On Wednesday, former Del. Hala Ayala, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2021, announced her intention to run for state senate in the newly formed 33rd district.

A long-time community leader and activist, Ayala was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2017. She served two terms representing the 51st district before winning the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in last year’s election. Ayala was narrowly defeated by Lt. Governor Winsome Sears in the November general election.

The former delegate publicly announced her candidacy for state senate on Twitter Wednesday morning.

“This is not the time to sit on the sidelines,” Ayala said in an email to supporters. “And that is why I have decided to run for Virginia State Senate: to tackle our biggest challenges and to get our Commonwealth moving forward.”

Ayala is a cybersecurity specialist who has worked with the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard. Much of her legislation during her time in the House of Delegates was driven by her experience in cybersecurity. As an activist she founded the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women and served as its president. Prior to being elected in the 2017 “blue wave,” Ayala volunteered with numerous Democratic campaigns including those of President Barack Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton. 

She is a graduate of Woodbridge Senior High School in Prince William County and a lifelong Virginian. She has not shied away from sharing her experiences struggling as a single mother, often citing it as a reason she was called to public service. 

Ayala will face off with former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy in the Democratic primary. In December 2020, Carroll Foy left her seat in the House of Delegates to focus on her gubernatorial campaign. She finished second in the Democratic primary, losing to former Gov. Terry McAuliffe who went on to lose the general election to Gov. Glenn Youngkin.