Carroll Foy: “This moment demands that we reject the politics of the past because the status quo isn’t working for too many… We have urgent, necessary work to do to build a Virginia where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
(Woodbridge, VA) – Today, Jennifer Carroll Foy announced 11 new endorsements from community leaders, activists, and small business owners across the Commonwealth who support her positive vision for Virginia. Citing a need to move away from the failed politics of the past, these leaders — who have dedicated their lives to advancing racial justice and opportunities for people of color — endorsed Carroll Foy as the new leader needed to move Commonwealth forward and ensure that everyone, regardless of age, gender, orientation, race, or zip code, has the opportunity to not just survive but thrive. These individuals join 8 community leaders in Virginia who endorsed Carroll Foy last week.
“I am honored to have the support of these leaders from across our Commonwealth,” said Carroll Foy. “This moment demands that we reject the politics of the past because the status quo isn’t working for too many. As one of the first women to graduate from VMI, a foster mom, and the first public defender elected into the legislature, I have been committed to fighting injustice my entire life. While progress has been made, we have urgent, necessary work to do to build a Virginia where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Carroll Foy’s inspirational candidacy and vision to move Virginia forward has earned broad support from across the Commonwealth. She has been endorsed by Virginia elected officials, faith leaders, small business owners, and more, as well as organizations such as Richmond For All, Virginia Justice Democrats, and more unions than any other candidates.
See the full list of new endorsements below:
Anthony Footé, President and Founder of BLM FXBG:
“I always vote for the person, not the party. Del. Carroll Foy has shown herself to be an unwavering advocate for Black and Brown communities in Virginia who have been left behind by the status quo. She’s a new leader committed to uplifting people, because she knows what it’s like to struggle, having worked the minimum wage, represented clients in a broken justice system, and fought for the rights of the historically marginalized as Delegate. Jennifer Carroll Foy is resilient in her values and vision for an inclusive Virginia, where no one gets left behind. We need an advocate and fighter for all as our next Governor and that is Jennifer Carroll Foy.”
Charita Mariner, Evangelist, Activist, and Philanthropist from King George:
“My support of Jenn comes really easy. She brings a fresh voice, clear vision, and deep understanding of the issues that impact marginalized communities because she is from one. She is the change I want to see not only as the first African American female governor, but as an advocate for working families. She’s been consistently in the fight against racial injustice, the death penalty, healthcare disparities in our communties, and a host of urgent challenges facing Virginians. We can’t wait for the change we need, and I know she will lead Virginia forward.”
Donya Washington, Founder of Virginia Kids Eat Free from Dinwiddie County:
“I am endorsing Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy because it is refreshing to support a candidate that has lived the reality of the families we feed with Virginia Kids Eat Free. Others have had their shot. At this moment of crisis, we can’t have another term of a Governor who makes deals with big businesses that hurt the working poor, like installing 50 year tolls that displaced thousands of families in Virginia. In addition, we need leadership who will not just show up to a few events for photo ops, but will make sure that children in Virginia never go hungry, and that all families have an opportunity to thrive. Delegate Carroll Foy has shown that she’s ready to fight for all of us.”
Nicholas Ohia, Community Leader and Activist from Stafford:
“I’ve known Jennifer for a long time and she has always been a fighter for disenfranchised people. From her time as a public defender to her time in the legislature, she has been advocating not just for people in her district but all Virginians who benefit from greater access to healthcare and broadband. She’s a team player who works with people on both sides of the aisle to get things done because her ultimate goal is to get results for the people of Virginia. I enthusiastically support her candidacy for governor, and can’t wait for her to move Virginia forward.”
Bernadette “BJ” Lark, Artivist from Roanoke City:
“I support Jennifer because I wholeheartedly believe that she will be a force for progressive change in Virginia. She is the leader we desperately need to shake up the status quo that has failed communities in Virginia. Jennifer is a steadfast advocate for people, who never wavers to fight for what’s right for disenfranchised people. Unlike most politicians, she’s honest and truly fights for justice both as a public defender, and as a public official. We look forward to making history with Jennifer Carroll Foy as our next governor.”
Shabaka Moore, Community Leader from Petersburg:
“Jennifer truly cares about comprehensive policy that will fundamentally change the lives of Virginians. Her environmental plan not only is about protecting our public lands and water, but tackles economics, sustainability, inclusion and education. We need intersectional thinking in our policies to take on the big challenges that Virginians face. She creates long term solutions that we can implement now. The status quo has left us behind, and it’s her new kind of thinking that will move Virginia forward.”
Alisa Middleton, United Black Council President from Stafford:
“I am endorsing Jennifer Carroll Foy because she is the only one listening to communities. Jennifer understands what it’s going to take to move the state forward. It’s refreshing to have a candidate who is representative of my community and understands the struggles of the working class, and other marginalized communities. Her policies on women’s rights, COVID-19, fair working wages and criminal justice reform for Virginia just shows she has been listening to the needs of the people.”
Symone Walker, Education Activist from Arlington County:
“What’s compelling about Jennifer, and how I relate to her, is that she is undeterred – she isn’t letting anyone stop her from pushing forward. She is fighting to ensure that others won’t need to face the same struggles she has. She is unafraid to tackle difficult issues such as criminal justice reform, education equity, and Black women’s maternal mortality. She is a champion for justice and progress and the leader we need now, not later.”
Cicely Whitfield, Community Advocate from Arlington County:
“It’s time for a new voice in Virginia to move us forward, and the person to do that is Jennifer Carroll Foy. She knows the struggles Virginians face because she’s lived them: economic insecurity, being a working mom, and facing prejudices, yet through all of this has always kept fighting for those who are unable to fight for themselves because they have faced institutional barriers. I’m confident in her ability to get things done for people in Virginia because she’s gotten results her whole career. I wholeheartedly support her candidacy for governor.”
Michelle Riddick, Business Owner and Community Leader from Stafford:
“I’m proud to endorse Jennifer because she’s the best candidate to fight for a more just and fair Virginia. As a foster parent myself, I’ve seen the broken system families navigate. Jennifer has real plans to reform both our foster care system and criminal justice system. We must ensure families across Virginia have the resources they need to succeed, and I trust Jennifer Carroll Foy to be that leader as our next Governor.”
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Jennifer Carroll Foy has dedicated her life to service. As one of the first women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute, a former foster mom, a magistrate judge, and public defender, Jennifer has embodied the ideals of community, honor and commitment in every facet of her life. During her time in the legislature, Jennifer led the way on the Equal Rights Amendment, proudly supported the successful fight to expand Medicaid to over 500,000 Virginians, and passed a budget that includes a 3% salary increase for teachers. She is a proud mother to twin three year olds, and wife to her husband Jeff, who she met her first week at VMI.