PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Election Day is November 7, and all 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly are up for grabs.
This is also Virginia’s first election since legislative district maps were redrawn using 2020 census data. The new 88th District for the Virginia House of Delegates encompasses most of Portsmouth.
The district leans "Strong Democratic," according to the Virginia Public Access Project. After the most recent governor's race, Democrat Terry McAuliffe beat Republican Glenn Youngkin in the 88th District, 63.5% to 35.9%.
The candidates vying for the 88th District seat this year are Incumbent Don Scott, a Democrat, and Republican Jim Wright.
The incumbent, Scott, is 58 years old. He's a lawyer and currently serves as House Minority Leader.
"I'm proud of the kitchen table issues that we've been able to address, making sure that we had a baseline minimum wage that reflected our economy and prosperity that we have here in Virginia and America as well," said Scott, in an interview with 13News Now.
"So, making sure we have a floor that makes sense, so as we raise the minimum wage from $7.25 so now it's $13,45, I think. And hopefully, if we get the majority again, it will get up to a living wage which is $15," Scott said.
The challenger, Wright, is 67 years old, he is a retired CPA and founder of the nonprofit Birthmother Ministries, Inc. He has never served in elected office.
"I believe we're broken down morally. Life is not valued," Wright said in an interview with 13News Now.
He says his top issues are education and crime and abortion.
"I don't know what I can do as one man. But I can be a loud voice and consistent. But I can tell you right now, I'm pro-life. And many of the Democrats are not. If there's a bill moving around the General Assembly, I will be making my noise to say pro-life. Vote for that baby. Vote for that baby who has no voice," he said.
The 88th district is largely what used to the old 80th District, with a piece of the old 79th District.
It was created in December 2021, when the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously approved new congressional and General Assembly maps across the state.