Working Families Party Pushes Dem Hold in House, Snubs Top of Ticket

RICHMOND, Va. — A new political party is gaining traction in Virginia and has endorsed a candidate for lieutenant governor, along with competitive House seats in the Nov. 4 election.

The Working Families Party is a progressive third-party organization founded as a New York State political party in 1988. They focus on improved living conditions, collective freedom and equality, and reject the two-party system to “ensure everyone can thrive.”

Working Families Party volunteers pose for a picture at Virginia’s “Get-Out-The-Vote” event on Nov. 22, 2024, in Northern Virginia. (Photo courtesy WFP)

The party endorsed state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi as Virginia’s next lieutenant governor. Hashmi, a Democrat, is running against Republican John Reid. All of the Virginia candidates endorsed by the WFP are Democrats, but not all Democrats are endorsed.

The WFP supports candidates who reflect the values of working-class people, engage in meaningful work outside of politics, and run strong campaigns, according to its senior political director, Vidal Hines. The party ranked New York representative Zohran Mamdani No.1 among the New York City mayoral candidates in the primary. Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and Cuomo, who stayed on the ballot.

Hines oversees the political and operational aspects for the WFP in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. He interfaces with officials, partners, labor unions, and the public to support candidates’ work on legislative initiatives and community organizing.

The WFP wants to help preserve the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates and potentially broaden its three-seat lead with a few flipped-seat opportunities, according to Hines.

However, the WFP does not support Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, due to her rejection of the repeal of Virginia’s right-to-work law, he said.

“We feel like that’s a direct assault towards working people in the state, and to labor,” he said.

Spanberger does not align with the WFP’s core values, and “endorsement, resources, and time” will not be put into her candidacy, according to Hines.

The WFP has expanded and endorsed candidates in 26 states, according to its website. It sees itself as a home to advance and protect marginalized communities. Under the Youngkin and Trump administrations, these communities are not only unprioritized but attacked, according to Hines.

“We see that very significantly with our immigrant communities, right? Where people are being literally pulled off the streets,” Hines said. “It’s scary and I think it is setting a tone that is only going to continue to hurt everyday working people.”

The party wants to show it cares about its voters even at a time when other institutions do not, according to Hines.

Idris O’Connor, current president of the Young Democrats of Prince William and Manassas, helped expand the WFP into Virginia.

“This upcoming election is very pivotal for our state,” O’Connor said. “It is important that this election, we as a party, but also voters, support candidates that will stand up for working families.”

O’Connor backs attorney general nominee Jay Jones, a former Norfolk delegate, for his work in consumer protection and civil rights advocacy; Hashmi for her education background and support; and Spanberger for promoting affordable housing and accessible health care.

However, he acknowledged the disagreement with Spanberger’s stance on Virginia’s right-to-work law and said that labor unions were “not too happy about that.”

The WFP also endorsed Democrat Elizabeth Guzmán for the 22nd District House of Delegates seat, which encompasses parts of Prince William County. Guzmán, a former legislator, is focused on affordable housing and childcare, increased minimum wage, paid leave, and strong, accessible public schools, she stated.

Guzmán is fighting for a seat in a competitive district against Republican incumbent Del. Ian Lovejoy.

“The stakes could not be higher,” and a win means securing progressive victories on issues such as collective bargaining and accessible health care, she stated.

“[The WFP] vision of building a multiracial, labor-led coalition that puts working-class voices front and center is exactly what this moment calls for, and I am proud to stand with them again,” Guzmán stated.

The WFP helped launch her historic win as one of the first Latinas elected into the state’s House of Delegates in 2017, according to Guzmán.

The WFP is looking to grow its volunteer network through its “Wolf Pack.” Information is available on the party’s website.

Other Democratic candidates endorsed by the party include:

• District 65: Incumbent Del. Josh Cole vs. Republican challenger Sean Steinway
• District 66: Nicole Cole vs. Republican incumbent Del. Bobby Orrock
• District 71: Jessica Anderson vs. Republican incumbent Del. Amanda Batten
• District 73: Leslie Mehta vs. Republican incumbent Del. Mark Earley Jr.
• District 82: Kimberly Pope Adams vs. Republican incumbent Del. Kim Taylor
• District 84: Incumbent Del. Nadarius Clark vs. Republican challenger Felisha Rose Leffler Storm
• District 97: Incumbent Del. Michael Feggans vs. Republican challenger Tim Anderson

By Lelia Contee/VCU Capital News Service

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