Three names are on the ballot in the race for House of Delegates District 69. First-term Republican incumbent Chad Green, R-Seaford, is fielding a challenge from Democrat Mark Downey and independent Valerie Beverley.
House District 69 includes parts of Newport News and Gloucester, York and James City counties.
Green points to his legislative record as a delegate over the past two years, sponsoring seven pieces of legislation that passed. Those include bills that allow Junior ROTC students to satisfy physical education requirements in high school and provide a penalty for failing to certify a marriage by nonclerical officiants. The legislation he said he is most proud of is a bill that made it a crime for adults to knowingly allow a minor to operate a motor vehicle without proper licensure — a bill spurred by the death of 16-year-old Conner Guido in York County in 2019.
If voters return Green to Richmond, he said, his legislative efforts will include lowering taxes and the cost of living. Constituents are telling him that everyday expenses are too high, and he will aim to eliminate the personal property tax on automobiles to help lower the burden on Virginians.
Green said he will also be a voice in support of education and law enforcement. Green’s great-grandfather, Robert H. Smith, was the first officer who died in the line of duty in Newport News. “I’m big on ‘fund the police,’ not ‘defund the police,’” he said.
Green also believes that political rhetoric has become too extreme, and he said he will lead by example by encouraging civil discussions with those who have opposing viewpoints. “I’m calling on both sides to tone down the rhetoric,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re all Americans.”
Beverley said that she initially decided to run when she was under the impression that Green was going to be unopposed. By the time she collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot, she had missed the deadline to register with the major political parties.
She described her run as an independent as a fortunate turn of events for the residents of the 69th District. “I heard from people who said, ‘You’re going to let them beat us,’ and ‘You’re going to split the vote,’” she said. “No one ever mentioned the people, and I really have a problem with that.”
If elected, Beverley said, her first priority will be strengthening collective bargaining in Virginia. Rank-and-file employees in a right-to-work state such as Virginia have little power, she said, and she would like to see that change. “Collective bargaining is paramount,” she said. “Everybody deserves a living wage for a full day’s work.”
Another legislative initiative Beverley wants to tackle is making health insurance more affordable and accessible for public service workers such as teachers and first responders, a priority she said is informed by her work in the insurance industry. She envisions public service workers paying into insurance at the state level, creating a large enough pool to bring premiums down.
Beverley also said that having productive, polite dialogue with others, particularly those who may disagree with her, is a cornerstone of her campaign.
Downey, a Democrat, said that he was spurred to launch his third campaign for the House of Delegates to advocate for affordable health care, education funding and bringing down the cost of living.
As a Williamsburg-area pediatrician, he feels it is important to have a medical doctor in the General Assembly, as many discussions in the legislative chambers occur regarding health care. “Now more than ever we need someone with expertise,” he said.
Downey said he senses growing attacks on science and said he feels that policymakers are making decisions not supported by the best available facts. For instance, Downey said, he would like to see science-based recommendations for vaccines.
Downey describes himself as a strong advocate for comprehensive education funding, not just bringing in the best and brightest teachers, but also making sure they have the resources they need, and fully supporting adjacent professionals such as school counselors and nurses.
Too many people are burdened with the high cost of living, Downey said, leaving them without the means to meet basic necessities such as rent and child care. Part of his plan to combat ballooning expenses is to look into eliminating the personal property tax on automobiles. Another component of addressing the issue will be to offer state government support for the Peninsula’s high proportion of veterans, in light of federal funding cuts to the Veterans Health Administration, Downey said.
“We need people in there willing to go solve problems, not create problems,” he said.
Ben Swenson, ben.swenson05@gmail.com
Valerie Beverley
Age: 62
Occupation: Divine Insurance Group LLC owner
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, Hampton University; master’s degree in social work, Norfolk State University; master’s degree in divinity, Virginia Union University School of Theology.
Party affiliation: Independent
Website: ValerieBeverley.com
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Mark Downey
Age: 58
Occupation: Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, University of Virginia; doctoral degree, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Website: DowneyforVA.com
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Del. Chad Green
Age: 56
Occupation: Self-employed attorney
Education: Law degree, Samford University
Party affiliation: Republican
Previous elected office: York County Board of Supervisors