The 79th House District includes portions of Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Norfolk.
Nadarius Clark is in his first campaign, but he defeated three-term incumbent Del. Steve Heretick in the June Democratic primary. Clark has campaigned as a progressive candidate and supports financial reparations to the descendants of enslaved people and leveraging revenue from the marijuana industry to invest in communities “decimated by the war on drugs.” Other priorities include increasing teacher pay and vocational training. He also said he wants to work on combating rising sea levels and climate change.
Lawrence Mason is the first Republican running for the seat since 2001. Mason came to Hampton Roads through the Navy and feels representation has been lacking in the district, causing issues to go unfixed. He lists limited government and protecting the First and Second Amendments as top priorities on his website. He wants to push for projects that address issues such as flooding and traffic. Lawrence also wants to introduce legislation to incentivize shopping at small businesses. He supports the decriminalization of marijuana and reforming the state’s parole system.
The race in the 79th has a stark difference in fundraising: Clark has raised $760,345, and Mason has raised $9,237, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Most of Clark’s money came during the primary from powerful political action committees and donors who have positioned themselves against Dominion Energy.
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Nadarius Clark, Democrat
Age: 26
Occupation: Lead director, The Outreach Team
Previous office held: None
Education: Virginia Union University, B.F.A. in Music and Theater
Website: clarkfordelegate.com
If elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done?
Many teachers make up for inadequate funding out of their own underpaid pockets. I will fight for teachers to receive adequate pay and sufficient funds for their classrooms. College isn’t for everyone and we need stronger investments in vocational programs and trade schools so everyone has access to a premier education and a chance at a decent livelihood.
As one of the youngest people on the ballot in Virginia, I’m interested in the future of this planet. I’ve seen the disastrous impact of climate change and rising sea levels and will fight to protect Hampton Roads for the next generation.
I got my start in political organizing as an advocate for racial justice and will continue to prioritize this issue in the House of Delegates. I support financial reparations to the descendants of slaves and support initiatives to utilize the emerging marijuana industry to invest in communities decimated by the war on drugs.
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Lawrence Mason, Republican
Age: 28
Occupation: Project manager with a government contractor; declined to identify employer
Previous office held: None
Education: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency management and public safety from Grand Canyon University
Website: masonforva.com
If elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done?
Did not respond.
