NORFOLK, Va. — Two first-time candidates are vying to become the representative for the newly redrawn Virginia House of Delegates 92nd District, which now covers parts of Norfolk and Chesapeake.
Bonita Grace Anthony is the Democrat candidate. Michael L. Durig is the Republican candidate. And neither have previously held public office.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Anthony said she is not only an educator and engineer, but is also a minister. Her campaign has raised close to $90,000.
"I want my district to have a person who will fight for them," said Anthony. "I have spent my life here in Hampton Roads, and I want to serve this beautiful community."
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Originally from Ohio, Durig said he has made Hampton Roads his home. He's a former teacher and longtime musician, and once served as a Navy bandsman. His campaign has raised far less than Anthony's, but it remains a point of pride for him.
"I think I have $200 in my candidacy fund at this point," he said. "Just goes to show nobody owns me!"
As former teachers, both Anthony and Durig said education is at the forefront of issues they would like to tackle.
Anthony said she plans to be an advocate for the public school system. If elected, Anthony said she would increase school funding, invest in infrastructure, and provide more resources for mental health.
"I want to make sure our kids are safe," said Anthony. "I want common sense gun laws to be put in place, I don't want any parent to worry about sending their child to our schools."
Durig also echoed the sentiment for more resources for all schools. He said he wants more dialogue between parents and school officials for what children are learning in the classroom. He is also a proponent of teaching more regional history to students.
"What skills and history kids learn in the mountains, is going to be different than what kids learn here by the ocean," he said. "When we invest in different critical thinking skills, their problem solving abilities are just fantastic, and we are losing that by teaching everyone the same thing."
As a major part of her campaign, Anthony said she hopes to be a pro-choice advocate if she were elected. She credits the Dobbs decision as a factor in her run for public office, and said she will fight against restrictive abortion bans.
"It's not just about the procedure itself, it's about quality and equitable access to health care," said Anthony. "We don't want our lives hanging in the balance with physicians and their lawyers."
Durig said he chose to run for public office to offer an approach more similar to Governor Glenn Younkin's ideals. However, he said when it comes to abortion, he believes the decision rests between a woman and her doctor.
"I was raised to be a gentleman, and my balance is always going to be between the person who is going to be, and the person who is here," Durig said. "If it comes down to a decision, I will choose the young lady who is already here."
Voters will have their chance to decide which candidate best represents their interests on Election Day on November 7.