Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates in the Tuesday, June 20, primary election for the Democratic nomination for the District 95 seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Answers to our questions generally are not edited, aside from obvious punctuation issues, spacing and formatting, or for clarity. The print edition containing our full primary voter guide is now on stands.
- Please reach John Doucette, the editor, with any questions or concerns via email.
- Find the main page for the complete 2023 primary guide at this link.
RICHARD “RICK” JAMES
Residence: Pleasant Point
Age: 57
Occupation: Educational Programs Director
Military Service/Education: U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Div. (Airborne Combat Medic) Veteran; B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice / Administration; Master’s Degree in Government / Public Policy; and DCJS Instructor Qualification: Constitutional Law and Diplomacy
Endorsements: Virginia state Sen. Lionell Spruill, Norfolk City Councilmember John “JP” Paige and SMART Transportation PAC
Website: rickjames95hd.com
Phone: (757) 692-9222
Email: rickjames95hd@gmail.com
Social Media: Richard James (Rick) on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? Throughout my career in service as a Combat Medic in the Army, Norfolk Police officer, educator, and legislative aide, I’ve taken action to deliver real results. That’s why I can’t sit back when I know we deserve better.
I’m running for Delegate because I have the experience to get things done and improve our communities. I have served as the Legislative Assistant for State Senator Lionell Spruill for 7 years, a member of the Norfolk and Va. Beach Democratic Committees for over 25 years, including as a Precinct Captain and served as the Civic League President for my community.
What are your three main legislative priorities for the General Assembly? After countless conversations with citizens in the 95th District, the majority of voters want me to protect reproductive rights and expand access to quality health care, including mental health care.
They also ask that I start working together to end gun violence and keep communities safe.
Increasing economic opportunities for all through good paying jobs and affordable housing, in addition to strengthening public education and our community college system, among other things.
I have worked with State Senator Spruill to protect voters rights and improve conditions to increase voter participation particularly in local elections.
How will you be an advocate for state support to local public education? My wife has been a public-school teacher for over 20 years. I have seen the needs of our children and teachers firsthand. I will vote on legislation to strengthen public education by attracting and retaining quality teachers and prioritizing resources for student success to include the Community College Dual Enrollment Program, adding “JSTP” Job Skills Training Programs for students wishing to enter the job market with Workforce Development Certification Skills.
What priorities do you have that will help support the agriculture community? Virginia’s Agriculture Community is an important part of our community Health and welfare. I will continue to listen to the needs of the Agriculture community and support legislation to help them keep Virginians healthy and safe.
Do you support access to reproductive health care for women? Why or why not? After countless conversations with citizens in the 95th District, the majority of voters want me to protect reproductive rights and expanding access to quality health care, including mental health care. I believe that a women’s reproductive Health care is protected by an individual’s right to privacy, and the government should stay out of their reproductive health care decisions between themselves and their Doctor.
How will you work to help coastal communities address issues such as sea level rise or recurrent flooding? Sea level rise and Flooding in Virginia is real and problematic. It also affects property values, transportation, tourism, jobs, our economy, and way of life. As Delegate, I will advocate for State and Federal Funds to assist our locality with Flooding and Sea Level rise mitigation.
ALEX Q. ASKEW
Residence: Virginia Beach
Age : 38
Occupation: Community Relations Coordinator at Sentara Healthcare
Education: Bachelor’s degree in History from Hampton University
Endorsements: Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, and Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader Don Scott
Website: alexaskew.com
Phone: (757) 354-4556
Email: askew@alexaskew.com
Social Media: @askewfordelegate on Facebook and @AlexAskew757 on Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I previously served the citizens of Virginia Beach as a member of the General Assembly in the 85th district. While in office I passed 14 bills into law. I am a proven leader who is running again to give a voice to those who may be underrepresented or marginalized and to work toward creating policies that address their needs. While in office, I worked to create and pass policies that helped make healthcare more affordable, increased teacher pay, and fought for income equality by increasing the minimum wage.
What are your three main legislative priorities for the General Assembly? As your Delegate, I will advocate for legislative priorities that promote the well-being and rights of Virginians. I firmly believe in the urgent need to address three critical areas: raising teacher pay, placing price caps on medication, and protecting women’s right to choose. By advancing these causes, we can foster a stronger, more inclusive Commonwealth.
- Virginia must become more competitive in compensating its educators to attract and retain the best and brightest talent. By increasing teacher pay, we not only acknowledge the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the minds of future generations but also create an environment conducive to professional growth and fulfillment. Adequate compensation not only ensures financial security for teachers and their families but also enhances the overall work environment.
- Secondly, the escalating costs of prescription medications pose a significant burden on families across the Commonwealth. No family should be forced to choose between putting food on the table and purchasing life-saving medications. By implementing price caps on medication, we can alleviate this burden and ensure that individuals have access to affordable healthcare options.
- Lastly, safeguarding women’s right to choose is a fundamental principle that upholds personal autonomy and bodily integrity. It is crucial to protect the reproductive rights of women, enabling them to make decisions about their bodies in consultation with their healthcare providers.
These priorities align with our shared values of fairness, access to essential resources, and personal autonomy.
How will you be an advocate for state support to local public education? First, prioritize increasing funding for public schools to ensure adequate resources for students and educators. I will continue to fight for higher teacher salaries, professional development opportunities, and improving working conditions to attract and retain talented educators. We need to aim at addressing the funding disparities between wealthy and low-income school districts, aiming for a more equitable distribution of resources. More support investing in early childhood education and expanding access to quality preschool programs.
What priorities do you have that will help support the agriculture community? I aim to promote sustainable farming practices, invest in rural infrastructure, and ensure fair and competitive markets for farmers. Also, support research and development of innovative technologies and practices to increase productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. I’m an advocate for robust agricultural safety net programs, including crop insurance and disaster assistance, to protect farmers from unexpected losses. Additionally, we need to emphasize strengthening rural healthcare and education, expanding broadband access, and addressing climate change to support the well-being and resilience of rural communities and the agriculture industry.
Do you support access to reproductive health care for women? Why or why not? Absolutely! Ensuring such access empowers women to make informed choices about their bodies, health, and future. It promotes gender equality, improves maternal and infant health outcomes, reduces unsafe abortions, and allows women to pursue education, career opportunities, and economic independence. Access to reproductive health care enables women to exercise their fundamental rights, enhances their overall well-being, and contributes to the advancement of societies as a whole.
How will you work to help coastal communities address issues such as sea level rise or recurrent flooding? I am committed to helping coastal communities such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach address issues such as sea level rise and recurrent flooding.
We need to prioritize investments in resilient infrastructure, including flood control systems and seawalls, to protect these communities. Also, advocate for sustainable land-use practices and promote nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands and coastal ecosystems, which can act as natural buffers against flooding. I recognize the importance of scientific research and data collection to inform policy decisions and support efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts on coastal communities.
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