Important Issues
Criminal Justice Reform
Mike believes in a smarter, fairer approach to criminal justice—one that promotes accountability while giving people a real opportunity to rebuild their lives.
As a formerly incarcerated individual, Mike understands firsthand how too many people become trapped in a system that too often prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. His experience drives his commitment to meaningful, results-driven reform.
A Better Approach to Public Safety
Mike’s opponent has supported policies that expand criminal penalties and increase incarceration. Mike believes that approach is outdated and ineffective. True public safety comes from strengthening communities, reducing recidivism, and investing in people—not simply imposing harsher sentences.
Strengthening Public Defense
Everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of income.
Mike will fight to increase funding for public defenders and court-appointed counsel so that every Virginian receives fair representation. To recruit and retain talented attorneys, compensation must be competitive with what Commonwealth’s Attorneys can offer.
Defending the most underserved members of our community should not require attorneys to sacrifice their financial stability.
Ending Long-Term Probation
Virginia must move away from indefinite and overly long probation terms that set people up for failure.
Mike supports:
- Establishing clear probation limits of no more than two years after release or sentencing
- Ending indefinite probation practices
- Creating realistic expectations that support successful reentry
Probation should be a path forward—not a permanent barrier to stability.
Building on Progress
Virginia Democrats have made meaningful strides in criminal justice reform, but there is still more work to do. Mike is committed to continuing that progress by advancing policies that are fair, effective, and grounded in real-world experience.
Mike will make criminal justice reform a top priority in the State Senate—because everyone deserves a fair chance and a system that works.
Enviornment
Protecting Virginia’s Coast & Environment
The 20th District is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. From the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, these natural treasures are not only central to our way of life—they are critical to our economy and our future.
Mike believes we have a responsibility to protect and preserve these resources for generations to come.
Protecting Our Natural Resources
Virginia has made meaningful progress in protecting our environment, including important actions taken during the 2026 General Assembly session. Unfortunately, Mike’s opponent voted against many of these efforts.
Mike will continue fighting to:
- Protect our beaches, waterways, and coastal ecosystems
- Preserve natural habitats and wildlife
- Ensure responsible environmental stewardship across the Commonwealth
Our environment is not a partisan issue—it’s a shared responsibility.
Investing in Clean Energy
Mike supports expanding clean energy across Virginia to reduce pollution, lower long-term costs, and create good-paying jobs.
He will prioritize:
- Bringing more renewable energy to the Commonwealth
- Supporting the transition to electric vehicles
- Encouraging the use of electric lawn and landscaping equipment to reduce emissions and noise pollution
Clean energy is not just about the environment—it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable economy.
A Cleaner, Healthier Future
Protecting Virginia’s environment means protecting public health, supporting tourism, and preserving the natural beauty that defines our communities.
Mike is committed to ensuring that Virginia remains a leader in environmental protection and clean energy innovation.
Mike will work every day to keep Virginia clean, protect our coastlines, and secure a healthier future for all.
Education & Opportunity
Every young person in Virginia deserves access to a world-class education—no matter their zip code.
Mike believes it is time to make meaningful investments in our schools, especially those that have been historically underserved. For too long, we have allowed inequities in education to persist, and it’s our responsibility to correct those failures and give every student a real opportunity to succeed.
Investing in Underserved Schools
Virginia must do more to support schools in underserved communities.
Mike will fight to:
- Increase funding for under-resourced schools
- Ensure equitable access to quality teachers, facilities, and learning materials
- Hold the state accountable for closing long-standing opportunity gaps
Our students cannot succeed if we continue to ignore the disparities that hold them back.
Expanding Career & Technical Education
Mike understands that not every student is on a four-year college path—and that’s okay.
He supports:
- Expanding trade and technical education programs at the state’s expense
- Creating pathways to good-paying, skilled careers
- Investing in continuing education and workforce development opportunities
Every student deserves a path to success, whether that’s college, a trade, or a career certification.
Making Community College Free
Community college should be a free and accessible stepping stone to opportunity.
Mike will work to:
- Make community college tuition-free in Virginia
- Expand access to workforce training and certification programs
- Support students who want to transfer to four-year institutions
This is a smart investment in both our people and our economy.
Making College Affordable
Higher education should not come with a lifetime of debt.
Mike believes:
- In-state students should not be burdened with overwhelming student loan debt
- Virginia must take steps to reduce tuition costs
- Students should be able to graduate with opportunity—not financial hardship
When young people leave school buried in debt, it limits their ability to build a future.
Mike is committed to building an education system that works for every student—because when our young people succeed, Virginia succeeds.
Workers’ Rights
Workers’ rights are human rights—period.
Mike stands unapologetically with working people and organized labor. He believes every worker in Virginia—public or private—has the right to join a union and fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and real respect on the job. That’s why Mike supports repealing Virginia’s so-called Right to Work laws, which have weakened workers and tilted the scales in favor of big corporations for far too long.
For decades, hardworking Virginians have been asked to do more with less—while CEOs and corporations rake in record profits. That’s not fair, and it’s not right. Mike believes it’s time to put power back where it belongs: in the hands of workers.
Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour was a step forward—but let’s be honest, it’s still not enough to live on in today’s economy. No one working full-time should be struggling to pay rent, afford groceries, or keep the lights on. Mike will fight for a true living wage so that every worker can live with dignity—not just get by.
Mike is running to take on a system that has left working people behind—and to build a Virginia where hard work actually pays, unions are strong, and every worker has a fair shot.