Preview: 82nd House District will have new representation, but who will it be?
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The 82nd House District, which contains part of Virginia Beach, will have new representation no matter who wins.
The seat was previously held by Republican Jason Miyares, who decided to run for attorney general.
Democrat Scott Flax is an attorney and partner at Tavss Fletcher. He’s served on the Bay Colony Civic League board and was recently the president of the Thalia Civic League.
If elected, Flax said he will prioritize the local economy by advocating for programs that will increase workforce readiness and he will fight for Virginia Beach to receive its share of federal and state recovery dollars to support small businesses.
“Creating jobs is not just about attracting employers,” Flax said in an email. “We must make sure the jobs we create are helping in the fight to raise wages, protect workers, and close the pay gaps that create gender and racial disparities.”
Republican Anne Ferrell Tata is a ministry partnerships liaison for the Educational Media Foundation. Tata wants to keep government small and said she’ll will focus on “lowering the cost” of government.
She said she’s frustrated by the increase in the tax on gas, and said Virginia is one of 13 states in the country to tax groceries.
“We must grow our economy,” Tata said in an email. “With lower taxes and regulations, Virginia can be the place where businesses want to move and our children want to live.”
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Scott Flax, Democrat
Age: 43
Occupation: Attorney, Tavss Fletcher
Previous office held: None
Education: Washington College of Law, J.D.; University of Maryland, B.A.
Website: www.flaxfordelegate.com
If elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done?
My top priority will be strengthening our local economy. We face serious challenges and we need real solutions. I want to be an advocate for creating new, good-paying jobs in our district. I will work to support educational programs that increase workforce readiness, and as a result attract employers to Virginia Beach. I will also support increased investments in clean energy, a growing industry that can bring jobs to our community. We also need to support our small businesses, as the tourism industry begins to recover.
As your delegate, I can have a direct effect on this recovery by fighting for our share of federal and state recovery dollars to build up our local economy. Creating jobs is not just about attracting employers. We must make sure the jobs we create are helping in the fight to raise wages, protect workers, and close the pay gaps that create gender and racial disparities.
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Anne Ferrell Tata, Republican
Age: 60
Occupation: Ministry partnerships liaison, Educational Media Foundation
Previous office held: None
Education: Florida State University, B.S. in Communications
Website: www.teamtata.org
If elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done?
As a longtime resident of Virginia Beach, I am committed to lowering the cost of government for residents and businesses.
Virginia is one of only 13 states to tax groceries, and the only state on the east coast that does. I’m also frustrated that the Democratic majority raised taxes on gasoline while gas prices rose over 50% in the past year. Meanwhile, as the governor’s inconsistent shutdowns have made a tough year for businesses even worse, the federal government paid people an additional $300-$600 to not return to work. We must grow our economy. With lower taxes and regulations, Virginia can be the place where businesses want to move and our children want to live.
I’m proud that our hometown is a place that people come to visit. Tourism will always be a part of our economy, which is why I will protect our beaches, parks, and businesses.
