December 6, 2023

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Monty Mason faces former sheriff Danny Diggs in Hampton Roads-area SD-24.

Mason has served in Virginia’s legislature since 2013. He’s thought to be a pro-business Democrat who’s a frontrunner within the Basic Meeting on transportation infrastructure, foster care, and getting older points. Mason can be a staunch supporter of reproductive rights and gun security. His GOP opponent was sheriff of York County for 23 years and helps Youngkin’s push to ban abortion in Virginia.

The district swung from 53-45 Biden in 2020 to 51-48 Youngkin in 2021.

Dogwood just lately related with Mason about what motivates him on and off the marketing campaign path and what’s on his thoughts within the waning days of the 2023 election.

What’s your closing pitch to voters as to why they need to vote for you?

From gun reform, to schooling, to reproductive rights – there’s a lot driving on the end result of this election, and sustaining Democratic management of Senate District 24 has by no means been extra essential. Having served within the Basic Meeting for nearly a decade, I do know firsthand that good representatives can remodel lives. 

If re-elected, I’d proceed advancing the priorities I’ve spent the final decade engaged on. I need to guarantee we make progress on important transportation and infrastructure enchancment initiatives like increasing I-64 all the best way to Richmond and finishing the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Enlargement Mission. 

I can even proceed being a staunch advocate for our veterans and seniors and can concentrate on additional enhancing the foster care system to guard our most weak.

What’s been your favourite a part of operating for workplace this 12 months? Least favourite?

My workforce and I’ve been campaigning laborious throughout Senate District 24 for over a 12 months now, which implies I’ve gotten the prospect to attach with some actually great neighborhood members and have significant conversations across the points that matter to us most. So I’d say the connections have been the most effective a part of the marketing campaign.

Like most politicians, I’d say the fundraising calls have been my least favourite a part of the marketing campaign.

What’s one thing most individuals wouldn’t find out about you?

I’m a proud husband and father of two daughters in public college, and as a household we love the theater. My oldest daughter is de facto into appearing and theater, and my household usually enjoys going to performs and seeing the Broadway collection in Richmond and Hampton Roads. It’s one in all my favourite methods to spend time with my household, and I’m wanting ahead to doing extra of that when this election is over.

In the event you may change one factor about Virginia, what would it not be?

I really like Virginia, and I’m proud to have grown up right here. I’m particularly happy with what we now have achieved within the state legislature, however I do know there’s far more work to be carried out. It has been one of many best honors of my life making progress on significant points like supporting small companies to allow them to thrive, enhancing the kid welfare system, increasing well being care entry, investing in our colleges, and a lot extra. I’m not certain if there’s one factor particular I’d change, however I want to proceed working to make progress on a number of totally different points, like enhancing our transportation system, supporting schooling, and rising our economic system.

What’s your favourite factor to do/place to go in Virginia once you want a break from the marketing campaign path?

As a proud graduate of William & Mary, watching Tribe soccer will at all times be one in all my favourite pastimes. The marketing campaign has stored me busy this 12 months, so I haven’t watched practically as a lot soccer as I’d have appreciated, however I just lately acquired the prospect to go to a sport, and it was nice to be again with the neighborhood I really like a lot. Nothing energizes me greater than seeing a Tribe soccer win!

  • Carolyn Fiddler

    Carolyn Fiddler is Dogwood’s chief political correspondent. She can be the nation’s foremost professional in state politics with nearly twenty years of expertise in statehouse machinations, and her comedian e book assortment might be greater than yours.