Natalie Shorter, candidate for House of Delegates District 19, announced an endorsement today from Senator and the retiring Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations Janet Howell. Senator Howell has served the Commonwealth representing Fairfax County for over 30 years and is the first woman to chair the Finance Committee

Natalie Shorter is running for the 19th House District, which is a new, open seat covering East Woodbridge and Southeastern Fairfax County. The district is a minority majority district and will be key for the Democratic Party to gain a majority in the House of Delegates come November.

Shorter has deep roots in Virginia politics. She is the granddaughter of Senate President Pro Tempore, L. Louise Lucas, who joined the Senate the same year as Senator Howell. Both Senator Lucas and Shorter are running in Democratic primaries and are looking to become the first grandmother and granddaughter duo in Virginia state politics.

Shorter said of the endorsement: “Senator Howell is a pioneer in Virginia politics. In addition to being the first woman to chair the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, she has also led the charge in Richmond to create critical mental health legislation and protect our reproductive rights. I have been lucky to watch her career in Richmond as she served closely with my Grandmother. I am honored to have the endorsement of a strong legislative leader like Senator Howell, and will be proud to continue her legacy in the House as I work to protect reproductive rights, end the gun violence epidemic, and better fund our schools.”

Shorter has earned endorsements from much of the Democratic leadership in the Senate. In addition, she has earned the endorsement of the NOW Organization, the Women of Color coalition, and is a Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction.

The Democratic Primary is June 20, 2023, with early voting happening until the 17th. To find out more about Shorter’s campaign, please visit the interview she did with the PW Perspective.