541, this district leans Republican.
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.
4th Congressional District
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.
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.
5th Congressional District
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.
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.
City of Richmond
We are currently conducting research for this race. Please check back soon!
COMING SOON!
We are currently conducting research for this race. Please check back soon!
Richmond, District 8
Depending on where you live, you may have the following district races on your ballot.
Issues we dug up in our research:
In 2020, Trammell was involved in a scandal during her run for office in which one of her largest donors during the campaign cycle was a now-convicted drug kingpin. Trammell did not offer any explanation of the donation or relationship.
Also in 2020, Trammell shared a post to her facebook account in which a racist Jim Crow-era caricature was prominently displayed in her kitchen. She said she had no idea it was racist, even though it is labeled as one of the most prominent archetypes of the Jim Crow era and is prominently featured on the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia’s website.
While serving on the council in 2020, Trammell drew additional fire for being one of only two council members who opposed a symbolic resolution to request the state to grant authority over Confederate monuments to local governments.
In 2023, Trammell was involved in another political fiasco involving the Hickory Hill Community Center. The Richmond Fire Department had proposed to build a fire training facility with a two-story burn building where firefighters could simulate extinguishing live infernos on the grounds of the community center on East Belt Boulevard. Despite opposition by local environmental group Southside ReLeaf and being denied by both the city’s Urban Design Commission and the Planning Commission, 8th District representative Reva Trammell and Mayor Stoney introduced a joint resolution in favor of the burn facility that the City Council then passed. The city eventually reversed course, but only after pushing hard for what was felt by many to be a hostile takeover against the clear wishes of the community.
Trammell has been caught multiple times using her position in unethical and illegal ways and making unregulated, unsupervised distributions of gift cards that she labels “constituent services”, which she never disclosed as any kind of donation.
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Frank H. Wilson Jr. was born in Austin, Texas. His father served in the army, and his mother worked as a housekeeper. He has Bachelors Degree from Rice University, Masters Degree from Liberty University, and four major designations in Insurance and Financial Services.
Note: Public forums show many comments expressing concern with Wilson’s candidacy, arguing that he does not live in the community and does not seem to care about their actual interests.
RECOMMENDATION
There are no excuses or even explanations for Councilwoman Trammel's past actions. We cannot, in good conscience, recommend Trammel in this race. Given what little information we could find on Frank H. Wilson Jr., there does not appear to be a progressive option in this race.
Issues we dug up in our research:
In 2020, Trammell was involved in a scandal during her run for office in which one of her largest donors during the campaign cycle was a now-convicted drug kingpin. Trammell did not offer any explanation of the donation or relationship.
Also in 2020, Trammell shared a post to her facebook account in which a racist Jim Crow-era caricature was prominently displayed in her kitchen. She said she had no idea it was racist, even though it is labeled as one of the most prominent archetypes of the Jim Crow era and is prominently featured on the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia’s website.
While serving on the council in 2020, Trammell drew additional fire for being one of only two council members who opposed a symbolic resolution to request the state to grant authority over Confederate monuments to local governments.
In 2023, Trammell was involved in another political fiasco involving the Hickory Hill Community Center. The Richmond Fire Department had proposed to build a fire training facility with a two-story burn building where firefighters could simulate extinguishing live infernos on the grounds of the community center on East Belt Boulevard. Despite opposition by local environmental group Southside ReLeaf and being denied by both the city’s Urban Design Commission and the Planning Commission, 8th District representative Reva Trammell and Mayor Stoney introduced a joint resolution in favor of the burn facility that the City Council then passed. The city eventually reversed course, but only after pushing hard for what was felt by many to be a hostile takeover against the clear wishes of the community.
Trammell has been caught multiple times using her position in unethical and illegal ways and making unregulated, unsupervised distributions of gift cards that she labels “constituent services”, which she never disclosed as any kind of donation.
\*\*\*
Frank H. Wilson Jr. was born in Austin, Texas. His father served in the army, and his mother worked as a housekeeper. He has Bachelors Degree from Rice University, Masters Degree from Liberty University, and four major designations in Insurance and Financial Services.
Note: Public forums show many comments expressing concern with Wilson’s candidacy, arguing that he does not live in the community and does not seem to care about their actual interests.
RECOMMENDATION
There are no excuses or even explanations for Councilwoman Trammel's past actions. We cannot, in good conscience, recommend Trammel in this race. Given what little information we could find on Frank H. Wilson Jr., there does not appear to be a progressive option in this race.
PH “Cruz” Sherman is a candidate for the Richmond City School Board in District 8 for the 2024 election. He has a background as a chaplain with the Richmond Police Department and previously worked as a youth crisis counselor at Blackwell Elementary and as a special education instructor in Chesterfield Public Schools.