Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation and power across all levels of government, endorsed four candidates for state and local office in Virginia: Delegate Lashrecse Aird (HD-63), Delegate Alex Askew (HD-65), Debra Gardner (HD-27), and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales (Portsmouth). Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James released the following statement: 

“From the statehouse to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office, Black leaders across Virginia continue to lead the charge for building a more progressive, equitable, and inclusive Commonwealth. The Collective PAC is proud to stand with Delegates Lashrecse Aird and Alex Askew, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales in their bids for reelection. We also look forward to helping community leader Debra Garner flip the critical HD-27 seat from red to blue. Lashrecse, Alex, Stephanie and Debra represent the best of Virginia and have the experience, integrity, and compassion necessary to bring about real change and champion the issues most important to Virginia’s working families and underrepresented communities.”

Del. Lashrecse Aird (HD-63) has been serving the residents of District 63 since 2016, when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. A champion for criminal justice reform, last year, Lashrecse introduced “Breonna’s Law” legislation to ban no-knock search warrants statewide, which was recently signed into law. Once reelected, Lashrecse will continue to fight for working families by improving public education, prioritizing job creation, and expanding economic and social justice across the state. 

Del. Alex Askew (HD-65) hit the ground running in his first term, signing bills into law that would protect first responders and ensure clean drinking water in schools and daycare centers. As a former chief of staff in the statehouse, Alex has previously worked on groundbreaking legislation to expand Medicaid, increase affordable housing, and promote school safety. During his second term, he will continue to push for affordable and accessible health care, economic expansion, and environmental safety.  

Debra Gardner (Candidate for HD-27) is a non-profit leader and former social worker with more than 30 years of experience serving the people of Chesterfield County. She will put people over parties and special interest groups while in office and fight for affordable health care and good jobs once she flips this district from red to blue in November.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales (Portsmouth, VA) made history in 2015 when she became the first woman to serve as the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Portsmouth, Virginia. With nearly a decade of experience working to advance criminal justice reform, Stephanie is a proven champion for equality and fairness, who will fight for her community and hold power to account. As Commonwealth’s Attorney, she has helped reduce incarceration rates, recidivism, and the prosecution of nonviolent offenses, all while increasing diversity within her office. 

This cycle in Virginia, The Collective PAC has also endorsed Jay Jones for Attorney General, and Kyle Elliott, Rod Hall, Matt Rogers, and Briana Sewell for the House of Delegates. Hall and Sewell are running locally within Prince William County.