BertForSenate.com<\/a><\/p>"}}},{"id":6573,"slug":"1-biggest-challenge-us","title":"1. Biggest challenge \/ U.S.","description":"What's the biggest challenge facing the United States and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Artificial intelligence is going to transform virtually every sector of our economy, and we are nowhere near prepared for what that means for American workers. I am AI-long: I believe this technology can create enormous opportunities, but we can't pretend there won't be real disruption along the way. We need to start preparing now, and AI companies and big corporations that stand to massively profit must do their part. My comprehensive AI legislation would establish much-needed guardrails, including federal standards for data centers to prevent developers from passing their costs onto communities. It would also promote competition and safety, protect our national security, and generate new revenue from AI companies and data center developers to invest in workers impacted by AI-related disruption. AI companies will make enormous profits from this transformation. We need to make sure American workers share in the upside rather than simply bearing the costs.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Our biggest challenge is our national security. Under Biden, our adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran were allowed to walk all over us. Dealing with these regimes takes true resolve and experience. As a retired Major General of the United States Army, former Commander of the Combined Joint Interagency Task force in Afghanistan, and Trump's trusted advisor on national security, I am ready to face that challenge.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6574,"slug":"2-biggest-challenge","title":"2. Biggest challenge","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing Virginia and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The cost of everything has gotten out of control. From groceries, to housing, to the utility bill, costs are climbing and Virginians are feeling the squeeze in their pockets. Trump's reckless tariffs are a tax hike on American consumers, a tax on nearly everything. I introduced legislation to require full refunds of Trump's illegal tariffs to put money back in the pockets of Virginians. The housing crisis is also contributing to the affordability crisis. We're millions of homes short in this country. I am proud to have co-authored the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, a landmark package of legislation. It has key provisions to cut red tape, make affordable housing easier to build, and stops private equity from buying up homes. I'm also fighting to make sure developers, not residents, pay for costs associated with data centers.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing the Commonwealth is our current leadership. Spanberger and her allies have shown that they are closer to Mamdani and AOC than everyday Virginians - attempting to rig our congressional elections, pushing for billions of dollars in tax increases, infringing on our Second Amendment rights, and joining Green New Deal initiatives like the RGGI that are hurting Virginians no matter their political affiliation. Unlike Warner, I will push back against the policies in the Senate instead of enabling them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6575,"slug":"3-hr-1-aka-the-one-big-beautiful-bill","title":"3. HR 1, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill","description":"
How would you assess the impact of that legislation?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
HR 1 slashed health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich. It has already forced over 100,000 Virginians off their health care plans by jacking up the cost of premiums, and its massive Medicaid cuts put roughly 300,000 Virginians at risk of losing their health insurance and threaten rural hospitals that are already struggling to keep their doors open.<\/p>
The bill also caused the largest SNAP cut in the program's history, putting over 200,000 Virginians at risk of losing the program that helps put food on the table. I voted against it and fought to strip out some of its most damaging provisions. Congress should be lowering costs for working families, not asking them to sacrifice so people at the very top can get another tax break.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
The Working Families Tax Cuts (OBBB) has lowered taxes on Virginians virtually across the board and it allows families to keep more of their hard-earned money including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on social security. Not only that, but it has also directed much-needed funding to modernize our military and secure our borders.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6576,"slug":"4-health-care","title":"4. Health care","description":"
What are your views on how Americans can better afford health care? Would you support the so-called \"Medicare for All\"? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We need universal health care. Americans shouldn't lose health coverage because they lose a job, and no Virginian should have to choose between groceries, rent, and medicine. As long as we keep arguing over who gets covered, we'll never actually get to have a real conversation about bringing down costs. <\/p>
I helped write the Affordable Care Act, which massively expanded health care access and ensured that no insurance company could discriminate against you for your medical history. I helped cap insulin at $35 a month and cap what seniors pay out of pocket for prescriptions at $2,000 a year. And when the middlemen were hiding how they set drug prices, I helped force them to open their books.<\/p>
I'm less interested in arguing over labels than I am in getting to universal coverage and bringing costs down. We ought to build on what works, fix what doesn't and make sure every American can get quality, affordable health care.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Socialized health care, \"Medicare for All,\" would cost the American taxpayers trillions of dollars and will never be a viable solution to health care in the United States. It would decrease the quality of care that people receive and lead to longer wait times at the doctor's office. There are real solutions to this issue like fostering free market competition so pharmaceutical companies and hospitals don't price gouge working families.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6577,"slug":"5-rural-hospitals","title":"5. Rural hospitals","description":"
Up to 10 rural hospitals in Virginia have been listed as endangered. What would you propose to make sure they stay open?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Rural hospitals were already operating on incredibly thin margins, and the massive Medicaid cuts from HR 1 made the situation much worse. While the wealthy got trillions in tax breaks, rural Virginians are at greater risk of losing access to care. I fought against those cuts and offered amendments to protect Medicaid and rural health care, but Republicans blocked them.<\/p>
I'm also working to strengthen rural hospitals by addressing some of the services most at risk of disappearing. My Keeping Obstetrics Local Act would increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services to help rural hospitals keep maternity wards open and ensure families don't have to travel hours to have a baby.\tI also authored the Save Struggling Hospitals Act to ensure that rural hospitals are fairly reimbursed for their services by the federal government.<\/p>
I'll keep fighting to protect Medicaid, strengthen rural hospitals and make sure your ZIP code doesn't determine whether you can get quality health care.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Rural hospitals are key to communities across Virginia. However, this is an issue of failed state leadership to provide adequate resources and support for rural hospitals. These issues need to be addressed to ensure that we are not shortchanging our rural communities for vanity projects in Portsmouth or Alexandria.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6578,"slug":"6-immigration","title":"6. Immigration","description":"
What are your views on immigration? Does the U.S. need more immigrants or fewer? What should be the criteria for entry and deportation? Under what circumstances should undocumented immigrants already here be given a pathway to citizenship?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":5,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We're the one country where you can come here, play by the rules, embrace our democracy, and become an American. That's what makes our country so strong. But our immigration system has been broken for years. I fought for a bipartisan border deal that would have bolstered our national security, provided better technology to stop fentanyl and implemented major reforms to our asylum system. Donald Trump killed it at the 11th hour.<\/p>
A screwed-up border is not a license for the level of cruelty and chaos that has been unleashed on the streets, with masked, undertrained agents engaging in illegal acts of violence, grabbing people heading to work and folks who showed up to their own court hearing, shooting Americans dead in the street - none of this is making us safer. <\/p>
We need secure borders, a fair and consistent immigration process for people who have lived and contributed here for years, and law enforcement that follows the law. Those things are not mutually exclusive.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
America is a country of immigrants, but we are also a country of law and order. We must keep our borders secure while making legal immigration for those seeking the American Dream available. Those who broke the law and came here illegally should not be given a free path to citizenship over those choosing to do it legally.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6579,"slug":"7-israel-gaza","title":"7. Israel \/ Gaza","description":"
Would you support an arms embargo on Israel? Why or why not? What else should we know about your views on Israel and Gaza?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":6,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We can stand firmly with Israel's security while also speaking out against actions that jeopardize peace and stability in the region. While I'm a friend to the Israeli people, I do not support all of the actions of Netanyahu's government. Earlier this year, I voted to cut off American aid that could have enabled more illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The conflict that followed the October 7th attacks in Gaza resulted in significant and devastating human cost. Extremist settlers continue to commit violence and displace Palestinian families in the West Bank, while the Israeli government enables illegal settlement expansion. Israel is escalating military actions in southern Lebanon and other areas of the region that are not in Israel or America's long-term interest. Israelis should be able to live in security with a two-state solution that honors the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians, and there must be an end to the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the region.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
No, I would not support an arms embargo against Israel. Israel is one of America's greatest allies, and we cannot allow them to become a sitting duck for their enemies who have vowed to destroy them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6580,"slug":"8-ukraine-russia","title":"8. Ukraine \/ Russia","description":"
What, if any, aid should the United States be supplying to Ukraine? Why or why not? What are the consequences if Russia succeeds in militarily claiming part of Ukraine?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":7,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Supporting Ukraine isn't charity - it is squarely in America's national security interest. Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty against Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion, and the United States should make sure Ukrainians have the tools they need to defend themselves. Their fight is not just about Ukraine's sovereignty. It is about defending the democratic values and principles that protect our own. Ukrainians are literally fighting and dying for these values and in doing so, they are dealing a devastating blow to one of America's top adversaries without sending a single American service member into combat. <\/p>
Russia, China and every other American adversary are watching what we do in Ukraine. If Putin can invade a neighbor, seize territory by force and simply wait out the West, the lesson will be heard far beyond Ukraine.Walking away from Ukraine would make America less safe. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Obama allowed Crimea to be seized and Biden's failed foreign policy empowered Russia to try and finish the job. Thanks to President Trump, we are no longer in a losing position around the world. Europe is finally picking up their part of the tab that U.S. taxpayers were paying, and any further U.S. assistance must have U.S. interests in mind.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6581,"slug":"9-artificial-intelligence-data-centers","title":"9. Artificial intelligence \/ data centers","description":"
What, if anything, should the federal government do to either encourage or discourage development of artificial intelligence? Please address data centers as part of this.<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":8,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Artificial intelligence will reshape nearly every aspect of our economy and society. The only question is whether Congress is going to do something about it or try to play catch up. <\/p>
My comprehensive AI legislative framework addresses four key priorities: building AI infrastructure responsibly; promoting competition and safety; preparing workers for economic disruption and technological change; and strengthening America's national security advantage.<\/p>
Data centers use enormous amounts of power and water. Virginians deserve to know the impact a new data center will have on their community, and companies shouldn't be able to hide those details behind secret deals. I've introduced legislation to require greater transparency about energy and water use and other impacts, make data centers pay for the grid upgrades they require instead of passing those costs on to residents, and condition valuable tax benefits on meeting strong efficiency standards.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Democrats have fought against local control across Virginia, and we need to let local communities decide what is best for themselves. Let me be clear: You should decide what gets built in your community, not politicians in Richmond or Washington DC. Data centers have exposed the failure of the Democrats' Green New Deal energy policies that restrict energy production and communities should be empowered to restrict data centers and control their own land use policies.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6582,"slug":"10-energy-offshore-wind","title":"10. Energy \/ Offshore wind","description":"
President Trump has tried to block development of offshore wind energy. Dominion Energy is building an offshore wind facility off the coast of Virginia Beach and has long-range plans for more. What should the federal government'sposture on offshore wind be? And energy development in general?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":9,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is a product of years of work and is the largest commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States. It is providing clean, reliable energy to Virginians. I am proud of what I've done with Dominion Energy and other partners in the region to secure federal funding for the project, improve local maritime infrastructure, and create good-paying jobs. The project will provide Virginians with greater price stability, fuel savings, and protection against future energy shocks, such as those being created by the Trump administration's war in Iran. I look forward to working on growing Virginia's clean energy economy.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Offshore Wind is one of the most expensive and least productive forms of energy. America should rely on proven energy sources that produce the levels of power required by Americans now and in the future, and wind off the coast will never be either cost efficient or sufficient to power our economy. The wind turbines off Virginia Beach are not just an eyesore, they cost more to create than they will ever generate and we all got stuck with the bill.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6583,"slug":"11-tariffs","title":"11. Tariffs","description":"
How would you assess the impact of the tariffs that President Trump has imposed?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":10,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The across-the-board tariffs are reckless. <\/p>
I support targeted trade enforcement when countries like China cheat, steal intellectual property, or manipulate markets. But indiscriminately taxing imported goods and then pretending another country is picking up the tab is simply not how tariffs work. A tariff is a tax, and American businesses and consumers are the ones who are paying it in the form of higher prices.<\/p>
When courts ruled many of these tariffs illegal. I introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026 to require the government to return the money it collected with interest.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
President Trump correctly sees tariffs as an instrument to level the playing field with other nations whose import policies unfairly treat U.S. goods and services. Many countries had trade practices that were supremely one-sided to their own benefit and costly to America. It was time that we stood up to those who were taking advantage of us.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6584,"slug":"12-trump-administration","title":"12. Trump administration","description":"
How would you assess the performance of President Trump? What actions would you take to support or oppose his agenda? For Democrats: Would you support impeachment? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":11,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
President Trump has spent far too much of his presidency testing the limits of his office instead of lowering costs and solving problems for Americans. I've opposed him when he has undermined the rule of law, weakened our national security, or pursued policies that hurt Virginia families. But I've never believed my job is to reflexively oppose everything an administration from the other party does. When an administration has a good idea for Virginia or the country, I'll work with it. When it's wrong, I'll fight it.<\/p>
Regarding impeachment: if we didn't have the votes to convict Trump after the violent insurrection on January 6, we aren't going to have those votes in January 2027, either. My strong preference for my party would be to focus on delivering for voters and actually lowering costs, rather than pursuing another impeachment that is unlikely to get the results the folks pushing it want. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
President Trump deserves far more credit than he often receives for rebuilding the Republican coalition and making our party a national winner again. I worked with him during the 2015-2016 campaign and authored candidate Donald Trump's foreign policy doctrine. In the U.S. Senate, I will work with President Trump help him challenge the decades of failed domestic and foreign policy, take on wasteful government spending, and bring a business-minded approach to protecting taxpayer dollars.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6585,"slug":"13-abortion-contraception","title":"13. Abortion \/ contraception","description":"
What changes, if any, to federal law would you like to see?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":12,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
In the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we've seen the consequences unfold in real time: women denied lifesaving care, doctors forced to navigate confusing and dangerous legal gray areas, and families left to deal with the fallout. Decisions about pregnancy should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. That's why I introduced the Women's Health Protection Act, legislation to guarantee access to abortion care across the country. It would once and for all restore the constitutional right to abortion, permanently making it safe and legal nationwide.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I support the Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that the Constitution does not have a federal role in abortion.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6586,"slug":"14-guns","title":"14. Guns","description":"
What legislation, if any, would you support regarding firearms?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":13,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
I believe law-abiding Americans have a right to own firearms. I also believe our kids should be able to go to school, families should be able to go to the grocery store, and people should be able to worship without fearing they'll be the next victims of a mass shooting.<\/p>
Those beliefs are not incompatible. We need commonsense measures that respect responsible gun ownership while keeping dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. That means requiring comprehensive background checks for gun purchases and banning assault weapons that can inflict enormous casualties in a matter of seconds. These steps won't prevent every act of gun violence, but they will save lives. Congress has waited far too long to act.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I believe that our Second Amendment rights \"shall not be infringed\" just as our founders intended. We're already seeing gun bans in Virginia by Abigail Spanberger and her allies, and I will ensure the federal government never restricts our constitutional freedoms.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6587,"slug":"15-other-issues","title":"15. Other issues","description":"
What else should voters know about you?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":14,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
I've always believed government works best when people are willing to roll up their sleeves, work across the aisle and actually solve problems.<\/p>
Before politics, I was an entrepreneur. My first business failed in six weeks. My second failed in six months. Eventually I helped build a successful company in an industry - cellular phones - that was transforming the economy. That experience taught me not to be afraid of change, but also not to underestimate how disruptive technological change can be.<\/p>
I've carried that approach into public service: be willing to try something new, work with people you don't always agree with, and never forget that the goal is to give every American the same fair shot I had at success. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I want to lead on common sense solutions to help families stay safe and prosper.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"candidate_card","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["candidate_card"],"title":"Short summary","help_hint":"Brief fields (like demographics) for a summary card. Keep it short: this takes space in all candidate listings"}}]},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"],"title":"Sidebar","help_hint":"Shorter topics for the side rail"}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"],"title":"Primary","help_hint":"Main area, great for more in-depth and longer policy topics"}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2821,"slug":"congress-2026","title":"U.S. House 2026","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":1982,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":"ocd-division\/country:us\/state:va\/cd:2","slug":"2nd-district","name":"2nd District","content":null,"show_heading":true,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":7692,"slug":"elaine-luria","name":"Elaine Luria","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":0},{"id":12526,"slug":"jen-kiggans","name":"Jen Kiggans","party":"Republican","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":14257,"slug":"geral-d-bishop-staten","name":"Geral D. \"Bishop\" Staten","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-496ecce5-5254-49fb-8e16-278dcfba1a95.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-496ecce5-5254-49fb-8e16-278dcfba1a95.jpeg","order":2},{"id":14258,"slug":"j-matt-baker","name":"J. Matt Baker","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-a7b22985-3e60-40eb-8971-d6c8d9d2a288.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-a7b22985-3e60-40eb-8971-d6c8d9d2a288.jpg","order":3}]},{"custom_id":null,"slug":"3rd-district","name":"3rd District","content":null,"show_heading":true,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":10624,"slug":"robert-bobby-scott","name":"Robert \"Bobby\" Scott","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":0},{"id":10623,"slug":"edwin-rivera-jr","name":"Edwin Rivera Jr.","party":"Republican","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":14259,"slug":"makiba-a-gaines","name":"Makiba A. Gaines","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":2},{"id":14260,"slug":"stephen-c-woll","name":"Stephen C. Woll","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":3}]}],"total_groups_count":2,"topics":[{"id":4367,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Geral Defrance Staten better known as \"Bishop\" Staten<\/p>
Birthdate: September 13,1985<\/p>
BirthPlace : Born Franklin, Virginia ( SouthHampton Memorial Hospital ) , Raised and Groomed Suffolk, Virginia. Lifelong Hampton Roads Resident. <\/p>
Male. (40) <\/p>
Father of 5. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
I'm Matt Baker -- a Naval Academy graduate, retired Marine Colonel, and grid-modernization engineer running as an independent for Virginia's 2nd District. My wife and I have called Tidewater home for 14 years, raising three kids here. I spent 28 years as a Marine infantry officer, commanding 1,200 Marines and Sailors in combat in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, and deploying to Desert Storm and Iraq. After the Marine Corps, I earned an MBA at ODU and spent a decade modernizing power infrastructure for utilities and the Department of Defense, most recently as VP of Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL. Neither party alone can be trusted to govern this district honestly, so I'm running as an independent. This campaign takes no PAC money -- not corporate, not party, not billionaire super PACs. I answer to VA-02, not to a party.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4368,"slug":"website","title":"Website","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Facebook.com\/BishopStaten<\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
https:\/\/mattbakerindependent.com<\/p>"}}},{"id":4369,"slug":"biggest-challenge-us","title":"1. Biggest challenge \/ U.S.","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing the United States and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Results for the American People, and not Lies. Moving away from the Parties that has failed the American People, and Elect Servants that want to see a better life for Every American and their families. I'm here to fight for them. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing this country is a creeping sense that government is broken and nothing can fix it. People are worn down watching every fact spun for one side or the other -- until solutions stop mattering. That's why VA-02 stays the lightest shade of blue or red. It's not because of a 50\/50 split. Many are just flipping a coin or 'picking the lesser of two evils.'<\/p>
The parties have turned elections into cage matches, spending huge sums to keep us divided while running a winner-take-all spoils system. My bet is most of us are middle of the road, purple if you will, and want someone to vote for, not just against.<\/p>
We can turn this corner, and we must. I'm not out to replace the parties, what I want is for disagreement to be healthy again, and compromise to make us better. As an independent, I'll listen to both sides, stir the pot until real solutions get built, and bring every ounce of leadership, consensus-building, and engineering discipline I have to the effort.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4370,"slug":"biggest-challenge-virginia","title":"2. Biggest challenge \/ Your district","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Infrastructure and Affordability. I understand that times has change. We have the #1 growing district in All of Virginia ,we want to be different. I want citizens to move here and thrive. This will be my Top Priority. Let's Update, let's build, let's cut costs and welcome our newly moved- in Citizens with open arms. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing this district is preparing for what comes next. A $40 trillion national debt is all our responsibility -- no amount of entitlements we can't afford, finger-pointing, or tax-cut giveaways changes that math. <\/p>
We all know these costs have to be paid down, not passed to the next generation. The fleet is coming home, and returning it to a high state of readiness will take real maintenance dollars and hard work. Prices are high and unlikely to drop. Technology is changing fast, and we don't fully know how it will hit us. Sea levels are rising. <\/p>
None of these get solved by picking a side -- they get solved by addressing them together, honestly. That's the message I want to take to Washington: get real, and lets get to work.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4450,"slug":"hr-1-aka-the-one-big-beautiful-bill","title":"3. HR 1, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill","description":"
How would you assess the impact of that legislation?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
No good for the American People. So much is being taken from us right before our very eyes , we are being stripped of our rights, everyday, by the minute. We need a new plan, a New Administration. This Bill doesn't serve the Middle\/Lower Class. We need a Bill for All. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
HR1 is said to have saved the average Virginian $3,617. <\/p>
Average of what? That number means very little when we don't all pay the same taxes -- the top 20% of earners pocketed about 60% of the total benefit, while a family at Virginia's median income saw closer to $1,780. Meanwhile we're adding at least $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade -- north of $12,000 per American, and that's just debt divided by population, no math degree required. CBO also found households at the bottom lose more in benefit cuts than they gain in tax relief. <\/p>
In short: never have so few benefited so completely while 80% wonder where their dollar went.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4385,"slug":"health-care","title":"4. Health care","description":"
What are your views on how Americans can better afford health care? Would you support the so-called \"Medicare for All\"? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Yes. That's actually on of my top platforms. Every American should have access to Free Medicare\/Healthcare.<\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
Obamacare is far from perfect -- even its architects admit that. But if you're going to replace an idea you don't like, you need a better idea; that's why we still have it. I'm skeptical of the price tag on Medicare for All, but open to the goal if it actually improves health care in this district.<\/p>
Here's my disclosure: I've got more to learn on this than most issues I'm asked about. As a retired Marine, my Tricare benefit is extraordinary -- family coverage runs about $765 a year, a fraction of the $18,000+ many civilian families pay for comparable coverage. I didn't grasp how good I had it until I got out. So my gut reads 'Medicare for All' as 'Tricare for All', but I know that's not accurate.<\/p>
What I do know: ACA subsidies just expired, and millions face premiums that could double this year. That's math hitting real families. What I'd do now: fix the subsidy cliff, force real price transparency, and let Medicare negotiate harder on drug prices. I need to do more research for sure.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4395,"slug":"rural-hospitals","title":"5. Rural hospitals","description":"
Up to 10 rural hospitals in Virginia have been listed as endangered. What would you propose to make sure they stay open?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Yes. We are keeping our Rural Hospitals. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
None of the 10 hospitals on the list are in our district. However, that's no reason to shrug. Our Eastern Shore has exactly one hospital for two counties; there's no slack in our system.<\/p>
HR1 cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid nationally, and Virginia's rural hospitals run on Medicaid patients and thin margins. Congress attached a $50 billion 'fix' -- the Rural Health Transformation Fund -- but capped direct patient-care spending at 15%, and despite 57% of our counties being rural, Virginia's $189.5M award over five years ranks in the bottom third of all states. <\/p>
Who designs a rescue fund that shortchanges the state that needs it most? I'd fix the math, push more of that fund straight to keeping doors open and staff paid, and fight further Medicaid cuts rural facilities can't absorb. One thing is certain, hospitals are not optional.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4451,"slug":"immigration","title":"6. Immigration","description":"
What are your views on immigration? Does the U.S. need more immigrants or fewer? What should be the criteria for entry and deportation? Under what circumstances should undocumented immigrants already here be given a pathway to citizenship?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":5,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
We will always have immigrants, but there should be a better plan in place to filter out the good versus bad, we can't just deny access because we feel everybody is a threat, but we can have better details in place to govern this process for the greatness in this Country. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
I served alongside Marines who were immigrants. They were great Marines. Not being a citizen doesn't make you a villain -- most immigrants here are our friends and neighbors. They work hard. They pay taxes.<\/p>
Do we need more immigrants or fewer? Wrong question. We need a system that admits who our economy, military, and communities actually need, through legal, orderly channels -- not a system that hasn't seen comprehensive reform since Reagan signed the last one in 1986. Entry should run on real criteria: background checks, a genuine labor or family basis, honest asylum screening at real ports of entry. Deportation should follow the same discipline: priority for violent or public-safety threats, due process for the rest, not a numbers game.<\/p>
Let's give hardworking immigrants already here a path to citizenship. I get it -- many came here illegally -- but given the decades our immigration system has gone unfixed, how someone got here shouldn't be judged the same way as breaking the law after crossing the border. There's a difference between working hard to build a better life for your family and committing a crime. We can be both welcoming toward our neighbors and holding people accountable. Reagan compromised. So should we. A workable solution exists -- a lawful pathway, real enforcement, and human dignity -- and it requires the courage to negotiate rather than performance outrage.<\/p>
One candidate in this race has an enforcement-only record on this -- border wall funding, detention votes, no legalization plan, no DACA position anywhere on her platform. The other hasn't said where she stands this cycle at all. I have. <\/p>
Arrests of immigrants across Hampton Roads are up sixteen-fold in a year. Roughly one in four had an actual prior conviction. Even accounting for detainees with pending charges, this isn't enforcement done well -- it's a system running on volume instead of judgment. Fix it the way you'd fix any other broken component: with real standards, not more volume.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4393,"slug":"israel-gaza","title":"7. Israel \/ Gaza","description":"
Would you support an arms embargo on Israel? Why or why not? What else should we know about your views on Israel and Gaza?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":6,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
We need an arms embargo on Israel, but Not a War on Iran. Iam concern for Israel and Gaza. The genocide continues we have to get this under control. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
No, absolutely not. An arms embargo of Israel isn't on the table, nor should it be. Such action is reserved for our enemies. Israel is not an enemy of the United States.<\/p>
Israelis and Palestinians both deserve a lasting peace, one where children and innocents are safe and prosperity is possible. There's no simple answer here, and plenty of blame to go around for the governments on both sides. Hamas was the government in Gaza when the inexcusable attack on October 7th occurred. Now they say they won't disarm until Israel withdraws. The West Bank's Palestinian leadership isn't silent, but they are contending with their own problems as Israel's government has launched one of its biggest pushes yet to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, in addition to Israeli forces occupying 70% of Gaza. The US has a role here too -- we're fighting a war in Iran that we began jointly with the Israelis in February, and Iran is the same government arming Hamas.<\/p>
This confusion is only exacerbated by major PACs and special interests with huge sums of money on both sides of the issue. That's why my campaign will not take money from AIPAC, PAL PAC, or any PAC. I will not be influenced for a buck, and I will say when I believe leaders on both sides, including our own in the US, are wrong. Negotiation is the only way to a lasting peace.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4438,"slug":"ukraine-russia","title":"8. Ukraine \/ Russia","description":"
What, if any, aid should the United States be supplying to Ukraine? Why or why not? What are the consequences if Russia succeeds in militarily claiming part of Ukraine?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":7,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
We have to be very careful and consider all phases. United States is thee most powerful Country on Planet Earth. We don't want to commit to anything that will hurt us in the long run . We fund a lot of entities, we can do right by the Countries WorldWide that has committed to doing right by America at all Cost . We Decide. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
We must continue to supply Ukraine with arms, intelligence, and economic sanctions. In 1994, Ukraine gave up the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for our security assurances under the Budapest Memorandum. That wasn't a blank check for American troops, but it was a promise, and honoring it is the right thing to do in the face of naked aggression from Russia. It also matters to our NATO allies, who are watching how we handle this.<\/p>
Ukraine voted for independence in 1991, 92 percent in favor nationwide. The Donbas, which Russia occupied starting in 2014 after the Dignity Revolution, backed it by 84 percent. Crimea's margin was thinner, just over half, but a majority is a majority, and Russia has never had a claim to override it.<\/p>
We tried standing back in 2014 when Crimea and the Donbas were occupied. This appeasement did nothing to deter the Russians, and they attacked in 2022. No one thought Ukraine would stop those armored and airborne advances, but they did. If Russia is allowed to keep what it's taken by force, every authoritarian regime learns borders are negotiable if you're patient and armed. And every country that gave up nuclear weapons learns American security promises aren't worth the paper they're printed on.<\/p>
Americans respect grit and determination in the face of greed, cowardice, and bullying. Ukraine deserves our support.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4387,"slug":"artificial-intelligence","title":"9. Artificial intelligence \/ data centers","description":"
What, if anything, should the federal government do to either encourage or discourage development of artificial intelligence? Please address data centers as part of this. <\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":8,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
A.I is good and bad. What's so mindblowing about it is the theory that we don't know the long term effects it can cause by being able to do so much. Data Centers are under fire right now with a lot of concerns, for all, if they don't want to pay there fair share it's a huge problem ... then the other half of citizens want them Banned all at once. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
AI has enormous upside, and the US must keep its edge. I support taxing AI-driven productivity gains to help fund Social Security for future generations, and I'll push legislation on that. But unregulated AI causes real harm now: AI-linked layoffs hit 205,000 workers through August 2026, already matching all of 2025 in eight months. <\/p>
Meanwhile Washington is moving toward less accountability, not more -- Congress hasn't passed any bills on the topic while the President has the EPA dropping public hearings for data center generator permits, and an Executive Order that preempts state protections instead of establishing federal guidance. <\/p>
Data centers are the core of AI and they need real engineering standards, not a free pass. They can be quiet, water-efficient, and energy self-sufficient -- the tech exists. I'd support a moratorium on new projects until they meet those standards, and rules making tech companies pay their own grid costs instead of billing you for them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4388,"slug":"offshore-wind","title":"10. Energy \/ Offshore wind","description":"
President Trump has tried to block development of offshore wind energy. Dominion Energy is building an offshore wind facility off the coast of Virginia Beach and has long-range plans for more. What should the federal government'sposture on offshore wind be? And energy development in general?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":9,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
I support Dominion Energy in this project there is a need , I believe nature has been altered by some feat. Energy Development is key, especially if create avenues for a better living and more savings for the American People. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
The federal government's posture on offshore wind should be neutral: let engineering and economics decide, not politics.<\/p>
The Department of the Interior halted Dominion's Virginia Beach wind farm -- the largest offshore wind project in the nation, projected to support 1,100 jobs -- citing unspecified security concerns on a project the military had approved. A federal judge saw through it, but the stoppage cost $228 million, billed to ratepayers, for nothing. That's the waste nobody talks about. My posture on energy -- nuclear, gas, wind, and solar -- is that it must be engineered correctly for efficiency, safety, and environmental impact. Political donors don't get a vote.<\/p>
One more flag: Dominion is being bought by NextEra for $67 billion. NextEra's Florida utility just got approved for the largest electric rate hike in U.S. history, $7 billion, while pocketing profit margins nearly double the industry average. Virginia regulators need to scrutinize this deal hard before signing off.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4380,"slug":"tariffs","title":"11. Tariffs","description":"
How would you assess the impact of the tariffs that President Trump has imposed? <\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":10,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
President Trump's tariffs have raised consumer and business costs while triggering foreign retaliation, though the administration defends them as a tool to boost domestic manufacturing. I want what's best for the American People, with increased prices, Inflation, and this regressive burden we have to prepare a detour . Now. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
Tariffs are a tax, and this administration imposed one of the largest since 1940 without asking Congress.<\/p>
The effective rate is now 7.2 percent -- the highest since 1947 -- costing the average household about $840 a year. The 'Liberation Day' announcement alone wiped out $6 trillion in household wealth in two days. Manufacturing didn't come home: factories cut 89,000 jobs since, with 345,000 more projected lost and a 0.4 percent hit to GDP. The Supreme Court then ruled the President exceeded his authority on most of these tariffs, forcing roughly $166 billion in refunds -- proof this wasn't done through Congress, with real debate.<\/p>
Close to home: Port of Virginia cargo fell 2 million tons in 2025 and imports dropped over 12 percent -- Suffolk and Virginia Beach families who move that freight felt it first.<\/p>
I'm not against narrow tariffs Congress legislates. I am against the President taxing every family by decree, changing the rate more than fifty times, and calling it a strategy.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4397,"slug":"impeachment","title":"12. Trump administration","description":"
How would you assess the performance of President Trump? What actions would you take to support or oppose his agenda? For Democrats: Would you support impeachment? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":11,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Not good . I oppose his agenda. I support impeachment if it comes to that, but even more then that, I'm looking forward to the citizens to step up to the plate and do their job in 2028 and Vote. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
Again, the biggest challenge facing this country is a creeping sense that government is broken and nothing can fix it. In a representative democracy, no one carries more responsibility for earning the people's trust than the President. Roughly 38 percent of the country approves of his performance and about 58 percent disapproves. Even most Republicans don't trust the government to do what's right. The President is not building confidence back and for that reason my assessment is unfavorable. <\/p>
I don't support what I see as a destructive agenda doing real, lasting harm to this country. In Congress, that means voting against further deficit-financed giveaways and backing real oversight of how this administration spends and enforces the law. I like a tax break as much as anyone, but we have to address the deficit and the debt, not borrow against our grandchildren to pay for one.<\/p>
I'm not a Democrat, but I won't hide behind that technicality when I say no man is above the law.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4437,"slug":"abortion-contraception","title":"13. Abortion \/ contraception","description":"
What changes, if any, to federal law would you like to see?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":12,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
No comment.<\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
My position on abortion is that a woman should have the freedom to choose, but I hope she chooses life. Those aren't contradictions -- one is what government has no business controlling, the other is what I believe and hope for as a father. On federal law: I would not support a federal ban on abortion, nor a federal law mandating it. We shouldn't legislate no choice any more than we should legislate choice. This decision belongs to the woman, in consultation with her physician and her faith -- not to Washington, and not to fifty statehouses deciding which medications she can buy or which state lines she can cross for care.<\/p>
I believe access to contraception is also about freedom of choice. People can be trusted to decide for themselves whether they want to use it. The notion that a state, or the federal government, can limit that choice isn't right. I would support federal protections for contraception access nationwide and oppose any effort, state or federal, to restrict it.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4391,"slug":"guns","title":"14. Guns","description":"
What legislation, if any, would you support regarding firearms?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":13,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Guns laws and legislation behind it is tricky. Safety is my main concern to make sure the guns are in the hands of people that are responsible, and more so, strictly govern who qualifies to have access. <\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
The Second Amendment is the law of the land. Common-sense regulation is also the law of the land. Both are true simultaneously. I carried weapons professionally for 28 years -- I know what they're for and what they can do. I won't pretend these two truths contradict each other, and I won't use either one to avoid the other.<\/p>
In terms of legislation, I will support measures that improve the safety of firearms, including a requirement to receive training and a requirement to safely store weapons. Rights come with responsibility. That's true of driving a car, and it's true of owning a gun.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4381,"slug":"other-issues","title":"15. Other issues","description":"
What else should voters know about you?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":14,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14257":{"content":"
Youngest To Ever Run Suffolk Mayor (2016)<\/p>
Staff Security NFL's Baltimore Ravens (2022)<\/p>
Full-Time Amazon Associate (Blue Badge) <\/p>
Secretary of the Positive Peer Pressure Community Program ( Non- Profit )<\/p>
Commissioner of Revenue Runner-Up (Garnered 11,022 votes) 2025 Election<\/p>
Committed. Ready to Serve. A Voice For The People That Feel \"Enough is Enough\".<\/p>"},"14258":{"content":"
Service members don't care about wifi in the barracks, or sound bites about \"staunch support of the war\" and the billions being spent on a military industrial complex that can't build ships on time or in quantity. <\/p>
They volunteered to serve expecting equipment, training, and leadership that are the best. They and their families, more than anyone else, understand that deployment cycles exist to maintain the highest combat readiness when away, not setting records for being away. They know that relieving the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the CNO, the Army Chief of Staff, the Coast Guard Commandant and 20-plus other senior officers doesn't make them better trained or led. <\/p>
This House of Representatives doesn't understand -- at least not enough to hang around this fall to work during a war, let alone demand meaningful answers from administration officials. I haven't forgotten my 28-year service as a Marine and three combat tours. I will do the work and I will demand answers.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"]}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"]}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2824,"slug":"local-primaries-2026","title":"Local government (council\/supervisors) 2026","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":2031,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":null,"slug":"chesapeake-city-council-3-seats-available","name":"Chesapeake City Council \/ 5 seats available","content":null,"show_heading":true,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":12557,"slug":"clayton-l-spruill","name":"Clayton L. Spruill","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":0},{"id":12558,"slug":"nichelle-buffalow","name":"Nichelle Buffalow","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":12559,"slug":"amanda-l-newins","name":"Amanda L. Newins","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":2},{"id":12560,"slug":"daniel-w-whitaker","name":"Daniel W. Whitaker","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":3},{"id":12561,"slug":"er-jeff-jefferies-jr","name":"E.R. \"Jeff\" Jefferies Jr.","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":4},{"id":12562,"slug":"anthony-m-brown","name":"Anthony M. Brown","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":5},{"id":12563,"slug":"eric-v-wray-ii","name":"Eric V. Wray II","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":6},{"id":12564,"slug":"santiera-brown-yearling","name":"Santiera Brown-Yearling","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-e472f8b8-ecc0-4fa8-a2a5-eff191a4a306.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-e472f8b8-ecc0-4fa8-a2a5-eff191a4a306.jpg","order":7},{"id":12565,"slug":"janelle-k-st-louis","name":"Janelle K. St Louis","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-3d60daa0-f1c8-4bb1-9940-ee02ae301438.png","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-3d60daa0-f1c8-4bb1-9940-ee02ae301438.png","order":8},{"id":12566,"slug":"gayle-m-gilmore","name":"Gayle M. Gilmore","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":9},{"id":12567,"slug":"todd-a-mayfield","name":"Todd A. Mayfield","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-e4c11c94-c897-4d69-b899-cec44fcb2c66.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-e4c11c94-c897-4d69-b899-cec44fcb2c66.jpeg","order":10},{"id":12568,"slug":"daniel-e-lieutenant-dan-rosinski","name":"Daniel E. \"Lieutenant Dan\" Rosinski","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-d380bb6b-5a7d-430b-9e9d-19c317dfe970.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-d380bb6b-5a7d-430b-9e9d-19c317dfe970.jpg","order":11},{"id":12569,"slug":"jennifer-p-naperala","name":"Jennifer P. Naperala","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-d66f3dbe-4029-46d3-bd01-2ddf1c3bbd2c.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-d66f3dbe-4029-46d3-bd01-2ddf1c3bbd2c.jpeg","order":12},{"id":12570,"slug":"george-m-yacus","name":"George M. Yacus","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-6a2fdc0b-a0bb-4e3a-9058-5b8e6991a900.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-6a2fdc0b-a0bb-4e3a-9058-5b8e6991a900.jpg","order":13},{"id":12571,"slug":"brandy-la-deel","name":"Brandy L.A. Deel","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":14},{"id":12572,"slug":"ozan-m-oz-duran","name":"Ozan M. \"Oz\" Duran","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-5d381530-02bb-48f8-b184-5a94490014a2.png","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-5d381530-02bb-48f8-b184-5a94490014a2.png","order":15}]}],"total_groups_count":1,"topics":[{"id":4477,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12564":{"content":"
Santiera is known as an influential leader with a growth mindset that enjoys mentoring, volunteering, and partnering with community organizations. Through her years of working as a registered respiratory therapist, church ministry, and community engagement, she have spent years working with families, listening to their concerns, and helping people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. While living in Chesapeake she has been able to serve the community, inspire the next generation, and use resources to make a positive impact on those around. Those moments taught her that thriving communities and leadership are essential to the well-being of every resident. If elected, she will work with public officials, civic leagues, and organizations to advance meaningful solutions. Her leadership will focus on strengthening neighborhoods, advocating for economic stability, supporting sustainable growth, and ensuring services contribute to improved living conditions.<\/p>"},"12565":{"content":"
Dr. Janelle K. St. Louis is a clinical pharmacist, small business owner, educator, and community leader with a heart for service. As a healthcare professional, she proudly serves active duty service members, veterans, and their families. She is also the Health and Wellness Ministry Leader at The Mount Chesapeake Baptist Church and serves on the American Heart Association Hampton Roads Board and the Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well-Being.<\/p>
Dr. St. Louis has spent years at the intersection of healthcare, public policy, and community service. Her advocacy helped pass two pieces of legislation through the Virginia General Assembly: the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in 2025 and the Bias Reduction Bill in 2026.<\/p>
She is running for Chesapeake City Council to bring a fresh, people centered perspective to City Hall, focused on affordability, infrastructure, and transparency. She is not a career politician. She is a problem solver committed to listening, serving, and delivering results.<\/p>"},"12567":{"content":"
Todd A. Mayfield is a retired U.S. Navy officer, senior defense executive, and candidate for Chesapeake City Council with more than 30 years of leadership in engineering, defense, and program management. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering and a Master of Science in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School, he has managed multi-billion-dollar maintenance, modernization, and acquisition programs supporting the U.S. Navy. Todd is committed to responsible growth, strengthening public safety, improving infrastructure, investing in schools, expanding attainable housing, and attracting high-paying jobs that allow Chesapeake families to thrive. Guided by a lifetime of public service and leadership, he is dedicated to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Chesapeake for future generations.<\/p>"},"12568":{"content":"
LCDR, U.S. Navy Reserve and Senior Associate Attorney, BKB PLLC
Member, Chesapeake Transportation Toll Facility Advisory Committee
Law Degree, University of Virginia and Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Princeton University<\/p>"},"12569":{"content":"
I was born into a blue-collar family of sheet-metal workers and firefighters, so I grew up working hard, communicating directly, and collaborating effectively. <\/p>
I brought those skills and my family to Chesapeake in 1996, where I've been teaching English & Social Studies for Chesapeake Public Schools since 2000. I'm a union member, advocate of collective bargaining, and content creator for NEA & VEA; an awardee of the Oath of Office badge; an Executive Board Member of the Cornland School Foundation; and a member of the CDW and NAACP.<\/p>
My involvement in local politics is the consequence of my advocacy: when citizens (among whom was I) are requesting reasonable and responsible actions from their elected leaders, they should be responded to in kind. That hasn't been our experience, so we keep working.<\/p>
Despite the successes I have enjoyed from my various efforts, the best thing I've done is raise amazing people: Avery, Aaron, and Alison. <\/p>"},"12570":{"content":"
1974 US Naval Academy Graduate and Senior Class President<\/strong><\/p><\/li>20-year career as Navy Pilot - Commander, USN, ret.<\/strong><\/p><\/li>25-year U.S. federal employee<\/strong><\/p>U.S. Coast Guard Performance Consultant<\/strong><\/p><\/li>Department of Energy Fossil Fuels Office - Performance Improvement Specialist<\/strong><\/p><\/li>National Nuclear Security Administration - Quality Management Director (acting)<\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li>2020 U.S. House VA-03 Congressional Candidate<\/strong><\/p><\/li>Adjunct Professor (since 1998) at ODU, Troy, Bay Path University, others teaching management<\/strong><\/p><\/li>Interests<\/strong><\/p>Member, Providence Road Church of Christ<\/strong><\/p><\/li>Leader, lead singer, and keyboardist for The Phun Doctors Band for 30 years<\/strong><\/p><\/li>Commercial , multi-engine, and helicopter rated pilot<\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li>Married to wife Alana with two adult children who are veterans<\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ul>"},"12572":{"content":"I've lived in Hampton Roads for 15 years, the past 2 of which have been in Chesapeake. I'm a farmer, contractor, life-long teacher, parent, and community member. Chesapeake City is a great city to live in, my top priority is to make it more affordable for it to also be sustainable to live here.
I'm a prior municipal employee for the Finance Department of Norfolk, responsible for calculating Debt Service(the mortgage and credit card payments for the City), issuing bonds that finance CIP projects(how we finance schools, roads, bridges, fire stations), balancing revenue sources, and managing the creditability(Credit Score) of the City. With this experience under my belt, I believe that I have unique background in understanding how to fund projects, with the required knowledge to make things work for Chesapeake residents rather than private interests.
<\/p>"}}},{"id":4478,"slug":"website","title":"Website","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12564":{"content":"
BrownYearling.com<\/p>"},"12565":{"content":"
Www.DrJanelleforChesapeake.com<\/p>"},"12567":{"content":"
www.mayfield4chesapeake.com<\/p>"},"12568":{"content":"
https:\/\/www.danrosinski.com\/<\/p>"},"12569":{"content":"
jennifernap.info<\/p>"},"12570":{"content":"
www.phundoctors.com\/council<\/strong><\/p>"},"12572":{"content":"duranforchesapeake.org<\/p>"}}},{"id":4479,"slug":"1-biggest-challenge","title":"1. Biggest challenge","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing your community and how do you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12564":{"content":"
One of Chesapeake's biggest challenges is protecting our quality of life while ensuring that basic city services evolve in ways that truly work for residents. Recycling is one example. The loss of traditional curbside recycling changed habits, created frustration, and raised legitimate concerns about waste, pollution, and environmental hazards. As a respiratory therapist, I understand that our environment and our health are connected. I provide care for people whose conditions can be affected by air quality and environmental factors. If elected to serve on city council, I will focus on accountability, tracking whether our new recycling approach is actually reducing waste, making recycling accessible, and producing measurable results. We may not always be able to reverse every decision, but we can demand transparency, improve what is not working, educate residents, and make environmental health part of how Chesapeake plans for the future.<\/p>"},"12565":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing Chesapeake residents is managing growth without sacrificing affordability, infrastructure, or quality of life. As our city grows, families face rising housing costs while roads, drainage, schools, and public safety resources struggle to keep pace.<\/p>
If elected, I will focus on affordability, infrastructure, and transparency. I will support attainable housing and responsible development while investing in roads, drainage, flood mitigation, sidewalks, schools, and public safety. Growth must be thoughtful, sustainable, and pay its fair share rather than placing additional burdens on taxpayers. Most importantly, residents deserve a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. Chesapeake can grow and prosper without leaving the people who already call it home behind.<\/p>"},"12567":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing Chesapeake is making sure our city remains affordable for the people who live and work here. Too many young families, teachers, first responders, and seniors are being priced out because we don't have enough attainable housing and good-paying jobs that provide a true living wage. We need to grow our economy by attracting higher-paying industries, supporting small businesses, and creating more career opportunities so residents don't have to leave Chesapeake for better jobs. At the same time, we must expand housing options through smart planning while protecting the character of our neighborhoods. A strong economy and affordable housing go hand in hand, and we need to focus on both if we want Chesapeake to remain a place where people can build their future.<\/p>"},"12568":{"content":"
We aren't getting what we pay for. We are being squeezed by businesses, utilities, and the government with rising costs, but we aren't getting enough from Chesapeake for what we pay. My plan is to give us relief through a combination of savings and solutions. I favor targeted relief on regressive taxes like the \"car tax\" and on license fees which almost everyone must pay, so those who need it most will save. I support the solutions of building more infrastructure evenly across Chesapeake like sidewalks, crosswalks, safer roads, flood control, an events center, and working with our General Assembly to have district-based representation on City Council. These will show results for what we pay, and create the conditions to ensure that residents have a specific member of Council looking after their borough's interests in our second-largest city in Virginia by population and area.<\/p>"},"12569":{"content":"
The biggest problem Chesapeake residents face today is the single-mindedness of our elected leadership. <\/p>
When a person is elected to office - especially when that person lives in a locality with an at-large voting system like Chesapeake's - it is imperative to remain aware of citizen needs and wants throughout the city. <\/p>
Very few of our elected leaders are connected with citizens throughout the city, and those who aren't won't do anything to establish any. In fact, the officials who aren't connected appear to be actively trying to transform Chesapeake into their own vision, despite citizen opposition.<\/p>
As a city council member, I will bring my awareness of our<\/em> needs and wants to the table, and I will advocate for us <\/em>as long as I have the privilege of serving.<\/p>"},"12570":{"content":"The biggest challenge that we face in Chesapeake is balancing growth and our ability to support it (e.g., roads, water, drainage, grid, public services) while maintaining desired community character for the neighborhoods, farms, and businesses of Chesapeake. As a city council member my goal is to keep Chesapeake safe, keep taxes low, promote balanced growth, facilitate good jobs, foster exceptional quality of citizen life, be an advocate for traditional education, ensure we provide quality city services, and have routine processes that work well for our citizens.<\/strong><\/p>"},"12572":{"content":"Affordability. Advocating for tax relief programs, making sure that TIF revenue stays within the community that it is collected from rather than absorbed into general revenue. I intend to give all landowners the ability to disconnect from the grid so that they can control and fix their costs without having to support the Dominion Energy monopoly.
We also need it to be easier for businesses to start up. There are a lot of small businesses that can't afford the stagnated lease and rental fees that commercial properties are charging. By allowing certain businesses by right in neighborhoods, such as coffeeshops, bike\/trailer based non-perishable goods, along with streamlined permitting, we can allow businesses(and tax revenue) to flourish. There is duplicative work that is being done when issuing permits, ideally these are saved and made into templates that others can use, which would save time on both applicants and city employees.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4480,"slug":"2-greatest-strength","title":"2. Greatest strength","description":"
What is your community's greatest strength and how do you propose to build on that?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12564":{"content":"
Chesapeake blends of urban, suburban, and rural areas of farmland, wetlands, and Great Dismal Swamp wilderness. I want to make sure that as Chesapeake grow, we don't lose sight of any piece of who we are as a city. Our economic base is broad, our neighborhoods are varied, and our geography gives us room to manage and balance growth in more than one direction. If elected, I will listen to residents and work with colleagues to support responsible growth that will bring jobs, invest in recreational and economic opportunities, foster affordable living, and ensure services are accessible to all residents. I believe you can love where the city is headed and still advocate to protect the very thing that made people fall in love with Chesapeake in the first place. That's the kind of representation I will bring to council by showing up in every part of the city, listening to people, and building trust within our communities.<\/p>"},"12565":{"content":"
Chesapeake's greatest strength is its people and the unique communities that make our city feel like home. From South Norfolk to Deep Creek, Greenbrier to Western Branch, Great Bridge and our rural communities, residents are deeply invested in Chesapeake's future. As a City Council member, I will build on that strength by making sure residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their neighborhoods. That means increasing transparency, supporting our small businesses, investing in roads, drainage and public safety, and pursuing responsible growth that protects our quality of life. Chesapeake can grow without losing the character that makes our city special. My goal is to bring residents, businesses and city leaders together to move Chesapeake forward while ensuring no community is overlooked or left behind.<\/p>"},"12567":{"content":"
My greatest strength is my ability to lead people and solve complex problems. During more than 30 years of military and civilian service, I have led organizations responsible for multi-billion-dollar budgets, directed engineering and maintenance programs, managed teams ranging from small technical groups to hundreds of personnel, and made decisions that directly impacted the readiness of the U.S. Navy. Whether reallocating hundreds of millions of dollars to critical maintenance, developing enterprise risk management processes, or bringing diverse stakeholders together to solve difficult challenges, I have consistently delivered results. I believe effective leadership is about listening, building consensus, making informed decisions, and being accountable for the outcome; qualities I will bring to the Chesapeake City Council.<\/p>"},"12568":{"content":"
In Chesapeake, where more than one of every ten residents is a veteran and our schools attract families, we care about our community and have made progress on some issues. By volunteering with my church for the Chesapeake Area Shelter Team (CAST) at the CARES Center helping the homeless and having a daughter in Chesapeake Public Schools, I've experienced not just the things we do well (like early childhood education), but also things we must do better as a City (reducing school overcrowding, and connecting the CARES Center to transportation options). We need to use those community strengths to get consensus support for policies which meet our demand for housing and infrastructure.<\/p>"},"12569":{"content":"
Chesapeake's greatest strength is our citizenry. <\/p>
All over the city, communities are mobilizing and sharing their needs with city council. Community leaders have already laid the groundwork for productive relationships that will benefit all stakeholders. <\/p>
To build on community organization, we need to elect candidates who are excited about the work those men and women have accomplished and use their input as a blueprint to help shape city development.<\/p>
The paternalistic leadership of our current city council is insulting, dismissive, and entirely anti-democratic. We need to let go of the lie that a city council that ignores its constituents knows what they want and find candidates who want to listen and learn from communities they may not be familiar with.<\/p>
We all live in Chesapeake, but Chesapeake's various communities have personalities of their own. We need to see the beauty in those differences and work to respect them, not erase them.<\/p>
Listening to our citizens is the way to do that.<\/p>"},"12570":{"content":"
My incumbent council team candidates have an excellent record that has resulted in being recognized as one of the best managed cities in America (15 of 148 WalletHub, 2026). We will continue doing what is working and stop doing what is not. Affordability is a major focus, and we will be good stewards of public resources. <\/p>"},"12572":{"content":"
I think Chesapeake's greatest strength is that people still have a strong sense of ownership over their communities. Residents care deeply about their schools, neighborhoods, farms, local businesses, churches, parks, and the places where they raise their families.<\/p>
We should build on that by making local government easier to participate in and more responsive when people do participate. Residents should not have to become experts in City processes just to understand what is happening in their neighborhood or have their concerns taken seriously.<\/p>
I also want more of our investment to strengthen the institutions that already hold communities together: strong neighborhood schools, parks, libraries, local businesses, agriculture, recreation, and public spaces.<\/p>
Chesapeake is not one uniform community, and I don't think we should try to make it one. Good government should protect that while making sure every part of the City receives excellent basic services and a meaningful voice in its future.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4481,"slug":"3-other-issues","title":"3. Other issues","description":"
What else would you like voters to know about you?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12564":{"content":"
I am seeking a second run for Chesapeake City Council because I believe that progress is built from the ground up through civic participation, engaging with communities, and building trust. I believe that advocacy should influence policy for the betterment of sustainable living, response to workforce demands, and ensuring Chesapeake is a safe and livable city. Nonpartisan government works best when elected officials focus on results. Roads, schools, drainage, public safety, employee compensation, and affordability are not partisan concerns. They are Chesapeake concerns. I will always be available to discuss issues, listen to understand, and work on behalf of all areas and people in Chesapeake.<\/p>"},"12565":{"content":"
I want voters to know that service is not something I discovered when I decided to run for office. It has been a part of my life for years. I serve as Second Vice President of the Women's Division Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. I also serve with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy's PUSH Coalition, advocating for policies that improve the lives of Virginians.<\/p>
I have spent my career at the intersection of healthcare, public policy and community advocacy. I have stood in rooms and spoken up for people who could not always speak for themselves, and I am ready to bring that same courage and commitment to the citizens of Chesapeake.<\/p>
I am bringing thoughtful, practical, people centered solutions to City Council. I will listen, do the work, ask the difficult questions and always remember who I was elected to serve: the people of Chesapeake.<\/p>"},"12567":{"content":"
One of the most important parts of who I am is my commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. Throughout my life, I have invested my time, resources, and leadership in mentoring young men and creating opportunities for them to succeed. I founded the G.W.C. Brown Legacy Education Fund<\/strong> to help students pursue higher education and reach their full potential. Through my leadership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.<\/strong>, I have helped mentor hundreds of young men throughout Hampton Roads while supporting the award of hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students. I believe that the strength of any community is measured by how well it prepares its young people for success, and I have made that mission a lifelong commitment. Whether through education, mentorship, or community service, I am dedicated to leaving Chesapeake stronger by helping develop the leaders our city will need for generations to come.<\/p>"},"12568":{"content":"My active duty service and reserve service while working as a civilian attorney--which includes leading sailors in expeditionary combat training and mentoring attorneys and paralegals in complicated cases--has taught me leadership skills and experience to take on complex projects and win support of other Council members, such as how we address attempts to build data centers in Chesapeake. I oppose them because we must NOT follow Northern Virginia in increasing financial costs, noise pollution, and resource draws on our residents, just for minor gains in revenue. Residents must elect me and candidates who will change the current Council leadership, who cannot be trusted to stand up to their leadership in Washington D.C. which is devoted to and supported by \"big tech.\" Working with our General Assembly to end data center tax exemptions will be part of the effort, but as an attorney I also believe Chesapeake can locally stop these unwanted projects.<\/p>"},"12569":{"content":"
My responses to questions two and three are relatively vague, so I'll take this space to share specific goals:<\/p>
Keep data centers out of Chesapeake<\/p><\/li>
Provide quality-of-life infrastructure to communities lacking sidewalks, drainage, tree canopies, and community centers<\/p><\/li>
Protect undeveloped land in Southern Chesapeake<\/p><\/li>
Provide living wages and protection to our city workers<\/p><\/li>
Provide affordable housing opportunities <\/p><\/li>
Improve blighted retail properties with community-centered stimuli<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"},"12570":{"content":"
I have a bachelor's degree in political science, master's degrees in management and also urban studies, and a doctorate in Urban Services - Management, which are core knowledge<\/strong> sets for a city council member. I have 25 years of government experience<\/strong> and have served on three City of Chesapeake committees and boards (Local Emergency Planning Committee, Citizens Advisory committee for the Land Bank, and the Chesapeake Airport Authority). Besides knowledge and experience, I have a love for Chesapeake and believe in our dedication to \"In God We Trust\" and \"A City that Cares\". My focus<\/strong> is People<\/strong> (being accessible and listening to constituents), Policy<\/strong> (crafting and voting for policies that are good for our citizens), and Process<\/strong> (ensuring that routine city services are reliably provided to our citizen customers with processes that work, delighting our customers.<\/p>"},"12572":{"content":"I want voters to know that my involvement in Chesapeake did not start with running for office. I became active because I saw decisions being made that affected families and neighborhoods without enough transparency, analysis, or public input.<\/p>
When Chesapeake Public Schools proposed closing Norfolk Highlands Primary as a neighborhood school, I organized with residents, researched the underlying data, filed public-records requests, and helped collect more than 1,000 petition signatures in four days. Since then, I have continued speaking at School Board, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings on school funding, data centers, taxes, infrastructure, surveillance, agriculture, and other issues.<\/p>
That is how I approach government: do the homework, follow the money, make the information public, and organize people around practical solutions. I am running because I want that same level of scrutiny and public accountability inside City Hall.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"]}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"]}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2822,"slug":"school-board-2026","title":"School board 2026","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":2203,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":null,"slug":"chesapeake-school-board-5-seats-available","name":"Chesapeake School Board (5 seats available)","content":null,"show_heading":true,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":12957,"slug":"janika-ndr-jay-phillip","name":"Janika N.\"Dr. Jay\" Phillip","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":0},{"id":12958,"slug":"kim-a-scott","name":"Kim A. Scott","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":12959,"slug":"john-michael-mccormick","name":"John Michael McCormick","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":2},{"id":12960,"slug":"bruce-e-bossuot","name":"Bruce E. Bossuot","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":3},{"id":12961,"slug":"mike-j-cassidy","name":"Mike J. Cassidy","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":4},{"id":12962,"slug":"mina-a-nolen","name":"Mina A. Nolen","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":5},{"id":12963,"slug":"amanda-f-quillin","name":"Amanda F. Quillin","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":6},{"id":12964,"slug":"antonia-f-fauntleroy","name":"Antonia F. Fauntleroy","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":7},{"id":12965,"slug":"andrea-g-bolden","name":"Andrea G. Bolden","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":8},{"id":12966,"slug":"jeremiah-o-harrell","name":"Jeremiah O. Harrell","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":9},{"id":12967,"slug":"alexiss-m-mclain","name":"Alexiss M. McLain","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":10},{"id":12968,"slug":"olivia-e-duran","name":"Olivia E. Duran","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":11},{"id":12969,"slug":"bradrick-j-fields","name":"Bradrick J. Fields","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":12}]}],"total_groups_count":1,"topics":[{"id":6049,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"candidate_card","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12957":{"content":"
I am Janika \"Dr. Jay\" Phillips, PhD, LCSW, a Chesapeake native, graduate of Chesapeake Public Schools, mother of children educated in our school division, licensed clinical social worker, educator, and community advocate. My professional career has centered on strengthening individuals, families, and communities through education, mental health advocacy, leadership, and service.<\/p>
I am running for Chesapeake School Board because I believe our schools are strongest when students are supported, educators are valued, families are heard, and decisions are made responsibly with the entire community in mind. As both a parent and helping professional, I understand that academic success is closely connected to student well-being, safe and inclusive learning environments, strong educators, and meaningful family engagement.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6050,"slug":"1-biggest-challenge","title":"1. Biggest challenge","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing your school system and how do you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12957":{"content":"
I believe one of the most pressing issues the School Board will confront is balancing student achievement and well-being with the recruitment, retention, and support of high-quality educators. Our students cannot thrive if the professionals serving them are overwhelmed, under-resourced, or leaving the profession. The Board must work collaboratively to address academic needs, student mental wellness, educator compensation and support, school safety, and responsible use of resources. My priority will be to ensure that our decisions are student-centered, data-informed, fiscally responsible, and shaped by the voices of educators, families, and the Chesapeake community.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6051,"slug":"2-qualifications","title":"2. Qualifications","description":"
What qualities or insights do you feel you bring to the school board?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12957":{"content":"
What sets me apart is the combination of my professional expertise, personal connection to Chesapeake Public Schools, and commitment to service. As a Chesapeake native, CPS graduate, parent, licensed clinical social worker, educator, and community advocate, I bring multiple perspectives to the School Board. I understand that strong schools require more than academic excellence; they require supported educators, safe and healthy students, engaged families, responsible leadership, and a community willing to work together. I am prepared to listen, collaborate, and make thoughtful decisions that keep students at the center while strengthening the entire school community.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6052,"slug":"3-other-issues","title":"3. Other issues","description":"
What else would you like voters to know?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12957":{"content":"
I want voters to know that service is not something I am beginning with because I am running for office. It has been at the center of my personal and professional life for years. I am a mother, educator, social worker, mental health professional, and community advocate who understands the importance of listening before leading.<\/p>
I will not enter every conversation expecting to have all the answers. I will ask questions, seek different perspectives, examine all available information, and make decisions based on what best serves our students and school community. Most importantly, I will remain accessible, collaborative, and committed to serving Chesapeake with integrity. For me, this campaign is not about a title; it is another opportunity to serve the community that helped shape me.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"candidate_card","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["candidate_card"],"title":"Short summary","help_hint":"Brief fields (like demographics) for a summary card. Keep it short: this takes space in all candidate listings"}}]},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"],"title":"Sidebar","help_hint":"Shorter topics for the side rail"}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"],"title":"Primary","help_hint":"Main area, great for more in-depth and longer policy topics"}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]}]}}