City of Manassas
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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 020
Virginia’s House District 20 spans parts of Prince William County and the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park in Northern Virginia’s outer suburbs. In the 2024 election Democratic presidential and senatorial nominees carried the district by comfortable double-digit margins.
Committee Assignments: Communications, Technology and Innovation, Courts of Justice (Judicial Subcommittee Chair), Labor and Commerce (Subcommittee #1 Chair), Privileges and Elections
- Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens
- Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-patroned a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted against a “forced-outing” bill targeting transgender students
- Helped pass a bill to increase funding and revision for English Language Learners
- 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 repeal prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Voted to prevent financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults
- Helped pass a bill to protect homeowners from getting scammed out of their homes
- Voted to authorize offshore wind farm energy capacity
- Voted in favor of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to prohibit the Board of Medicine from disciplining doctors for providing legal abortion care
- Voted to require state health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved birth control
- Co-patroned a bill to establish Gun Free Zones in Capitol Square and public institutions of higher education
- Voted to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of assault-style weapons
- Voted to establish regulations for AI
- Voted to establish the Internet Safety Advisory Council
- Voted to prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal expenses
The Opposition
Republican Christopher Stone does not believe same-sex couples should have adoption rights. Additionally, he opposes legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.Recommendation
Due to her track record of advocating for workers' rights, quality public education, and affordable healthcare, Incumbent Democratic Delegate Michelle Maldonado is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 021
Virginia’s House District 21 covers a portion of Prince William County in Northern Virginia’s outer suburbs, stretching along the Occoquan River corridor and encompassing communities such as Woodbridge and Lake Ridge. In the 2024 election it was competitive, with Democratic presidential and senatorial nominees carrying the district by narrow margins.
Committee Assignments: Courts of Justice, General Laws, Public Safety
- Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights for returning citizens
- Chief Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution
Delegate Josh Thomas pledges to fully fund public schools. Key legislation:
- Co-patroned a bill to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted to establish greater protections and support against cyberbullying
- Voted to authorize public universities to ban firearms and explosives in their buildings
- Co-patroned a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Co-patroned a bill to repeal prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Voted in favor of a bill to establish paid family and medical leave
- Voted to legalize, regulate, and tax the cannabis industry in Virginia
- Voted to prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to pay various extra fees
- Co-patroned a bill to authorize the permanent establishment of the State Sales Tax Holiday
- Co-patroned a bill to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to prohibit the Board of Medicine from disciplining doctors for providing legal abortion care
- Voted in favor of a bill to establish the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require state health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of assault-style weapons
- Co-patroned a bill to establish Gun Free Zones in Capitol Square and public institutions of higher education
- Voted to establish regulations for AI
The Opposition
Republican Gregory Lee Gorham advocates for eliminating the car tax, as well as the meals tax. He has expressed exploring a ban on donations from companies with pending business before local or state boards. He proposes blocking local governments from approving large projects like data centers before environmental reviews are completed. He supports increasing taxation for data centers. Gorham’s anti-abortion stance indicates he will not support the Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom.Recommendation
Due to his continued advocacy for quality public education, workers' rights, and tenants' rights, Incumbent Democratic Delegate Josh Thomas is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 022
Virginia’s House District 22 spans southwestern Prince William County, covering suburban communities along the Occoquan River corridor including Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, and Linton Hall. In the 2024 election it leaned Democratic by narrow single-digit margins.
- Will support a bill to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Will support a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights for returning citizens
- Will support a bill to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Served as Vice Chair of the Education Committee
- Added mental health support in schools, reduced class sizes, and reduced the teacher ratio for English-language learners
- Voted against a “forced outing” bill targeting transgender students
Former Delegate Elizabeth Guzman is a second-generation union member who led the fight for a paid sick days law. She helped pass legislation lifting Virginia’s blanket ban on public sector collective bargaining. She advocates for raising the minimum wage and expanding childcare options. Guzman vows to eliminate the grocery tax and car tax and lower property taxes, while holding price gougers accountable.
Elizabeth Guzman supports paid family and medical leave, childcare subsidies, and protection against pregnancy discrimination. She wants to ensure strict privacy protections for individuals seeking reproductive care and believes that access to birth control is fundamental to reproductive freedom.
- Voted to establish greater victim rights in court
- Co-sponsored a bill to establish a refundable income tax credit for firearm safety devices
- Co-sponsored a bill requiring landlords to provide a 60-day written notice to increase rent
- Co-sponsored a bill to add an Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution
The Opposition
Incumbent Republican Delegate Ian Lovejoy has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2024. A native of West Virginia, he holds degrees from Concord University and Virginia Tech. Key legislation:- 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 a regulated and taxed cannabis market
- Voted against a bill prohibiting landlords from requiring tenants to pay extra fees
- Voted against establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted against a bill establishing the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted against prohibiting weapons in mental health hospitals
- Voted against prohibiting assault-style weapons in public places
- Voted against authorizing public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Constitutional Amendments
- Voted against a bill enshrining abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Voted against a Constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to returning citizens
- Refused to vote on the bill to enshrine marriage equality to avoid going on the record
Recommendation
Based on her history of supporting access to abortion, fighting for workers' rights, and advocating for quality public education, Democrat Elizabeth Guzman is the progressive candidate in this race.House District 024
Virginia’s House District 24 lies entirely within Prince William County in Northern Virginia, encompassing suburban neighborhoods along the Occoquan River corridor including Lake Ridge, Occoquan, and Montclair areas. In the 2024 election Democratic presidential and senatorial nominees carried the district by comfortable double-digit margins.
Committee Assignments: Appropriations (Chair), General Laws (Studies Subcommittee Chair), Rules
- Voted to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens
- Voted to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Voted to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted against a bill that would prohibit Governor’s Schools from considering race in admissions processes
- Voted against a “forced-outing” bill targeting transgender students
- Voted to increase protections and support for cyberbullying
- Voted to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted in favor of a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Co-patroned bills to establish paid family and medical leave and increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Voted to establish regulatory bodies for the cannabis industry in Virginia
- Voted to prohibit landlords from requiring extra fees from tenants
- Voted to permanently establish the State Sales Tax Holiday
- Voted in favor of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to prohibit the Board of Medicine from disciplining a doctor for providing legal abortion care
- Voted in favor of a bill to establish the right to access and use FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require state health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act
- Voted in favor of a bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of assault-style weapons
- Voted in favor of a bill to establish Gun Free Zones in Capitol Square and public institutions of higher education
- Voted to establish regulations for AI
- Co-patroned a bill to prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal expenses
Recommendation
This is an uncontested race. Based on his track record of advocating for quality, affordable healthcare and public schools, and workers' rights, Incumbent Delegate Luke Torian is a progressive candidate.House District 025
Virginia’s House District 25 lies entirely within Prince William County, encompassing suburban precincts in the eastern part of the county along the I-95 corridor. In the 2024 election Democratic presidential and senatorial nominees carried the district by comfortable double-digit margins.
Committee Assignments: Appropriations, Counties, Cities and Towns (Subcommittee #2 Chair), Education (Higher Education Subcommittee Chair), Transportation (Department of Motor Vehicles Subcommittee Chair)
- Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens
- Co-sponsored a bill to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution
- Voted to raise teacher pay to the national average
- Voted against a “forced-outing” bill targeting transgender students
- Voted to increase protections and support against cyberbullying
- Voted to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted in favor of a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027
- Voted in favor of a bill to establish paid family and medical leave
- Co-patroned a bill to repeal prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees
- Co-sponsored a bill to permanently establish the state Sales Tax Holiday
- Voted to prohibit landlords from requiring extra fees from tenants
- Voted to establish regulatory bodies for a Virginia cannabis market
- Voted in favor of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Voted to prohibit the Board of Medicine from disciplining doctors for providing legal abortion care
- Voted to establish the right to access FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to require state health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved birth control
- Voted to establish regulations for “high-risk” AI
- Voted to authorize Ranked Choice Voting for certain local elections
- Voted to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of assault-style weapons
- Voted to prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal expenses
Recommendation
This is an uncontested race. Based on her track record of advocating for policies that help people thrive, Delegate Brianna Sewell is a progressive candidate.City of Manassas
Incumbent Patricia Richie-Folks was first elected to Manassas City Treasurer in 2016. She holds a degree in business administration and has managed her own construction company. She served as Chair of the Manassas City Family Services Advisory Board and was a member of the Prince William County Regional Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs. She and her husband have four children. Richie-Folks prioritizes efficiency, compliance, transparency, and accountability.
Recommendation
Incumbent Democrat Patricia Richie-Folks faces a challenge from Republican Nate Fritzen. A long-time Manassas resident, he works in a food service supervisory role. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Political Science from Northern Virginia Community College. While there is limited information available for these candidates, Incumbent Patricia Richie-Folks is the progressive candidate in this race.Incumbent Patricia Richie-Folks was first elected to Manassas City Treasurer in 2016. She holds a degree in business administration and has managed her own construction company. She served as Chair of the Manassas City Family Services Advisory Board and was a member of the Prince William County Regional Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs. She and her husband have four children. Richie-Folks prioritizes efficiency, compliance, transparency, and accountability.