Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, Farm Bureau’s political action committee, has announced its endorsement of 85 candidates for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates. Endorsements are based on recommendations by local farmer committees and approved by the AgPAC board.
“The mission of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC is to support candidates who recognize the vital role agriculture and forestry play in Virginia’s economy and communities,” said Scott Sink, VFBF president and chair of the VFBF AgPAC Board of Trustees. “We evaluate their understanding through their voting records in the General Assembly and their willingness to engage directly with farmers to grasp the real-world impact of these industries.”
Throughout the year, VFBF members actively connect with legislators from both urban and rural areas. These efforts foster collaborative relationships that support the long-term viability of Virginia’s leading industry. By engaging directly with members of the General Assembly through farm tours, legislative roundtables and in-person meetings, members have gained more opportunities to advocate for agriculture and offer valuable insights to policymakers.
Endorsement decisions are based solely on candidates’ positions related to agriculture and forestry, without consideration of unrelated policy views.
“We look forward to working with these candidates to help protect the agriculture and forestry industries and ensure that they remain the No. 1 industries in the commonwealth,” Sink continued.
Martha Moore, senior vice president of VFBF governmental relations, noted that friendly incumbents have a track record of working with farmers in their districts.
“The new candidates endorsed for the House have demonstrated an understanding about specific challenges facing Virginia’s farmers and foresters,” she explained.
The nonpartisan VFBF AgPAC was created in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions and endorsements to back candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.
Although not formally endorsed, additional candidates were recognized as open-door candidates. VFBF will continue to engage with these individuals, fostering relationships and sharing key agricultural policy priorities.
The following candidates were endorsed (* indicates incumbent candidates):
Endorsed for Virginia House of Delegates
| House District | Candidate |
|---|---|
| HD1 | Patrick Hope* (D) |
| HD3 | Alfonso Lopez* (D) |
| HD4 | Charniele Herring* (D) |
| HD5 | Elizabeth Bennett-Parker* (D) |
| HD6 | Rip Sullivan* (D) |
| HD8 | Irene Shin* (D) |
| HD9 | Karrie Delaney* (D) |
| HD10 | Dan Helmer* (D) |
| HD11 | David Bulova* (D) |
| HD12 | Holly Seibold* (D) |
| HD14 | Vivian Watts* (D) |
| HD16 | Paul Krizek* (D) |
| HD17 | Mark Sickles* (D) |
| HD18 | Kathy Tran* (D) |
| HD20 | Michelle Maldonado* (D) |
| HD21 | Josh Thomas* (D) |
| HD22 | Ian Lovejoy* (R) |
| HD24 | Luke Torian*, (D) |
| HD25 | Briana Sewell* (D) |
| HD27 | Atoosa Reaser* (D) |
| HD28 | David Reid* (D) |
| HD29 | Fernando Martinez* (D) |
| HD31 | Delores Oates (R) |
| HD32 | Bill Wiley* (R) |
| HD33 | Justin Pence, (R) |
| HD34 | Tony Wilt* (R) |
| HD35 | Chris Runion* (R) |
| HD36 | Ellen Campbell* (R) |
| HD37 | Terry Austin* (R) |
| HD38 | Sam Rasoul* (D) |
| HD39 | Will Davis (R) |
| HD40 | Joe McNamara* (R) |
| HD41 | Chris Obenshain* (R) |
| HD42 | Jason Ballard* (R) |
| HD43 | Will Morefield* (R) |
| HD44 | Israel O’Quinn* (R) |
| HD45 | Terry Kilgore* (R) |
| HD46 | Mitchell Cornett (R) |
| HD47 | Wren Williams* (R) |
| HD48 | Eric Phillips* (R) |
| HD49 | Madison Whittle (R) |
| HD50 | Tommy Wright* (R) |
| HD51 | Eric Zehr* (R) |
| HD52 | Wendell Walker* (R) |
| HD53 | Tim Griffin (R) |
| HD54 | Katrina Callsen* (D) |
| HD55 | Amy Laufer* (D) |
| HD56 | Tom Garrett* (R) |
| HD57 | David Owen* (R) |
| HD58 | Rodney Willett* (D) |
| HD59 | Buddy Fowler* (R) |
| HD60 | Scott Wyatt* (R) |
| HD61 | Michael Webert* (R) |
| HD63 | Phillip Scott* (R) |
| HD64 | Paul Milde* (R) |
| HD66 | Bobby Orrock* (R) |
| HD67 | Hillary Pugh Kent* (R) |
| HD68 | Keith Hodges* (R) |
| HD69 | Chad Green* (R) |
| HD70 | Shelly Simonds* (D) |
| HD71 | Amanda Batten* (R) |
| HD72 | Lee Ware* (R) |
| HD73 | Mark Earley Jr.* (R) |
| HD74 | Mike Cherry* (R) |
| HD75 | Carrie Coyner* (R) |
| HD78 | Betsy Carr* (D) |
| HD79 | Rae Cousins* (D) |
| HD80 | Destiny Bolling* (D) |
| HD81 | Delores McQuinn* (D) |
| HD82 | Kim Taylor* (R) |
| HD83 | Otto Wachsmann* (R) |
| HD86 | A.C. Cordoza* (R) |
| HD88 | Don Scott* (D) |
| HD89 | Mike Lamonea (R) |
| HD90 | Jay Leftwich* (R) |
| HD91 | Cliff Hayes* (D) |
| HD92 | Bonita Anthony* (D) |
| HD93 | Jackie Glass* (D) |
| HD94 | Phil Hernandez* (D) |
| HD95 | Alex Askew* (D) |
| HD98 | Barry Knight* (R) |
| HD99 | Anne Ferrell Tata* (R) |
| HD100 | Rob Bloxom Jr.* (R) |
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