Four new representatives from the Richmond area will join the House of Delegates for the 60-day General Assembly session that begins Jan. 10. The two women who won local elections replace male delegates, part of a wave that boosted the number of women in the House from 17 to 28.
Schuyler VanValkenburg
Schuyler VanValkenburg (D)
Age: 34
Occupation: Government and history teacher at Glen Allen High School
District: 72
“I campaigned on educational opportunity and health care access, so my goal is to work with my constituents, the General Assembly and Gov.-elect [Ralph] Northam to reform our school funding, testing, and accreditation and Medicaid expansion.”
Dawn Adams
Dawn M. Adams (D)
Age: 53
Occupation: Director of the Office of Integrated Health at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
District: 68
“My goal is to build relationships within and across party lines in the [General Assembly] and in the community so that we can fulfill the promise of people-centered legislation in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Debra Rodman
Debra Rodman (D)
Age: 45
Occupation: Associate professor of anthropology and women’s studies at Randolph Macon-College
District: 73
“I am excited to work with my fellow legislators to make a real difference for the working families of Virginia and to represent the citizens of Henrico with honor.”
John Joseph McGuire III
John Joseph McGuire III (R)
Age: 49
Occupation: Trainer, corporate team builder, motivational speaker
District: 56
“I think we’d all agree we live in an incredible country. We have a lot of divide, and I’d like to bring the country together and make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
