Opinion: Two writers explain the positions of both candidates (Part 2)
Jennifer Lewis
Jennifer Lewis is the candidate that Virginia’s 6th Congressional District needs. She values people over party, champions progressive politics rooted in family values and aims to aid citizens of the district to the best of her ability.
That candidate is Jennifer Lewis.
Jennifer Lewis, 36, is running for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District seat, which spans from Roanoke to Warren, and includes Liberty’s campus. If elected, Lewis would directly represent Liberty’s students, faculty and the district’s more than 700,000 residents in the House
of Representatives.
Lewis’ campaign will promote the values of family, fairness
and fellowship.
As a “bold progressive fighting against corruption in the federal government,” according to The Roanoke Times, her platform is based on environmental protection, campaign finance reform and
health care.
Lewis is a first-time candidate. But what this Waynesboro native may lack in government experience, she more than makes up for in an intense desire to improve constituents’ lives. She is no stranger to working hard to make her community a better place.
Lewis volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brother Big Sister. She has served as chair of the Waynesboro Parks and Recreation Board and is currently chair of the Office on Youth Commission. Lewis is also the founder of a local anti-pipeline movement in Augusta County.
It is her humanitarian efforts, community outreach and an understanding of local problems that sets her apart from her opponent.
“I’ve been a hardworking advocate for people,” Lewis said, according to the Roanoke Times. “I’m going to fight for the values of the
6th District.”
She has spent much of her adult life working as a mental health professional to rehabilitate adults and help them reenter
their communities.
Similar to her profession, Lewis’ campaign is fueled by her heart, exemplified by the vision she has of helping working class families. She wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 and wants all Americans to be able to afford Medicare coverage.
“The interests of poor and working people are not represented amongst the political elite,” Lewis said in her vision statement. “We’re overworked, underpaid, and forced into debt because we dared to pursue an education to better ourselves and provide for our loved ones.”
Lewis also has a strong desire for bipartisan relationships, something sorely lacking in today’s tumultuous political climate.
“Both political parties are held hostage by special interests and a wealthy donor class; as a result, public policy in the public interest gets kicked to the curb,” Lewis said. “We need citizens of all political persuasions to stand up and demand
actual representation.”
This election cycle is crucial, and with political dogmatism growing on both sides, candidates like Lewis who will reach across the aisle are needed now more than ever.
In a district that has remained red for decades, Lewis is an underdog and has an uphill battle in front of her.
The 6th District deserves a representative who cares deeply about people of every background and class and promises to fight for fairness and fellowship above party loyalty. Your vote matters. On Nov. 6, make it count and elect Jennifer Lewis for Congress.