Vivian Watts
2024 - Present
2026
0
Vivian Watts (Democratic Party) is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 14. She assumed office on January 10, 2024. Her current term ends on January 14, 2026.
Watts (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 14. She won in the general election on November 7, 2023.
Watts completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Vivian Watts was born in Detroit, Michigan. Watts earned her B.A. in English at the University of Michigan in 1962. Before retiring, she worked as executive director of Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates, a consultant for the United States Advisory Committee of Intergovernmental Relations, and as an author/researcher for the United States Department of Justice Grant.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Watts was assigned to the following committees:
- House Courts of Justice Committee
- House Finance Committee
- House Rules Committee
- House Transportation Committee
2020-2021
Watts was assigned to the following committees:
- House Courts of Justice Committee, Vice chair
- House Finance Committee, Chair
- House Rules Committee
- House Transportation Committee
2019-2020
Watts was assigned to the following committees:
2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Watts served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2016 |
|---|
| • Courts of Justice |
| • Finance |
| • Science and Technology |
2015 legislative session
In the 2015 legislative session, Watts served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Courts of Justice |
| • Finance |
| • Science and Technology |
2014 legislative session
In the 2014 legislative session, Watts served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2014 |
|---|
| • Courts of Justice |
| • Finance |
| • Science and Technology |
2012-2013
In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Watts served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Courts of Justice |
| • Finance |
| • Science and Technology |
2010-2011
In the 2010-2011 legislative session, Watts served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2010 |
|---|
| • Courts of Justice |
| • Finance |
| • Science and Technology |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2023
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2023
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 14
Incumbent Vivian Watts defeated Curtis Wells in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 14 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Vivian Watts (D)  | 76.2 | 13,870 |
 | Curtis Wells (R) | 23.5 | 4,267 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 56 | ||
| Total votes: 18,193 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Vivian Watts advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 14.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Curtis Wells advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 14.
Endorsements
2021
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 39
Incumbent Vivian Watts defeated Maureen Brody and Nathan Falu Febres in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 39 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vivian Watts (D) | 66.4 | 20,712 |
 | Maureen Brody (R) | 33.3 | 10,382 | |
 | Nathan Falu Febres (Independent Green Party of Virginia) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 77 | ||
| Total votes: 31,171 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Vivian Watts advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 39.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Maureen Brody advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 39.
Campaign finance
2019
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 39
Incumbent Vivian Watts defeated Nicholas Bell in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 39 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vivian Watts (D) | 68.4 | 15,769 |
| Nicholas Bell (R) | 31.4 | 7,248 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 53 | ||
| Total votes: 23,070 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
General election
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017.[3] Incumbent Vivian Watts (D) ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 39 general election.[4]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 39 General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Vivian Watts Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 21,407 | |
| Total Votes | 21,407 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections | ||||
Democratic primary election
Incumbent Vivian Watts ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 39 Democratic primary.[5]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 39 Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Vivian Watts Incumbent | ||
Republican primary election
No Republican candidate filed to run for this seat. [6]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 39 Republican Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
2015
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[7] Incumbent Vivian Watts was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[8][9]
2013
Watts won re-election in the 2013 election for Virginia House of Delegates District 39. Watts ran unopposed in the June 11 Democratic primary. She was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 5, 2013.[10]
2011
On November 8, 2011, Watts won re-election to District 39 of the Virginia House of Delegates. She was uncontested in the August 23 primary and defeated Dimitris Kolazas (I) in the November 8 general election.[11]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 39 General Election, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Vivian Watts Incumbent |
76.8% | 11,297 | |
| Independent | Dimitris Kolazas | 23.2% | 3,409 | |
| Total Votes | 14,706 | |||
2009
In 2009, Watts was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. She defeated Joe Bury, Matt Cholko, and James Leslie in the General Election.[12]
| Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 39 (2009) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Vivian Watts (D)
|
10,391 | |||
| Joe Bury (R) | 7,281 | |||
| Matt Cholko (L) | 580 | |||
| Jim Leslie (I) | 170 | |||
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Vivian Watts completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Watts' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Before being elected, I was named the Washington Post Fairfax Citizen of the Year for my 15 years of community work. Despite only 21 women ever being elected to the General Assembly before me, after just 4 years, because of my work on changing transportation funding formulas, I was chosen to serve as Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. I returned to the GA 10 years later and am now the longest serving woman in the House and the ranking member on Finance and on Courts, as well as, serving on Rules and Transportation. Professionally I have been employed by Big Six accounting firms in their government practice and was Executive Director of the CASA program -- a non-profit that works with the most severe cases of child abuse and neglect. Dave and I were married in college, raised Cindy and Jeff in Annandale, and have enjoyed extensive backpacking and the adventures of skiing. I was raised on a small truck farm in a poor rural area and was the first in my family to graduate college.
- I listen, stay in touch with the community, and am tenacious in getting results.
- With an un-precedented number of new voices joining the GA, I will continue to use my deep and broad background to help them however possible be most effective.
- The strengthen of our society depends on embracing the strength of diversity, equitably balancing resources, and striving to achieve liberty and justice for all.
Mental health, education funding, improving Northern Virginia's transportation network, and tax reform.
Listening and the willingness to work hard.
From my earliest involvement with Fairfax County schools as a parent, I have focused on the lack of adequate funding. Given the complexity of tax law and Virginia's state and local taxing structure, most legislators do not have the background I have gained. I am doggedly putting in place components for a fairer state and local tax structure that better reflects ability to pay, relieves pressure on the real estate tax, and is more broadly based to reflect the modern business economy. Most recently, I sponsored the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission's study of how to make Virginia's income tax more progressive which, in October 2022, released its findings on how 9 alternatives would impact taxpayers. In 2020, I removed the 100-year-old un-equal treatment of counties by giving them the same authority as cities, giving Fairfax the ability to enact a meals tax and reduce dependence on the real estate tax. Please see my article in the January 2023 University of Richmond Public Interest Law Review for additional discussion of the state school funding formula, transportation funding, and revenue alternatives.
Starting at age 16, I worked my way through college as a waitress for 7 summers and on busy holidays.
Most recently, "The Book of Charlie" by David Von Drehle is a great read on how to live life to the fullest. You often can't control what happens to you -- but you can control how you respond to it.
Virginia is the only state with a one-term Governor. in contrast, the General Assembly ultimately must deal with the long term consequences of each Governor's priorities. Members of the legislature, therefore, have a responsibility to ensure that policy and budget decisions are financially sustainable, adequately fund and strengthen basic services, and address future needs. We often are more aware of and have a greater stake in the need to support prevention measures. It is challenging -- but, even more essential -- to institute oversight mechanisms and procedures that will hold agency executives accountable.
I must answer by underscoring two major challenges: addressing the ramifications of income disparity that has insidiously widened over several decades and reducing our dependence on carbon-based energy.
Yes. Compromise means working constantly to understand the lives of people you represent, the interests of those affected by policy proposals, and relevant aspects from the wide range of your life experiences. For me, it also means being a "nerd" about gathering and analyzing factual data. It definitely means considering our obligation to the future not. That said, basic rights must be respected. I believe that reversing Roe was wrongly decided giving states the power to deny the basic right of privacy in reproductive healthcare, which I fear will be used to reverse the right to birth control decided 7 years before Roe in 1965, or the right to marriage equality decided in this decade.
As of mid-July I've been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Giffords PAC, Sierra Club, Virginia Education Association, MoneyOut, National Women's Political Caucus, Family Friendly Action PAC, Freedom Virginia, Amalgamated Transit Union 689, @VoteProChoice.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2021
Vivian Watts did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Vivian Watts completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Watts' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
1. From the time I served as Virginia Secretary of Transportation & Public Safety, I’ve worked to establish local control over funding to meet Northern Virginia transportation needs. I thought we’d finally won that long battle in 2013. However, the new funding was gutted in 2018 by a mandated party line vote of the House majority that diverted over $100 million annually to Metro repairs. I am determined to restore the funding that was lost so that we can get back on track with intersection safety improvements, addressing congested feeder roads that spillover into neighbor cut-through traffic, and transit options have been delayed years by that vote.
2. I serve on the extensive 4-year special study of re-structuring and expanding mental health services. I will continue my commitment to make crisis services available, expand community treatment options, reform handling the large number of persons who end up in jail, and provide integrated mental health support for our schools.
3. I am the ranking member of the House Finance Committee and from this long experience, I’m convinced we must modernize Virginia’s 100-year-old tax structure and the major state funding formulas. Fairfax County has 1.2 million people but must finance itself as if it had 12,000. The school funding formula reduces state aid to reflect the residents we have with high incomes but, to make up the difference, we can only raise the real estate tax on everyone no matter what their income. The State spends $14 million less on maintaining our roads than they would give us if we were a city like Alexandria or Falls Church. To meet our educational needs, address transportation, and achieve tax equity, I am committed to change.
1. The Environment. Although I don’t serve on committees where I can directly shape policy, as a long time backpacker and outdoor person, I’ve seen up close and care deeply about crucial issues that we must deal with. Top on the list is significantly reducing our carbon footprint and enforcing Clean Water Act standards.
2. Education. Again, while I don’t serve on the education committee, I grew up in a poor rural community. A number of my grade school classmates never graduated from high school, while I was the first in my family to graduate from college. I knew these kids well. They had potential but not opportunity. Comparable challenges exist throughout Virginia, including in many of the Fairfax classrooms I represent where a majority of students are entitled to free and reduced lunch. Education has opened so many doors for me and I am dedicated to extending that opportunity through Pre-K, smaller class sizes, relevant technical courses, and affordable higher education.
3. Elderly. My life experience has given me an ever-greater understanding of the challenges of aging, including the support systems that need to be in place to support independent living, protecting vulnerable elderly from financial exploitation, and the need for at least minimal nursing home staffing standards.
Dr. Suess’ "Oh, The Places You’ll Go" is a book written at the end of Dr. Suess’ life that captures an essential spirit for engaging in public policy: You must be open to understanding lives lived different from your own, to the challenges of new information and changing times, and to knowing you won’t always win but you must try.
The philosophic anchor that drives my energy to shape public policy is the words of the pledge of allegiance “with Liberty and Justice for all.” Repeating these words at the opening of every day’s House of Delegates session is deeply meaningful and grounds me.
Other than all the chores related to growing up on a small truck farm, my first job was a waitress. Fortunately, I was able to talk my way into getting hired the day after I turned 16 and over the next 7 years I earned enough to get through college ... with a little scholarship help. It was extremely demanding physically, but each year I earned more in tips as I learned how to relate to people and balance competing demands.
The view out my back windows is priceless. Even though we live on a small suburban lot, the developer preserved the stream valley. The mature trees and natural undergrowth mark the seasons while, in the midst of densely populated Fairfax County, we can witness foxes and hawks hunting, hear pileated woodpeckers, and enjoy the bright colors of cardinals and warblers.
Dealing with the lasting effects of predatory child abuse on multiple generations
I have applied my long and broad involvement – which began with 15 years as an active citizen – to mentor new members and support the elected Democratic Caucus leaders as Policy Director. My work includes late night hours to prepare a power point of each bill that comes to the floor with a negative Democratic vote. This power point describes what the bill does, which Democrats supported it or opposed it, and 2 reasons to vote for it and 2 reasons to oppose it. This concise factual information facilitates relevant discussion by Caucus members. It also has been particularly valuable because the majority party’s tight control and our lack of staff has limited our members from having full information.
If the Democrats gain the majority, I stand ready to serve in any role that will strengthen our effectiveness.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2017
Ballotpedia candidate survey
Watts participated in a survey created by Ballotpedia. The survey was designed to let our readers know more about the candidates and feel confident that they are voting for the best person to represent them. The survey questions appear bolded, and Watts' responses follow below.
| “ | I have a tremendous breadth of experience but I also continue to work hard to build on that knowledge. I listen to all sides, ask tough questions, seek critical information, and think through the future results of any decision before me. I'm determined to use the respect I've gained to shape rational policies that strengthen education, build a strong economy, preserve the environment, and address human needs through inclusion to ensure the most beneficial outcome.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
| “ | As a state legislator, I do a great deal of driving to stay in touch with my district and respond to regional concerns, as well as frequent trips up and down between Richmond. My prime source of news, therefore, comes from going go up and down my pre-set Serius settings to pick up on NPR, Potus Politics, Bloomberg Radio, as well as the audio for Fox, CNN, and MSNBC. This gives me a variety of coverage of the same event or issue and I'm often able to get the perspective of un-edited live coverage. I record the PBS Newshour and several late night political comedians and usually am able to watch them. I have little time for reading anything but studies, reports, etc.; however, my husband frequently shares items with me from the Wall Street Journal and The Economist.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
| “ | Mental health and equitable K-12 funding targeted at reducing class sizes.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
| “ | With the massacre of nine African-Americans at a prayer service in Charleston, SC two years ago, my personal learning curve about the racial history of the South became ever steeper. I was raised in Michigan and would direct you to my website for a speech I had given the February before Charleston as a reference point for where I came from, both in my early involvement with civil rights following Brown v The Board of Education and my awareness of how insidious racism is in the north as well as the south. I also need to emphasize what tremendous and varied insights I've gained serving with fellow delegates and senators who are black, from their powerful floor statements about the intimidating use of the confederate battle flag as they and their families directly experienced it to relaxed chit-chat about clothes, families, and cooking. I wanted to start with this context of my deep and long standing opposition to racism because I do not believe that there is an automatic answer to removing confederate references. I know my colleagues in the General Assembly Black Caucus are also approaching what we should do with very thoughtful consideration. Currently, there appears to be wide agreement that the decisions about monuments and names should be local decisions. Having said that, I believe that when the statue was erected should be a major consideration. A chart recently released by the Southern Poverty Law Center clearly depicts the white supremacist offensive in the erecting of confederate monuments, most of which were put up between 1895 and 1920. It also shows an increase following Brown v The Board of Education decision in May 1954 declaring that separate was not equal and school segregation was unconstitutional. In that historic context, the purpose of these monuments was to "keep blacks in their place" and not to commemorate historical figures. A civil war general staring down outside the courthouse or government building sent a clear message "don't expect equal justice" or outside a school or in the school's name which conveyed Massive Resistance. Finally, I firmly agree that we should not bury history – any of it. I commend the work being done at Mt Vernon to document the lives and contributions of those who were enslaved. I also was very impressed with a major addition to Montpelier, home of James Madison who played a pivotal role in drafting the constitution and the Bill of Rights and was a slave owner. This addition, dedicated in June, was spurred by an ancestor of one of the slaves and is a sobering and challenging revelation of the historic role of slavery in the economy and the reality of the degradation of human beings used as property.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
| “ | Virginia has the highest percentage of military and federal employees of any other state, plus having a very large presence of high-wage federal contractors. Therefore, potential federal budget cuts are a major economic threat that is slowing down our economy and that underscores how essential it is to diversify our economy. We're fortunate that Governor McAuliffe's energetic efforts brought in a record 200,000 net new jobs in the last 4 years – far more than any other Virginia Governor. This brought Virginia's August unemployment rate to only 3.8%, well-below the national rate and half Virginia's 2010 peak unemployment. Our challenge is to build on this robust start to achieve an essential level of economic diversification. I see the following as important building blocks: (1) Over half the 1.5 million job vacancies in Virginia in the next decade will require less than a 4-year college degree but more than high school. Therefore, essential programs include workforce training initiatives through industry and union apprenticeships, community college certificate programs, and fully recognizing military experience and training in certification programs leading to civilian employment especially in healthcare and cyber-security. (2) Virginia has a robust future in green energy. Just since 2013, 3,236 new jobs have been created in Virginia's solar industry, which is twice the number of persons still mining coal. Virginia is well-situated to be a leader in developing off-shore wind-power technology, which will not only be the source of new jobs in building the turbine network 27 miles off-shore but will provide the power at highly competitive rates to attract and support urban job concentrations from Northern Virginia through Richmond down to Hampton Roads. However, the risks from sea level rise to Hampton Roads is second only the New Orleans and will demand major investments if we are to maintain and develop its economy. (3) Job creation in rural areas is a long-standing challenge to reduce the historic spread between wealth and poverty in Virginia, which is among the greatest in the nation. Two major components must be in place to attract employers: broad band computer access and access to healthcare. We have a long-term commitment to extending broad band; however, healthcare access is bogged down in divisive politics. We cannot not expect that major employers will decide to relocate management staff into areas that have lost hospital services due to Virginia's refused to expand healthcare funding under the Affordable Care Act. (4) While there are additional challenges to secure Virginia's sound economic future, such as affordable higher education degree programs, I will conclude with my strong concern about how the results of legislative gerrymandering is undercutting the General Assembly support for economic engine of Northern Virginia that has so long been relied on to provide the financial support for needs throughout the Commonwealth.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
| “ | I've co-patroned independent re-districting commission bills since 2002 and every year they're summarily killed. My first concern is gerrymandering drives polarization. Creating the maximum number of safe districts for both parties results in elected officials voting to avoid a primary challenge rather than focusing on the general electorate's breadth of views and seeking productive compromise. Besides increasing the power of one-issue voters on guns, abortion, and anti-taxation in low turnout primaries, I'm also concerned about how gerrymandering doesn't serve voters and marginalizes Northern Virginia. In 2001, I needed 3,000 more people to balance population shifts, instead I got 30,000 while 27,000 were moved out. That 40% change was a political strategy to shift Democratic leaning precincts into as few districts as possible. In 2011, a 42% change put 33,600 people from other districts into the 39th, while moving 31,000 out. How in the world are the almost 65,000 people un-necessarily moved around going to hold us accountable when it's so confusing to know who they've been left with? I also must note it takes time to get fully up to speed in responding to constituent problems as I learn new territory. 2011 produced more voter confusion by doubling the number of split precincts. As the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed, the goal of the 2011 House redistricting was reducing the influence of African-Americans. While the target wasn't Northern Virginia, it affected us because, to hide the intent, moving small sub-census tracts to pack black voters was achieved under a statewide policy that no district could deviate more than 1% (800 people). Statewide, the policy doubled the number of split precincts. Four of my 21 precincts are split, some so badly it requires a road map to describe which houses are in or out. No wonder voters give up and we have such low turnout. This term, the Supreme Court will take up packing for party control in a case where the minority party got just 40 of 99 seats in the Wisconsin House despite getting 51.4% of the votes. The Virginia House is much worse: the minority party has only 34 of 100 seats despite winning all statewide races. Legislative outcomes from such an imbalance underscore my other deep concern: marginalization of this region. Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria comprise 18.5% of the state's population and, as the economic engine of the Commonwealth, have half the Fortune 500 corporations headquartered in Virginia. Nevertheless, due to 2 to 1 Republican control of the House: there's just one member from that area on the 22-member Appropriations Committee which controls all spending; there's been no one on the Virginia Supreme Court or Appeals Court in over a decade with the judicial corporate, international, and high-equity financial experience of that area; it took us more than 15 years to get critical transportation funding to relieve job-killing congestion; and our public schools are undercut because state funding barely recognizes true cost with anything approaching the 26% differential paid to state police assigned to this area.[13] | ” |
| —Vivian Watts | ||
Delegate Watts discussing her projects |
Candidate website
As of August 2017, the following themes were highlighted on Watts' campaign website.[14]
| “ |
The Economy While we were better-off than most states in dealing with the economic downturn. Congressional debates on sequestration is having an serious impact on Virginia. Read more about state revenue and the impact of Congressional debates. Transportation I didn't intend to make fighting for adequate transportation funds my life's work (!) but somehow being a numbers person from Northern Virginia -- and being tenacious -- has repeatedly made me the right person at the right time. Read more about the 2013 long-overdue success and the challenges ahead. Education We need smaller class sizes, especially through the 3rd grade. Read more about what I've done to reduce class sizes, to increase state spending, and the challenges I believe education must face. Higher Education College must be available to all with ability, not just ability to pay. Read more about the importance of keeping higher education accessible, of assuring its continued quality, and expanding professional skills training as key to job growth. Health Service I've seen the frustration in those who feel helpless to protect their loved ones, the courage of those facing health challenges, and the compassion of people reaching out to help those who no longer can care for themselves. Read more about what I've done to provide care and protection for those who are in need. [13] |
” |
2013
Delegate Watts speaking at a 2012 rally for women's rights |
Watts’s website highlighted the following campaign themes:[15]
- Budget & Taxes
Excerpt: "Fiscal integrity must be maintained which has earned Virginia our long-standing AAA bond rating and rank of best-managed state. Open processes with full discussion of alternative economic viewpoints and actuarial projections are essential – no blue smoke and mirrors."
- Transportation
Excerpt: "No solution can be off the table in tackling this major problem; including enhanced transit, increased road capacity, Department of Transportation accountability and management, coordinated land use, private/public financing, user fees that track inflation, increased state and federal funding to Northern Virginia, intersection improvements, telecommuting, etc."
- Education
Excerpt: "Fairfax County's schools and her taxpayers are not treated fairly in the distribution of state public school support. Fairfax schools have larger average class sizes at every grade level than three-quarters of the rest of Virginia's school districts. Smaller maximum class sizes are critical to meeting the needs of mainstream students as well as students with special needs and to retaining teachers in the face of growing teacher shortage."
- Higher Education
Excerpt: "Virginia has some of the best colleges and universities in the country. We must make sure that this history of excellence continues and that there is room for all qualified children coming from Northern Virginia. Higher education must be available based on the student's academic ability -- not on ability to pay -- through financial aid and alternatives to residential universities."
- Human Services
Excerpt: "The Commonwealth of Virginia has a duty to assure that professional standards are met in the delivery of health care for all citizens. For those who cannot provide for their own basic needs, state government actions should enhance the delivery of services; focus on developing maximum abilities that may lead to independence; and not add cost or delay to private, charitable, or local government providers."
2007
Watts' answers to the Virginia State Legislative Election 2007 National Political Awareness Test are available. When asked what her top priorities were, she responded:[16]
- 1. "Mental health services and procedural reforms to address needs identified as contributing to the Virginia Tech tragedy and the needs of veterans who've experienced brain injuries and post dramatic stress"
- 2. "Adequate, sustained, dedicated state transportation funding from broad based taxes that at least matches what Northern Virginia is raising locally"
- 3. "Staffing standards for nursing homes funded by taxing estates of over $5 million that are not family farms or wholly owned businesses"
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
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2023
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In 2023, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to February 25.
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2022
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In 2022, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 to February 8.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 12. A special session was held from August 18 to November 9.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 9 through February 24.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 10 through March 10. Special sessions were held from April 11 to May 30 and from August 30 to October 30.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 11 through February 25.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 13 through March 11.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 14 to February 28, 2015.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 10.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 9 to February 25.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Virginia General Assembly was in regular session from January 11 to March 10.
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Endorsements
2017
In 2017, Watts' endorsements included the following:
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia[17]
2009
In 2009, Watts’s endorsements included the following:
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Watts and her husband have two children.
Additional reading
See also
2023 Elections
External links
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Candidate Virginia House of Delegates District 14 |
Officeholder Virginia House of Delegates District 14 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 28, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 18, 2023
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 November General Unofficial Results," accessed November 7, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Democratic Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Republican Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 Primary election results," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2011 General Election Official Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ vivianwatts.com, "Vivian's Views," accessed August 18, 2017
- ↑ Delegate Vivian Watts, "Vivian's Views," accessed August 31, 2013
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Issue Positions," accessed May 28, 2014
- ↑ NARAL, "2017 Endorsed House Candidates," accessed August 31, 2017
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Endorsements in Va. House of Delegates races," October 24, 2009
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Danny Marshall (R) |
Virginia House of Delegates District 14 2024-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Virginia House of Delegates District 39 1996-2024 |
Succeeded by Will Davis (R) |
