Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William) formally announced her campaign to become governor of Virginia Wednesday. If she wins, she would become the first woman governor in commonwealth history and the first black, female governor in the United States.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Carroll Foy launched her campaign digitally, airing a video on social media. In it, she describes how the pandemic has revealed several issues in Virginia that she has made her top priority.
“This crisis has forced us to reckon with a truth that’s been just beneath the surface: working families don’t have what they need to thrive,” said Carroll Foy via Twitter. “Today, I’m launching my campaign for Governor of Virginia because we need a leader who won’t back down in the fight for what’s right.”
Affordable healthcare, infrastructure and criminal justice reform and paid sick leave are some of her key issues. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Carroll Foy has called for investigations into the racial disparities in coronavirus cases and deaths as well as calling for expansion of vote by mail and paid sick and parental leave for Virginians.
Carroll Foy has also been a leader on the issue of paid leave, having introduced legislation to require companies of a certain size in the state to provide leave for parents and people with sick family members.
“We can’t wait for problems to be solved- the time for action is now. It’s time we listened to those who haven’t been listened to before, and it’s time for fresh leadership. I’m ready to be the leader Virginia needs,” Carroll Foy said in a release.
Other potential candidates for the democratic nomination include former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, Attorney General Mark Herring, state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
Gov. Ralph Northam is unable to run next year due to the state’s rule against governors serving back-to-back terms.
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