Election season is in full swing, and on Friday at Zandra’s Taqueria in Old Town Manassas a plethora of supporters came to speak in support of Democrat Michelle Maldonado’s bid to win the 50th District House of Delegates seat. Among those in attendance were several members from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, local councilmen, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Virginia State Senator Jeremy McPike.

Manassas Councilman David Farajollahi spoke glowingly of why it was imperative for community leaders to visit in unison and the camaraderie displayed post-election. “To come out to an event like this, it’s very important,” said Farajollahi. “We always have to support one another on all levels. Since January this year the federal, local and state leaders have banded together. I’m so proud to be on the same ticket as Michelle and what we’re going to do for the community.”

Senator McPike praised Maldonado’s qualities to serve as delegate and noted, “She’s an absolute rock star. Her demeanor, she is someone who will listen to the community. She is one of the most qualified candidates I’ve ever met. I know she’ll be successful in November, and I look forward to serving with her.”

Senator Kaine talked about why he came to support Maldonado to the vast crowd in attendance, saying, “We cannot afford to go back as Virginians, or as a country, which is why I’m here for Michelle.”

In addition, the former governor shared a story about what was happening during the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. “When we were barricaded, we had TV monitors in the room and we could see what was happening. We could see this dastardly attack perpetrated by a president touting a lie and disrupting the peaceful transition of power.”

“We saw two breaking news stories on the monitor. The first thing we saw was the Georgia Senate race being called for Jon Ossoff and Democrats having the Senate majority. It was as if the American people reached into their pocket, pulled the car keys and said ‘we want you to lead this country.'”

He continued by praising the progress already made on a local level. “What Michelle is doing and what your other Prince William County candidates are doing to maintain the Democratic majority, we can’t stop and go backwards. Michelle is a wonderful leader for this district.”

“She has the ability to do what you’ve seen in Prince William!”

After she was introduced by Sen. Kaine, Maldonado touted the success of the county in its electoral turnaround. “Prince William and Manassas aren’t just the intersection,” she opened, “they’re the heartbeat. They are the model for the rest of the Commonwealth.”

Next, she tells a heart-warming story of when she moved to Virginia in the 1970’s being the daughter of a Cape Verdean father and a multi-cultural mother who people often assumed were an inter-racial couple, not long after the Loving v. Virginia vote had passed allowing for interracial marriages to be legally recognized. “When I was young, I was outside playing at the playground and there were three sisters who moved to our apartment complex. One of the girls said we can’t play with you, our father doesn’t let us play with N-word. I’m like that’s stupid because I’m a lot of fun! Shortly thereafter they came to play with us.”

She goes on to provide her philosophy as a candidate. “I look at things at they are and simultaneously as they can be. One of the things that are really important to me is education, because all roads lead to education. Compassion with fierce action is how we bring about change that includes education, but goes beyond.”

“I was looking for someone who could help bring that change to the district for a long time.” However, she says that after what transpired on January 6, “I realized that I was one of those people I was looking for.” She talked with close associates such as former Congressional candidate Vangie Williams, who helped prepare her for this opportunity.

Maldonado goes on to recite a quote from Congressman Gerry Connolly, who she credits with encouraging her. “Some people run to be something, some people run to do something, and I’m here to do something!”

Afterwards she spoke with the PW Perspective on what she believes is her path to victory in November. “It will take all of us to come together. ‘We need all diverse voices to come to the table through talking and planning. There are many people who feel as if they aren’t part of the process. We’re here and we’re listening to the important issues that are happening in the district by becoming a marketplace for jobs and equity.”

What does it mean for someone of her diverse background to run in this district. “Representation matters. I remember a young lady coming up to me with tears in her eyes and saying, ‘I just want you to know that we’re watching, because it’s rare to see someone like you, someone who is authentic in a woman who is coming to champion for others in this way.’ Seeing that says it inspired her to do the same.”

“We’re representing for everyone, it’s not just for women and girls, but also for young boys and men to see that we can do it all together.”

Another point that Maldonado made is how she wants to help the district’s Latinx community. “I want to partner with the organizations that are championing their causes. There are so many times when the information isn’t provided. Whether that needs to be resources in another language, address healthcare needs, or provide direct and extended transportation options, we need to come to the communities and be in conversations there. I want to be an ally with them so they can flourish.”

Kaine spoke with the PW Perspective and reiterated why he came to Manassas. “It’s important to me because Prince William has treated me so well and I’ve always loved being here. I don’t think there was a turnaround in the United States politically more than in Virginia, and Prince William has been the epicenter.”

“If you look at who is been on the county board, and the legislature, Prince William has done this amazing turnaround. Now it’s making news for being so diverse and it’s a wonderful thing. We need to hold on to that seat and Michelle is the best person to make that possible.”

He also touted his successes in getting protections for childcare workers, most notably with the Child Care Is Essential Act, which is legislation to create a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund within the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. If signed into law, Virginia would receive approximately $986 million of said funds. “It’s very exciting but we have more to do,” said Kaine. I think we’re going to do something for families that Social Security did for seniors. I drafted an initial budget bill, that was a passion of mine when I was governor. I finished my term as governor knowing we didn’t accomplish all we wanted to, but this gives us an opportunity to do so.”

Kaine also talked about the necessity of promoting progressive voices in positions of leadership. “First, I think progressive voices are needed because Virginia is progressive. For a long time the population was more progressive than the legislature. Gerrymandering created a legislature where there were two Republican senators and a progressive population. Finally we got a legislature that’s more representative of what Virginia is, and when you have that you don’t want to let it go.”

Prince William Education Association President Maggie Hansford provided the following statement: “The VEA Fund is proud to support pro-public education candidates like Michelle Maldonado. We look forward to sending her to Richmond as a voice for our students, teachers and staff.”

Maldonado is running against Republican Dr. Steve Pleickhardt, who won via firehouse primary, in the general election. Early voting begins in September.