Flip-A-District Friday: Volume XVI
Welcome to this week’s issue of our “Flip-a-District” series. We’re covering the last of our “Defend-a-District” category featuring Jennifer Carroll Foy, Paul Krizek, Luke Torian, Don Scott (running in former Delegate Matthew James’ seat), and Lee Carter.
Over the last fifteen issues — all available here — we’ve brought you in-depth coverage of all the contested House races in Virginia. Every seat matters when you’re fighting for the majority, and as we witnessed — painfully — in 2017, every vote counts. We have a few weekends left to get out the vote and ensure that Democratic campaigns have the resources they need to make it over the top on November 5th. Let’s make sure we give it everything we’ve got.
If you’re not sure to whom you should contribute but you want to make a financial difference, please give to Blue Dominion PAC, my leadership committee that strategically contributes to House races across Virginia. As the House Campaign Chair, I have access to the latest polling and updates on the ground to ensure your dollars make the most impact.
Expect more analysis from us as Election Day approaches. See you at the doors.
House District 2 
Meet the candidate: Jennifer Carroll Foy
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy represents the Second House District. She was the first public defender to serve in the Virginia General Assembly and now devotes her time as an attorney advocate representing abused and neglected children in court. She was also a foster mother for eight years.
Because Jennifer believes so strongly that no child should be without a nurturing home, she started the Foundation for Foster and Orphan Children, a nonprofit committed to building better futures for orphan and foster children. Additionally, she was one of the first African-American women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute. Jennifer was born in Petersburg, Virginia and currently resides in Woodbridge with her husband and their twin boys, Xander and Alex.
House District 2:
The 2nd House District has grown more blue over the last decade, with Jennifer out-performing the top of the ticket and flipping the district from red to blue in 2017. South of Lorton, the district includes parts of Prince William County and Stafford County. Click here for more district details.
The district will require high Democratic turnout in the eastern part of the district given the significant voter drop off there in “off off” election years. Jennifer does not have the benefit this year of voter turnout pushed by the statewide candidates at top of the ticket. Take a look at the turnout by precinct in the last “off off” election year, 2015, on the left, and the turnout in 2017.
 
Note that in the “off off” year, Republican turnout was consistently stronger in the traditionally red precincts (see the consistently strong red color in the west), and Democratic turnout was slightly weaker (note the lighter blue patches in the east).
We must ensure that we have a strong GOTV effort to re-elect Jennifer on November 5th.
Just one example of why we cannot let Heather Mitchell win:
Mitchell has a consistently partisan resumé that speaks volumes about her politics. Before she was Corey Stewart’s Political Director in his bizarre 2018 bid against Senator Tim Kaine, she managed campaigns for extremely conservative candidates and worked as a Field Director in Virginia for Donald Trump in 2016.
In one not-so-subtly racist video where Heather is speaking as a surrogate for Stewart, she focuses on the threat of MS-13, members of which she claims “outnumber” police officers. She then draws this gang’s wrongdoings to the “problem” of “illegal aliens” overall, implying that all undocumented people are criminals.
Heather was recently rated “Very Pro-Gun” by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. It’s likely that the “sorrow” she tweeted about after the Virginia Beach shooting will fail to translate into any kind of action that could prevent further tragedies.
None of these issues are addressed on her website, of course, where she focuses on issues like taxes and transportation. At the end of the day, Heather is a Corey Stewart acolyte trying to masquerade as a moderate. Jennifer Carroll Foy is and will continue to be the best possible Delegate for the 2nd District.
Contact the campaign here.
Contribute here.
House District 44
Meet the candidate: Paul Krizek
Paul Krizek is a proud native of Mount Vernon. After graduating from UVA and the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University, he dedicated his life and career to community service and progressive values in Mount Vernon and the surrounding area. Paul’s career as a nonprofit executive has demonstrated his passion for helping people and speaking up for those who cannot advocate for themselves. As a Delegate, he will continue his role as an effective and progressive leader — a ‘work horse’ not a ‘show horse’ — who makes a real difference for Northern Virginia.
Paul was Congressman Jim Moran’s first immigration constituent service staffer and served as his legislative aide for eight years. Paul became the first Executive Director of Running Strong for American Indian Youth® in 1998, an Alexandria-based, Native-led organization dedicated to helping Native American youth across the country realize their dreams.
Since 1999, Paul has served as General Counsel and Executive Director for Christian Relief Services Charities, Inc., helping to manage a $50 million international humanitarian organization that locally provides homes for abused women and children, individuals with disabilities and the homeless, with a staff of 78. It is headquartered in Mount Vernon, on the Richmond Highway corridor in the heart of the 44th House of Delegates District, yards from the old Mt. Vernon High School.
Paul is an active member at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He is also a Board Member of Mount Vernon at Home, an organization supporting lifetime independence for Mount Vernon’s seniors by allowing them to age in place in their homes. He was also appointed by Governors Warner and Kaine as a Trustee of the Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia.
Paul has played an active role in local, state and national Democratic politics. He served for more than a decade on the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia and the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee. Paul previously served as Chair of the Mount Vernon Democratic Committee and the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. He has been an active volunteer on countless Democratic campaigns since 1988.
Paul, his wife, Tracey Navratil, and their daughter, Khloe Krizek, live in Paul’s childhood home in the Hollin Hills neighborhood of Mount Vernon. His daughter attends West Potomac High School, his alma mater.
House District 44:
The 44th District is traditionally Democratic, with Hillary Clinton winning by 41 points over Trump in 2016. That said, Paul is taking nothing for granted, out-raising Republican Richard Hayden by a nearly 13-to-1 margin. The number of individual contributions received by Paul is remarkable, and a testament to the grassroots campaign he is running. His numbers are on the left, while Hayden’s are on the right.
 
The District is entirely within Fairfax County, just south of Alexandria, and runs along the Potomac River. Click here for more district details.
Just one example of why we cannot let Richard Hayden win:
Richard Hayden is an extreme right-winger who would be a terrible fit for the 44th District. He’s a pro-Trump conservative — the 44th voted for Hillary Clinton 68 percent to Trump’s 27 percent. That’s Hayden below and in the middle, by the way.
His Facebook account and interviews are chock full of disqualifying remarks as a candidate in the 44th District.
For example:
– Hayden posted: “Help in the fight to end abortion! Vote for pro-life candidates in your district or fight for one in a neighboring district, and pray that our President and Vice-President continue to have the courage and strength and SUPPORT to promote life at all stages, from conception to natural death. #MAGA #WhyWeMarch”
– In reference to a court finding that the Trump Administration may prioritize federal discretionary grant dollars to discriminate against “sanctuary cities,” Hayden said, “‘This is a victory for the rule of law in this country! Once I’m elected I will work to end all sanctuary cities and counties in Virginia.'”
Note: there are no sanctuary cities in Virginia…
– In one interview, Hayden said that he would prioritize “‘[s]topping the effort to decriminalize marijuana. [He] believe[s] marijuana, which is now 20% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is a harmful, potent and highly-addictive drug that should not be legalized for recreational use.'”
Note: he lists this as one of his top three priorities.
Hayden is out of touch with the residents of the 44th District, and Paul has been and will continue to be an excellent fit for this seat.
Contact the campaign here.
Contribute here.
House District 52
Meet the candidate: Luke Torian
Delegate Luke Torian was first elected to Virginia’s 52nd House District in 2009. He serves a constituency of approximately 99,000 citizens in Prince William County.
He serves on the Appropriations, Rules and General Laws Committees.
Luke has been a community leader in Prince William County for decades. He has played a major role in several organizations including Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), an organization designed to alleviate hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence in the community. He is one of the founders of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), an organization dedicated to making change on social justice issues. Luke also served on the Cardinal Bank Advisory Board from 2000 to 2003.
Luke earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University. He continued his education by pursuing graduate studies at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, then earning a Masters of Divinity Degree from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Delegate Torian earned a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the School of Divinity at Howard University in 1987.
Luke received the Prince William County Human Rights Commission Award in 1997 for facilitating “The Color of Fear,” a dialogue on race relations. He has received Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s Citizen of The Year Award on two occasions. Dr. John Maxwell, a renowned expert in leadership development, selected Luke in 2003 as one of 50 leaders from across the country to participate in a special leadership institute in Atlanta, GA.
Luke has served as the Pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries for 23 years. He lives in Woodbridge with his wife Clarice. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Constance.
House District 52:
The 52nd District has been consistently Democratic-leaning over the last decade, the turning point having been when Luke defeated Republican Rafael Lopez in 2009. This year, Luke has raised $130,673 compared to his Republican challenger Maria Martin’s $10,180.
The district runs along I-95 between the Occoquan River south to Route 619, and is entirely located within Prince William County. Click here for more district details.
Just one example of why we cannot let Maria Martin win:
Martin’s website and social media are full of empty platitudes, and she has yet to give an interview that outlines where she stands on the most important issues facing the 52nd District. Instead, prospective voters see bland quotes on her website like:
– “Congressman Rob Wittman, thank you for your endorsement. We are working hard to bring forth principles that matter to all and bring us together.”
– “We are working hard to let our constituents know that we care for our students”
The only slightly interesting part of her website is where she states, “Maria is not only pro-life. She is pro-abundant-life.” Martin includes this odd quote with no explanation.
It’s clear between Luke and Martin, Luke is the more legislatively fluent and stronger candidate — he says where he stands on the issues and doesn’t produce sound bytes for the sake of filling up a webpage. Luke has been a great representative for the 52nd District and will continue to be when reelected.
Contact the campaign here.
Contribute here.
House District 80
Meet the candidate: Don Scott
Don Scott is a former United States Naval Officer, and understands the values of integrity, service and sacrifice. Don was raised by a determined single mother from what some would call a disadvantaged socio-economic background. However, his mother, brothers and sisters always had each other and they believed in working hard and fighting for what you believe in no matter the odds. It was a lesson that would carry him throughout his life.
Don graduated from Texas A&M University, where he pledged Pi Omicron Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Don was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1987, where he served as a surface warfare and legal officer on the USS John Hancock. After his Naval career, Don accepted an entry-level position with a multi-million dollar corporation and ultimately rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President.
Don fulfilled a lifelong dream and founded the Law Office of Don Scott in 2015. He has fought for justice and represented over a thousand clients. He is a member of the Portsmouth Bar Association, the Old Dominion Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar Association, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
Don sits on several boards and commissions including as a member of Future of Hampton Roads, the First Vice President of the Southeastern Employment and Training Association, and the Chair of the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority. He previously served as the Chair of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, on the Board of the California Workforce Association, and as a member and Board Member of 200+ Men Hampton Roads. He is also a member of the Eureka Club, a lifetime VFW member, member of Post #993 Craddock, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.
Don is an active member of his church and participates in several community boards and fraternity organizations. He enjoys playing competitive duplicate bridge, playing golf, and spending time with his family.
House District 80:
The 80th District was previously represented by Delegate Matthew James (D), who took a position in the Northam Administration after the 2019 session. Open seats are historically more competitive and despite the district’s blue lean, Democrats are not taking this race for granted. Don is running against Republican Jim Evans, and so far Don has out-raised Evans $90,292 to $9,640 in 2019.
The 87th is mostly located entirely within Portsmouth City. Click here for more district details.
Just one example of why we cannot let Jim Evans win:
Evans posted the image below on his Facebook, in what is one of the most laughable claims a Republican candidate has made so far this cycle on social media.
 Yes, Mr. Evans, Virginians are tired of voting for the same Republicans with the same agenda over and over again. The symbolism of the red domino about to get pushed over is particularly ironic — based on his stated views he would be just another GOP vote ready to fall in line with party leadership.
For example, Evans has been endorsed by the extremist and intransigent Virginia Society for Human Life Political Action Committee and the Virginia Citizens Defense League.
Although Evans claims that he would “work across the aisle,” he has shown no attempts to reach out to independent or Democratic voters, instead providing little substance on his website and social media except for two very telling endorsements that suggest he is just another out-of-touch Republican.
Contact the campaign here.
Contribute here.
House District 50
Meet the candidate: Lee Carter
Lee Carter was first elected in the historic 2017 wave in Virginia, and he serves the people of Manassas and Prince William County in the House of Delegates.
Born in North Carolina, Lee was raised in a military family and traveled across the country during his father’s service in the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. Lee is proud of his family’s service to our country; his family has served in all five branches of the United States military.
Lee joined the Marine Corps during the beginning of the “Global War on Terror” and he worked in technological repair in a Special Operations capable support unit, completing tours in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. His unit was also one of the first to respond to Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010.
Throughout Lee’s career and civic engagement his focus has been on helping others, whether in the Marine Corps, helping provide cancer patients with consistent care by maintaining biomedical radiation therapy equipment, or assisting small local businesses with IT support.
Lee is a member of the Manassas & Manassas Park Democratic Committee, the 10th Congressional District Democratic Committee, and the DPVA Central Committee. He spends much of his time working as a community organizer and activist, particularly in the areas of affordable housing and worker protections. He is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership.
Lee has spent the last two years fighting for working families and worker protections, healthcare for all Virginians, criminal justice reform, and consumer rights. He’s looking forward to serving the people of the 50th District for two more years in a General Assembly proudly controlled by Democrats.
House District 50:
The 50th District is represented by Delegate Lee Carter, who unseated incumbent Republican Jackson Miller in 2017 despite being significantly outspent. The district has swung slightly left since Governor McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli tied here in 2013, with Hillary Clinton beating Donald Trump by 12 points in 2016.
This year Lee faces Republican Ian Lovejoy. The voter turnout in “off off” years heavily favors the GOP. Take a look at the map below. On the left are the precinct results for the last “off off” year, 2015, and on the right are the 2017 results when there were statewide races pushing turnout. We cannot revert to 2015 numbers. This is a must hold seat, and Democrats need to keep Lee in office if we want to take back the majority.
 
South of I-66, the 50th District is located about half in Prince William County and half in Manassas City. Click here for more district details.
Just one example of why we cannot let Ian Lovejoy win:
Lovejoy proudly posts his endorsements on his website, but few of these individuals are worth touting when you look at their radically conservative records.
For example:
– Jeanine Lawson: the Brentsville District Supervisor told a “15-year-old daughter that she believes ‘children deserve a mother and a father’ in an exchange outside a polling place on Election Day” in 2017. She was also the only elected official to join extremist Corey Stewart after he called a press conference “to announce what he called Prince William’s renewed commitment to seek the deportation of undocumented immigrants arrested and detained at the county jail.” Lawson also voted against Prince William County celebrating Pride Month, an annual tradition.
– Shawn Brann: the former Acting PWCS School Board Member was one of just three members who voted against a ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
– Jackson Miller: the former Delegate called for an unwarranted and partisan investigation into Planned Parenthood, said that the “‘redistricting process doesn’t need reform,'” stated that he would reject any gun safety bills because “‘[b]anning or getting rid of firearms from the public is unrealistic, and it’s unconstitutional,'” and said he supported the coal industry because “‘it is affordable, effective and efficient.'”
If one is to be judged by the company one keeps, Lovejoy is far too conservative and outdated in his views to represent the 50th District.
Contact the campaign here.
Contribute here.
That’s it for Volume XVI and for this year’s Flip-a-District series. I encourage you to review this email and past editions to find a candidate or candidates whom you would like to support with your time or financial resources. It’s now or never.
Best,
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