The Virginia Justice Democrats’ platform is to create a society that works for all people, not just for big corporate special interests. We hold our elected officials and those who are running for office to the standards of social, racial, economic and environmental justice and the bold, progressive solutions they require. Whether it be on the campaign trail or in office, Virginia Justice Democrats expect those in public office to fight for voters, not corporate donors.
In 2023, we are calling on all candidates to step up to the plate. For progressive candidates running for House of Delegates, State Senate, and other local elected offices we are asking that you join the fight by signing the Virginia Justice Democrats pledge below. Voters and constituents deserve to know that the candidates in their communities and eventually their elected leaders will both campaign on and champion legislation to bring about a more just society in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We want people in office who will both campaign on and champion legislation that follows our guiding principles to bring about a more just society in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
We call on those currently in and seeking those offices to commit to:
A clean campaign in 2023 and beyond by swearing off donations from publicly regulated utilities, fossil fuel interests, corporate PACs, and lobbyists that are working against our platform.
Social Justice by working to create reforms in our democracy through protecting voting rights, maintaining and expanding common-sense gun safety legislation; protecting a right to a quality, accurate, and equitable public education; protecting our marginalized communities against bigotry and discrimination; standing up against the ongoing attacks on our LGBTQ+ communities; and protecting an individual’s reproductive rights.
Racial Justice by working to improve the healthcare outcomes across racial identities; addressing food deserts; fundamentally transforming our justice system; expunging of records for non-violent cannabis possession charges; automatically restoring voting rights to returning citizens; and proactively addressing discriminatory zoning laws.
Economic Justice by co-patroning the bill repealing the so-called Right to Work laws, championing a prevailing and living wage, expanding Medicaid coverage with a public option, addressing the housing crisis, protecting consumers from predatory monopolies, supporting paid family & medical leave, promoting free public college & trade schools, and expanding broadband access to all Virginians.
Environmental Justice by committing to bring more clean energy to VA in the most equitable and intersectional way, supporting a moratorium on all new fossil fuel projects, making investments in mass transit, incentivizing environmental health, and reforming public utility regulation.
