I’m a health law professional, a wife, a mom, a millennial, but most of all I am a woman, and I am running for the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 73rd District. At work, I see people struggling every day and begging me to help them because they do not have health care. They beg me to change the law, they beg me to save their lives, and ultimately, there’s nothing I can do because I can only restate the law to them as it is. There are no special exceptions, and no variances based on need. There is policy and policy is what we must live by. So, after seeing the results of the November election, I chose to help: I organized, I marched, and then I decided to run for office.
One of the first things I did was help form and organize as many local grassroots as I could. After the election, there was an extraordinary uptick in participation. Some, who had never been involved before, flocked to meetings on hours of notice. We had to change venues because we kept exceeding the occupancy limits. People wanted education, people wanted to take action, and most of all people wanted to be heard. They felt silenced and ignored. I am incredibly proud of my community and the volunteer leaders that took on these extremely time-consuming jobs. We now have a thriving grassroots network of volunteers that continues to amaze me with its compassion.
When I announced that I decided to run for office I was met with many different responses. Some, mostly women, were ecstatic. A young woman leading, this is fantastic! My husband was excited, and my daughter became increasingly curious about what she called my “meetings.” Some were less enthused, but as a woman in the legal field who is used to functioning in the boy’s club, I was not surprised. They asked if I could handle working, campaigning, and having a family. Men don’t usually get asked this question. They also asked how my children would handle it, could I still be a good mother? You can guess whether men usually get asked this question. Then my age came into play since I just turned thirty, and I am solidly a millennial. How are you old enough to do this? How could you be so bold as to think you’re qualified? That last one is probably a gender and age combination. I responded that yes, I am adept at finding a good work-life balance, I will continue to be a good mother, and my children have their father to help. As for qualifications, I am qualified through a solid combination of education, work experience, grit, and vision. In short, I thrive under pressure.
Through it all I maintained my calm, polite demeanor because this is about more than me. I see the stakes as very high because if I lose, then I am failing the community and the people that I am fighting for. I am not a career politician. I’m not even a rich lawyer. I am a state employee and a mom, and I am fed up with the establishment.
I am running for office so that no one has to decide between seeing the doctor and paying their mortgage. I am running for office so that when our daughters are adults they won’t be asked if they can run for office and still be good mothers. I am running for office so that the government does not tell our daughters what to do with their bodies. I am running for office so that no one tells our children which bathroom to use. I am running for office so that our children go to wonderful schools, instead of going to big prisons. I am running for office so that our children have clean water to drink and safe food to eat. I am running for office because I love Virginia, so it is my responsibility to push toward greatness while breaking down walls in the way of progress.
Our House of Delegates does not represent the diverse people living in this great Commonwealth. This district in particular has changed, and is much more purple, if not bluer, than it has ever been. John O’Bannon does not represent the ideals of the people in this community. He knows people need health insurance, he knows people are suffering, but he still stands against Medicaid expansion. Together, with the help of my friends both new and old in the community, we will turn this district blue and put this woman in that seat. It is way past time to bring fresh voices to our legislature that do not sing to the tune of the status quo.
I fundamentally believe in equality, fairness, and justice. I believe that the Commonwealth must invest in its people in order to see the largest return. I am on the ballot Saturday, April 29th. Info on how to vote for me and where to donate if you’d like to contribute is below. The time to change our politics starts now. Let's do it together.
Vote for me on 4/29
Saturday, April 29
10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center
2880 Mountain Rd
Glen Allen, VA 23060
If you need a ride to the polls e-mail us at friendsofsarahsmith@gmail.com.
If you’d like to donate, go here: secure.actblue.com/…
Find me on social media: Facebook & Twitter
Website: SarahSmith.vote
Sarah Smith
Candidate for the House of Delegates — 73rd District