Rodman to seek 12th District Senate nomination

Henrico Delegate Debra Rodman today announced that she will seek the Democratic Party nomination for the 12th District Virginia Senate seat.

Her announcement, which had been rumored in recent weeks, expands to three the number of Democrats vying for the nomination; the campaigns of Henrico attorney Veena Gupta Lothe and former Henrico Democratic Party Chairman Marques Jones have been ongoing for months.

The party nominee will face incumbent Republican Siobhan Dunnavant in the Nov. 6 general election.

Rodman, an associate professor at Randolph-Macon College, won a surprising victory for the 73rd District seat in Virginia's House of Delegates two years ago, unseating longtime Republican Delegate John O'Bannon.

She earned the endorsement today of the Legislative Black Caucus House delegation from Henrico, as well as from Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson and Henrico Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg.

“My life’s work has been about making the American Dream accessible: for our students, for our children, and for some of the most vulnerable communities in the world," Rodman said in a statement. "My district knows how hard I fight for them – on the campaign trail and at the General Assembly. When there is an opportunity to do more good for more people, I’m going to take it.

"I worked hard to win my primary in 2017, and that prepared me to defeat a well-funded, entrenched incumbent. I have proven to the 73rd district that I am a relentless campaigner and a relentless fighter for their values in the General Assembly. I look forward to proving that to the 12th Senate district.”