When I ran against a 16-year incumbent for my current position on the Norfolk City Council in 2016, I had a clear vision for my role: to bring transparency to local government, provide people with access to their local elected officials, create more equity in Norfolk and ensure all have a pathway to success. I hit the ground running to solve problems and get things done.
Over the years, I’m proud of my allyship and partnership with Norfolk’s LGBTQ+ community. One of the first things I did on the City Council was to push through a hiring non-discrimination ordinance in Norfolk to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, because everyone should be treated equally.
I have always fought for LGBTQ+ rights, because for far too long my friends in the LGBTQ+ community have faced bigotry, discrimination and violence. I am grateful that our commonwealth and our nation have seen incredible advancements for LGBTQ+ Virginians in the past several years. With great work in the General Assembly by our new Democratic majority, we have seen criminal justice reform, support for older members of the community and work to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ Virginians.
But the fight is not over. LGBTQ+ members continue to face new attacks across the country. This year, hundreds of bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country with the explicit goal of erasing transgender people and make LGBTQ+ people second class citizens.
With attacks on health care, education and bodily autonomy targeting LGBTQ+ Americans across the country, it has never been more critical for Virginia to maintain our Democratic majorities in the General Assembly and statewide trifecta to protect LGBTQ+ rights. That’s why I am running to be your next Lieutenant Governor, so I can help ensure we maintain our progress and ensure that Virginia does not erase the important legislative victories made on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. I will never stop fighting to make sure Virginia is an accepting place for all, and I look forward to having a statewide platform to continue my advocacy and allyship.
I’m running for Lieutenant Governor to fight for a Virginia that works for everyone. As the only candidate with local government experience and the only candidate from the 757, I am uniquely able to be the bridge between the state capitol in Richmond and our town halls on Main Street. I bring 30 years of business, non-profit and public sector experience to the position, and I am a pragmatic problem solver who can get things done.
If you want your next Lieutenant Governor to be a proven leader who will expand equitable access to opportunity, address Virginia’s historic inequities, and break down barriers to opportunity for all Virginians, I hope I can count on your vote by June 8th in the Democratic Primary. To learn more about me and my campaign, visit www.andriaforvirginia.com.
