The Issues

Civilian Oversight

I joined the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) in 2020 to serve our community and because I believed I had a perspective to offer as someone who previously had a negative, unjust policing encounter. A common complaint I heard from the community was that the 2019 oversight ordinance had been watered-down and made ineffective. As chairman of the PCOB, and determined not to have that happen again on my watch, I took decisive action to ensure a strong oversight ordinance was adopted in 2021. That subsequently paved the way for Chair Mendez to lead the adoption of operating procedures in 2022; and City Council to fill a full board in 2023. I know how to get the job done.

During my time on the PCOB, I was also able to gain a first-hand look at the nuances of how policing is conducted not just locally, but nationally and internationally as well. There are a lot of systemic failures that need to be addressed, and sound bites and cookie cutter solutions won’t get us there. We need a leader who will be thoughtful about how policies affect the lives of everyone in our district; and act in the best interests of our district. I am that leader.

Public Safety and Gun Violence

As a former member of the Police Civilian Oversight Board, I had a firsthand view into some of the challenges affecting our public safety professionals (police and fire). Everyone agrees that we desire good policing and we desire firefighters who will keep fire from destroying our community; but we must also agree that those services must be supported if they are to be effective. Compared to international organizations the U.S. standards (including in the Commonwealth of Virginia) for training some public safety professionals is severely low. Those standards must change.

In the past year, I have been personally impacted by gun violence twice. Creating thoughtful, viable legislation to help stem the impact of gun violence in our district is a high priority. I believe more focus on gun owner responsibility is part of that solution. There is no one solution that will solve all of the nuances involved; we must be thoughtful and deliberate in how we approach gun violence.

Public Schools

In 1867, my great uncle (3 generations removed), James T. S. Taylor, was one of the first twenty-four African-American men elected in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a delegate (representing Charlottesville and Albemarle) to Virginia’s Constitutional Convention. In the Convention, he argued for the creation of public schools. As a product of Charlottesville City Schools, having attended Venable, Walker, Buford, and CHS, I know firsthand the value of our public schools and the value of the public-school educators and staff who helped shape the person I am today.

That is why I have stood with Albemarle County Public School educators and staff in their efforts to achieve collective bargaining; and I will stand with our public schools, teachers, students, and staff in both Charlottesville and Albemarle in our efforts to achieve adequate state funding.

The safety of our students, teachers and staff cannot be overlooked; and from what I’m hearing in the district, it’s paramount and we must treat it as such with viable solutions exclusive of politics.

Women’s Rights

For far too long in our country, women have been treated as second-class citizens, I do not subscribe this view. From protections against domestic violence and sexual assault to infringement on reproductive freedom, our country has been on the wrong side. President Biden in his recent “Proclamation on Women’s History Month,” correctly stated, “…despite significant progress, women and girls continue to face systemic barriers to full and equal participation in our economy and society. Last year, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping away a constitutional right from the American people and the ability of millions of women to make decisions about their own bodies, putting their health and lives at risk. Disparities persist in economic security, health care, and caregiving responsibilities, especially for women and girls of color. Those who perform critical work, including those who care for our children and our families, are too often overlooked, underpaid, and undervalued.”

As your delegate, I will fight to ensure our country gets on the right side and these barriers are broken down.

Environment

As someone who benefits from being out in the nature our district provides, I have a vested interest in seeing our legislature provide thoughtful legislation that preserves our environment and works to the benefit of our district. That’s why I am a strong supporter of Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s and Sen. Creigh Deed’s Affordable Energy Act, which now authorizes the State Corporation Commission to adjust electric rates when profits rise above a regulated level. And I have pledged to not take funding from any Virginia utility monopoly (e.g., Dominion Virginia Power, Appalachian Power).

Additionally, as a former home weatherization analyst with Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), I was able to witness firsthand how much of an impact lower energy costs can have on cost-burdened families. As your delegate, I will continue to ensure good governance and that utility monopolies are not taking advantage of Virginians.

Veteran’s Services

As a Marine veteran, having honorably served our country, I know firsthand what it is to be a veteran in America. We are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our country, but our country isn’t always willing to do the same. The care and treatment of our veterans is not nearly where it should be, and we must continue the fight to change that. As your delegate, and the only veteran in this race, I can assure you proper attention and service will be given to the issues that we all face.

Mental Health

I have been a champion and have known the power of mental health services for over twenty years. I have also attempted to navigate the extremely complex and broken mental health system in Virginia on behalf of a close relative; that included attempting to obtain services locally. It was not successful, and was my first experience in seeing a system that was not where it should be.

That is why I applaud Gov. Youngkin’s investment in expanding Virginia’s behavioral health system, to include 30 mobile crisis teams; but I also echo Sen. Creigh Deeds’ sentiment that this is only the floor of where we as Virginians need to be, and I will work to ensure adequate continued funding of our behavioral health system.

Housing Affordability

In its February 2023, Housing Perspectives, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies noted, “the importance of programs targeted towards lower-income renter such as rental assistance and income supports. At the same time…increase the existing housing supply, which would keep housing costs in check and ultimately benefit households at all income levels,” is where we as a country (and locally) need to go; it’s a matter of how we get there, and thinking thoughtfully, and practically through available options.

We also have to be realistic and honest, and not continue to pander with no real solution. There will be no one solution, but rather many solutions to solve the enormity of the problem given the disparity of incomes and other factors in our area.

I support idea and efforts like the Thomas Jefferson Land Trust as potential models for increasing housing availability, especially for our teachers and first responders.

LGBTQI+

In its most recent, 2022, survey the Center for American Progress found, “that LGBTQI+ individuals continue to experience significantly higher rates of discrimination than non-LGBTQI+ individuals, a trend that holds true in virtually every setting surveyed—including health care, employment, housing, and public spaces. Such discrimination has substantial adverse effects on economic, physical, and mental well-being, and many LGBTQI+ individuals alter their behavior to avoid experiencing discrimination.”

As someone with family and friends in the LGBTQI+ community, it’s personal to me that we as Americans truly live out the creed that we are all created equal, we are all human, and I will fight to ensure that legislative policies reflect as much.