VIRGINIA BEACH, 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. In the new District 97, there are two candidates aiming to represent parts of Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates.
The incumbent candidate is Karen Greenhalgh, a Republican, and the challenging candidate is, Michael Feggans, a Democrat.
Greenhalgh has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2022. She is the founder of several cabinet manufacturing and cybersecurity businesses, and also managed a pregnancy crisis center.
Michael Feggans is an Air Force veteran who served in the military for 20 years. He also interned with Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner and later became a small tech business owner.
VOTER GUIDE: Virginia's 2023 elections are coming up. Here's a look at races, candidates, voter registration info and more.
About District 97
Following the redistricting of Virginia, District 97 now covers parts of Virginia Beach, such as the Kempsville, Princess Anne, Larkspur, and Pembroke areas.
The district is comprised of a more than 57-percent White demographic and about a 20-percent Black demographic, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
VPAP reports voters in this district voted mainly for Democratic candidates in recent state and federal elections, except for when the people voted slightly in favor of Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021.
What is the one problem facing District 97 and how would you address it?
Delegate Greenhalgh: "Biggest challenge I hear door to door is cost of living. It's a challenge for people to get by. It's very expensive with inflation. There's nothing we can do about that on the state level, but I'm doing everything I can to help. We're working to cut taxes, make things more affordable."
Micheal Feggans: "Reproductive freedom has really been the top issue across all of HD97. From voters across the whole district, they really stated that they do not believe that those reproductive decisions should be decided by unqualified politicians. Those healthcare decisions need to be made between a patient and a provider."
What would you like to see change on the state level in wake of Governor Youngkin's push for tax cuts?
Micheal Feggans: "Governor Youngkin's tax cuts have been mainly put towards well off and big business, some of those well off individuals here, instead of trying to take care of main street and those individuals here in House District 97. I'm focused on taking care of the individuals. I come from a middle class background, that's the majority of individuals here."
Delegate Greenhalgh: "Right now, people are struggling, so anything I can do...the rebates are great. I have people in my district asking when they're going to get their $200 check. $200 means a lot. But if we can take less out of their pocket, instead having to wait to give it back."
Where do you stand on Governor Youngkin's 15-week abortion ban proposal?
Delegate Greenhalgh: "I support the governor's bill that he proposed with restrictions after 15 weeks, but exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother."
Micheal Feggans: "I put it simply that reproductive freedom needs to stay here in Virginia and Governor Youngkin's ban is going to hurt patients here in Virginia, if allowed, and we're not going to allow that in Virginia."
How do you want to see funding help support schools in Virginia Beach?
Micheal Feggans: "I'm going to fight for our teachers. I'm doing to fight for our educators and our education support staff. Our schools have been vastly underfunded for a long time. When I'm in the General Assembly next year, as a product of Virginia Beach Public Schools and a product of a parent who sacrificed so much for public schools, I've seen how much educators poor into our students and the least we can do is take care of them and provide them the resources. Also, just making sure we're attracting and retaining the next generation of educators."
Delegate Greenhalgh: "Every decision we make pertaining to the funds, we have to be very careful and balanced. Of course we want strong schools. I'm on the education committee, which is a pleasure, but supporting our schools and making sure they have what they need. I did a teacher tax deduction bill...when you look at what teachers make, that tax deduction makes a big difference and this year, I'm actually meeting teachers at the door who actually took that deduction this year."