Carroll Foy: “Virginians identify themselves with me, because I’ve walked in their shoes, and I understand the challenges that they face, and that’s what they’re looking for right now in their next governor, a governor who is right for this moment, who will lead Virginia forward and not back.”
Hunt: EMILY’s List “endorsement is a huge vote of confidence.”
(Woodbridge, VA) — Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, joined MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt on “Way Too Early” to discuss her campaign’s growing momentum, share her plans to move Virginia forward, not back, and why her time at Virginia Military Institute equipped her with the ability to work with leaders across the political spectrum to “get the job done.” Carroll Foy also touched upon her proven record of fighting for real, transformational change, from passing a bill to ban chokeholds, expanding Medicaid to 500,000 Virginians, making Virginia the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and more.
Carroll Foy continues to build a broad, diverse coalition that is reaching Virginians across the Commonwealth. Her people-powered campaign is supported by hundreds of volunteers and allied organizations organizing across the Commonwealth, including the most unions endorsed by a candidate in the race for Governor. Last week, Jennifer Carroll Foy earned the endorsement of EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics.
Key highlights of the interview are below:
- HUNT: “A surprising underdog just got the coveted endorsement from EMILY’s List, that’s the organization that fights to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. And joining us now is Democratic candidate for governor Jennifer Carroll Foy. Jennifer, thank you so much for being with us this morning, I know many of us took note of your debate performance, and obviously this endorsement is a huge vote of confidence from an organization that backs women who do support abortion rights.”
- CARROLL FOY: “I’ve dedicated my entire life to public service as a former public defender, helping Virginians navigate a broken criminal justice system, as a foster mom for eight years, and as a community organizer helping register people to vote. And Virginians identify themselves with me, because I’ve walked in their shoes, and I understand the challenges that they face, and that’s what they’re looking for right now in their next governor, a governor who is right for this moment, who will lead Virginia forward and not back. “
- CARROLL FOY: “It’s time to shake up the status quo and change politics as usual. Listen, we have historic challenges that we’re facing going forward. It’s not only the economic and health crisis, but the racial reckoning that we’re dealing with. The lived experiences that I have taking on these challenges from the courthouse to the State House passing bills to prohibit chokeholds by law enforcement officers, expanding Medicaid to over 500,000 Virginians, and making Virginia 38th and final state needed to finally enshrine women’s equality into the United States Constitution with the Equal Rights Amendment…that’s what Virginians are looking for. We’ve had a lot to vote against in the last several years, and now Virginians are looking for someone to vote for.”
- CARROLL FOY: “The system and structures in place, are not built for people like me. I’m talking about a millennial, a woman of color, a working mom of two three year-olds…We are demanding our seat at the table to bring bold, transformational change….Politicians of the past have said they were going to go bold and transformational change, but where were you when you had the chance and you had the opportunity?”
- CARROLL FOY: “VMI is giving me the tools I need to work in a bipartisan fashion. I don’t care if you have a D, I, or R beside your name. My job is to get the job done. That’s why I’ve passed so many bills with Republican support such as helping veterans open small businesses, uplifting our foster children and putting millions of dollars towards job skills training and workforce development. And it’s about respect and it’s about relationships and I have both. And that’s why I’ll be one of the most effective governors Virginia’s had.”
###
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.