There are seven potential congressional candidates vying for incumbent Abigail Spanberger’s seat in VA-07
GLEN ALLEN—April 7 marked the final day to file to get on the first poll for Virginia’s congressional race. As 5 p.m. got here and went, just one Democrat filed for the seventh District — and that was present US Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
When Spanberger first took workplace in 2019, she was the primary girl to ever serve within the position within the seventh District. Now, she’s hoping to defend her seat towards eight Republicans vying for the nomination.
Since no different Democrats filed in her district, She is routinely the get together’s candidate of alternative. Nonetheless, the Republican candidates will face off over the following few months in an effort to come back out on prime with their get together’s nomination. The chosen candidate will go face to face with Spanberger on Nov. 8, when the overall election outcomes will reveal the last word winner within the district.
Throughout her time in workplace, Spanberger has confirmed her management skills, dedication to her constituents, and skill to get issues finished. She not too long ago secured greater than $6.4 million in funds for 10 counties in her district. She additionally handed laws resulting in an investigation into the long-term, damaging well being impacts of jet gas publicity on America’s servicemembers.
With the Republican major going down on June 21, we did somewhat digging into the candidates, and what their platforms might imply for the seventh District.
Gary Adkins
Initially from Clintwood, Gary Adkins served within the US Air Drive from 1969 to 1989. Throughout that point, he earned a bachelor’s diploma from Troy State College in 1982. His different skilled expertise includes entrepreneurial work.
On his web site, he expressed that he would “combat relentlessly for conservative rules and values.” He additionally listed his stance on 22 points going through Virginians — all the things from nationwide protection to 1st and 2nd Modification rights.
He additionally expressed his perception about marriage being between one man and one girl. On abortion, he mentioned he’s “completely 100% pro-life.” As for healthcare, he mentioned he doesn’t favor a “socialist fashion, government-run healthcare system.”
When referencing DACA — the Deferred Motion for Childhood Arrivals, an immigration coverage granting momentary permission for sure youth to remain within the US — Adkins mentioned this: “This subject exemplifies the monumental failure of Congress to carry out its Constitutional responsibility to deal with US Immigration and Naturalization Coverage.”
Derrick Anderson
Spotsylvania County native Derrick Anderson additionally has a army background. He served within the US Army’s Special Forces, often known as the “Inexperienced Berets,” with six excursions of responsibility abroad, together with in Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous nations all through the Center East.
Anderson served within the White Home throughout President Donald Trump’s Administration, the place he labored within the Workplace of Nationwide Drug Management Coverage. Following President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union deal with, Anderson launched a public assertion on the speech, partly saying that it “illustrated precisely why we want a change in management in Washington.” Within the assertion, he pushed “conservative insurance policies,” together with low prices of dwelling and costs of products, adjustments to immigration and border safety, and making America a world chief.
He was additionally a visitor on Fox & Buddies, the place he mentioned the continued battle in Russia and Ukraine.
Gina Ciarcia
Ciarcia’s web site touts her as a “political outsider.” She is a Marine Corps spouse, a mom, and a instructor.
She listed a number of points for her platform on why she’s operating, together with American values, training, regulation enforcement, veterans, life, gun rights, and a class framed as taxes, spending, and the financial system, together with her viewpoint that taxpayers’ {dollars} mustn’t fund abortions, pushing towards anti-police rhetoric and laws, and faculty alternative.
Bryce Reeves
Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-VA), is vying for a special seat this yr. The California-born congressional-hopeful was elected to the Senate in 2011, defeating the 28-year Democratic incumbent, Edd Houck.
Like lots of his opponents, Reeves listed platform points on his web site, spanning from power independence to placing America’s pursuits first. On the latter, he known as Biden an “empty swimsuit on the job,” who he alleged was leaving America economically weak.
He additionally famous right-wing stances on different points like election integrity, calling the 2020 election “a catastrophe,” on training, saying the “left is infecting our faculties with anti-American beliefs like Vital Race Principle,” —which isn’t taught in Virginia faculties— and on 2nd Modification rights, promising to combat towards makes an attempt to move pink flag legal guidelines, common background checks, excessive journal bans, and one gun a month legal guidelines.
David Ross
Sure, this candidate’s title is David Ross. No, it’s not that David Ross. Whereas it may be cool to have the previous skilled baseball catcher and present supervisor for the Chicago Cubs of Main League Baseball within the operating for a congressional seat, that’s not the case. In Virginia, we’ve obtained David Ross — Spotsylvania County Supervisor.
Ross was first elected to his county supervisor place in 2011, a seat he nonetheless presently holds. His platform consists of 4 main areas: The financial system, constitutional rights, being pro-life, and protection.
Vital of the present financial system and inflation, he guarantees to not elevate taxes. He additionally mentioned that the army have to be prepared for challenges, that abortion shouldn’t be publicly funded, and that politicians mustn’t move legal guidelines that contradict constitutional rights.
Crystal Vanuch
The Chairwoman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Crystal Vanuch, additionally has her eyes set on the seventh district’s congressional seat. Born and raised in Stafford County, Vaunch spent a lot of her profession working within the healthcare area, however now owns a public affairs agency the place she serves because the president and CEO.
The VoteVaunch Fb web page presents her as a small enterprise proprietor and a “confirmed conservative.” A few of her prime points embrace combatting Vital Race Principle within the classroom, — once more, not a topic taught in Virginia faculties — retaining authorities spending in examine, and overseeing job creation.
She listed ten official platform priorities on her web site, together with financial rebuilding, standing with regulation enforcement, defending particular person liberty, election integrity, and extra.
Yesli Vega
She’s a army spouse, a mom, a regulation enforcement officer, and a conservative — and now the Texas-born girl is operating for congressional workplace. Transferring to Virginia on the age of 5, Vega rapidly made the state her house. She now serves on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
On her web site, Vega lists 10 precedence points together with election reform, student-centered training, inflation, and extra. Whereas protecting training, she referred to some college teachings as “harmful and divisive rhetoric,” alleging that some college students have been positioned into classes like “oppressed” and “oppressors.”
On election reform, she famous opposition to payments like HR1 (often known as the “For The Individuals Act of 2021), however supported the implementation of a photograph identification requirement to vote.
The Republican major will happen on June 21.
