A Black Woman Running For Office In Virginia Could Be The State’s Last Hope In Protecting Women’s Reproductive Rights
Originally published by Rayna Reid Rayford for Essence
Lifelong Virginian Kimberly Pope Adams is vying for elected office in Virginia’s House of Delegates to serve the 82nd District, which represents Dinwiddie, Petersburg, Prince George, and Surry.
Adams, a first-time candidate, sat down with ESSENCE to discuss her campaign and what inspired her to run for office. “I see people like me in the community all the time. I’m a working single, mom,” she said. “We exist, but we don’t seem to have a seat at the table when the decisions are made.”
And even though it’s only her first campaign, Adams described how the spirit of service and community runs in her family. Growing up, her father was a member of the union, working at a chemical plant. Adams said that’s what “taught me what hard work looks like and the importance of supporting your community.”
Because he “worked in a space where you negotiated and with collective bargaining, he brought that type of atmosphere home.” It truly has come full circle for Adams—“it makes sense that I’m ready to go into public service because being a politician should be about service.”
“I’m born and raised here, so for me, this is about my family, my friends, my colleagues. I want to represent all of us. The community has really rallied behind me because they see themselves in me, as a candidate. That’s what’s been so rewarding and so humbling,” said Adams.
Winning this seat has broader ramifications beyond the state of Virginia. Adams explained how “this is a majority making seat.” “We have to flip three seats in order for Democrats to regain the majority in the House of Delegates,” continued Adams. “This is one of the most competitive races in the world, so it is it is crucial that we win this seat in order to protect our reproductive freedoms.”
This seat is more important than ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, last summer. Now, the Commonwealth of Virginia is the last remaining state in the South that has not yet imposed any new restrictions or bans on abortion.