Hala Ayala Campaign Memo Argues It’s “simply no longer the case” That VA Dems’ Lt. Gov. Race Is “a crowded field and wide open”

From the Hala Ayala for Lt. Governor campaign:

STATE OF THE RACE: Ayala Campaign Outlines Clear Path to Victory Heading into Final Month of Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor

As Delegate Hala Ayala enters the final month of the Democratic primary, she has the experience and campaign to win 

WOODBRIDGE, VA — The Hala for Virginia campaign today released a memo on the state of the Lieutenant Governor race, marking exactly a month out from the Democratic primary on June 8th. 

“I am so proud of the work our grassroots campaign has accomplished as we head into the final month of the campaign,” said Delegate Hala Ayala. “Virginians are looking for someone who understands their experiences and challenges and can bring people together to make progress in their day-to-day lives. I have demonstrated I am that person.” 

Read the memo here or below.

To: Interested Parties
From: Hala for Virginia 
Re: State of the Race in Virginia’s Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor 
Date: May 8, 2021

The dynamics of the Democratic primary have shifted in the last several months: When 2021 began, the race for Lieutenant Governor was a crowded field and wide open. That’s simply no longer the case, as Delegate Ayala has demonstrated she has the experience voters are looking for and the campaign to win. Here are some important highlights from the last few months: 

Delegate Ayala’s historic candidacy would bring a clear voice for all Virginians to the Commonwealth’s leadership. 

• The first Afro-Latina to serve in the House of Delegates, Delegate Ayala would be the first woman to be elected Lieutenant Governor and the first woman of color elected statewide. 
• The only woman of color in the field, her lived experience will allow her to bring to the Commonwealth’s leadership the voices of Virginians who have long been left behind.
• In 2017 and 2019, women and candidates of color delivered Democrats the trifecta, and they will do it again in November. 

Delegate Ayala earned the support of Virginia’s top Democratic leaders and respected organizations — demonstrating her effective leadership as Delegate that she’ll bring to the job of Lieutenant Governor.

• Delegate Ayala has been endorsed by Governor Ralph Northam, Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn, and House Majority Leader Charniele Herring — all of whom cited her critical leadership in the House Democratic majority and the unique skills she’ll bring to the job of Lieutenant Governor.  
• She is also endorsed by EMILY’s List, Latino Victory Fund, and Higher Heights, trusted groups dedicated to increasing the representation of women, Hispanic, and Black women candidates, respectively. 
• These high-profile endorsers join over 80 organizations, elected officials, and community leaders from across Virginia. 
• This includes 16 members of the Senate and House of Delegates. She has been endorsed by the most members of both chambers of any candidate running in the field, demonstrating her strong leadership in Richmond.
• Read Hala’s full list of endorsers here.

Delegate Ayala’s campaign has built a robust grassroots organization and is communicating across the Commonwealth, sharing her compelling story and record of delivering for Virginians.

• With early vote numbers low, the majority of projected voters have yet to cast their vote, which means they will make a decision in the next four weeks. The Delegate is currently sharing her compelling story on television, radio, and digital across the Commonwealth. 
• This is the first installment of a strategic ad buy in multiple markets in Virginia showcasing Delegate Ayala’s consistent record of delivering for working families in the General Assembly and history-making campaign. You can watch the first TV ad here.
• The campaign is also running a targeted voter outreach program on the ground with an aggressive canvassing, phone banking, and texting program to reach Virginians at home. Voters are enthusiastically responding to these one-on-one conversations. 

Delegate Ayala’s leadership position in the House of Delegates and legislative record is unmatched —skills that will enable her to build bridges and make progress for Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. 

• In the House of Delegates, Delegate Ayala serves in leadership as Chief Deputy Whip. She is the only candidate running to have served in party leadership. 
• In the most recent legislative session, Delegate Ayala was the most effective legislator in the race for Lieutenant Governor, passing 71% of bills she introduced, more than any of the other Delegate running. 
• Delegate Ayala is a member of the Black Caucus, serves as the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Communications, Technology, and Innovation, and also is a member of the Labor and Commerce, and Finance Committees. 
• Among her bills signed into law in this past session, Delegate Ayala authored legislation to train state employees on public health and safety, study fetal and infant mortality rates in Virginia including racial disparities, expand access to broadband throughout the Commonwealth to help close the digital divide, create outdoor refreshments areas to help small businesses and localities recover from the pandemic, and remove the 30-day waiting period for auto insurance refunds to put more money back into the pockets of Virginians quicker.
• Delegate Ayala has shepherded many of the Democratic majority’s historic pieces of legislation. This includes expanding Medicaid for 500,000 Virginians, passing the Equal Rights Amendment to help enshrine women’s equality into the U.S. Constitution, instituting same-day voter registration, and establishing clean water protections against coal ash pollution.

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Delegate Hala Ayala is running for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia with a vision for a strong, just, and prosperous future for the Commonwealth. Ayala, who would be the first woman and first Afro-Latina to hold the position, embodies the bridge between Virginia’s past and its future, as well as the bridge between struggle and success that many Virginia families face. Learn more at HalaForVirginia.com. 

Paid for by Hala for Virginia