When I got elected to the House of Delegates as part of Virginia’s blue wave, I knew I had a unique opportunity.

Conservatives in Virginia had fought a woman’s right to vote, interracial marriage, and desegregation. But thanks to years of organizing and Arena’s support for me and my fellow Delegates like Hala Ayala and Elizabeth Guzman, we now have a Democratic majority in both Virginia Houses and the Governor’s office.

As a Democratic “trifecta state,” Virginia is on track to pass laws supporting reproductive healthcare, marijuana reform, paid family medical leave, and other important legislation to protect vulnerable communities. It’s amazing how quickly we can pass an agenda now that more organizations like Arena have been investing in states.

We’re also using the power of states to influence the national debate.

My first act when Virginia’s legislative session began was to introduce the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the House floor. Less than three weeks later it passed and was signed into state law, taking us to the 38-state threshold that is the next step in changing the U.S. Constitution to protect women no matter who wins the Presidency.

What comes next is complicated and will likely be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. No matter what they rule, we must keep chipping away at the Republican domination in state legislatures that got us to this point.

In 2020, Arena is working to elect the next wave of candidates like me in five states where Republicans have paper-thin majorities. Learn more about why Arena is focusing on the states in 2020 here.

Arena’s plan is powerful because it works locally to produce a domino effect. What began as coaching first-time candidates like me and Delegate Alaya turned into a historic number of wins by women of color who in turn passed the ERA in Virginia which is poised to change the national Constitution.

Focusing on five flippable states is the best way to actualize this domino effect. Earlier this month, Arena announced their first training of 2020 will be in North Carolina, where they will place a large number of grads directly on N.C. state races. And that’s just the beginning, with more opportunities to get involved in state races across the country in the next couple of months.

We’re so close to flipping more states like Virginia blue. Share this video and help us grow the movement to invest in long-term change in the states.

Thanks,

Jennifer Carroll Foy
House Delegate for the 2nd District of Virginia