Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Progress Virginia
Forrest J. Miller photo
Democrat

Forrest J. Miller

Website Endorsements Instagram

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Phillip Scott faces a challenge from Democrat Forrest Miller in HD-63.

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.

Democrat Forrest Miller is a U.S. Army veteran who was born and raised in Alabama. Miller is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. He graduated from the Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2009. He holds a Master’s degree in Network and Communication Management, as an Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration. He previously worked at the White House Communications Agency. Miller lives in Spotsylvania County with his wife and two children. He has stated, “In full transparency until recently, I would have told you that I was a moderate Republican.”


Constitutional Amendments
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.


Education
Forrest Miller pledges to improve schools by focusing on infrastructure. He advocates for expanded job training for teachers and raising teacher pay.


Economy and Inflation
Miller supports investing in roads, helping to develop solutions for traffic congestion points, and assisting in planning for expected growth.


Health and Human Services
Miller wants to promote access to care and ensure healthcare workers and first responders have access to equipment and training.


Other Issues
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.


Delegate Scott does not support the constitutional amendments for abortion rights, voting rights restoration to returning citizens, or marriage equality. He voted against raising teacher pay, increasing the minimum wage, and establishing the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. He also voted against establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and gun violence prevention bills.


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.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

House District 063

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Election Day November 4, 2025
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Federal

Governor

Abigail Spanberger photo
Democrat

Abigail Spanberger

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram (Twitter)

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.
Last updated: 2025-09-24

Lieutenant Governor

Ghazala Hashmi photo
Democrat

Ghazala Hashmi

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram (Twitter)

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.
Last updated: 2025-09-24

Attorney General

Jay Jones photo
Democrat

Jay Jones

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram (Twitter)

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.
Last updated: 2025-09-24

House District 063

Delegate

Forrest J. Miller photo
Democrat

Forrest J. Miller

Website Endorsements Instagram

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Phillip Scott faces a challenge from Democrat Forrest Miller in HD-63.

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.

Democrat Forrest Miller is a U.S. Army veteran who was born and raised in Alabama. Miller is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. He graduated from the Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2009. He holds a Master’s degree in Network and Communication Management, as an Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration. He previously worked at the White House Communications Agency. Miller lives in Spotsylvania County with his wife and two children. He has stated, “In full transparency until recently, I would have told you that I was a moderate Republican.”


Constitutional Amendments
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.


Education
Forrest Miller pledges to improve schools by focusing on infrastructure. He advocates for expanded job training for teachers and raising teacher pay.


Economy and Inflation
Miller supports investing in roads, helping to develop solutions for traffic congestion points, and assisting in planning for expected growth.


Health and Human Services
Miller wants to promote access to care and ensure healthcare workers and first responders have access to equipment and training.


Other Issues
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.


Delegate Scott does not support the constitutional amendments for abortion rights, voting rights restoration to returning citizens, or marriage equality. He voted against raising teacher pay, increasing the minimum wage, and establishing the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. He also voted against establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and gun violence prevention bills.


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.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

City of Fredericksburg

Depending on where you live, you may have the below races on your ballot.

Fredericksburg Treasurer

No Recommendation

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. 


At the time of this writing, there was no information available on Thomas Mon’s priorities or stances.


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. 


At the time of this writing, there was no information available on Thomas Mon’s priorities or stances.


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.

Fredericksburg Sheriff

Rashawn Cowles photo
Non-Partisan

Rashawn Cowles

Website

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.


Coles advocates for expanded mental health care access. He wants to establish a mental health deputy to provide support for community members struggling with mental health challenges. He proposes a program to certify all deputies in Crisis Intervention Training. He also looks to work with the Police Department to create mutual aid agreements for mental health. 


Coles seeks to foster stronger community ties through engagement and accountability. He supports programs like Narcan training, self-defense classes, and mental health programs for students. 


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.


He advocates for increased deputy presence. If elected, Rodgers plans to actively patrol schools and neighborhoods through the sheriff’s office. Rodgers seeks to reduce supervisory positions and cut administrative overhead to reinvest in the community.


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.

Last updated: 2025-09-24

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.


Coles advocates for expanded mental health care access. He wants to establish a mental health deputy to provide support for community members struggling with mental health challenges. He proposes a program to certify all deputies in Crisis Intervention Training. He also looks to work with the Police Department to create mutual aid agreements for mental health. 


Coles seeks to foster stronger community ties through engagement and accountability. He supports programs like Narcan training, self-defense classes, and mental health programs for students. 


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.


He advocates for increased deputy presence. If elected, Rodgers plans to actively patrol schools and neighborhoods through the sheriff’s office. Rodgers seeks to reduce supervisory positions and cut administrative overhead to reinvest in the community.


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.

Last updated: 2025-09-24

Fredericksburg Commonwealth's Attorney

Elizabeth K. "Libby" Humphries photo
Non-Partisan

Elizabeth K. "Libby" Humphries

Facebook

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. 


Humphries is a supporter of a “community-facing” approach to prosecution, which seeks ways to prevent and reduce crime through different initiatives. This includes increasing opportunities for diversion and alternatives to incarceration, detention, fines, and fees. It prioritizes community safety and health over punishment. It works to improve public safety, decrease the number of incarcerated individuals, and reduce the disproportionate harm caused to Black and brown people by the criminal justice system. 


Humphries opposes cash bail, which keeps people in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. She supports Fair and Just Prosecution, an organization that advocates for progressive reforms to the criminal justice system. These include increased police accountability, drug policy reform, and alternatives to traditional incarceration. Humphries also supports increasing funding for the Virginia Witness Protection Program, which ensures that crime victims have increased protection and support. This will lead to more just criminal outcomes, as it will decrease the impact of witness intimidation tactics.


Humphries supports the decision of the Fredericksburg Police Department to adopt the “8 Can’t Wait” initiative, a national reform program aimed at use-of-force policies. This includes requiring a verbal warning before shooting, a ban on chokeholds and strangleholds, de-escalation tactics, and duty to intervene, “8 Can’t Wait” also involves extensive data reporting, bans shooting at moving vehicles and requires officers to intervene and stop excessive use of force by other officers.


Humphries attended Black Lives Matter protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd and believes law enforcement and the court system must be reformed to prevent the killing of more Black people. Humphries also advocated for changing the name of Jefferson Davis Highway, the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces, and the removal of a slave auction block from downtown Fredericksburg.


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. 


Portions of this recommendation have appeared in earlier versions of the Progressive Voters Guide.

Last updated: 2025-09-24

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. 


Humphries is a supporter of a “community-facing” approach to prosecution, which seeks ways to prevent and reduce crime through different initiatives. This includes increasing opportunities for diversion and alternatives to incarceration, detention, fines, and fees. It prioritizes community safety and health over punishment. It works to improve public safety, decrease the number of incarcerated individuals, and reduce the disproportionate harm caused to Black and brown people by the criminal justice system. 


Humphries opposes cash bail, which keeps people in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. She supports Fair and Just Prosecution, an organization that advocates for progressive reforms to the criminal justice system. These include increased police accountability, drug policy reform, and alternatives to traditional incarceration. Humphries also supports increasing funding for the Virginia Witness Protection Program, which ensures that crime victims have increased protection and support. This will lead to more just criminal outcomes, as it will decrease the impact of witness intimidation tactics.


Humphries supports the decision of the Fredericksburg Police Department to adopt the “8 Can’t Wait” initiative, a national reform program aimed at use-of-force policies. This includes requiring a verbal warning before shooting, a ban on chokeholds and strangleholds, de-escalation tactics, and duty to intervene, “8 Can’t Wait” also involves extensive data reporting, bans shooting at moving vehicles and requires officers to intervene and stop excessive use of force by other officers.


Humphries attended Black Lives Matter protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd and believes law enforcement and the court system must be reformed to prevent the killing of more Black people. Humphries also advocated for changing the name of Jefferson Davis Highway, the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces, and the removal of a slave auction block from downtown Fredericksburg.


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. 


Portions of this recommendation have appeared in earlier versions of the Progressive Voters Guide.

Last updated: 2025-09-24