Jack, every year is an election year, and as this fall’s key contests in Virginia loom ever closer, Daily Kos is excited to announce our endorsements for the elections taking place this November—races progressives cannot afford to overlook. While the state has trended more progressive in recent years, Republicans are spending heavily to reclaim the power they once held not too long ago.

The prospect of GOP victories threatens to reverse the huge gains Virginia progressives have made on so many fronts—including expanding voting rights, increasing the minimum wage, passing new environmental protections, and safeguarding reproductive rights.

The best way to avoid that fate is with an infusion of grassroots support to counter Republican lies and dark money. That’s why Daily Kos is endorsing in Virginia’s open-seat races for governor and lieutenant governor, as well as in four elections for GOP-held seats in the Virginia state House. Democrats finally flipped the House two years ago after two decades in the minority and currently control it 55-45, but Republicans are gunning to retake the chamber.

Daily Kos is pleased to support this talented and diverse slate of Democrats in crucial Virginia races this fall. Running together at the top of the ticket. Please send $1 to each of these Daily Kos-endorsed Democrats to keep Virginia blue this year!

Terry McAuliffe (governor): McAuliffe is running for a historic second term as Virginia’s governor. During his first term, he stood fast against attacks on abortion access against a GOP-controlled legislature, used his executive authority to protect LGBTQ Virginians from workplace discrimination, and restored voting rights to 173,000 citizens—more than any governor in American history. Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin, who was “honored” and “pleased” to have Donald Trump’s endorsement, would take Virginia back to the bad old days of GOP rule with abortion bans, anti-democratic attacks on voting and elections, defunding schools, and so much more.

Hala Ayala (lieutenant governor): Ayala currently serves as the representative for Virginia’s 51st House District, a position she has held since 2017, when she ousted a four-term Republican incumbent. She built a career as a single mother and went on to help lead the fight to enact criminal justice reform, raise the minimum wage, and legalize marijuana. Republican candidate Winsome Sears has backed Youngkin’s fear mongering about critical race theory and continues to oppose vaccine mandates that would make Virginians safer.

In the House, Democrats have a few opportunities to pick up seats, in several Republican-held districts that Joe Biden won last year:

Debra Gardner (HD-27, Richmond suburbs): Gardner is working to oust incumbent Del. Roxann Robinson, who has a history of extreme anti-abortion stances: Her past votes include defunding Planned Parenthood and supporting a so-called “personhood” bill that would ban all abortion. As a social worker, Gardner worked with veterans with PTSD, people recovering from addiction, and children in the foster care system. Gardner is a staunch supporter of reproductive freedom, voting rights, and essential progressive values.

Katie Sponsler (HD-66, Richmond suburbs): Sponsler is running to not only flip this open Republican seat, but also to prevent ultra-conservative Del. Mike Cherry from wielding power in the legislature and using it to gut reproductive rights in the commonwealth. Cherry has gone so far as to suggest that women who get abortions and doctors who provide them should be charged with murder. Sponsler, on the other hand, has devoted her life to serving her nation in the Air Force and as a park ranger in the National Park Service. She understands the real issues facing Virginians and will work to advance healthcare equity, environmental justice, and workers rights.

Kim Melnyk (HD-84, Virginia Beach): Melnyk is aiming to take down Del. Glenn Davis, yet another virulently anti-choice Republican who’s voted to restrict abortion rights half a dozen times. Melnyk, a former teacher and small business owner, is a huge contrast. As a member of her local school board, she helped increase teacher pay and implement full-day kindergarten. She believes in expanding access to health care and supports paid sick and family leave, and she’s dedicated to fighting climate change.

Finale Norton (HD-100, Eastern Shore): Norton is seeking to unseat deeply entrenched Del. Rob Bloxom. Bloxom is a conservative dinosaur who’s lost touch with Virginia values: He voted against repealing the GOP’s onerous abortion restrictions, providing paid sick leave to essential workers during the pandemic, and reducing the sales tax on menstrual products (the only House member to do so!). Norton, on the other hand, understands that health care—including reproductive health care—is a human right. In this coastal district, she also knows that combating climate change and attendant rising sea levels and flooding is a top priority.

Don’t let Republicans undo Virginia’s blue trend! Please give $1 to each of these fantastic progressives right away.

Thank you,
Carolyn Fiddler
Daily Kos

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