Editor’s note: Between now and Election Day, the Free Press is inviting candidates for state office whose constituencies include the Fredericksburg area to make their case in their own words through a candidate questionnaire. The following responses have been edited only for formatting.
Please provide a brief bio outlining your background and qualifications for office.
My story is similar to many working-class families — my mother raised me as a single mom and I watched as she worked multiple jobs just to make ends meet. In a system that is against working families, I knew that I had to do more to help my community. I often tell folks, when I was elected to the 28th District in 2019, I was the poorest Delegate in the General Assembly. As a pastor, I hear a lot about the challenges facing the community — bills piling up, prescription drugs becoming more expensive, and jobs being lost. I am proud to represent House District 65, but I know there’s more work to do, and I am running for re-election to continue to deliver results.
Why are you running for office?
As someone who was raised in the district I represent, I am running for re-election to continue fighting for my community and everyday Virginians in Richmond. My top three accomplishments from the last legislative session include protecting reproductive freedom, fighting against federal job cuts, and securing funding for public education and teacher support. House Democrats delivered on our promise to protect reproductive freedom by passing HJ1 – bringing Virginia one step closer to permanently enshrining these rights in our Constitution.
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For more information on Joshua Cole, visit his website.
I introduced legislation calling on Virginia’s Congressional Delegation and President Trump to protect the Commonwealth’s federal workers, and was chosen to serve on the bipartisan Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce & Funding Reductions to protect Virginia families against harmful federal polices.
I believe in fully funding public schools, so our children and teachers have the resources they need to succeed, which is why I helped champion a historic $784.7 million increase for K-12 education funding. I am also pleased that I managed to pass the Virginia STEP-UP Program into law, which makes it easier for high-school students in Virginia to graduate and immediately take up government procurement jobs in the private sector.
What is one piece of legislation you plan to introduce if elected?
Last session, my colleagues and I passed a $10,000 first-time homebuyers grant in the state budget that the Governor vetoed. If re-elected, I intend to reintroduce this when we have a new Governor.
What role should the state, and particularly, the General Assembly, play in regulating data center development in Virginia?
The General Assembly has a responsibility to protect our water, energy, and ratepayers. Ultimately, at the end of the day, the decision is local, and the localities should be empowered to do their work while we ensure those three things are protected at the state level. I also support reforming data center tax benefits to require that new facilities make trackable efficiency or clean energy investments.
Please provide an example of an issue that is unique/specific to your district and how you plan to represent your constituents’ interests if elected.
When I talk to voters on their doorsteps, I hear consistently about how expensive the cost of living has become. I have been leading on this issue in the General Assembly, from introducing legislation to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to join the housing ladder. I also voted to establish a prescription drug affordability board to lower the costs of lifesaving medication in the Commonwealth. I also introduced budget amendments to provide rent relief for the 65th District. I also introduced legislation to make it easier for renters to qualify for rental properties. If reelected, I will continue to advocate for commonsense measures that make it affordable to live in HD-65.
In terms of incumbent members, the House of Delegates currently has 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. How do you plan to reach across the aisle as a legislator?
I am very proud that, as a legislator, I have worked across the aisle to deliver for the 65th District. In this year’s session, over 60% of my legislation passed the House of Delegates, with more than half of my Republican colleagues supporting it. In 2021, I was elected Chairman of the State Autism Advisory Council unanimously by my colleagues. I intend to continue this working relationship with my Republican colleagues to ensure our district is well-served.
