House of Delegates District 95 primary: Alex Askew battles Rick James
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House of Delegates District 95 is Democrat primary with two candidates: Alex Askew and Rick James. The district mostly includes parts of western Virginia Beach and a small part of Norfolk.
Alex Askew
Age: 38
Occupation: Community relations coordinator for Sentara Healthcare
Education/degree: Bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton University
Previous elected office: House of Delegate for the 85th
Website: https://alexaskew.com
If elected, what would be your top statewide priority and how would you get it done?
When elected, my top priority would be to increase investment and fully fund Virginia’s public schools, and this would be done by making this a budget priority during the next legislative session. I was proud to support successful legislation to increase teacher pay and tuition-free community college programs for low- and middle-income students when I previously served in the House of Delegates. We must continue to create and strengthen partnerships between municipalities’ public schools and local trade and labor organizations to establish new training programs available directly through secondary schools. These programs are critical to laying and strengthening local job pipelines and creating jobs for the future.
What is the biggest concern for constituents in your district and how would you address it?
The biggest concerns for constituents in the 95th District are school and public safety. When I previously served in the General Assembly, I passed bills to ensure students had a safe learning environment and to protect them from environmental issues that cause long-term health problems. The law implements a process to test drinking water for elevated levels of lead and one that requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in our schools. While serving, I worked to improve responses to mental health crises by implementing the Marcus Alert, which provides behavioral health experts respond to mental health emergencies. If elected, I will work across party lines to pass legislation that creates solutions to the issues of mental health and public safety in our schools and community.
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Richard “Rick” James
Age: 58
Occupation: Programs director / retired public safety / small business owner
Education/degree: Master’s Degree in government / public policy
Previous elected office: N/A
Website: rickjames95hd.com
If elected, what would be your top statewide priority and how would you get it done?
Reduce gun violence in Virginia using “Rules and Tools”; protect workers from unfair employment practices; protect reproductive rights, improve quality health and mental health care. (Gun violence) We have produced a draft legislation to address negligent storage of firearms in dwellings or automobiles that will reduce the over 900 guns stolen per year in Virginia Beach and Norfolk alone; and includes a marketing campaign similar to the successful automobile “Safety Belt” campaign. (Workers Protection) I will support legislation that will improve employment safety, economic opportunities and fund job skills training programs within our schools and community colleges. (Health) I will support legislation that will protect women’s reproductive rights, and improve mental health care.
What is the biggest concern for constituents in your district and how would you address it?
Parents are concerned about the safety of their children in school and the community. 90 percent of the women are concerned about government intrusion into their reproductive health care. Families are concerned about the rising cost of living. Throughout my career in service as a combat medic in the Army 82nd Airborne, Norfolk police officer and legislative aid in the Virginia Senate, I’ve taken action to deliver real results. I know we deserve better. I’m running for the 95th District because I have the experience to get things done and improve our communities.
