See below for a candidacy announcement by former Del. Hala Ayala, who was the 2021 Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, and who is now running for State Senate in the new 33rd district (64% Prince William County, 36% Fairfax County; won by Terry McAuliffe with 62.8% of the vote in 2021). The other Democratic candidate so far is former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, who announced on January 14. The primary will be in June 2023…
Former Delegate Hala Ayala Announces Campaign to Represent Prince William and Fairfax Counties in State Senate
Ayala’s Announcement Highlights Personal Experience and Record of Delivering for Virginia
WOODBRIDGE — Former Delegate Hala Ayala today announced her campaign to represent the newly created State Senate District 33, which includes Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Ayala’s announcement focused on her track record as a leader in Richmond and her personal connection to the struggle Virginia families are facing right now. A significant portion of Senate District 33 is made up of Ayala’s former House District 51.
“Right now, too many Virginia families are feeling squeezed,” said Ayala. “That’s a worry I know firsthand as a single mom, and it’s why I ran for elected office in the first place — to fight for families like mine who didn’t have a voice. We made progress, bringing down healthcare costs and making communities safer. But Glenn Youngkin and Republicans in Richmond are ignoring our greatest challenges and trying to take us backward. I’m running for State Senate to get our Commonwealth moving forward once again for families in Prince William and Fairfax Counties.”
HALA’S STORY
Hala understands the stress Virginia families are facing right now, because she’s lived it. Growing up, Hala’s family was on the knife’s edge, struggling to make ends meet. When her first child was born, she worked at a gas station and had no health insurance. The Medicaid program saved her life and her son’s. With just a few college credits and a government certification training, Hala went on to build a career as a single working mom, serving as a cybersecurity specialist with the Department of Homeland Security for over 20 years.
Hala has a track record of delivering for Virginia families. Inspired by the 2017 Women’s March, Hala ran for House District 51 in Prince William County and won against a four-term Republican incumbent. During her two terms in Richmond, she made good on what she promised, working with both parties to lead the effort to expand Medicaid for more than 500,000 Virginians, stand up to attacks on reproductive healthcare, and — as someone who lost her father to gun violence when she was just two years old — strengthen background checks to keep guns out of dangerous hands. In 2021, Hala became the first woman of color nominated by the Democratic Party for statewide office, earning the most votes for a Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate in history.
Hala is focused on getting the Commonwealth moving forward once again for families in Prince William and Fairfax Counties. From a strong education for Virginia’s kids, to quality affordable healthcare, to a transportation system that works for each community, she will deliver for Virginia. In the State Senate, Hala will be focused on bringing down costs, investing in communities, and growing good-paying jobs so all families can thrive.
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