"Thank you to the voters who believed in our vision and voted to make history tonight. I am also grateful to my family, including my children, Chedrick and Amber, our volunteers, supporters, interns, and staff, and all of the elected officials and grassroots activists who supported our campaign and worked so hard to help share our vision for a stronger future."
“Today’s announcement by Governor Northam is a milestone that every Virginian should celebrate and welcome, and it is a true testament to our Commonwealth’s grit and resolve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the leadership of Governor Northam and our General Assembly, Virginia has been a national leader throughout the pandemic in testing, safety protocol, vaccinations, and economic recovery.”
“Virginians need a Lieutenant Governor who can build bridges instead of barriers to progress. They need a Lieutenant Governor who will protect and expand reproductive rights, not attack them. They need a Lieutenant Governor who will make it easier to vote, not harder. Virginians need a Lieutenant Governor who understands their struggles and who can build on the progress we’ve made to make real change in people's lives. I am that candidate, and as Lieutenant Governor, I will be a leader for all Virginians, no matter their political party.”
“I’m grateful for Governor Northam’s decisive action to support Virginia families and businesses as we recover from the Colonial Pipelines cyberattack. His Executive Order will help our Commonwealth prepare by increasing flexibility and funding to prevent any potential shortages.
“I am so proud of the work our grassroots campaign has accomplished as we head into the final month of the campaign,” said Delegate Hala Ayala. “Virginians are looking for someone who understands their experiences and challenges and can bring people together to make progress in their day-to-day lives. I have demonstrated I am that person.”
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“Today Virginia officially became the first state in the South to legalize marijuana. Yet again, our Commonwealth is leading the way to break down the legacy of Jim Crow and systematic racism. I am the mother to 2 Black children, and my greatest fear is that when they drive to work or walk around the block that they will not return home. Yesterday we were once again reminded of this painful reality with the verdict in the murder of George Floyd. We have a great deal of work to do to heal generations of trauma and begin to create an equitable justice system.
“Although today’s decision is a step in the right direction, we have so much work to do to heal our nation and ensure everyone can feel safe in our neighborhoods and hold our police accountable. There is so much implicit bias and inequity within our institutions of justice and we must be willing to do the hard work and root out these racist policies. I look forward to continuing to build on the reforms our Commonwealth has passed and create a more just society here in Virginia.”
Ayala knows the pain and trauma of gun violence personally. When she was 2 years old, her father was shot and murdered. She saw her mother suffer from severe PTSD as a result. That is why she has been a gun sense champion in the General Assembly since being elected in 2017. Ayala will continue to honor her father and all of the victims of gun violence through action as Lieutenant Governor.
“As the mother to a Black son and a Black daughter, I know the visceral fear that our Black mothers have when our sons and daughters drive to work, or go for a walk around the block. My children are one of the main reasons that I fight for criminal justice reform, and legalization is a critical part of that fight,” said Delegate Hala Ayala.
Governor Ralph Northam signed Delegate Hala Ayala’s legislative agenda supporting Virginia working families passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Her agenda focused on supporting the Commonwealth’s workers, women, and families during the COVID-19 pandemic and moving Virginia forward to a strong future as we recover from this crisis.