House District 84 candidates: Nadarius Clark and Michael Dillender Sr.
The House of Delegates 84th District includes parts of Suffolk, Franklin, Chesapeake and Isle of Wight County. Democrat Nadarius Clark is facing off against Republican Michael J. Dillender Sr.
Nadarius Clark
Age: 28
Occupation: Mental health professional, Gateway Services
Education/degree: Bachelor’s degree, Virginia Union University
Party affiliation: Democrat
Previous elected offices held (if any): House of Delegates, District 79
Candidates website: www.clarkfordelegate.com
What piece of legislation would you most like to see passed in the next General Assembly session?
The bill I would like to see passed is one that I wrote and introduced in my first year as delegate, HB 535. This bill would raise teacher pay in Virginia to the national average. We are facing a massive teacher shortage, especially in the Hampton Roads area. Class sizes are growing larger and larger, and we need to prioritize available funds to help students get ahead. That means recruiting and retaining the best teachers for Virginia, as well as fully funding our classrooms and schools.
Virginia allows abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, or up to about 26 weeks, and limits circumstances under which third-trimester abortions are permitted. Should the rules under which the state allows abortion be changed? If so, until what week/trimester should abortion be allowed in the state and why do you feel that limit is appropriate?
It is so important that we protect a woman’s right to determine when and how to start a family here in Virginia. That’s why I co-sponsored a constitutional amendment to protect the right to choose in our Commonwealth. Politicians shouldn’t come between a woman and her doctor when it comes to reproductive health decisions and every person deserves the right to make personal medical decisions without the interference of politicians.
The state is set to leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has provided millions of dollars in flood and resiliency funding to municipalities in Hampton Roads. How would you like to see flooding and resiliency programs paid for if RGGI is no longer an option and what is an adequate amount of money for the state to contribute?
The millions of dollars provided by RGGI for flood readiness in Virginia have significantly bolstered our region’s ability to combat climate change and ensure the next generation can build a life for themselves and their families in Hampton Roads. During the first two years of participation, RGGI provided $250 million to make low-income housing in Virginia more energy efficient, lowering the cost of energy expenses for many Virginia families. Virginia does not have the option of simply walking away from incentives like this. Every dollar of support RGGI provides is critical for the future of Virginia, and especially our coastal communities.
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Michael Dillender Sr.
Age: 51
Occupation: Retired Naval officer and former financial planner
Education: MBA
Previous elected office: None
Website: mikedillenderva.com/
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.
