As a community activist fighting to combat homelessness and environmental injustice, Idris O’ Connor knows what it’s like to go through challenges and overcome them through hard work and determination. Now, he looks to bring those qualities to the 31st District House of Delegates as the Democratic nominee. Recently, O’ Connor talked with The PW Perspective about the road he faces in his campaign to represent his neighbors in Richmond.

“I’m running because we need an advocate that will stand up for working families,” said O’ Connor. “I wanted to continue the track that Delegate Guzman has done in this district already. That includes increased wages for all Virginians, and making sure working families are being taken care of.”

He continued on about challenging the state’s right-to-work laws and how he would work to increase support to repeal them. “I would work with Democrats in the Senate and House as well as unions to help push for allowing workers the right to unionize. You have to get everyone on board. If there is a solid strategic plan, and we need someone who can make that possible. We also have to have a strong messaging campaign. Businesses don’t like unions typically, so we have to have a message about how it will help businesses to grow and everyone’s lives benefit as a result.”

O’Connor currently serves as the President of the Prince William Young Democrats, and if elected, he would be the youngest member of the General Assembly. While his youth could be seen as a hindrance, O’Connor sees it as an opportunity, not just for himself but for the future. “I would have the energy and the grit to inspire the next generation, to show that other young people can run,” he said. “They feel that I’m ‘too young,’ and I want to dispel that to prove that people my age can run and win in office.”

O’Connor asserts that young people are more than capable of addressing complex issues that have plagued Virginia for decades.

Among his plans, O’Connor wants to address an issue that he’s been fighting for years. “My goal is to end homelessness in the community as well as in the Commonwealth. I would like for the state to release more grant money for affordable housing units. It is something that needs to be tackled in addition to the current homeless population and it needs to be addressed.”

Speaking of housing, he views it as one of the most pressing issues within the district and the Commonwealth. “We need affordable housing for both Prince William and Fauquier Counties. People are struggling to find a place to live. The cost of living has gone up, so we need to raise the minimum wage to make it a livable wage and increase state funding to expand affordable housing.”

“Another pressing issue is economic development and bringing different businesses into the district,” he added. “People commute long distances, and if elected I would look at how we can attract businesses here to the district.”

How will he go about resolving racial issues in the community? “When your community is designed to be diverse, it strengthens your community and improves your outlook on people different from you. In Prince William County, we’re culturally segregated. By bringing in affordable and attainable housing will help bridge the divide. We need to financially support the racial and social justice commission and any other practices that are fighting for racial harmony. In addition, we need to remove mandatory minimums and proceed with the legalization of marijuana. There are so many different things we can do to bring racial harmony.”

“I want to show that young Black people can run for office and not be afraid to do so. Having someone from my background would be great because they have someone in the room who can create an impact, especially with the minimum wage increase.”

O’Connor is a big advocate for combatting climate change, and he has a vision for the district. “I would like to see a moratorium on fossil fuels and renewable energy so that there are different modes of transportation to be 100% electric by 2035. We did it for buses so we should do it for all types of public transportation in the state.”

Born in New York, O’Connor says his policies are driven by his Christian faith. “My faith drives my value system,” he said. “My parents instilled the Word in me as a child. They told me the story of the Good Samaritan to always serve and advocate for those who are without. Jesus said to love thy neighbor more than yourself. Every time I try to help someone, I will go the extra mile, and I always want to help someone. Faith and family drive my values to serve those in need.”

“We moved to Virginia out of New York City because my family wanted a better life for me, so we bought our first home in the Commonwealth in 2003. Soon after we landed in Virginia, the 2009 Great Recession hit and the impact was devastating. The mortgage crisis hit my family to the point where we were part of the class action suit against Wells Fargo. My mother worked for Federal Occupational Health at the time, and going through that struggle we lost our home and had to move. We were wondering how we were going to pay bills and groceries. Growing from a teenager to an adult, I was attempting to help my family and applying for jobs everywhere I could. Through my stories and what I’ve been through I understand what middle and working-class families deal with, which is why I can serve the needs of the 31st District.”

He says that if there is one thing he would want people to know about him, it’s that he lives a life that “strives to serve others unconditionally.”

O’Connor was recently endorsed by Democracy for America, and his campaign will be holding a virtual Meet & Greet event with the Montclair Democrats & Progressives at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 6th.