Our Candidates
Running to restore the Democratic majority in Virginia General Assembly
Joshua Cole (HD-65)
- Has lived in Fredericksburg & Stafford County his entire life, raised by a single mother
- A pastor of music at Union Bell Baptist
- Serves on Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent's Equity, Diversity and Opportunity Committee, the Greater Fredericksburg Area Interfaith Council, as the President of the Stafford County NAACP
- In 2019, became the youngest person and the first Black person elected from the Fredericksburg region to represent Virginia's historic General Assembly
- As a product of Stafford County Public Schools and a student at the University of Mary Washington, passionate about education and VA public school system
- Served on the VA House of Delegates Committee on Education and the House Public Safety and Agriculture committee - representing the Fredericksburg region as the only Fredericksburg-area legislator to represent farmers, environmental ideals, and agricultural voices
- Voted to increase access to affordable healthcare, raise the minimum wage and make community college tuition free
Susanna Gibson (HD-57)
- Worked in the medical field serving the greater Richmond community for nearly 15 years.
- Dedicated her career to ensuring her patients have the resources they need for a good quality of life.
- Has seen first-hand the disparities in medical care and will prioritize affordability and access to quality health care, including abortion care.
- A wife, a mother of two young children, a Nurse Practitioner, and a public health expert.
- Born and raised in Virginia, who has lived in western Henrico for over 10 years.
Schuyler VanValkenburg (SD-16)
- Has served for 6 years as a Delegate representing Virginia and Henrico County.
- As the foremost education expert in the House of Delegates, has worked tirelessly to ensure that Virginia remains a leader in public education.
- Has worked to pass commonsense gun safety legislation, protect a woman’s reproductive freedom, expand access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, and increase access to the ballot box.
- Taught history and US government at Glen Allen High.
- A father of three.
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 2022 candidates Darrin Camilleri (MI State Senate District 4), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (PA State House District 129), Mitzi Epstein (AZ Senate Legislative District 12), and Brittney Miller (NV State Assembly District 5). Our past candidates have included Joshua Cole (VA), 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), Amanda White Eagle (WI), and Faith Winters (CO).
Join us to support such candidates and our mission to bring progressive power to the states!