City of Fredericksburg
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Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th
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
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.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.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.House of Delegates
House District 063
Virginia’s House District 63 covers parts of Spotsylvania County and Orange County in Virginia’s Piedmont region. In the 2024 election it remained a strong Republican district by comfortable double-digit margins.
Forrest Miller will support HJ 9, which would repeal the Commonwealth’s defunct same-sex marriage ban and guarantee marriage equality for LGBTQ+ Virginians.
While he has stated broad support for “current amendments to the Virginia Constitution and those to be added,” as of this writing, were unable to find Miller’s explicit support for HJ 1, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the Virginia Constitution or HJ 2, which would automatically restore voting rights to people upon release from incarceration.
Forrest Miller pledges to improve schools by focusing on infrastructure. He advocates for expanded job training for teachers and raising teacher pay.
Miller supports investing in roads, helping to develop solutions for traffic congestion points, and assisting in planning for expected growth.
Miller wants to promote access to care and ensure healthcare workers and first responders have access to equipment and training.
He wants to create opportunities for veterans and ensure they have access to needed services. Additionally, he pledges to ensure the families of veterans are always supported.
The Opposition
Incumbent Republican Phillip Scott was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2021. He attended Word of Life Bible Institute and Liberty University and holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies, a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership, and a Juris Master’s. Delegate Scott is currently working on a Ph.D. in Public Policy, specializing in National Security. He leads a team of background investigators for a government contractor. He and his wife have five daughters.Recommendation
While we found limited information on Forrest Miller's priorities and stances, his support for abortion access and raising teacher pay show that he is the more progressive candidate in this race.House District 064
Virginia’s House District 64 covers parts of Stafford County in Virginia's Piedmont region. In the 2024 election it was closely split between Republicans and Democrats, with the GOP presidential nominee and Democratic senate nominee prevailing in their respective races by very narrow margins.
Stacey Annie Carrol supports competitive pay for teachers and school staff and advocates for expanding after-school programs.
Carrol wants to focus on sustainable economic growth without burdening residents. She will fight for small businesses and good-paying jobs with workplace protections that diversify revenue streams.
Carrol advocates for expanded healthcare access and affordability. She is committed to protecting Medicaid, defending reproductive healthcare, strengthening mental-health and substance-abuse program funding, and fighting to lower prescription drug costs.
She will partner with colleagues in Congress and across the aisle to protect veterans' benefits, expand access to mental health services, and fund the resources necessary to ease the transition back to civilian life.
The Opposition
Incumbent Republican Delegate Paul Milde was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2023. He previously served on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. He unsuccessfully ran for the District 28 House of Delegates seat in 2019. Delegate Milde has served on several committees, including the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, and the Stafford Technology and Research Park.Recommendation
Based on her support for affordable, quality healthcare, quality public education, and affordable healthcare, Stacey Carroll is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 065
Virginia’s new 65th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Stafford County, Fredericksburg City, and parts of Spotsylvania County. With over 62,000 registered voters, this is a competitive district.
Virginia’s House District 65 covers portions of Stafford County, the City of Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania County in Virginia’s Piedmont region. In the 2024 election Democratic presidential and senatorial nominees carryied the district by about ten points each.
Committee Assignments: General Laws, Health and Human Services, Privileges and Elections (Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee Chair)
- 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
- Co-patroned a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted to increase protections and support for cyberbullying
- Voted to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted to require schools to create transgender-student friendly policies
- Co-patroned a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Co-patroned a bill to establish paid family and medical leave
- Co-patroned a bill to establish regulatory bodies for the cannabis industry in Virginia
- Voted to prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to cover extra fees
- Voted to establish frameworks to preserve affordable local housing
- Voted to establish the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
- 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
- Co-patroned a bill to establish regulations for “high-risk” AI
- Co-patroned a bill to authorize Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections
- Sponsored a bill to prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal expenses
The Opposition
Republican Sean Steinway is a Marine Corps veteran and former Officer Candidate School instructor. After joining the Marines, he worked undercover at the Fairfax County Police Department. Later, he was a contractor with the Drug Enforcement Administration where he served as a weapons specialist for the Foreign-Deployed Advisory and Support Teams. Steinway was a lead instructor at the DEA Academy in Quantico. After his service with the DEA, he joined the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. He is a small business owner. He is a father of five. He and his wife live in White Oak.Recommendation
Based on his track record for introducing and supporting progressive legislation, Delegate Joshua Cole is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 066
Virginia’s House District 66 covers portions of Caroline County and Spotsylvania County in Virginia’s Piedmont region. In the 2024 election it was closely split between Republicans and Democrats, with the GOP presidential nominee and Democratic senate nominee prevailing in their respective races by very narrow margins.
She supports enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution.
Nicole Cole supports increasing educational opportunities for all students. She emphasizes the need to keep graduates in the community. She prioritizes fair wages and meaningful work for graduates.
Cole wants support for long-term investments for Spotsylvania and Caroline counties through state resources. She prioritizes economic growth that benefits farmers, families, and small business owners. She advocates for affordable housing and job creation.
Cole pushes for water quality, conservation, energy efficiency, and land preservation. She acknowledges gun violence as a public health and safety issue.
The Opposition
Incumbent Republican Delegate Bobby Orrock was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1990. Orrock does not support access to abortion and voted against the Equal Rights Amendment. He was a staunch opponent of Medicaid expansion in Virginia. Additionally, he voted against raising the minimum wage and removing the minimum wage exemption for farmworkers, the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, and ending the death penalty. He voted against a bill to establish Gun Free Zones in Capitol Square and public institutions of higher education and prioritizes protecting 2nd Amendment rights.Recommendation
While we were able to find limited information on Nicole Cole's priorities and stances, Delegate Orrock's voting record shows that he consistently votes against progressive legislation. Based on her support for abortion access, affordable housing, and gun violence prevention, Nicole Cole is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 067
Virginia’s House District 67 covers King George County, Westmoreland County, Northumberland County, Lancaster County, Richmond Country, and portions of Caroline County in Virginia’s Northern Neck region. In the 2024 election it remained a strong Republican district by comfortable double-digit margins.
The Opposition
Incumbent Republican Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent is a Randolph-Macon College graduate. She holds an M.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is Vice President of her family’s beverage distributor company, Al Pugh Distributing. She lives on a farm and is the mother of two. She hasRecommendation
Based on his advocacy for expanding Medicaid and environmental protections, Mario Haggerty is the most progressive candidate in this race.City of Fredericksburg
Marion Bowman holds a degree in business administration from Coastal Carolina University. She is originally from Fauquier County. She previously worked as a finance manager for several community organizations and is currently employed at Breg Environmental. Bowman prioritizes transparency. She is the former treasurer of the Hugh Mercer Elementary School PTA and a regular volunteer with a variety of city organizations.
Recommendation
Due to the limited information available for both candidates, we cannot make a recommendation in this race. However, we encourage you to cast your vote in this election by writing in a candidate of your choosing and voting in the other races on your ballot.Marion Bowman holds a degree in business administration from Coastal Carolina University. She is originally from Fauquier County. She previously worked as a finance manager for several community organizations and is currently employed at Breg Environmental. Bowman prioritizes transparency. She is the former treasurer of the Hugh Mercer Elementary School PTA and a regular volunteer with a variety of city organizations.
Recommendation
Due to the limited information available for both candidates, we cannot make a recommendation in this race. However, we encourage you to cast your vote in this election by writing in a candidate of your choosing and voting in the other races on your ballot.Rashawn Coles is a law enforcement professional who has served Fredericksburg for 22 years. He graduated from Averett University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and is currently working on his Masters in Public Administration at Liberty University. He is married and has three children and four grandchildren.
The Opposition
Keith Rodgers was born and raised in Fredericksburg. He previously worked at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Rodgers currently works under a federal contract with the Department of Homeland Security.Recommendation
Rashawn Cowles faces Keith Rodgers, a contractor with the Department of Homeland Security. Due to his commitment to mental health care access and community engagement, Rashawn Cowles is the progressive candidate in this race.Rashawn Coles is a law enforcement professional who has served Fredericksburg for 22 years. He graduated from Averett University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and is currently working on his Masters in Public Administration at Liberty University. He is married and has three children and four grandchildren.
The Opposition
Keith Rodgers was born and raised in Fredericksburg. He previously worked at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Rodgers currently works under a federal contract with the Department of Homeland Security.Recommendation
Rashawn Cowles faces Keith Rodgers, a contractor with the Department of Homeland Security. Due to his commitment to mental health care access and community engagement, Rashawn Cowles is the progressive candidate in this race.Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby Humphries was selected to serve as the interim Commonwealth’s Attorney starting on August 1, 2021, when former Commonwealth’s Attorney LaBravia Jenkins’ retirement went into effect. Humphries was the highest-ranking full-time assistant attorney in the office. She has worked at the Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office since 2018, and previously served as a senior prosecutor in the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Humphries attended Dartmouth College for her undergraduate degree and the University of Virginia for her law degree.
Recommendation
Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby Humphries faces a challenge from Republican Travis Bird, who served as Spotsylvania County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney from 2015 until 2024. Due to her support for criminal justice reform and racial justice, Incumbent Libby Humphries is the progressive choice in this race.Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby Humphries was selected to serve as the interim Commonwealth’s Attorney starting on August 1, 2021, when former Commonwealth’s Attorney LaBravia Jenkins’ retirement went into effect. Humphries was the highest-ranking full-time assistant attorney in the office. She has worked at the Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office since 2018, and previously served as a senior prosecutor in the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Humphries attended Dartmouth College for her undergraduate degree and the University of Virginia for her law degree.