Delegate Guzman prepares for the CD-7 primaries
by John Reid
As the primary races conclude, several candidates have prepared themselves for the competitive districts, especially Congressional District 7, which is currently run by Congressional Representative Abigail Spanberger. Among the hopefuls is Delegate Elizabeth Guzman. Recently, the three-time delegate spoke with the PW Perspective about her candidacy and how her experience will be an advantage in Congress.
Delegate Elizabeth Guzman has multiple endorsements from local, and national organizations and over two dozen Virginia elected officials. On Friday, she received an additional endorsement from Liuna Metropolitan Area:
“I was honored to receive their endorsement,” she said, “including the AFL-CIO. It’s a testament of proving myself as a champion for working families in Richmond, and it is what they will see as a champion for working families in Washington, DC.”
As one of the top fundraising candidates, what does the owe it to?
“Most of the contributions are from CD-7 more than any other candidate,” she said. “They want someone who knows how to win competitive races, which I’ve done three times. Virginia donors are concerned about CD-7, with the only blue areas being Prince William and Fredericksburg. CD-7 constituents want someone who is electable, and a proven legislator.”
Guzman credits her personal experience, her work and community focused experience as being major factors of her ability to relate and understand, which is why she resonates with her constituents.
“I’ve worked with school administration, education and mental health organizations for over two decades, so my experience helps me understand their needs,” she said. “I have overseen annual budgets of over $20 million dollars to help essential workers. I’ve seen the consequences of elected officials making bad decisions at the local and state government levels. These decisions impact the services we provide to the most vulnerable communities. I have actively raised these issues before the General Assembly to ensure actions are taken to improve people’s lives.”
“I am the only legislator who has a proven track record of helping military families and veterans for years. For veterans who live in Virginia, we could expedite military spouses’ licensure for teaching and nursing, or get them the educational resources they need for themselves and their children. For families who lost loved ones, they can now obtain free funeral services for military family members at state-run cemeteries and we provided state tax exemption for veterans.”
Besides her work in Fauquier County, Guzman says that she understands the needs of the people in rural areas and has a keen and intensive knowledge of CD-7’s rural communities and infrastructure needs.
“While there are similarities to my time serving Fauquier County,” she said, “there are differences as well. One difference is that we need more internet access capabilities in rural areas. We need to work with telecommunication providers and the local and state governments to ensure this happens. Lack of internet access impacts how students perform and impacts what information students can access at school. Students shouldn’t have to go to restaurants to access the internet.”
Although technological innovations are important, she also states it is necessary to continue growing the state’s agricultural businesses.
“We need to continue working for farmers,” she continued, “and agriculture. One of my goals is to create equity to get farmers additional resources. In Orange, Greene, and Madison Counties, farmers want their children to keep their family farming legacies alive. Additional resources will enable these dreams to be realized.
Through legislative proposals and educational collaboration programs we are providing a track for younger farmers to give them training and pathways while in school to provide incentives for them to continue agricultural and farming businesses.”
“While Virginia is first for providing support for small businesses, the number one business in Virginia is agriculture, so we must take proactive measures to ensure we make agricultural resources available for farmers to maintain operations and to flourish.”
“Infrastructure investments in rural areas are needed as well,” she states. “In Spotsylvania, Stafford, Prince William, Fredericksburg and King George, residents have to commute outside of their communities for work. We will make sure new businesses can locate in these areas and provide necessary infrastructure resources. This way employees can spend more time in their local communities and with their families while reducing traffic.”
During Thursday’s candidate forum in Tysons Corner, Guzman talked about the goal to help small businesses understand financial options while gaining financial independence.
“Last week at the Virginia Minority Chamber of Commerce, we discussed getting small businesses much needed financial resources,” she said. “The benefit is in diversifying the opportunities for loans, so when businesses seek funding or investments, they can apply and rely on the monies being available. Loan diversification will help provide options and help them purchase equipment, furniture, or hire employees when they need to.”
Another advantage Guzman says she has is the ability to reach across the political aisle, which she has done since her time in office.
“I’m the candidate with the most legislative experience,” she said. “Of the six years, four years in the minority, two in the majority. I worked successfully with my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat to impact significant change and have been recognized by multiple organizations as an effective legislator.”
“Of my opponents,” she continued, “three of them are males with no understanding of our constituent challenges and with little to no experience in elected office while on the female side, all of my opponents have only served one term in their corresponding offices and won re-election for the first time this past November. There’s a learning curve, while I’ve been able to serve three terms. I successfully worked across the aisle and passed legislation every year. My record is solid, and it confirms my experience. I was successful because I brought an agenda which reflected the needs of my district.”
“For example,” she continued, “when I pushed for legislation for the Crisis Receiving Center to help with mental health illnesses, the state of Virginia was the first investor. I could make the case to get the funding while we were in the minority. We must have legislators that understand the budget behind getting these issues discussed, justified and resolved, and I’ve been able to do that successfully time and time again.”
Recently, she worked with Dumfries Councilwoman Selonia Miles for the second annual Autism Awareness Event, and she shared what it meant to her. “I made a commitment to represent everyone in my district, especially children with disabilities,” she said. “I was named a “state champion for children” with disabilities in my first year. I could see and affect the decision to create a waiver for children with disabilities. As soon as I got into office, we me, created a plan and made it happen.”
“I introduced a budget amendment to get rid of the Priority One disability waivers. I ensured that when we looked at public education, we provided more resources for special needs children. I’m running on an agenda that every child should get access to world class public education. In 2012, President Obama created the IDEA program there were only 12 identified disabilities. Now, we have the enormous challenges of mental illness. It’s important to add these additional disabilities up front because if we don’t specify the disability and match it with the need, then the child won’t be eligible to receive the resources.”
So, what would it mean to be the first Latina from Virginia to be in Congress?
“I’ve always said that I am proud to be the first, but I won’t be the last,” she said. “We can look at our next-door municipalities in Manassas City and Manassas Park to see how they’re more inclusive, and it’s a huge responsibility. You have to do a great job to pave the way for future generations.”
“Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority in Prince William County,” she continued, “and for multiple cycles Latinos have voted for Democrats. It’s an honor for me to represent them and be their voice, and I’m proud to represent a district which is diverse, and I will be the voice of everyone.”To find out more about her campaign, visit her website. Primary Day is on Tuesday, June 18.
