Del. Delores McQuinn has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since winning a 2009 special election. In that time, she has never received less than 73% of the vote in a Democratic primary or general election for the House, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
On Tuesday, she will face off with Henrico County School Board member Alicia Atkins — in a primary that takes place at a time when the Democratic Party across the country is considering whether to elevate new voices or continue to rely on seasoned political leaders.
Atkins has broken several barriers in her time on the school board: She was the first Black woman elected to represent the Varina District in 2019, and was unanimously chosen in 2024 as the first Black woman to chair the board.
She said her campaign is an extension of her work at the local level — building educational equity, fighting for environmental justice, promoting community health and mental wellness.
“We have neighborhoods here in eastern Henrico that are full of history and potential, and they just simply need greater investment,” Atkins told VPM News. “Our platform really is focusing on stronger schools, safer neighborhoods and healthier environments. I think that is something that we all care about.”
Atkins said she’s spent her time in public service advocating for equitable policies for students and families. As a school board member, Atkins led policy decisions over the removal of racial and gender bias in school dress codes, helped create Henrico’s first educational equity policy and championed environmental initiatives like the creation of the nation’s first K-12 “living building” at Wilton Farm.
Atkins — who has raised just over $3,000 during the campaign, compared to $163,000 for McQuinn, according to VPAP — insists that her connection to the community and understanding of a new generation of voters who want more urgency on issues like affordability and equity will give her the edge.
“Young people, working parents, elders, they're looking for someone who sees them, hears them, follows through,” Atkins told VPM News. “My campaign is built around building something with honesty. It's about renewing that connection to people who live here, honoring their concerns as well as celebrating their achievements.”
McQuinn has leaned on her longstanding reputation as a community leader who gets results at the Capitol. She chairs the House Transportation Committee and is vice chair of the General Assembly’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission.
Policy-wise, she plans to continue supporting funding for early childhood education, protecting historical and cultural sites and health care.
“I’m fortunate to have respect coming from other colleagues across the board, because they know the work that I've done,” McQuinn told VPM News. “They know the diligence I’ve put into enhancing the quality of life of those that I serve.”
Both candidates have opted to keep their campaigns focused on the future rather than emphasizing political experience. McQuinn said she’s always made it a point to invite young people into her political fold and decision-making process.
“I welcome the younger generation and I will continue to do that.” McQuinn told VPM News. “I've got three grandbabies and I promise you every action that I take now, everything that I think about in terms of what can I do is to make certain that they have a better quality of life than I had.”
Read VPM News’ interviews with other June primary candidates:
Lieutenant Governor: Levar Stoney | Ghazala Hashmi | Babur Lateef | Alex Bastani | Victor Salgado
Attorney General: Jay Jones | Shannon Taylor
Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney: Tom Barbour and Colette McEachin
Richmond City Sheriff: William Burnett and Antionette Irving
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Jack Jouett District: Sally Duncan and Dave Shreve
