Krizek: As re-election campaign begins, I will work to earn your vote

This column was submitted by Del. Paul Krizek (D-44), and does not necessarily represent the views of Covering The Corridor.

Four years ago I turned in my first set of petitions to run to be the state delegate representing the 44th district. Last week, I once again filed more than a couple of hundred signatures from constituents on petitions of qualified voters. This means I’ll be back on the ballot for a third time, and will work very hard to get re-elected and to earn your vote once again.

Over the next eight months I will continue to knock on doors throughout the 44th District, organize events, listen to constituents and advocate for our community. I will have a strong grassroots effort to run an organized and expansive campaign. The first step to a new Democratic majority is reelecting all of our incumbents.

As your delegate I have worked diligently to make our community safer and more efficient. I brought the DMV 2 Go to Sherwood Hall Regional Library once every month. This allows us to receive all the same services we can at the DMV with the convenience of it here in our neighborhood.

Additionally, I hosted along with Mount Vernon at Home and Senator Warner’s office a cyber security workshop for seniors. In 2017, 2.68 million Americans reported fraud complaints to the Federal Trade Commission. During the workshop we reviewed these scams and how to respond to and avoid them. The event was a great success and I plan to host another one in May, which you will hear about in my weekly column where I update constituents on events and issues happening in our community and across the Commonwealth.

As your representative in Richmond, I have succeeded in passing many bills that will make for a stronger and more just Commonwealth. This session I passed legislation to create a Sex Trafficking Response Coordinator within the Commonwealth. In 2017, the Human Trafficking Hotline reported 156 human trafficking cases in Virginia, 70 percent of which were sex trafficking cases. My legislation, which will be law on July 1, will combat this problem by creating a centralized point of contact to help coordinate efforts among stakeholders to prevent trafficking in the Commonwealth.

Additionally, I launched the Grow Your Own Teacher Pilot Program in Virginia. The program will allow low-income students who want to teach at Title I schools the opportunity to receive scholarships in order to attend four year colleges and earn their teaching degree. The funding of this program will have a direct impact on Title I schools by expanding and diversifying their teacher workforce.

The first of many campaign related events in my reelection bid will be taking place next month. On April 6, I will be hosting my “Opening Day Campaign Kickoff.” All spring, summer and fall we will have monthly happenings, including more fundraisers, “coffees,” and various precinct level meet and greet outreach events. You will also continue to see me at any number of community events.

With your support, I will continue to work hard to create an economy that works for all Virginians, promote renewable energy to protect our planet and grow our investment in our children through quality public education.