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Virginia’s List Expands to Support More Progressive Women in Local Races

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2025

 Media Contact: Lateisha Garrett

Virginia’s List, Board Chair


Virginia’s List Expands Mission to Strengthen Progressive Women’s Leadership at the Local Level

Alexandria, VA — Virginia’s List, the Commonwealth’s leading political action committee supporting pro-choice Democratic women, is announcing a bold new direction to address the urgent challenges facing our democracy. With 70% of races currently uncontested and Republican-backed candidates dominating the pipeline, Virginia’s List is ramping up efforts to equip progressive women with resources to win at all levels.


“For too long Democrats have focused their efforts on federal races. As we face relentless attacks on reproductive rights and other fundamental freedoms, we must invest in local leadership now more than ever,” said Lateisha Garrett, Board Chair of Virginia’s List. “Decisions made at the state and local level shape our daily lives, and we cannot afford to leave these races unchallenged. Virginia’s List is stepping up to ensure that Democratic women have the support they need to run, win, and lead.”


A Strategic Shift to Meet the Moment


Beginning in 2025, Virginia’s List will expand its scope beyond statewide and General Assembly races to endorse, fund, and support candidates running for non-federal offices at the local level. This effort will include:

  • Identifying, vetting, and endorsing Democratic women for local office.

  • Increasing capacity to support candidates.

  • Strengthening partnerships with local Democratic parties and progressive organizations.

  • Expanding the Board of Directors to better reflect Virginia’s geographic and demographic diversity.


“Too often, local races are overlooked in favor of high-profile statewide contests, but these elections have a direct impact on policies affecting our families, schools, and communities,” added Garrett. “If we want to protect reproductive rights and advance progressive policies, we must elect strong Democratic women at every level of government.”


Addressing a Critical Funding Gap for Women Candidates

Campaign finance data underscores the stark disparity in resources available to women running for local office in Virginia. While contributions to state legislative races skyrocketed from 2019 to 2023 according to VPAP, local candidates remain significantly underfunded. 


“The reality is that the women we need to run for office—teachers, nurses, community organizers—often don’t have access to the networks of big donors that their opponents do,” said Garrett. “Virginia’s List is committed to closing that gap, ensuring that every woman who wants to serve her community has the support to do so.”


Join the Movement

Virginia’s List invites supporters, new and old, to strengthen infrastructure for Democratic women in Virginia. Through donations, volunteering, and spreading the word, every effort builds a stronger, more representative democracy.


Pro-choice Democratic women considering a run should connect with Virginia’s List. “We want to hear from women from Southwest to NoVa to Hampton Roads and everywhere in between ready to champion reproductive freedom,” said Garrett. 


For more information, visit www.virginiaslist.com or contact vawomenlead@gmail.com.


### About Virginia’s List ###


Founded in 2015, Virginia’s List is the Commonwealth’s leading political action committee supporting pro-choice Democratic women up and down the ballot in non-federal races. Virginia’s List envisions a Commonwealth where women have an equal voice as decision-makers – in all elected offices.


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