Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates in the election for the new State House District 100 seat. Answers to our questions in this series generally are not edited, aside from obvious punctuation issues, spacing and formatting, or for clarity. 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.
ROBERT S BLOXOM JR. [R]
[Ed. — The candidate did not respond.]
CHARLENA JONES [D]
- Residence: Machipongo, Northampton County
- Age: 45
- Occupation: Business consultant and qualified mental health professional
- Military Service/Education: Bachelor of business administration-general management
- Endorsements: Win Virginia, Care for Virginia and VA DEMS Women’s Caucus
- Phone: (757) 354-1524
- Website: jones4delegate.com
- Email: jones4delegate@gmail.com
- Social Media: @jones4delegate on Instagram
What are your specific qualifications to serve in the General Assembly? My qualifications consist of:
- Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree in General Management
- Minor in Human Services
- Current school board member and former chairwoman (first African American to chair that board).
- Former PTA President
- Former President of Parent Engagement
- Co-Chair Eastern Shore Healthy Community Poverty Workgroup
- Member of Eastern Shore Healthy Community Trauma-Informed Workgroup
- Board of Director of Northampton County Education Foundation
- 20 years as a qualified mental health professional
What, to you, is the most important issue facing your district and how will you address it in office? My district is facing many important issues: living wages, workforce housing, equitable education and clean air and water.
To address these issues, I would further listen to the concerns of my constituents, determine available resources and follow the process for initiating resolutions.
What are your three main legislative priorities? There are many important legislative priorities. My top three are education, living wages/workforce housing and clean air and water.
How will you help ensure job creation and economic vitality? Job creation and economic vitality is important. To help ensure job creation I would support education and training for jobs. Further I would support an increase in wages, as this will help improve vitality.
How will you support local efforts to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding? Sea level rise and recurrent flooding is not an area I am well versed in. However, I would utilize resources and begin by listening to constituents and experts on the matter. From there work with a plan that supports a human centric approach.
How will you support public education? As a current school board member and former Chairwoman and supporter of public education, supporting education would be one of my top priorities. I would support public education by ensuring equitable education, funding for the unfunded mandates and hear the concerns of the students, superintendents, school board members of public education and pertinent constituents.
Do you support access to sexual and reproductive health care for women, including birth control and legal abortion access in Virginia? I support access to sexual and reproductive health care for women which includes birth control and legal abortions. I believe there are cases when abortion is health care. A woman’s right to have a child or not is between her, God and her health care provider.
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 work to help ensure voting is equitable for all citizens.
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