Our Candidates
Running to fight for progressive issues in the Virginia state legislature
Lily Franklin (VA House of Delegates District 41)
- Raised in Southwest Virginia with deep family roots in the region
- A former high school math teacher, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Longwood University
- Began political career as a staffer for Delegate Sam Rasoul, later promoted to Chief of Staff
- Nearly won her rural district seat in 2023, missing by just 183 votes
- Dedicated advocate for affordable housing, accessible child care, and quality public education in Southwest Virginia
- Helped pass legislation supporting local food infrastructure and clean drinking water standards
- Developed a bill writing program that empowered constituents to shape legislation
- Priorities include education, bringing good paying jobs to the district, getting working families the resources they need to be healthy and successful, and providing seniors the resources to retire with dignity in their own homes.
- Lives in Blacksburg with her dog, Poppy, and remains actively involved in the local community
Josh Thomas (VA House of Delegates District 21)
- As the current Virginia Delegate, actively advocates for veterans, LGBTQ+ rights, and Afghan asylum seekers
- Raised in a small airline town with a strong family tradition of service
- Inspired by his Marine brother and the events of 9/11 to join the Marine Corps, led in Afghanistan and the Middle East
- Works as an attorney supporting small businesses, affordable housing, and community development across Virginia
- Joined Virginia’s Medical Reserve Corps to assist with the COVID-19 response
- Committed to service and fighting for justice, equity, and opportunity for all Virginians
- Attended the College of William and Mary School of Law, where he met his wife, Mahlet
Leslie Mehta (VA House of Delegates District 73)
- Grew up in a small rural town in North Carolina, raised by working-class parents committed to community service
- Spent 20 years as a lawyer advocating for fairness and civil rights, including as Legal Director of the ACLU of Virginia
- Appointed by both Democratic and Republican governors to serve on the Commission on Racial Inequity in the Law and the Rare Disease Council
- Lost her daughter Brooke to Rett Syndrome in 2021, which deepened her commitment to healthcare advocacy, serves as interim CEO of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, working to expand support and healthcare reform for families
- Priorities include healthcare access, civil rights protections, and standing up for working families
How We Get Our Candidates
Sister District's national organization identifies states where the state legislative chambers can be flipped blue or have fragile blue majorities. Sister District then offers support to those Democratic candidates who can realistically win a potentially close election for their state legislative seats (see more). Sister District is particularly proud to support women, candidates of color, and other candidates from diverse communities and backgrounds so that we can help build a democracy that reflects the full chorus of American voices. Candidates endorsed by Sister District are then assigned to Sister District chapters across the USA. Chapter volunteers phonebank, fundraise, postcard, and textbank for their candidates.
Since our founding in 2017, SD South Bay has supported numerous compelling leaders, such as our 2024 candidates: Brittney Miller (NV State Assembly), Shadia Martini (MI State House of Representatives), Karen Gresham (AZ House), and Jodi Habush Sinykin (WI State Senate). Our past candidates have included Darrin Camilleri (MI), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (PA), Joshua Cole (VA), Mitzi Epstein (AZ), Debra Gardner (VA), Nancy Guenst (PA), Elizabeth Guzman (VA), Pam Iovino (PA), Ann Johnson (TX), Josh Miller (VA), Debra Rodman (VA), Sara Rodriguez (WI), Lorenzo Sanchez (TX), Tammy Savoie (LA), Ann Johnson Stewart (MN), Tammy Story (CO), Schuyler VanValkenburg (VA), Amanda White Eagle (WI), and Faith Winter (CO).
Join us to support such candidates and our mission to bring progressive power to the states!