Three U.S. House of Representatives districts represent areas in Hampton Roads, and Democratic primaries will be held in two.
In the 1st Congressional District, Democrats Leslie Mehta and Herbert Jones Jr. will compete in the June primary to run against Republican Rep. Rob Wittman in November. The district includes portions of suburban Richmond down through York and James City counties, Williamsburg, and Poquoson.
Primary elections are June 18, but in-person early voting is ongoing through June 15.
Herbert Jones Jr.
Age: 64
Occupation/job title: CEO of Pyramid Technologies, LLC
Education: Bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Appalachian State University
Previous elected offices held (if any): Previously served three terms as treasurer of New Kent County
Military service (if any): 20 years active duty Army; 10 years reserves
Website: herbjonesforvirginia.com
What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the nation and, if elected to Congress, what legislation would you put forth to help address it?
Our internal divisions are the greatest threat to our nation. Re-establishment of the fairness doctrine would be a wonderful first step. Stronger digital privacy laws and a re-examination of Section 230 as it applies to social media corporations should also be pursued.
Social Security and Medicare could fall short on money in the next decade. How would you propose to reform the programs or the method for funding them and would you consider cuts to keep the programs solvent?
Eliminate the Social Security tax cap, the portion of income that is taxed has decreased because wages for the highest-paid workers have increased faster than the cap. No cuts to the program. Without Social Security, almost 40% of seniors would live in poverty.
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Leslie Mehta
Age: 47
Occupation/job title: Chief of staff and counsel, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English literature from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Doctorate from Howard University School of Law
Previous elected offices held (if any): N/A
Military service (if any): N/A
Website: lesliemehta.com
What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the nation and, if elected to Congress, what legislation would you put forth to help address it?
We need to be prioritizing ensuring that American families have access to affordable quality health care, top notch public schools, reproductive freedom and protection of rights, addressing climate change and protecting our democracy.
Social Security and Medicare could fall short on money in the next decade. How would you propose to reform the programs or the method for funding them and would you consider cuts to keep the programs solvent?
I would not cut either program. Americans pay in to Social Security their entire working careers. It is their money and they are certainly entitled to get it back for a lifetime of working and paying taxes. Right now, we incentivize workers to wait and collect Social Security later and I am fine with a voluntary program to continue to do that or extend it. Every American should have access to affordable quality health care. It should be a right, not privilege for those who can best afford it. Medicaid, which provides health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources and folks with disabilities, helps to ensure that more Americans have access to health care and don’t have to choose between paying the rent or a needed visit to a doctor. The federal government needs to prioritize health care and provide assistance to state programs.
