SUFFOLK, Va. — Virginia's 2023 general election happens on November 7, and all 140 seats in the state's General Assembly are up for grabs.
This is also Virginia’s first election since legislative district maps were redrawn using 2020 census data, so your district has likely changed since the last election.
The candidates facing off for the 84th District in the Virginia House of Delegates are incumbent Nadarius Clark, a Democrat, and challenger Mike Dillender, a Republican. The district includes Franklin and parts of Suffolk, Isle of Wight County and Chesapeake.
Dillender says he grew up in a blue-collar family and is a first-generation college graduate.
“I’m running for office because I’m very concerned for my children’s future in this country," Dillender said. "As well as collectively, all of our children and grandchildren’s futures.”
VOTER GUIDE: Virginia's 2023 elections are coming up. Here's a look at races, candidates, voter registration info and more.
Dillender is also a retired Navy captain with a list of military accomplishments.
“As with the vast majority of Americans, we believe this country is heading in the wrong direction," Dillender said. "I want to do my part as somebody who’s served in the military for more than a quarter of a century to change that direction.”
Clark calls himself a working-class community activist.
"I’m running to continue to fight for Virginia, to continue to fight for Hampton Roads," Clark said. "So much is on the line this year.”
In 2021, he made history as the youngest Democrat ever elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.
“This is home and I want to continue to fight for all of Hampton Roads but first we have to make sure we show up to the polls," Clark said. "We need people to get out and vote so we can take back the House and we can keep the Senate.”
Both candidates say crime is one of their top priorities.
“I’m somebody that’s always going to back the blue," Dillender said. "I’m going to make sure our police officers -- and the heroes across the spectrum on 911 responders -- are always well funded, well trained, and they have the resources to do the job that they’ve been called to do.”
Clark pointed to his previous record when it comes to tackling crime.
"Even in Franklin, gun violence has been going up. Isle of Wight County gun violence has been going up. We need to make sure we’re addressing this," Clark said. "As a member of the last two sessions, I served on the Public Safety Committee and also on the Gun Laws Committee, so I was on the front lines to make sure that we are fully funding our police force as well to make sure they have the equipment they need for training.”
Another priority for both candidates is rising inflation and the economy.
Dillender said high taxes and “unnecessary regulations” have hurt private businesses and job growth. He said he would support laws that encourage entrepreneurship.
“We want to make sure that our economy is cranked up as high as it can be and we can do some of those things by reducing some burdensome taxes and regulations and those sort of things so everyone shares in a vibrant economy," Dillender said.
Clark said would work to ease financial burdens on everyday Americans. He would fight for student loan debt relief at the state level and medical debt forgiveness.
“If you work in Virginia for five years and you’re in the mental health profession, after five years, your student loan for Virginia will be forgiven," Clark said. "If you have a life-saving procedure, 20, 30, 40 years later, you’re not getting a lien out or getting garnished.”
Clark said he would also support laws that incentivize economic growth in underserved areas.
Another big topic this election season is abortion access.
Dillender would not specifically say his position on that topic. He said: "I’m not willing to listen to extreme voices on either side of this very personal and complex issue.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin wants to impose a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape and incest.
Asked if he would support that legislation, Dillender said: “I can tell you I will take a very hard look at the legislation, but until it’s written and codified. It’s something that I will study and listen to subject matter experts throughout that issue, before making a decision.”
Clark said his mind is made up on that topic and he would not support Youngkin's legislation.
"Any ban on abortion is exactly that: a ban on abortion," Clark said. “I would be strongly against any ban that puts a politician in a doctor’s office with their woman and their doctor when they’re making those difficult decisions.”
When it comes to healthcare, Dillender also said he would work hard to lower drug prices.
Other priorities for Dillender include education, transportation.
Education is also among priorities for Clark. His other focuses include mental health, gun safety, racial justice, and the environment.