VCC Magazine Winter 2020

QM Asks: Legislators Answer In your opinion, what was the main deciding factor in this election?

Editor’s note: The QM invited all legislators to express answers to these questions. Some chose to answer; some did not.

• Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler – I am confident that key issues during the 2020 session will be the long-overdue passing of the ERA, establishing essential environmental protections and policy, and the continued push for a healthcare system that is affordable (and accessible) for Virginia families. • Senator Barbara Favola –Lawmakers will respond to the issues that motivated voters in this past election. Over 80 percent of Virginians support universal background checks and red flag laws. These proposals will certainly move forward Passage of the ERA was also very popular among voters. Many Virginians told me that they really wanted to make history by having the oldest democracy in the new world, be the 38th to ratify the Amendment. Moreover, a desire for a more just and fair society is a theme that cuts across party lines. This will bring criminal justice reform and a relaxation of restrictions on voting rights. • Delegate Clinton Jenkins –Some of the key issues in the General Assembly 2020 will be Gun Control, the Economy, Affordable Health Care, Reproductive Health and Education. • Senator Joe Morrissey –The two “G’s” will dominate the session- Gambling and Gun Reform. Additionally, establishing a Clean Energy Standard will be on the front burner of every legislators agenda. • Delegate Dawn Adams –The key issues will be in response to the peoples expressed concerns—feeling safe from gun violence, feeling safe from discrimination, feeling values through equality, feeling optimistic about their healthcare, educational and employment futures. What surprised you most about this election? • Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler –By far the most surprising thing about this election was the overwhelming turnout, especially on this “off, off-year”. Virginians sent a message this year that they care and they are paying attention. • Senator Barbara Favola –The level of voter interest was a surprise in this election. Turnout averaged about 40 percent of registered voters across the state. This mirrored a gubernatorial election without a statewide candidate on the ballot and all the advertising dollars that accompany a statewide race. Usually, turnout is between 28 and 32 percent in an off-off year. Clearly, voters were excited about our candidates and our Democratic message. It is incredibly powerful when candidates look like the people they will be representing and bring real-life experiences that will inform policy- making in a positive way. Folks were motivated because of the “table” of decision-makers was expanding to include more women and more people of color. The take away from this election is that the demographic shift in Northern Virginia and the urban areas of the State will be transforming politics in the Commonwealth for years to come. • Delegate Clinton Jenkins –The biggest surprise was the high voter turnout for this election. • Senator Joe Morrissey –The huge amount of outside Virginia money that flowed into both parties campaign coffers- particularly the Democrats. Indeed, some legislators ought to introduce legislation to reduce Campaign Finance reform legislation that will limit the amount of out of state money a candidate can receive. Consider the following. Unions- and most Americans for that matter- have great angst about foreign sovereign (i.e. Russia, Ukraine) influencing a Federal Election but most similar angst about a foreign sister state. • Delegate Dawn Adams –The degree of incivility, meanness, and general expense surprised me equally. • Delegate Alex Askew – I think what surprised me the most was the record voter turnout we saw across the Commonwealth. Historically, it has been difficult to get people to the polls in off-year elections. The record voter turnout we saw in Virginia is a reflection of the growing interest in political process amongst voters in the Commonwealth.

• Delegate Dawn Adams –I think Virginians wanted to feel heard, they wanted their worries and concerns validated even if it had been through baby-steps. The legislators who listened, and demonstrated care and credibility seemed to win. • Delegate Alex Askew –The main deciding factor in this election is the majority of Virginians have been longing for change, and they expressed their advocacy for change by showing up to the polls and voting for more progressive ideas. Virginia saw record voter turnout numbers for an off-year election, and I believe that this is due to more people becoming more involved in the political process. The issues Democrats ran on, such as comprehensive gun reform, fully funding our education system, and protecting our environment resonated with voters across the Commonwealth. Our democracy functions better when more people get involved. • Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler –In this election, I believe there were a few main factors. Those factors being the issues Virginians in my district face each and every day: Accessing affordable and quality healthcare, a need for a livable wage, and devastational flooding. My constituents know that I will work for them, not anyone else. • Senator Barbara Favola –Many voters wanted to voice their displeasure with the Trump Administration and validate “bread and butter” issues such as the need to raise the minimum wage, improve access to affordable healthcare and pass gun safety legislation. Voters also cared about accessing safe and legal abortions, given the composition of the Supreme Court and the importance of State legislatures in protecting this right. • Delegate Clinton Jenkins –I believe that the main deciding factor in this election was the redrawing of our district, which corrected the issue of racial gerrymandering. Allowing the voice of all citizens of Suffolk to ring clear and be heard. • SenatorJoeMorrissey –InstrongRepublicanDistricts(e.g.Southwest Virginia) if you run with an “R” next to your name you automatically won. Similarly, both in Northern Virginia as well as our urban cities, if you ran with a “D” on your back you also won. Accordingly, the real question is what was the deciding factor in Elections where there was a competitive District. Our two primary issues were Trump and guns in that order. Let’s be clear. In any House or Senate District that was competitive, if you ran as a Democrat you started the 100-meter dash with a 10-meter lead. Was this Fair? Probably not but that’s the political landscape that we were in during this election cycle. The Second factor was guns. The biggest lender in this Election was the Republicans canceling the Special General Assembly Gun Session after 90 minutes. • Delegate Alex Askew –Some of the key issues this session will be fully funding public education, protecting affordable healthcare, protecting our environment and combat sea-level rise, reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and passing the Equal Rights Amendment. There is a wide array of issues that we hope to tackle this session, but I believe that these issues should be at the top of the agenda in 2020. Too many people are going broke because of the cost of drugs. Our sea levels are rising dramatically and many areas in my district and coastal Virginia are seeing the effects of climate change firsthand. The public school system in Virginia needs legislation passes that supports our teachers and counselors, as well as legislation that makes sure every child has access to a quality education regardless of their zip-code. I’m ready to tackle these issues and finally bring meaningful changes to these areas. What will be the key issues in General Assembly 2020?

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2020

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