WYDaily sent an identical questionnaire to each candidate running for the 96th House of Delegates district.
Kelly DeLucia, a realtor in Yorktown, is the Democratic candidate for the seat. The district is comprised of most of James City and York counties.
DeLucia’s answers are unedited and presented below.
The election takes place Nov. 7.
Read a completed questionnaire from the other candidate for the 96th House of Delegates District, Del. Brenda Pogge.
What’s the one sentence that properly describes the 96th House of Delegates District?
It is a diverse community of caring Virginians spanning parts of James City and York counties, who treasure our rich natural resources and scenic beauty, and have built a community committed to economic advantages for all. We take great pride in our public schools, many of which are among the top ranked schools in the state. We have a deep connection to the bay for its fisheries and tourism. Protection of the environment, especially as it impacts the Chesapeake Bay so vital to our economy here, is an issue of great concern to all of us.
What are the two biggest opportunities in the 96th House of Delegates District?
I believe we must work to improve job opportunities, as well as to provide better, more cost-effective services for all our citizens. For example, we have a high proportion of senior citizens whose contributions to our society are far too often not met in equal measure by what we should be providing them. There is a heightened need to improve the amount of senior housing and senior services, as well as add more affordable housing so that the work force providing those services can afford to live in the communities where they work.
What are the two biggest challenges in the 96th House of Delegates District?
One of those challenges focuses on improving the economy. We can ensure that by raising Virginia’s minimum wage laws, which have not kept pace with the increase of our cost of living with many nearby states. The other challenge lies with our educational system in Virginia. Here in the 96th district, as is the case throughout the Commonwealth, we have neglected the critical need to adequately fund our public school system. There is no better investment in the future than the one we make in our
children. That includes hiring the best possible classroom teachers at the best possible salaries. I also will oppose efforts to divert funding from our public schools to private or charter schools.
In 2010 James City County’s population had roughly 13,800 people aged 65+. In 2016 that number increased to more than 18,000 people aged 65+. How are you going to help the county and Greater Williamsburg to prepare for a rapidly aging population? What are you going to do to help bring younger folks here?
Americans are living longer, and as more ‘baby-boomers’ reach 65, key is both the public and private sector’s commitment to provide support for more elder-friendly living, especially to attract our older workers remaining in the workplace longer. This means more accessible, more affordable healthcare, transportation, and other health services such as in-home care that our seniors require. I will work to ensure senior Virginians have the support and resources they need to stay in their homes as long as they wish, and to have the housing and services they need should they choose to migrate to senior living facilities. For example, clustering new housing with within walking distance of amenities like grocery stores and bus stops is a top priority. It is just as import to increase the reach of public transit into our more rural communities.
Regarding our younger population, the emphasis in terms of policy
should be on creation of the best possible climate for entrepreneurs and small businesses. I will support legislation that provides for the attraction of new businesses of all types to Virginia and to the 96th District.
Williamsburg’s poverty rate is estimated to be about 1 in 4 residents, according to estimates from the U.S. census. More than 12,000 people in Greater Williamsburg are living in poverty. How are you going to help bring better paying jobs to the city and to the area?
We must begin by creating job opportunities for more of our citizens. We do that by creating opportunities for small businesses to succeed. I will support efforts to increase tax benefits to start-up companies, small business owners and those dedicated employing local residents. The poverty rate in Williamsburg is completely unacceptable. The State of Virginia must partner with the private sector to create the best-trained, fairly compensated workforce. A large number of our residents work in Williamsburg and nearby cities in retail, senior services, and the tourism industry – for minimum wage. We know that a full-time minimum wage job in Virginia puts you below the poverty line, so it is no surprise that so many Virginians are living in poverty. I support increasing the minimum wage to $9.00/hour. Yet I must address the ‘elephant’ in the room: The majority of our service-focused workforce is female, and we know that women in Virginia do not enjoy wage equality. We often make less than our male counterparts for the exact same job. I will work to ensure that
women in our workforce are guaranteed equal pay for equal work. And in the meantime, I will vote ‘yes’ on any legislation that protects women who fight for pay equality from retaliation or termination by their employer.
How do you intend to move transportation projects forward on the Peninsula? What do you think your role will be in improving transportation throughout Greater Williamsburg?
Public transportation services in the greater Williamsburg area are woefully inadequate, especially for our senior community and working people who depend on such services for access to health care, social services, and jobs. I will support increased funding for all transportation projects in greater Williamsburg and throughout our area, including improvements in our essential infrastructure for our growing population.
What sort of experience are you going to bring to the area?
I am a Hampton Roads native, raised in Yorktown. I am a Realtor® in Hampton Roads, ranking in the top six percent of over 6,500 local agents and recognized as the #1 Individual Agent in my firm in 2016. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration specializing in Environmental Science from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). I was among 20 students selected to join the Washington Leadership Program, and was the only intern to serve in the Pentagon where I worked for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Installations and Environment. My formal education in leadership culminated in a Master of Arts degree specializing in Motivational Psychology. I am an experienced small business owner, having built up two successful small businesses in Hampton Roads. Competition with myself and others has made me into a dedicated,
resilient, future-focused leader with a deep desire to serve my community in the Virginia House of Delegates.
The military and federal government are preparing for sea-level rise and increasingly volatile weather. Should the state government do more to prepare such as increasing environmental regulations?
The science is indisputable regarding climate change. One of its most potentially harmful impacts is right here in the Chesapeake Bay region. We must provide additional resources for stormwater control and management to help localities implement science based decisions regarding long term planning to mitigate the eminent sea level rise. I support aggressive collaboration with our stakeholders, who rely on the Bay’s health to keep a watchful eye on changes and plan accordingly. Aquaculture, tourism, and coastal residential communities all face the same reality. I see a role for our Delegate to bring everyone to the table, and to collaborate on finding ways for Virginians to thrive, even in an ever-changing environment. As the state located at the mouth of the bay, we lie down stream from millions of people, cows, factories, and other waste producers polluting our waters. Virginia needs legislators who will stand firm on holding industry accountable for mitigating waste. We must incentivize and extend a hand to companies who embrace green practices and to farmers working to do the same. Virginia must provide leadership and stewardship, and I will strongly support all legislative efforts to ensure that it does.
Should recipients of social welfare or tax relief be tested for drugs? Why or why not?
This is yet another example of Republicans legislating based on rhetoric rather than research. I believe it is discriminatory, invasive, and unconstitutional to mandate drug testing for those receiving public assistance.
Should the state consider increasing taxes on its wealthiest residents to pay for more social programs? Why or why not?
The Commonwealth’s tax code does not provide a fair and equitable system based on income. Nor does it bring in sufficient funds to be able to provide the services Virginians demand of their government. Residents of house district 96 ALL want better roads with less congestion – they all complain about tunnel traffic and flooding roads during storms. They want better funded public schools so they don’t have to hold a fundraiser to provide teachers with chalk for their classrooms. They want many things that cost money to implement and enforce. We simply cannot meet the demands of our voters without additional revenue. Reducing the misuse of funds is a start. Closing loopholes is a step in the right direction. Better identification of and enforcement of repercussions for rule breakers will go a long way. To balance the books while making the improvements that voters are demanding, we must make changes in how Virginians are taxed. I support a fairer tax code for Virginians.
Should property rights ever trump an individual’s gun rights? Why or why not?
It is mind boggling to me that this is even a question in 2017, and we need not invoke the 2nd Amendment here! Years ago smoking was banned from public buildings, hospitals, airplanes, and private businesses almost across the board. We did this collectively because we know second-hand smoke is a serious health risk. Yet so far in 2017, more than 12,000 Americans have died by gunfire — 1,300 of them children whose parents will never see them graduate from college, who will never walk down the aisle to be married, who will never put a grandchild into their parents’ arms. It’s legal to smoke. It’s legal to have guns. If we can ban smoking from virtually all public places, how in the world could there be any question about the ability to keep guns out?
I will oppose any effort that forces individuals and businesses to allow weapons on their premises.
Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun? Why or why not?
Yes. The warning bells are sounding loudly. 48,264 people have be
injured or killed by guns this year alone. We must overhaul the way guns are sold in America. A teenager in Virginia can’t buy an antihistamine, or a cigarette, but he can walk into a gun show and walk out with a rifle. No one under 21 should be able to purchase a firearm. If you can’t buy a beer, you can’t buy a gun. No one should purchase a firearm in Virginia without a background check, nor be able purchase more than one firearm a month. All future sales of semi-automatic guns, high volume clips, armor piercing bullets and silencers and should cease immediately. I will always vote for responsible firearm regulation because unlike Republicans who continue to support special interests, I support those of the people.
Should there be more restrictions on the current process of procuring a concealed carry permit for handguns?
We must ensure that an individual’s procurement of a concealed weapon permit is appropriately checked for criminal, or mental health issues, that might signal disqualification. I will support such legislation.
Do you support the legalization of marijuana?
I support the decriminalization of marijuana possession laws in Virginia, and also favor the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. In addition to the burden on taxpayers for prosecution of those charged with possession of marijuana, the laws as currently written also tax the resources of our law enforcement men and women. There is no question medical marijuana has been invaluably helpful to many millions of people suffering from chronic pain as a result of life- threatening or serious diseases. It simply does not make any sense to legally ban a substance that has been proven effective medically.
Should a voter be required to have a valid photo ID to vote?
So-called ‘Voter ID’ laws have been enacted in many states solely as a means to suppress certain citizen communities from being able to vote easily — or at all. Study after study of billions of ballots cast in every type of election over many years only confirm that actual voter fraud is almost nonexistent. I do not believe any voter should be disqualified from voting in his or her precinct simply because they do not possess a certain, or specific type of photo identification.
Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
I agree with our forefathers: “no taxation without representation”. We expect them to pay taxes and the deserve to vote. Those persons convicted of felonies, who have served their sentences, should be have their right to vote restored to them.
Should gerrymandering or political redistricting be made into a non-partisan process?
Yes, it should. It should not, as it has been, be left to the political whims of partisan elected officials more interested in preserving their power in office than in fair, equitable and balanced political districts reflective of the what is in the best interests of the citizens. It has already been proven that an algorithm formulated to the criteria for fair districts, will allow a program to draft districts in accordance with requisite parameters.
What are your top three policy goals?
— Improving our economy by creating a climate favorable to new businesses of all sizes that will result in good-paying jobs for our citizens at a livable minimum wage.
—Supporting all measures that will provide access to affordable, or universal health care, including Medicaid expansion to more than 400,000 Virginians, as well as return more than $2 billion dollars to the state’s treasury.
—Providing more funding for public schools, including early childhood educational programs, and better pay for teachers.
Are you a member of any political organizations? Which political organizations are you a member of and what have they taught you?
I am a member of the Virginia Democratic Party. I believe the Democratic Party’s platform better represents the values of the average Virginian, as well as citizens of the 96th District.
What recent policy changes in the current federal administration do you agree or disagree with? Why?
In just seven months, this Administration has through scores of executive orders and other regulatory mandates, ended, rolled back, or severely modified protections for so many of our citizens — in health care coverage for millions, environmental protection, public school assistance, medical coverage for children, public assistance and public housing, and many more. This Administration is advocating with Congress to give tax breaks to the very wealthy at the expense of middle and lower income Americans. It is now up to us, as Virginians and as citizens of this region, to ensure we are not impacted further by these abusive measures by the current Administration. I am working hard to get to Richmond where I will do everything in my power to buffer my community from the negative impacts of the far right agenda and this erratic president.
Will you be participating in any forums or public debates? When and where?
I welcome the opportunity to appear in any kind of forum, or debate, with my opponent. On several occasions, I have agreed to participate in the League of Women Voters’ candidate forum, but my opponent has refused, and continues to refuse to meet me to discuss the important issues facing the citizens of District 96 despite numerous attempts by the League to accommodate her schedule.
Nevertheless, I plan to hold a forum for citizens to meet me on November 1st to discuss the issues that affect our area, our community, and families. I am still hopeful my opponent, Ms. Pogge, will join me then.
What’s a question you wish we had asked?
Have you met with the citizens of the 96th District in this campaign?
What’s the answer?
In this campaign, I have had the opportunity and privilege to meet thousands of my fellow citizens of the 96th District — at their doors, in their homes, at public gatherings and meetings, and special celebrations. And I hope before Election Day, November 7th, to meet with many more. The vast majority have told me of their concerns about health care, jobs and the economy, desire for
better schools for their children, and concern about the changing environment and its effect on the Chesapeake Bay. They have also told me no candidate for delegate has taken the time come to their door and listen to what matters to them most. They have told me that this race for them is not about party or partisanship, but about putting people first — not politics or special agendas. And they are right. This is why I decided to seek election their representative from the 96th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Updated Oct. 27, 2017 1:11 p.m.: This questionnaire was updated to correct typographical errors after an unedited version was submitted to the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily by the DeLucia campaign, according to the DeLucia campaign. The update does not change the content of DeLucia’s answers. However, the update includes the data of a new forum provided by the DeLucia campaign. The same opportunity to correct typographical errors was extended to Del. Brenda Pogge’s campaign.
