Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates in the election for the new State Senate District 19 seat. Answers to our questions in this series generally are not edited, aside from obvious punctuation issues, spacing and formatting, or for clarity. Candidates appear in ballot order. Remaining copies of the Sunday, Sept. 24, print edition containing the complete guide may still be available on some of our secondary racks through Sunday, Oct. 22.
- Please reach John Doucette, the editor, with any questions or concerns via email.
CHRISTIE NEW CRAIG [R]
- Residence: Greenbriar, Chesapeake
- Age: 56
- Occupation: Chief of Staff for state Sen. John Cosgrove
- Military Service/Education: Sorensen Political Leadership Program through the University of Virginia, 2006
- Endorsements: Gov. Glenn Youngkin, state Sen. John Cosgrove and state Del. Jay Leftwich
- Phone: (757) 434-3746
- Website: christienewcraig.com
- Email: christie@christienewcraig.com
- Social Media: @christienewcraigforsenate on Facebook and @newcraigforva on X, formerly Twitter
What are your specific qualifications to serve in the General Assembly? I have served Hampton Roads in various capacities throughout my career. From my 16 years in law enforcement to my 12 years on the Chesapeake School Board to my 20+ years in Richmond working with Senator Cosgrove, I have become familiar with the unique challenges facing our community. We need a bold leader who can represent our community’s interests and stand up for our values in Richmond. My experience serving the Hampton Roads community and working in Richmond means that come day one, I will hit the ground running, delivering results.
What, to you, is the most important issue facing your district, and how will you address it in office? My team and I are knocking on doors and speaking to voters daily, listening to their concerns. We are hearing one common theme from all of them: the economy. From Chesapeake to Virginia Beach, our families are struggling to make ends meet. Record-high inflation is strangling households across our Commonwealth, and voters want solutions. In Richmond, I will work with Governor Youngkin to expand tax cuts for working-class Virginians so they can keep more of their hard-earned money. Like many Hampton Roads families, I understand the tough decisions many of them are facing, and they deserve a leader who will fight for them in Richmond.
What are your three main legislative priorities?
- Cutting Taxes: Virginians are struggling to make ends meet with record-high inflation strangling our economy. By allowing small businesses and hard-working Virginians to keep more of their money, we will foster an economy where businesses want to invest and workers want to work.
- Defending Parents: Parents need to be in control of their children’s future. As a Yaya to 11 grandchildren and former School Board Chair, I understand just how important education is for Virginia’s children. We must get radical curriculum out of our schools and put parents back in the driver’s seat.
- Veterans Benefits: Hampton Roads has a rich military history that has defined our region for generations. As someone with deep ties to our veteran communities — my father, daughter, nephew, and son-in-law have all served — this issue hits very close to home for me and millions of Virginians. In Richmond, I will cut taxes for our Veterans, support programs for career transition after service, and expand benefits to Veterans across the Commonwealth.
How will you help ensure job creation and economic vitality? By cutting state income and corporate taxes, we will encourage businesses to invest and expand throughout our Commonwealth. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. By easing the tax burden on these businesses, we open our Commonwealth to new opportunities for economic prosperity. I will also work to increase funding for vocational and workplace education for high schoolers throughout Virginia so we can equip them with the life skills necessary to compete and excel in the workforce.
How will you support local efforts to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding? I have lived in Chesapeake my entire life, and flooding in Hampton Roads has been a prevalent issue for decades. I will work with local and state leaders to determine the appropriate drainage measures and improvements to prevent damaging shifts in tidewaters and flooding. We must be calculated in our actions to address this issue at its core.
How will you support public education? After serving 3-terms on the Chesapeake School Board from 2010-2022, I have seen firsthand the challenges facing teachers, parents, and students. In Richmond, I will advocate for additional resources to school systems and fight to put teachers back in control of their classrooms. I will also work with Governor Youngkin to expand school choice and let parents, not a zip code, decide the quality of education their child receives.
Do you support access to sexual and reproductive health care for women, including birth control and legal abortion access in Virginia? As a mother and grandmother, access to safe, affordable healthcare is important to me. Life and opportunity are also very important to me, and I believe the two can coexist. I will support Governor Youngkin’s policy in terms of abortion.
Virginia Beach plans to ask the General Assembly to support a new district voting system, either by charter change or general law change. Will you work with the delegation and across party lines to support this? I will represent my constituents’ wishes and work with the delegation across party lines to enact the will of the voters.
MYRA J. PAYNE [D]
- Residence: Seatack, Virginia Beach
- Age: 61
- Occupation: Owner and operator of Seatack Blessed Beach House LLC; Registered Nurse
- Military Service/Education: 22 years of Service, Retired United States Army Nurse Corps Retired LTC; master of divinity, Virginia Union University, Richmond; master of science, nursing adult health/master business administration, Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas; bachelor of science nursing, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee
- Phone: (757) 816-0718
- Website: myrapaynevasenate.com
- Email: myrapayneforvasenate@gmail.com
- Social Media: Myra Payne for VA Senate on Facebook, @payneforva on Instagram and @myrapayne61 on X, formerly Twitter
What are your specific qualifications to serve in the General Assembly? Academic experiences and working with the public give me insights into the needs, concerns and expectations of the place where we live.
What, to you, is the most important issue facing your district, and how will you address it in office? Reproductive Rights and Women’s Health. I believe in empowering individuals to make their own informed decisions regarding their reproductive health and well-being.
What are your three main legislative priorities?
- Livable Wages for All: I am committed to ensuring that every individual in District 19 receives a fair and livable wage, allowing them to meet their basic needs and thrive in their communities.
- Supporting Our Heroes: I am an advocate for the military community. I’m calling for more resources to enhance veterans’ quality of life. I believe in providing support to military families and creating a solid and inclusive community that values their contributions and sacrifices.
- I will work tirelessly to ensure that all residents of District 19 have access to affordable healthcare services. With my unique perspective as a nurse, I understand the importance of quality healthcare in promoting well-being and improving lives.
How will you help ensure job creation and economic vitality? I will support job creation and economic vitality – by incentivizing TV and film production in Virginia. Producers are having difficulty because the writers are on strike. Improve or enhance the existing Virginia incentive program designed to support the state’s film production industry while making the filming experience as economical and efficient as possible.
How will you support local efforts to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding? Monitor the Bonds that have already been established for Virginia Beach, and work to restore our agricultural agreements and environmental greenhouse gas emissions.
How will you support public education? Work to ensure that every child receives a sound and inclusive education and to ensure standards are being met in private and home schooling environments
Do you support access to sexual and reproductive health care for women, including birth control and legal abortion access in Virginia? Yes. women should have the freedom to choose
Virginia Beach plans to ask the General Assembly to support a new district voting system, either by charter change or general law change. Will you work with the delegation and across party lines to support this? I support the 10-1 system.
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