See below for a statement from Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-HD31; Prince William County, Fauquier County) this morning announced that she is “exploring a run to become the first woman and first Hispanic person to serve as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, with a potential Labor Day launch.” Guzman noted that she “came to the United States from Peru as a single mom, looking for a better future for her oldest daughter” and “was elected in 2017 to become the first Hispanic female immigrant to join the 400 year old Virginia General Assembly.” In January 2018, Guzman delivered the response in Spanish to Trump’s State of the Union address, slamming Trump “for replacing ‘equality’ with ‘intolerance’ and ‘mutual respect’ with ‘racism.'”
“After building overwhelming statewide support in her run to become Virginia’s first Latina DNC member, Delegate Guzman is exploring a run to become the first woman and first Hispanic person to serve as Virginia’s lieutenant governor with a potential Labor Day launch,” said Katie Baker, a spokeswoman for Guzman. “She will first engage in conversations with leaders in her Latino community as well as leaders in the Black, AAPI, LGBTQ+, immigrant and other marginalized communities, including people in the disAbility community; her labor union (AFSCME) and other labor unions; leaders in the Democratic Party, local Democratic committees, environmental and other progressive groups, grassroots activists, local elected officials and her supporters before coming to a decision. Their work over the past four years was instrumental in her election and re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.”
P.S. Currently, the only Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor in 2021 listed by VPAP is Paul Goldman, but presumably many more will be entering this race. Just yesterday, I heard rumors of 10 or more Democratic Lt. Governor candidates, including Del. Guzman’s Prince William County colleague, Del. Hala Ayala. So stay tuned, as there are likely a lot more announcements to come!