As the first state to hold state legislative elections since the November 2024 election, Virginia will be a litmus test for the Trump agenda. The state has its Assembly elections this year, and while Democrats hold a slim margin in both chambers, they could expand that majority, as well as take the Governor’s mansion this fall.

With a Democratic trifecta, Virginia can act to pass clean energy legislation, codify abortion access, regulate the state’s corrupt utility, and much more. Here are the climate champions we’re backing for the House of Delegates, in addition to our endorsements from this spring:

• Kacey Carnegie for House Delegate District 89: Kacey Carnegie is a lawyer and lifelong advocate for District 89, having been born and raised in the South Hampton Roads region. Her platform centers on ensuring affordable housing, protections for federal workers, and reliable public transportation. In office, Kacey will challenge corporate power and fight for a clean energy economy that works for all.
• Stacey Carroll for House Delegate District 64: Stacey Carroll has a deep commitment to public service, and in her job as an auditor of government agencies, she ensures that the government is transparent and responsible. In office, Stacey would partner with organized labor to fight for trade school and apprenticeship programs to support a just energy transition, as well as hold utilities accountable to their stated climate goals.
• Nadarius Clark for House Delegate District 84: Twenty-nine-year-old community activist Nadarius Clark was elected to the VA House of Delegates in 2023 as the youngest Assemblymember in state history. He’s advocated against continued construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and has pledged never to take fossil fuel money. Nadarius will continue to stand up to Dominion Energy and fight to stop the utility’s price gouging and political interference.
• Lindsey Dougherty for House Delegate District 75: Lindsey Dougherty is a policy expert and community advocate running for the House of Delegates to fight for working families. Having experienced firsthand the complexity of the medical system and out-of-control medical bills that threatened bankruptcy, Lindsey has fought for expanded healthcare access for children across the state. She understands the connections between environmental pollution and public health at a very personal level and has been a staunch opponent of Dominion Energy’s proposed Chesterfield methane-gas power plant in her district. In the House of Delegates, Lindsey will continue to fight Dominion’s attempts to expand fossil fuels and pass the costs onto ratepayers.
• Dr. Mark Downey for House Delegate 69: Dr. Mark Downey has been a pediatrician for the last 24 years, where has seen firsthand the challenges that families in the region are facing, including climate change-fueled storms flooding Norfolk, Richmond, and the Peninsula. As a scientist, Mark is committed to advancing evidence-based environmental policy to protect Virginia from the impacts of the climate crisis, as well as shift the state’s economy to be more sustainable.
• Mary Person for House Delegate District 83: Mary Person is a two-term mayor of Emporia City, former City Councilor, and middle school principal, who has dedicated decades to public service. Mary will hold energy companies and state regulators accountable for energy solutions that are community-based, affordable, and environmentally sustainable.
• Virgil Thornton, Sr. for House Delegate 86: Lifelong Virginian Virgil Thornton, Sr. has deep roots in the 86th District and is deeply committed to strengthening public education and supporting local, sustainable economies. With firsthand experience in an apprenticeship program for shipbuilding as a youth, Virgil understands the importance of providing economic pathways for young people. In the State Assembly, Virgil will advocate for investments in clean energy that benefit underserved communities, such as green jobs workforce training programs.