City of Chesapeake

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Republican incumbent Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democratic US Representative Abigail Spanberger will face each other in the general election for Governor of Virginia.

The Democratic nominee for Governor, Abigail Spanberger actually fights to expand healthcare and reproductive freedom instead of rolling over when conservatives threaten to restrict abortion rights. She’s committed to investing in clean energy, holding polluters accountable, and reducing energy costs for working families. Her gun-safety agenda goes far beyond “thoughts and prayers,” taking on the NRA head-on instead of cashing their donation checks. Spanberger’s pragmatic progressive vision gives suburban moderates and left-leaners tired of corporate centrism and culture-war theatrics a real reason to show up.

The Opposition

The Republican nominee for Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears is all about slashing taxes for big corporations while telling unemployed workers that losing a job is “no big deal.” She grandstands against critical race theory and “woke” classrooms to score culture-war points instead of tackling real education challenges. By waving her Marine Corps credentials, she sells herself as the ultimate tough-on-crime candidate, conveniently ignoring how lax gun laws endanger communities. Her true believers are MAGA zealots who think banning books, rolling back reproductive freedoms, and erasing civil liberties are more important than looking out for working families.

Recommendation

Due to her advocacy for abortion access, gun violence prevention, and clean energy, Abigail Spanberger is the progressive candidate in this race.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Democratic Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Republican John Reid will face each other in the general election for Lt. Governor of Virginia.

The Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, Ghazala Hashmi is fighting to pump real money into public schools instead of the right’s perennial budget cuts and culture-war book bans. She defends reproductive freedom and Medicaid expansion for working families while conservatives keep dialing back healthcare access and waving anti-abortion placards. Her clean-energy agenda and environmental-justice bills actually target polluters, not the customary GOP handouts to pipeline lobbyists. Dreamers, suburban progressives fed up with partisan hijinks, and anyone who’d trade culture-war theatrics for equity and opportunity will cheer her unapologetic stand for Virginia’s working families.

The Opposition

The Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, John Reid is a self-styled small-government crusader who’ll happily cut taxes for wealthy donors while pretending he’s doing the same for working Virginians. He rails against “woke” curriculum and critical race theory, because apparently teaching actual American history is more offensive to him than runaway inequality. He touts law-and-order credentials and celebrity as a conservative radio host, hawking gun rights like they’re the ultimate public-safety strategy. He even plans to torpedo constitutional protections for same-sex marriage, proving that an openly gay candidate will stab his own community in the back for party unity, the perfect pick for culture-war diehards who prefer corporate giveaways to real solutions for working families.

Recommendation

Due to her advocacy for public education, abortion access, and environmental justice, Ghazala Hashmi is the progressive candidate in this race.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares faces a challenge from former Democratic Virginia State Delegate Jay Jones.

The Democratic nominee for Attorney General, Jay Jones has pledged to sue the Trump administration every time it infringes on the rights of Virginians. He’s secured victories for abortion access, expanded Medicaid to cover thousands more Virginians, and even wrote anti-price-gouging measures to keep corporate vultures in check. His public-safety plan pairs smart gun-violence prevention and community-based crime interventions rather than recycling the right’s tired “lock ’em up” mantra for political ads. Grassroots progressives, consumer-rights advocates, and anyone sick of endless culture-war stunts will line up behind a candidate who actually puts families over fear-mongering theatrics.

The Opposition

Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares cozies up to ICE, shaming local authorities who don’t cooperate with Trump’s policies of mass deportation, because terrorizing immigrant families is apparently his idea of due process. He grandstands on opioid crackdowns but turns a blind eye to corporate-friendly loopholes that keep the drug pipeline flowing. He bills himself as a federalism champion when suing Washington over environmental rules, conveniently ignoring states’ rights whenever big donors flash a check. His true believers are tough-on-crime zealots who think more ICE raids, harsher sentencing, and tax cuts for the wealthy are the pinnacle of compassionate governance.

Recommendation

Due to his advocacy for abortion access, gun violence prevention, and Medicaid coverage, Jay Jones is the progressive candidate in this race.

Virginia’s new 84th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Suffolk City, parts of Isle of Wight County, Franklin City, and parts of Chesapeake City. With over 66,000 registered voters, this district leans Democratic.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Nadarius Clark faces a challenge from former Republican Vermont state legislator Felisha Storm in HD-84.

Virginia's House District 84 includes portions of the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Isle of Wight County, and the entirety of Franklin City in the Hampton Roads region. In the 2024 election Democratic candidates won by double-digit margins.

Nadarius E. Clark is the Democratic Delegate for Virginia’s House District 84 since January 2024, following prior service in District 79. A Norfolk-born community organizer with a fine arts degree from Virginia Union University, he made history as the youngest Democrat elected to the House and the first Black delegate for his district.
Committee Assignments: Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (Vice Chair); Communications, Technology and Innovation; Education; Public Safety (Firearms Subcommittee Chair)

Constitutional Amendments
Delegate Clark co-sponsored Constitutional Amendments to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution, restore voting rights to returning citizens, and enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution.

Education
- Chief-patroned a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted to increase protections and support for cyberbullying
- Co-patroned a bill to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted against a“forced-outing” bill targeting transgender students 

Health and Human Services
- Chief co-patroned a bill to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to establish the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require health insurance plans to cover birth control

Other Issues
- Co-sponsored a bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault-style weapons
- Co-sponsored a bill to establish regulations for “high-risk” AI
- Voted to authorize Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections

The Opposition

Republican Felisha Rose Leffler Storm is a former Vermont legislator and was the youngest person elected to the Vermont General Assembly. She holds a B.A. in Government from Sweet Briar College and is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. Storm was the Virginia Director of Grassroots Operation for Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian conservative group. She and her husband live in Suffolk. 

Constitutional Amendments
As a Vermont legislator, Storm voted against a 2019 abortion rights bill. This indicates she will oppose HJ 1, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the Virginia Constitution.

Education
Felisha Storm advocates for parents rights in education. She pledges to vote for programs that add and reinforce additional safety measures.

Economy and Inflation
Storm will work to cut regulations and eliminate the car tax.  She does not support collective bargaining efforts. During her time as a Vermont legislator from 2019 to 2023, she repeatedly voted against a paid family leave bill.

Other Issues
Storm wants to increase funding for police. She supports the national crackdown on immigration and opposes sanctuary cities. She believes that speed cameras violate 4th and 5th Amendment rights. She opposes extreme risk protection orders to prevent gun violence.

Recommendation

Based on his track record for supporting quality public education, tenants' rights, and affordable healthcare, Delegate Clark is the progressive candidate in this race.

Virginia’s new 89th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Chesapeake City and parts of Suffolk City. With over 64,000 registered voters, this district is a competitive district that doesn’t lean in one direction or another.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Democrat Karen "Kacey" Carnegie and Republican Mike Lamonea will face off in HD-89.

Virginia's House District 89 includes portions of the cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk in the South of the Hampton Roads region. In the 2024 election is leaned Democratic by single-digit margins.

Karen Robins “Kacey” Carnegie is an attorney and lifelong Chesapeake resident running as the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 89th House District. She champions platform focused on affordable childcare, public safety, education investment, and economic opportunity for all. An alumna of Longwood University and the University of Richmond Law School.

Education
Kacey Carnegie pledges to fully fund public education, support teachers, and ensure that every student has access to a world-class education.

Economy and Inflation
Carnegie advocates for investing in local infrastructure and small businesses to create quality jobs and spur economic growth. She will fight to increase access to childcare and promote affordable housing initiatives. She supports raising the minimum wage and providing tax credits. She has called out federal government cuts for impacting Virginia’s economy.

Health and Human Services
Carnegie is committed to ensuring access to quality healthcare and childcare services. She will protect Medicaid and Medicare access and lower child care and prescription drug costs.

Other Issues
Carnegie advocates for commonsense gun safety laws and will work to ensure public safety officers and first responders have access to needed training and resources.

The Opposition

Republican Mike Lamonea is a former Chesapeake School Board member. He previously worked as a Special Agent with ICE at the Department of Homeland Security. Lamonea has served in several positions during his time with Homeland Security Investigations. He was also a Senior Liaison with the CIA. Governor Youngkin appointed him as Chair of Virginia’s Human Trafficking Commission. He and his wife have four children. 

Constitutional Amendments
Mike Lamonea will not support HJ 1, which would enshrine abortion access in the state's Constitution.

Education
Mike Lamonea repeats disinformation about the politicization of public school classrooms. He wants to expand mental health resources for students. He supports establishing a regional career center, and wants to increase investment in trades.

Economy and Inflation
Lamonea pledges to eliminate grocery and car taxes. He opposes data centers and solar farms.

Other Issues
Lamonea advocates for increased investment in law enforcement. He has received the highest possible rating from the NRA. As a former ICE agent, he pledges to continue to support and cooperate.

Recommendation

Based on her support for abortion access, quality, affordable healthcare, and workers' rights, Kacey Carnegie is the progressive candidate in this race.

Virginia’s new 90th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Chesapeake City. With over 66,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Republican.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Jay Leftwich faces a challenge from Democrat Rodney Nickens for HD-90.

Virginia's House District 90 is located entirely within the City of Chesapeake. In the 2024 election it remained strongly Republican by double-digit margins.

Rodney K. Nickens Jr. is a Chesapeake-born civil rights advocate, entrepreneur, and grassroots organizer running as the Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 90th House District. Dedicated to affordable housing, equitable education, voting rights, and public health, he brings a blend of activism and practical leadership to his campaign. As a host and columnist for civic platforms, he fosters dialogue rooted in accountability and inclusion.

Constitutional Amendments
Rodney Nickens Jr. will support HJ 1, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the Virginia Constitution, HJ 2, which would automatically restore voting rights to people upon release from incarceration, and HJ 9, which would repeal the Commonwealth’s defunct same-sex marriage ban and guarantee marriage equality for LGBTQ+ Virginians.

Education
Rodney Nickens pledges to stand for education equity. He wants to increase public teacher pay to address Virginia’s below-average teacher pay. He advocates for funding for modernized school infrastructure, prioritizing Title I schools in Chesapeake.

Economy and Inflation
Nickens believes housing is a human right and will stand up for affordable housing and tenant rights. He advocates for a $20/hour living wage and paid family and medical leave. He also supports repealing "right-to-work" laws. 

He will fight for green energy investments and flood mitigation in coastal communities, leveraging federal infrastructure funds. He will support small businesses through expanded access to grants and workforce development programs.

Health and Human Services
Nickens supports prescription drug affordability and a cap of $35 per month on insulin prices. He pledges to expand Medicaid to cover 45,000+ uninsured people in Hampton Roads.

Other Issues
Nickens is committed to addressing mass incarceration, ending racial disparities, and promoting rehabilitation over punishment.

He wants to invest in community-based alternatives, support restorative justice practices, and work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly under the law.

He supports improving public transportation options, making it easier for people to get to work, school, and essential services

He pledges to fight for policies that address environmental racism, ensure access to clean air and water, and promote sustainable practices in all our communities.

The Opposition

Incumbent Republican Delegate Jay Leftwich was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2013. He graduated from James Madison University and earned his J.D. from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. He is a partner at Basnight, Kinser, Leftwich and Nuckolls, P.C. Delegate Leftwich previously served on the Chesapeake City School Board.

Constitutional Amendments
Delegate Leftwich voted against Constitutional Amendments to enshrine abortion rights, restore voting rights to returning citizens, and enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution.

Education
- Voted against authorizing public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted for a “forced outing” bill targeting transgender students

Economy and Inflation
- Voted against increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Voted against establishing paid family and medical leave
- Voted against repealing prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Voted against establishing regulatory bodies to establish a Virginia cannabis industry
- Voted against prohibiting landlords from requiring tenants to cover extra fees
- Voted against establishing the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Health and Human Services
- Voted against establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted against establishing the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted against requiring insurance providers to cover birth control

Other Issues
- Voted against a bill that would require secure storage of firearms in households where children live
- Voted against a bill establishing regulations for “high-risk” AI
- Voted against establishing Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections

Recommendation

Based on his commitment to supporting workers' rights, access to quality, affordable healthcare, and environmental protections, Rodney Nickens Jr. is the progressive candidate in this race.

Virginia’s new 91st House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Chesapeake City and parts of Portsmouth City. With almost 60,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Cliff Hayes is running for reelection unopposed in HD-91.

Virginia's House District 91 spans portions of the cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth. Inthe 2024 election it remained strongly Democratic by comfortable double-digit margins.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate C. E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr. has served in the House of Delegates since 2016. A lifelong Chesapeake resident with a background in information technology and public sector innovation, Hayes brings expertise from his time as CIO and his own consulting work. Hayes is seeking re-election in November 2025.
Committee Assignments: Appropriations (General Government and Capital Outlay Subcommittee Chair), Communications, Technology and Innovation (Chair), Health and Human Services, Rules

Constitutional Amendments
- Co-patroned a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-patroned a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens
- Co-patroned a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution

Education
- Voted to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted to increase protections and support for cyberbullying
- Co-patroned a bill to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Did not vote on a “forced-outing” bill targeting transgender students to avoid going on the record

Economy and Inflation
- Co-patroned a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Co-patroned a bill to establish paid medical and family leave
- Co-patroned a bill to repeal prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Co-patroned a bill to establish regulatory bodies for the cannabis industry in Virginia
- Voted to establish frameworks to preserve local housing
- Voted to establish the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Health and Human Services
Key legislation:
- Voted to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to establish the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require health insurance plans to cover birth control

Other Issues
- Voted to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault-style weapons
- Voted to authorize Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections
- Co-sponsored a bill to establish regulations for “high-risk” AI

Recommendation

This is an uncontested race. Based on his history of advocating for gun violence prevention, quality, affordable healthcare, and workers' rights, Delegate Cliff Hayes is a progressive candidate.

Virginia’s new 92nd House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Norfolk City and parts of Chesapeake City. With almost 55,000 registered voters, this district leans strongly Democratic.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Bonita Anthony is running for reelection unopposed in HD-92.

Virginia's House District 92 spans portions of the cities of Chesapeake and Norfolk. In the 2024 election it remained strongly Democratic by comfortable double-digit margins.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Bonita Grace “Bonita” Anthony has represented Virginia’s 92nd House District since January 2024. A Norfolk native and engineering professional, she holds degrees in engineering and divinity and serves as a university administrator. Her career reflects deep roots in STEM education and faith-based community leadership.
Committee Assignments: Finance, Privileges and Elections, Transportation

Constitutional Amendments
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution

Education
- Co-patroned a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted to increase protections and support for cyberbullying
- Co-patroned a bill to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Co-sponsored a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average

Economy and Inflation
- Co-patroned a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Co-patroned a bill to establish paid medical and family leave
- Co-patroned a bill to repeal prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Co-patroned a bill to establish regulatory bodies for the cannabis industry in Virginia
- Voted to establish frameworks to preserve local housing
- Voted to establish the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Health and Human Services
- Voted to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to establish the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require health insurance plans to cover birth control

Other Issues
- Co-patroned a bill to establish regulations for “high-risk” AI
- Voted to authorize Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections
- Co-patroned a bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault-style weapons

The Opposition

Republican Nash Bilisoly is a veteran civil appellate lawyer from Norfolk. At the time of this writing, we were unable to find information on his priorities or stances.

Recommendation

Based on her track record of advocating for workers' rights, tenants' rights, and quality, affordable healthcare, Delegate Bonita Anthony is the progressive candidate in this race.