DLCC Announces More Virginia House of Delegates Target Races: Kimberly Pope Adams, Elizabeth Guzman, Jessica Anderson, Lily Franklin

RELEASE: DLCC Announces More Virginia House of Delegates Target Races

WASHINGTON—Today, the DLCC announced four additional target races for the Virginia House of Delegates. Earlier this month, the DLCC launched its Roadmap to Victory in Virginia memo, including an ongoing seven-figure investment to maintain the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates. Our strongest opportunities to build power and move policy are in state legislatures– including protecting the razor-slim majority in the Virginia House this November.

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:

“The DLCC is ready to fight for every single seat in the Virginia House of Delegates to defend and expand on our Democratic majority. These four returning Spotlight candidates are mounting strong challenges against unpopular Republicans who have rubber-stamped Trump’s reckless agenda that’s tanking the economy and threatening jobs. State Democrats in Virginia and across the country are holding the line against extremism in Washington. All eyes should be on the commonwealth as competitive campaigns ramp up and voters prepare to hold Republicans accountable for their extremism this November.”

The following Spotlight candidates are running in some of the most competitive districts to flip Republican-held seats:

• Kimberly Pope Adams (HD-82) is a financial audit expert running again to flip her Virginia House district blue after mounting an incredibly strong campaign in 2023 that came within just 53 votes of unseating a Republican incumbent. Kimberly was raised by working-class parents and went on to earn a degree from Virginia Tech. She used the opportunities her education gave her to become a public servant working to bring efficiency and fiscal responsibility to the commonwealth’s finances. If she is elected to the Virginia House, Kimberly will fight to ensure every taxpayer has a voice in Richmond and that every working family has the economic stability they need to thrive.
• Elizabeth Guzman (HD-22) is a social worker and former state delegate running for the Virginia House this November to flip her district blue and protect Democratic control of the chamber. After immigrating to the United States as a young single mother, Elizabeth earned two master’s degrees and has devoted her career to serving the commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations. As a state legislator, Elizabeth championed legislation to uplift working families, including bills guaranteeing paid sick leave and restoring collective bargaining rights.
• Jessica Anderson (HD-71) is returning to the ballot for the Virginia House this November to flip her district blue after a Republican was elected by less than 700 votes in 2023. Jessica knows that many working families like hers are grappling with economic insecurity, and her vision for the future of the commonwealth includes access to basic necessities like high-quality education,  housing, and health care for all. If Jessica wins her race this fall, she will be a champion for all working Virginians by pushing to strengthen social safety nets and protect personal liberty.
• Lily Franklin (HD-41) came incredibly close to winning a Republican-leaning seat in 2023, coming just 183 votes short of victory. On the campaign trail, Lily has met with thousands of her fellow Virginians on both sides of the political aisle and understands the ways working families are struggling to make ends meet. If she is elected this fall, she’s committed to fighting for economic opportunities that uplift every resident of the commonwealth.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.