Issues

Charlottesville has reached a crisis point with its lack of housing options. I grew up in a low-income household that received public assistance; I know the struggles that families in our community are facing. In the General Assembly, I'm working with my colleagues to expand tenant protections, incentivize affordable housing, fund our Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and end homelessness.

I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet, growing up in a working family that lived paycheck to paycheck. That’s why I’ll fight to get us back on track with raising the minimum wage, establish paid family and medical leave, and ensure every worker has the right to union representation and collective bargaining. Democrats have made progress by standing up to powerful utility companies—making energy more affordable for working families. But we’re not done. I’ll keep working to protect unemployment benefits, invest in workforce development, and make sure our economy works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

I'm a mom of two boys—no politician belongs in the room when a person is obtaining reproductive healthcare from their doctor. I served on the subcommittee that reviewed reproductive health policy during the 2024 session and I worked with my Democratic colleagues to kill the Republican total abortion ban bill. I look forward to supporting a full-protection Reproductive Freedom Amendment when it comes before the House.

Our justice system should be fair, compassionate, and focused on rehabilitation—not punishment. In the General Assembly, Democrats have made strides in reforming sentencing laws, expanding alternatives to incarceration, and addressing racial disparities. In 2024, we fought to increase funding for mental health courts and reentry programs to help individuals successfully transition back into society. But there’s more to be done. I will advocate for ending mandatory minimum sentences, expanding diversion programs, and eliminating cash bail. Everyone deserves a second chance, and we need a system that works for all Virginians, not just the wealthy or privileged.

No parent should wonder if their kid will make it back home. As a mom and former school board member, this is on my mind every single day. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and I’m committed to making our communities safer. Virginia Democrats have led the way with red flag laws and universal background checks, but there’s more we need to do. In 2024, we fought to ban assault weapons, close loopholes, and stop firearms from making their way onto campuses, but Republicans stood in the way. I’ll continue working to pass common-sense reforms that keep guns out of dangerous hands and protect our families. This isn’t about politics—it’s about saving lives.

As a former educator and school board member, education is near and dear to my heart. I've personally learned the power that a quality education can have, especially growing up in a low-income family. We have to continue to strive for better for our kids, and that starts with supporting our educators and faculty, funding our schools, and keeping the culture wars out of the classroom.

Environmental justice isn’t just about fighting climate change—it’s about making sure no community is left behind. Alongside my colleagues, we made progress with funding for clean energy infrastructure like EV charging stations and expanded sustainability measures for housing developments. But there’s still more to do. We must rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and protect the Advanced Clean Cars standard from Republican attacks.

Healthcare is a human right, and I’ll fight to protect the progress we’ve made. Democrats expanded Medicaid to cover over 700,000 Virginians, giving more families access to critical healthcare. In 2024, we worked to protect that expansion from Republican efforts to roll it back. But access to care is just the start—we need to address the root causes of health disparities, from housing insecurity to food access and education. I’ll continue advocating for policies that tackle these social determinants of health and expand mental health services, including crisis response teams and school-based supports. No one should have to choose between their health and financial security.

Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to protect access to the ballot. As a former deputy city attorney, I represented the General Registrar and worked to ensure elections ran smoothly and fairly. Democrats have led efforts to expand voting rights, from no-excuse absentee voting to same-day registration, making it easier for every Virginian to participate in our democracy. But Republicans are trying to roll back these gains. I’ll continue to fight to protect early voting, block voter suppression efforts, and ensure every vote is counted—because our democracy depends on it.

I believe in a Virginia where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Democrats have been at the forefront of protecting LGBTQ+ rights, from marriage equality to banning conversion therapy, but these rights are still under attack. I’ll fight to remove the Marshall-Newman Amendment, safeguard gender-affirming healthcare, protect LGBTQ+ youth from discrimination, and ensure everyone feels welcome in our schools and workplaces. Our Commonwealth is strongest when everyone can live openly and authentically.