Party: Democrat

Josh Uddin

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Georgia State Senate – District 48
Status Challenger
Official Website

Background

Josh Uddin earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University [2]. He is the former executive secretary of the Asian-Pacific American Council of Georgia and a former president of the North Gwinnett Rotary Club. Uddin is the president of the Bangladeshi American Association of Georgia and a Board Member of the Bangladeshi American Chamber of Commerce [1].

Key Issues

Healthcare

Uddin wants to expand Medicaid and reduce maternal mortality [2].

 

Reproductive Rights

Uddin is pro-choice and supports access to reproductive healthcare [1].

Education

Uddin supports fully funding our schools and increasing teacher pay. He supports access to apprenticeship and job training programs, and fully supports AP classes, dual enrollment, and other hybrid solutions. Uddin opposes efforts to eliminate vaccine requirements in schools. He believes higher education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. Uddin supports restoring the cuts to the Hope Scholarship program, and efforts to get tuition costs and student loan debt under control [1].

 

Economy

Uddin supports a long-term suspension of the gas tax until prices return to normal, increasing the homestead exemption to lower property taxes, and using the state’s budget surplus to provide a substantial tax rebate of at least $500 to every Georgia taxpayer. Uddin wants every Georgia worker to have paid family leave, a minimum wage that reflects the cost of living in our state, and affordable childcare. Uddin will advocate for occupational licensing reform, investments in broadband internet, and the promotion of international trade relationships [1].

Endorsements

Fair Fight, Vote Pro-Choice, Safe Communities Coalition, Progressive Turnout Project, United Campus Workers of Georgia, Charlie Bailey [1]

Sources

1 Josh Uddin

2 DLCC

3 Ballotpedia

Donzella James

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Georgia State Senate – District 35
Status Incumbent

Background

Donzella James earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from Morris Brown College and an MBA from Georgia State University [2]. She has been serving as the District 35 representative since 2009 and is a former Atlanta Public Schools teacher. James chairs the Senate Interstate Cooperation Committee and is a member of three other committees [1].

James has received awards such as the 2014 Friends of Nigeria Award, the 2014 Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials Freedom Fighter Award, the 2013 Rising in Community Excellence Award, and the 2013 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Legislator of the Year [4]. 

James is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for Tapestry Ministries, Keep South Fulton Beautiful, African Women Leadership Organization, International Women’s Think Tank, and the Sonje Yo Human Rights Organization [4]. She is also a member of the National Organization of the Black Elected Leaders, Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Georgia Women’s Caucus, Georgia Working Families Caucus, Douglas County Delegation, and the Fulton County Delegation [4].

Key Issues

Criminal Justice

James wants to create stricter drunk driving laws and drug trafficking laws. James supports creating drug-free commercial zones [4].

Education

James wants to minimize budget cuts to schools [4].

Healthcare

James supported Senate Bill 1 which required insurance companies to cover autistic children under the age of 6 [4]. 

Sources

1 Ballotpedia

2 Facebook

3 Twitter

4 Bill Track 50

5 Instagram

Nan Orrock

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Georgia State Senate – District 36
Status Incumbent
Official Website

Background

Orrock earned a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. She worked as a legal secretary for Emory Legal Aid, executive director for the Fund for Southern Communities Foundation, and program director for Women’s Action for New Directions [3]. Orrock founded both the Georgia Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Working Families Agenda Caucus. She was the Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the former Majority Whip, the first woman to ever hold this role. Orrock won the 2008 Legislative Leadership Award from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities [1].

Key Issues

Education

Orrock supports implementation of a 30 minute recess for all students grades K-8. She also supports banning firearm carry in educational buildings. She also supports putting tuition and fee caps for the University System of Georgia [2].

Healthcare

Orrock has fought for expansion of Medicaid and to decrease maternal mortality rate by providing a full year of Medicaid coverage for postpartum women. She secured prescription equity for birth control [1].

Environment

Orrock stands for clean air, water, and environmental justice [1].

Civil Rights

Orrock has supported civil rights movements, launching the Women’s Legislative Caucus and the Working Families Legislative Caucus. She also joined the GA Legislative Black Caucus, worked for the SNCC, and led a community civil rights project in Virginia’s Black Belt counties [1].

Endorsements

Stacey Abrams, Andre Dickens, Rev. Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Bianca Broom, Andrea Boone, Jason Winston, Keisha Waites, David Scott, Kim Schofield, Elena Parent, Dr. Josh Noblitt, Tamara Jones, Hank Johnson, Deana Ingraham, Katie Howard, Sonya Halpern, Natalie Hall, Amir Farokhi, Donzella James, Joe Carn, Park Cannon, Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council, Tonya Anderson, Liliana Bakhtiari, Michael Julian Bond, Marci Overstreet, Gloria Butler, David Dreyer, Josh Lesser [1]

Sources

1 Nan Orrock

2 Bill Track 50

3 Ballotpedia

4 Twitter

Amelia N. Ross-Hammond

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Virginia Beach City Council – District 4
Status Challenger

Background

Ross-Hammond has a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, a master’s of music education from the College of New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction from the University of Denver. She also graduated from the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. She has previously worked at Norfolk State University as a professor and Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. At Norfolk State University, Ross-Hammond was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award [2, 3, 11, 14].

Some of Ross-Hammond’s community service work includes being the Founder & Chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, chairs the Mayor’s Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Commission, chairs the Planning and New Starts Development Committee for Hampton Roads Transit, is the President Emeritus for the Young Audiences, Arts for Learning Virginia, President of the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, Vice President for the State Community Services Board, and Commissioner for the State Children’s Cabinet Professionals [1, 2, 8, 11]. 

Ross-Hammond is a member of many professional organizations such as the Mayor’s African American Roundtable, the National Black Women for Positive Change Organization, the Black Brand Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association of University Women [1, 2].

Some examples of Ross-Hammond’s involvement on the City Council of Virginia Beach include the gifting of 4:83 acres of land to build the Cultural Center, the negotiation of $2.5 million for the Historic Kempsville District, the construction of Kempsville Road, and the establishment of the Business Entrepreneur Academy in the Virginia City Public School system. She also worked in collaboration with the VB Convention & Visitors Bureau to publish the city’s 1st Self-Guided Tour brochure of African American History in Virginia Beach [1, 2, 14, 15]. 

Ross-Hammond has been awarded many plaques, certificates, and other awards such as the late Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf’s Achievement in Government plaque from the VB Human Rights Commission, the “Impacting Lives Award” from the New Journal & Guide, and others from institutions such as the Virginia Beach Human Services Department, the Les Gemmes Nonprofit Civic Organization, and the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. In addition, she has received a “Letter of Commendation” for her community service from Congresswoman, Elaine Luria, and Resolution of Accomplishments declared December 13, 2016, as “Amelia N. Ross-Hammond Day” by the City of Virginia Beach [1, 2].

Key Issues

Community

Ross-Hammond seeks to increase cultural arts amenities with a military presence and to establish an office for Inclusion and Diversity. She supports the Tourism Investment Program [2].

Economy

Ross-Hammond aims to maintain Virginia City’s triple AAA bond rating. She seeks to develop more high-quality employment opportunities in Virginia Beach by working with higher education, the business community, and other industries such as offshore wind [2, 3, 15].

Education

Ross-Hammond seeks to fully fund public schools, including full-day kindergarten, increase teachers’ salaries in order to improve teacher retention, and fund capital projects like Princess Anne Middle School [1, 3, 15].

Environment

Ross-Hammond seeks to continue discussions about the environment and the preservation of open space. She supports the Agriculture Reserve Program and hopes to pass the Flood Mitigation Bond Referendum with a stipulation for a one time use and apply for state or federal grants in the future [2, 14].

Housing

Ross-Hammond seeks to continue the city’s current strategies for providing affordable housing by working with the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation to repurpose the housing stock. She also seeks to include affordable housing in new office, retail and industrial developments, such as in the Bio-Tech Park and Princess Anne Commons [2, 3].

Public Safety

Ross-Hammond supports the council’s approved raises for police officers and other staff, and the purchase of more resources and body cameras. She wants to work on adding more mental health responders to ride along with police officers [1].

Transportation

Ross-Hammond aims to provide infrastructure for public transportation which would allow access for scooters, bikes, pedestrian walkways, and automobiles. She seeks to increase electrification of buses, improve technology for farebox transactions, and increase bus shelters and Park ‘N’ Ride station. Ross-Hammond supports the Residential Parking Permit Program [2, 3, 14].

Veterans/Seniors

Ross-Hammond plans to enhance current services for veterans and senior citizens [3].

Endorsements

No endorsements could be found.

Sources

1 Letter of Interest

2 Virginia African American Cultural Center

3 Ballotpedia

4 VPAP

5 Linkedln

6 Hampton Roads Transit

7 WAVY

8 3 WTKR

9 flickr

10 Facebook

11 The Princess Anne Independent News

12 Yahoo! Finance

13 Twitter

14 The Movement

15 The Virignian Pilot

Karima M. Hopkins-Lockwood

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Suffolk City School Board
Status Challenger
Official Website

Background

Karima completed her BS in Business Administration at Old Dominion University and an MBA with a concentration in Strategic Management at Liberty University. She is a military wife, and she has had experience managing budgets [3].

Key Issues

Budget

Lockwood hopes to fund Universal Pre-K. Lockwood wishes to allocate an increase in resources to Title 1 elementary schools [3].

Teachers

Lockwood advocates for teachers to have competitive compensation packages which include pay, health care, retirement, and bonuses [3].

Parental Involvement

Lockwood believes in having programs that help parents become more involved with the school system [3].

School Safety

Lockwood hopes to work with local law enforcement and security professionals to minimize crimes committed against and in schools [3].

Discipline

To help decrease the amount of disciplinary actions needed, Lockwood advocates for student outreach and mentorship programs [3].

Curriculum

Lockwood argues for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to have an increased presence in school. Lockwood additionally stresses a decreased emphasis on standardized testing [3].

Mental Health

Lockwood believes in having mental health counseling for students [3].

Civil Rights

Lockwood advocates for fully funding resources for students with disabilities [3].

Endorsements

Suffolk Democratic Committee

Sources

1 VPAP

2 Facebook

3 Lockwood for School Board

4 Suffolk News Herald

5 Suffolk Democratic Committee

Arnette D. McSwain

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Portsmouth City School Board
Status Challenger
Official Website

Background

McSwain has earned a BS in Criminal Justice from Mountain State University and an Associate of Science in Management from Hawaii Pacific University. She has also graduated from Liberty University with an MA in Religion and an MA in Management and Leadership [1, 3, 5].

McSwain joined the United States Army in 1990, became a Deputy Sheriff at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in Savannah, Georgia in 1999, and was a POST Certified Peace Officer in GA. She returned to Portsmouth in 2006 and worked at the Chesapeake City Sheriff’s Office until her retirement in 2015. McSwain is also a former substitute teacher at Portsmouth Public Schools, a licensed referral real estate agent, and a notary public.

McSwain is founder and owner of an empowerment business called the I Accept Me, Devorn Loveinme Movement, LLC. As part of this business, McSwain goes into communities and schools to discuss topics such as education, bullying, self-empowerment and vision for the future. McSwain is host of the radio show “The Love Spot” and co-host on the social media show “Real Talk with Barry, Arnette and James”.  She is secretary for The Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers’ Conference of VA, Church and Community in Action, and the MLK, Jr. Leadership Steering Committee. She is the media technician for the Women’s Missionary & Educational Auxiliary of The Sharon Missionary Baptist Association and Allied Bodies [1, 3].

Key Issues

Education

McSwain’s main goals are to ensure that school staff receive competitive pay, to work with teachers and stakeholders to create a curricular pacing guide that allows for creativity and flexibility in teaching, expanding technical education, and to work for all citizens in a fair, equal, and respectful manner [2, 3, 4].

McSwain believes that the relationship between the School Board and City Council can be improved with effective communication, respect, and trust [5].

COVID-19

McSwain believes it is the responsibility of the school division to ensure all students and staff can adapt to the virtual learning environment, and that the division should adapt to changing needs through trial and error implementation [5].

Endorsements

No endorsements could be found.

Sources

1 Love Enterprises
2 Facebook
3 YouTube
4 The Virginian-Pilot – 10 People are Running
5 The Virginian-Pilot – Here’s Who’s Running
6 The City of Portsmouth: Local Candidates

Peter J. Volosin

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Roanoke City Council
Status Challenger
Official Website

Background

Peter Volosin has earned a BA in Urban Studies/Affairs from Brown University and a Master’s degree in City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning from Georgetown University. He was a member of the Political Leaders Program at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and was elected class Vice President, honored by classmates as “Person You Most Want to Run Your Campaign” and “Most Likely to Collaborate Across Party Lines” [4].

Volosin made the 2008 US Olympic Trials for swimming. He has worked in the hospitality industry, served as an EMT-First Responder, and worked as an urban planner. Volosin has also worked for the World Bank. He has served on the board of Local Colors, the Roanoke Fair Housing Board, the Roanoke Valley – Alleghany Regional Commission, the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, and the Roanoke Diversity Center [1, 7].

Key Issues

Economy

Volosin wants to increase economic mobility by continuing to make community college courses more affordable and resources readily available for working parents or displaced workers. He wants to develop more jobs by attracting new businesses by providing the environment and resources needed for growth. To do this, he plans to revise the current business tax code, provide relocation support to businesses, prepare underutilized land to be redeveloped, cultivate Roanoke’s reputation for outdoor recreation to draw more tourism, boost the hospitality industry, and take advantage of the boom in “green” jobs and remote workers. [1]. 

Education

Volosin wants to encourage public/private/nonprofit partnerships to increase the availability of affordable Pre-K and after-school programs [1].

Community

Volosin wants to develop more walkable village centers to act as small business hubs throughout neighborhoods. He hopes to support and encourage the creation of more minority-owned businesses, as well as prioritizing locally owned businesses in bids for projects [1].

Public Safety

Volosin hopes to address the societal root causes of violent crime, but, until then, plans to increase the use of community policing and hire social workers to join police on certain calls in order to provide a more trauma informed approach to crime mitigation while allowing police to handle the jobs for which they are specifically trained. Additionally, he advocates for allowing public safety employees to form unions to address wages, recruiting, working conditions, and morale [1].

Housing

Volosin promotes creating affordable homes in areas where citizens will have access to essential services, as well as incentivizing mixed-income housing connected to job centers, improving the land bank program, and expanding down payment assistance programs [1]. He also wants to push for inclusionary zoning, land banking, and brownfield redevelopment [3]. Volosin does not support banning homeless people from camping in public spaces such as parks [7].

Social Programs

Volosin wants to correct the negative impacts of urban renewal and financial redlining. He also plans to place additional city services in public places where people already congregate, such as schools or libraries, in order to bring needed services to the underserved [1].

Transportation

Volosin plans to alter the mix of transportation and land-use in order to reduce traffic and increase revenues [1]. He is against the way the city created the bus station [7].

Food

To eliminate food deserts, Volosin promotes attracting supermarkets to underserved areas, supporting farmer’s markets and partnerships with organizations such as LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project), and working with schools to provide healthy cooking and food education opportunities [1].

 

Broadband

Volosin would like to see the city develop partnerships with local service providers to develop its own network of low-cost internet that can be harnessed by those who cannot afford high-speed service [1].

Environment

Volosin prioritizes creating parks and streetscapes that mitigate runoff in order to reduce flooding. He also plans to develop old industrial sites along waterways into more parks, housing, and businesses, as well as creating more greenways and bikeways. He hopes to move the city to electric and hybrid vehicle fleets, install solar panels on city buildings, plant more trees, develop a green building code, develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and improve data collection and analysis to note trends [1]. Volosin agrees with the plastic bag fee [7].

Budget

Volosin advocates for tax relief [7].

Endorsements

John Edwards, Virginia Senator; Adam Ebbin, Virginia Senator; Djuna Osborne, Roanoke City Councilwoman; Joe Cobb, Roanoke City Vice-Mayor; SMART Union – Transportation Division; Steve McGraw, Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court; Mark Levine, Virginia House of Delegates Member; Run with Pride; Virginia Anti-Bullying And Discrimination Action Network; 90for90.org; LEAP-Forward

Sources

1 Peter Volosin 
2 VPAP 
3 Facebook 
4 LinkedIn 
5 Twitter 
6 WDBJ7
7 Roanoke Rambler

Shirley Weber

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race CA Secretary of State
Status Incumbent
Official Website

Background

Dr. Shirley Weber received a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Communication from UCLA [10]. She has served as the CA Secretary of State since being nominated to the position in December 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom. She previously served as a State Assemblymember starting in 2012, representing District 79, where she chaired the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee and Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Public Safety and Health. She also chaired the Select Committee on Campus Climate, which addressed hate crimes on college and university campuses [1]. 

Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Dr. Weber served as the Mayor’s appointee and Chair of the Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission. She has also served on the Board of the NAACP, YWCA, YMCA Scholarship Committee, Battered Women Services, United Way, San Diego Consortium, and Private Industry Council [3]. Dr. Weber has taught at CA State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College, and was a Professor Emeritus of Africana Studies at San Diego State University for 40 years [3, 10]. She has two children, three grandchildren, and is the widow of the late Hon. Daniel Weber [1]. 

Key Issues

Elections

 

Dr. Weber supports mail-in voting, and worked with Governor Newsom to establish universal mail-in voting in California. She supports monitoring and upgrading the Secretary of State’s cybersecurity policies to increase election security [2]. 

Incarceration

Dr. Weber wants to revamp voter education outreach programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. She supports Proposition 17, which allows individuals on parole to vote [2].

Transparency

Dr. Weber wants to promote informed citizenship by increasing transparency regarding elections, lobbyist registration, and campaign finance systems [2].  

Education

Dr. Weber supports promoting civic education about voting, democracy, the relationship between the states and federal government, and civic responsibility for California students [7].

Economy

Dr. Weber wants to aid small businesses and nonprofits by providing more support and resources [7]. 

Reproductive Rights

Dr. Weber supports protecting access to reproductive healthcare [5].

Endorsements

Gavin Newsom, CA Governor; Eleni Kounalakis, CA Lieutenant Governor; Fiona Ma, CA State Treasurer; Betty Yee, CA Controller; Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Ricardo Lara, CA Insurance Commissioner; Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General; Malia Cohen, Chair of the California State Board of Equalization; California Democratic Party; Toni Atkins, Speaker Pro Tem of the CA Senate; Anthony Rendon, Speaker of the CA State Assembly; Steven Bradford, State Senator; Sydney Kamlager, State Senator; Susan Rubio, State Senator; Nancy Skinner, State Senator; Scott Wiener, State Senator; Autumn Burke, Assemblymember; Jim Cooper, Assemblymember; Laura Friedman, CA Assemblymember; Cristina Garcia Assemblymember; Mike Gipson, CA Assemblymember; Chris Holden Assemblymember; Jacqui Irwin, CA Assemblymember; Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Assemblymember; Marc Levine, CA Assemblymember; Evan Low, Assemblymember; Kevin McCarty CA Assemblymember; Eloise Reyes, Assemblymember; Luz Rivas, CA Assemblymember; Blanca Rubio, Assemblymember; Mark Stone, CA Assemblymember; Buffy Wicks, Assemblymember; Akilah Weber, CA Assemblymember; California State Legislative Caucuses; California Legislative Black Caucus; California Legislative Women’s Caucus; Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator; Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator; Barbara Lee, U.S. Representative; Karen Bass, U.S. Representative; Maxine Waters, U.S. Representative; Juan Vargas, U.S. Representative; Scott Peters, U.S. Representative; Sara Jacobs, U.S. Representative; Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego; London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco; Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach; Holly Mitchell, LA County Supervisor; Monica Steppe Montgomery, San Diego Council President; AFSCME; AFSCME Local 3299 (UC Union); AFT Local 1931; California Faculty Association; California Federation of Teachers; California Labor Federation; California Nurses Association; California Professional Firefighters; California Teachers Association; IBEW; LiUNA California; Operating Engineers; Painters District Council; Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 230; San Diego County Building Trades; SEIU Local 1000; SEIU State Council; UDW/AFSCME Local 3930; UNITE HERE 11; United Nurses Associations of California; Black Women Organizing for Political Action; California Women’s List; Courage California; Culver City Democratic Club; Elect Black; Women PAC; EMILY’s List; Equality California; Fund Her; Govern California; Los Angeles African American Women PAC; NAACP; NARAL Pro-Choice California; National Women’s Political Caucus; Planned Parenthood Action California; San Francisco Women’s Political Committee; Smart Justice California; United Democratic Club; Women in Leadership

Sources

1 Secretary of State Office
2 Campaign Website 
3 California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
4 Instagram
5 Twitter
6 Ballotpedia   
7 Capradio 
8 Yubanet
9 Cal Matters
10 Linkedin

Jose Altamirano

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race CA Board of Equalization, District 1
Status Challenger
Official Website

Background

Jose Altamirano received two associate degrees from Sierra College, a B.A. in Applied Economics from the University of San Francisco, and an MBA from Drexel University [2]. He has worked for 32 years at the State Compensation Insurance Fund, starting as a Customer Service Representative and currently as the Business Services Operation Manager [1, 3].  Altamirano currently serves as the Chair for the UC Davis Health Community Advisory Board, secretary for Cottage Housing, apoyado (Mentor) for Nueva Época (a Latinx Leadership Program), and was a Commissioner in various capacities for the City of West Sacramento from 2015-2019. He has two daughters with his wife Angie [2].

Key Issues

Transparency

Altamirano supports the promotion of uniformity and consistency in property tax assessments within the district and throughout the state [1]. He wants to increase constituent awareness of their rights as taxpayers and what the BOE does [3].

Endorsements

California Democratic Party; Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee; Southern California Armenian Democrats.

Sources

1 Ballotpedia
2 Jose Altamirano
3 Voter’s Edge
4 California Democratic Party
5 Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee   
6 Baker’s Field 
7 Facebook 
8 Twitter

Joseph L. Cobb

Key Facts

Party Democrat
Race Roanoke City Council
Status Incumbent
Official Website

Background

Joseph L. Cobb earned a BS in Philosophy from Southwestern College and an MS of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology. He is currently completing PhD at Columbia Theological Seminary. He served as Vice Mayor from 2018 to 2020 and has been on Roanoke City Council since 2018. Cobb works as Chaplain at Hermitage Roanoke—a senior living community in Northwest Roanoke. He is co-author of Our Family Outing: A Memoir of Coming Out and Coming Through [1].
Cobb is the Chair at Community Services Council Board of Directors and Gun Violence Prevention Commission in Roanoke. He also holds leadership in GRTC (Greater Roanoke Transit Company). He is the Vice Chair of the City Council Personnel Committee. In addition, Cobb is also a member of several committees: City Council’s Legislative Committee, Board of Directors for Equality Virginia, Roanoke Valley Sisters Cities, TAP This Valley Works Board of Commissioners, Roanoke Valley and Alleghany Regional Commission, and Clean Valley Council [1]. Outside, he has been an outreach coordinator at Highland Park Elementary School [2].

Key Issues

Budget

Cobb prefers a more equitable tax rebate rate of 82.77 per vehicle rather than the 17.5% [1].

Poverty

Cobb is in favor of addressing the pain from root causes of poverty in order for Roanoke to become more healthy [1].

Civil Rights

Cobb wants to create a city that engages in conversations about what makes us unique. He aims to transform Roanoke into an anti-racist city that practices inclusion. He wants to evaluate the city government through an equity lens, identify gaps and barriers to equity, and establish practices that ensure long-term sustainability. Cobb also plans to create a city-wide commission on racial healing and transformation to keep the city in conversation about transforming its segregation into inclusion [1].

Transportation

Cobb hopes to sustain and redirect funding to address deferred infrastructure needs including safe, walkable sidewalks with easy access for persons with physical mobility challenges, crosswalks, newly paved streets, stormwater runoff to reduce flooding, and multi-modal roadways for bikes, cars and buses [1].

Environment

Cobb prioritizes being green through renewable energy and planting more trees [1].

Infrastructure

Cobb plans to meet regularly with people with disabilities to address infrastructure, housing and health care needs and realities [1].

Education

Cobb advocates for creating an Emerging Leaders Institute to identify, train and empower current and future leaders for Roanoke. He plans to engage regional partners in expanding Roanoke’s impact in collaboration with Virginia CareerWorks, Virginia Western Community College and Carilion Workforce Development [1].

Public Safety

Cobb is in favor of adding incentives to bring new officers to the Police Academy and join the team of officers through signing incentives, step pay-level increases, and bonuses [1].

Economy

Cobb wants to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem blueprint for our city and region by working collaboratively with the Roanoke Regional Partnership and other partners [1].

Endorsements

Business Leadership Fund (BLF)

Sources

1 Joe Cobb for Roanoke
2 Roanoke, VA
3 Facebook
4 Roanoke Rambler
5 WSLS 10 News
6 Equality Virginia
7 WFIR News
8 The Roanoker
9 LinkedIn