Priorities

Last year we authorized millions in funding for broadband expansion across the state of Virginia. Next we need to target those funds for District 75. I want to see every home, school, church and business in our district connected to the opportunities broadband brings. My track record and many years of experience in Richmond means you can be sure I’ll deliver.

A quality education, regardless of a student’s ZIP code, is one of my top priorities. I was the first child in my family to earn a degree. I know that growing up in an area with limited opportunities, education is the key to reaching your potential and earning enough to raise a family. I’ve served on the state education committee for more than 10 years and in that time have helped our District’s education system strengthen and deliver.

I want our teachers to be creative in the classroom while promoting academic excellence. That’s why I support Standards of Learning (SOL) reform and funding for early childhood education, pre-k and higher education. I value education and believe in its ability to transform lives and communities. My priorities include expanding career and technical education opportunities and making sure that higher education is affordable to everyone. I also support competitive teacher salaries. Teachers’ work is key to building a great future for District 75 and their wages should reflect their impact.

The rural Virginian unemployment rate is much higher than other areas of Virginia. I supported legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $10 and measures to help women seek equal pay for equal work. I know that each dollar counts and I work hard to promote my district and counties’ industrial parks as shovel-ready areas for economic development and job opportunities. As an experienced public servant, I’ve rolled up my sleeves to get this job done.

Supporting and funding our law enforcement officers and correctional officers is a top priority for me. The 75th District has more correctional facilities (Greensville, Sussex I and II, Deerfield, and Brunswick Private Facility) than any other district in the Commonwealth.  Correctional officers and senior officers are two of the 19 state jobs with the highest turnover rate due to low salaries and hazardous working environments. I want to change that and make sure that legislators continue to recognize the importance of retaining public safety officers and their valuable services and sacrifices on a daily basis to protect all of us. I would like to thank all public safety officers including our state police officers, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, correctional officers and emergency services for their dedication and commitment in making our district and the Commonwealth a safe place to raise our children and families.

Everyone deserves the right to affordable and quality healthcare. Over 400,000 Virginians and working families do not have access to quality healthcare, and the Commonwealth continues to lose $5 million each day – that’s $1.8 billion every year – by refusing to participate in the Federal Affordable Healthcare Act.

As a healthcare provider, I see how some families must make a choice between buying health care insurance or paying their rent or refilling their prescriptions. This is why I continue to support affordable health care coverage, affordable prescription drugs, assistance for family caregivers and long term care. I’m the only candidate you can be sure will do this.

As a young woman growing up in rural Greensville County, our family traditions included hunting and fishing. Some hunted for necessity while others took to the great outdoors for family fun, and to share community values and fellowship at the various clubs. This is one of our great local traditions and I will always vote to protect what I know is a cornerstone of our community’s way of life.  

Today, I still value hunting and sportsman activities. It’s what we do. Hunting and fishing contribute billions to the US economy annually. That is why when the HB1900 bill threatened hunting with dogs in Virginia, I led the bi-partisan fight which defeated HB1900 to protect hunting and continue our legacy. It was a 48-47 vote, and I cast the deciding vote. You can count on me to protect hunting and sportsman’s rights in Richmond.

We live in a beautiful rural district that is economically tied to the natural resources around us. Agriculture and Forestry is Virginia’s largest industry and our economic engine with $70 million annually providing more than 334,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. 

I’m proud of my track record as a strong supporter and advocate for the Agriculture and Forestry Industry. I have a 100 percent voting record in supporting the Farm Bureau Legislative agenda and I’ve co-sponsored successful legislation (HR 987) which updated agriculture nuisance provisions of Virginia’s Right to Farm Act protecting farmers from false claims of nuisance and unfair judgements. 

Because of my commitment to the industry, Farm Bureau has continuously endorsed my candidacy for the House of Delegates. I’m also proud to say that the Virginia Loggers Association (VLA) awarded me the President Award in recognition of my ongoing support and leadership. To everyone who works with the natural resources of District 75, I’ve got your back in Richmond.