Candidate profile – Dawn Adams, 68th District (Democrat)

Del. Dawn Adams, D-Henrico, is running for reelection and a third term in the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 68.

“The last four years, and especially the last two years, have been marked by significant legislation that will improve the lives of all Virginians,” Adams said. “We’ve passed climate change legislation, voting protections, common sense gun reforms, raised the minimum wage, abolished the death penalty and more.”

Adams, who was first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2019, said there was only so much that could be done in the few years she had served in the House. Adams said she was running for reelection in the June 8 primary because her experience and expertise could be used to bring attention to ongoing issues in the commonwealth, such as healthcare.

As a nurse practitioner, Adams prioritized healthcare in her campaign platform, she said.

“Healthcare is such a critical issue, now more than ever, and it touches so many different aspects of a person’s life,” she said. “We recently passed a handful of bills aimed at addressing maternal and infant health, especially among marginalized groups, but there is still much more work to be done. The same goes for reproductive rights and healthcare.

“Mental healthcare is another area that requires further attention, to ensure that people are receiving the support and care they need. And of course, we will continue to address the issues of access and affordability.”

Adams was the chief patron of 7 House bills in the 2021 special session, many of which related to healthcare practitioners and access, according to Virginia’s legislative information system.

Adams holds four health-related degrees from Virginia schools, and she said she used her career in healthcare and health policy to guide her legislative process.

If reelected, Adams said she would continue to bring her firsthand perspective as a healthcare professional to the House and continue to advocate for addressing the social determinants of health. Adams would do so by investing in education, worker protections and family-friendly economic policies, such as paid family leave and quality affordable childcare, she said.

Adams’ healthcare platform would also include protecting and expanding access to natural areas for recreation, exercise and conservation as well as fostering safe and affordable neighborhoods, she said.

“Building strong, safe communities, and empowering people to achieve financial security necessarily translates into a healthier and happier overall society,” Adams said.”

Adams said one of her central focuses in the next term would be aging and increasing the affordability of aging care and services.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that nearly 24% of Virginia's population will be 60 years old and older by the year 2030, which is an increase of 30% from 2012.

Adams said the commonwealth was behind when it comes to support, services and opportunities for older people to age comfortably and on their own terms.

“Aging care is only growing more unaffordable, and at this point is already out of reach even for many middle-class people,” she said. “This is an issue that affects all of us, Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between, and yet it is far too often overlooked.”

One possible solution to gaps in aging care would be providing the option to age in place, meaning to grow old in one’s own home, because it improves comfort, wellness and happiness for many older people, while also reducing the strain on expensive government programs, she said.

“I think we can all agree for the sake of ourselves and our families, that having the freedom to age with dignity, independence and security  is a goal worth working towards, so I hope to work alongside all of my colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to find solutions,” Adams said.