Del. Carroll Foy Wins Key Endorsement In Run For VA Governor

VIRIGNIA — Virginia state Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy received a key endorsement Thursday in her run for governor in 2021 as the Voter Protection Project announced its support for her candidacy.

The endorsement from the Voter Protection Project, a political action committee that seeks to elect voting right champions to office, comes as the Virginia Legislature is tackling voter rights measures during a special session, including a measure championed by Carroll Foy that would make absentee voting across the state easier.

“The Voter Protection Project is proud to endorse Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor," Voter Protection Project President Matt Liebman said Thursday in a statement. "While Virginia Republicans are doing all they can to prevent people from casting a ballot, Jennifer is doing all she can so they can to guarantee voters across the Commonwealth can do so safely and simply.”

Carroll Foy, who announced her candidacy for Virginia governor in May, is hoping to succeed Ralph Northam, a fellow Democrat, as governor of Virginia. Other Democrats who have announced their candidacy include state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond. Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax (D) has said he plans to run for governor in 2021 but has not made a formal announcement.

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) filed paperwork with the State Board of Elections last month to seek the governorship in 2021 but has not made a decision yet whether he will actually run for office.

In response to McAuliffe filing paperwork, Carroll Foy, who represents parts of Prince William and Stafford counties in the House of Delegates, criticized the former governor as too cozy with corporate interests. "The politics of the past are not the change we need, and the politicians of the past won't save us. Virginians are calling for change in the streets," Carroll Foy said in a statement.

Founded in 2019, the Voter Protection Project is working to end partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression across the country. In this fall's congressional elections, the group has endorsed Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) in her bid to retain Virginia's 10th congressional seat.

The group also endorsed Cameron Webb (D) who is running against Republican Bob Good for the 5th congressional district of Virginia. The 5th district is an open seat after Good defeated incumbent Rep. Denver Riggleman (R) in a convention earlier this year.

Carroll Foy welcomed the Voter Protection Project's endorsement, saying that protecting Virginians’ right to vote is more urgent in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

“The Voter Protection Project and I share the belief that offense is the best defense against attacks on our nation's sacred tradition of voting," Carroll Foy said Thursday in a statement. "That’s why I have been pushing for a universal vote-by-mail system in Virginia since the start of the pandemic."

Carroll Foy has introduced proposals and supported legislation to ensure mail-in ballots have pre-paid postage, Nov. 3 is affirmed as election day in Virginia, and educational materials are sent to every Virginian to help them cast their ballots.

"No one should have to choose between their health and their vote," she said. "I appreciate the Voting Protection Project’s support for this campaign, and the work they’re doing to protect our health and our vote nationwide.”