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Rashawn Cowles

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

City of Fredericksburg

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Election Day November 4, 2025
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Federal

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

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

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 of Delegates

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below House of Delegate races on your ballot.

House District 063

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 064

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Paul Milde faces a challenge from Democrat Stacey Carroll in HD-64.

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.

Democrat Stacey Carroll is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and CPA. She currently serves in the West Virginia National Guard. She has worked as a government agency auditor. She served on a task force responsible for administering tests and vaccinations in the field. Carroll serves on several boards and organizations, including the Economic Development Committee for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Fredericksburg Area Alumnae Chapter, the National Council for Negro Women: Stafford/Fredericksburg Section, and the Stafford County Chapter of the NAACP. In addition to her three children, she has fostered 22 children. 


Education
Stacey Annie Carrol supports competitive pay for teachers and school staff and advocates for expanding after-school programs.


Economy and Inflation
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.


Health and Human Services
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.


Other Issues
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.


Delegate Milde voted against a bill to enshrine abortion rights in the Virginia Constitution, a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens, and a bill to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution. He has voted against commonsense gun violence prevention bills. He also voted against increasing the minimum wage, establishing paid family and medical leave, and repealing prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees.


Delegate Milde voted against tenants' rights legislation, establishing regulatory bodies to establish a Virginia cannabis industry, and establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board.


Recommendation

Based on her support for affordable, quality healthcare, quality public education, and affordable healthcare, Stacey Carroll is the progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

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.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Democratic Delegate Joshua Cole faces a challenge from Republican Sean Steinway in HD-65.

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.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Joshua Cole was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2019, becoming the youngest person and first Black person elected from the Fredericksburg region to the General Assembly. After his first term, he was unseated by former Republican Delegate Tara Durant by less than 1,000 votes. Delegate Cole successfully ran again in 2023. He is a local pastor. He and his wife have two children.
Committee Assignments: General Laws, Health and Human Services, Privileges and Elections (Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee Chair)


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
- Voted to authorize public colleges and universities to prohibit guns on school property
- Voted to require schools to create transgender-student friendly policies


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 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


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
- 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.  


Sean Steinway supports teacher pay raises and fully funding public schools. He advocates for increase safety measures at schools and expanded parental choice. He opposes equity initiatives in the classroom and in sports.


Steinway will fight any attempts to increase income tax and will work to end the car tax. Steinway lists his first priority as keeping Virginia safe. He pledges to fight against efforts to defund the police and will collaborate with federal law enforcement in their bid to target immigrants.


Recommendation

Based on his track record for introducing and supporting progressive legislation, Delegate Joshua Cole is the progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

House District 066

Virginia’s new 66th House of Delegates district encompasses parts of Spotsylvania County and parts of Caroline County. With almost 64,000 registered voters, this district leans Republican.

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Bobby Orrock faces a challenge from Democrat Nicole Cole in HD-66.

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.

Nicole Tarlton Cole was born in Hampton and raised in Highland Springs. A graduate of Henrico County public schools, Cole holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Health Services Management from Northwestern University. Since 2021, she has served on the Spotsylvania County Public School Board. She founded a nonprofit focused on education and education advocacy. She previously served on the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors’ Citizens Budget Review Committee. She is an entrepreneur and mother of three. 


Constitutional Amendment
She supports enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution.


Education
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.


Economy and Inflation
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.


Health and Human Services
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.


Delegate Orrock believes transgender women should not compete in women’s sports. He voted against establishing paid family and medical leave and repealing prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees.


He voted against the proposed Constitutional Amendment to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution and the Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to returning citizens. He refused to vote on a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine equal marriage rights in Virginia’s Constitution in order to avoid going on the record.


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.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

House District 067

This election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent faces a challenge from Democrat Mario Haggerty in HD-67.

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.

Mario Haggerty is a retired Naval officer. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a contractor for defense projects at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and the Missile Defense Agency. He holds a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Human Relations. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Colonial Beach Performing Arts Association, Beach Arts Music and Mentorship, as President of the Potomac Renaissance Homeowners’ Association, and is currently a board member of the Placid Bay Estates Civic Association. He is the father of a public school student. 


Haggerty acknowledges the limited job opportunities for young professionals in rural economies. He pushes for incentives and micro-loans for local business owners, emphasizing the importance of eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and technology-based remote work. He sees collaboration between universities and business organizations as a path to more resources for new businesses and stresses support for federal workers and veterans.


Haggerty supports expanding telemedicine services and mobile health clinics to address the barriers rural residents can face when seeking care. He wants to collaborate with Virginia health agencies and secure state funding and grants to increase access to health services and expand Medicaid. He emphasizes the importance of mental health support. 


Haggerty pushes for investments in broadband internet access and transportation. He advocates for environmental protection and education through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, federal initiatives, and conservation groups. He wants to protect the shoreline and support sustainable fishing and farming.


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 has


Delegate Kent voted against the Constitutional Amendments to enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s Constitution, restore voting rights to returning citizens, and enshrine equal marriage rights. She also voted against increasing the minimum wage, removing the minimum wage exemption for farmworkers, and repealing prohibitions on collective bargaining for public employees.


Additionally, Delegate Kent voted against establishing paid family and medical leave, tenants' rights bills, and commonsense gun violence prevention bills.


Independent Richard Kenski previously ran in the 2023 House of Delegates District 67 race. We were unable to find thorough information on his priorities or stances.


Recommendation

Based on his advocacy for expanding Medicaid and environmental protections, Mario Haggerty is the most progressive candidate in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-22

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. 


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.

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

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