My Opponent’s Record
Tim Griffin doesn't practice what he preaches.
He's a Republican, but he votes with his caucus only 72% of the time, and that is not because he is a liberal. He often votes against bills with overwhelming support in the House of Delegates, and he proposes inflammatory legislation. The 53rd District deserves a delegate who will provide robust representation, not just agitation.
Education
Griffin says our schools have "come under attack," but again and again, he has voted against bills that would help Virginia's schoolchildren.
He voted against a bill that would help encourage parents to properly store guns and prescription drugs (HB1678).
He shot down a task force that would study chronic school absenteeism (HB1769) and rejected a bill that would give more students access to telehealth and teletherapy services (HB1945).
He voted against a public-private early childhood education program (HB1972), audits on student literacy (HB2053), and school accessibility improvements (HB2278), and he opposed support for at-risk and special education students (HB1954).
He voted against a bill that would prevent schools from publicly punishing students who cannot afford school lunch (SB1017).
He voted against a bill that would inform college students of their eligibility for SNAP benefits (SB1018).
He opposed efforts that could prevent children from suffering heat-related illness during hot summer sports practices (HB1663).
He voted against providing students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with information that could help them achieve postsecondary education (HB1805) and opposed giving students the opportunity to take advanced or accelerated math (HB2686).
Healthcare
Griffin, who claims to support policies that will "strengthen our families," frequently votes in a way that would achieve the opposite.
He rejected a bill that would help reduce discrimination at the doctor's office or hospital (HB1649) and voted against health insurance for infertility treatments (HB1609), contraception (HB2371), and even the right to contraception (HB1716).
He voted against a bill that would encourage Virginia's communities to make data-driven decisions about whether their citizens have access to healthcare (HB1827).
He voted against a bill that would provide the right to employ a doula, before and after a baby's birth, to help keep mothers and babies healthy (HB1614), and a bill that would inform Medicaid-eligible, prenatal, pregnant, and postpartum mothers about healthy baby programs (HB1929).
He voted against making childcare more affordable for Virginia's parents (HB1771), and he opposed a bill that would enable homeless youths to obtain vital records, driver's licenses, and other permits or cards at no cost to them (HB1617).
He voted against a bill that would provide all children, regardless of ability, the full and free right to use public playgrounds (HB1800).
Criminal Justice/Accessibility
A lawyer, Griffin touts that he will "protect victims and punish criminals" while he votes against bills that would improve public safety.
He rejected a bill that proposed restrictions on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines (HB1607).
He said "no" to a bill that would deny rapists the right to lay claim to children they conceived through sexual violence (HB1727).
Through his vote, Griffin said pregnancy or a recent birth shouldn't be taken into consideration when it comes to setting bail (HB2328).
Economy, Regulations, and Public Assistance
Griffin's votes relating to the economy, regulations, and public assistance have also been detrimental.
He opposed a bill that would prohibit public bodies from importing goods made with "forced or indentured child labor" (SB913).
He voted against a bill that would help Virginians buy their first homes (HB1598) and against a plan to turn surplus property into affordable housing (HB1758).
He said "no" to a bill that would map the state's food deserts (HJ447) and opposed providing food banks with information that would aid families applying for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC (SB1019).
He voted against bills that would help oversee the cannabis industry (HJ497 and HB2485) and opposed a bill that would allow localities to set up public campaign financing for local races (HB1761).
He voted against collective bargaining for firefighters, emergency medical services providers, and public employees (HB2495 and SB917).
I want to be clear — I have spoken with Tim on many occasions. He has always been kind to me, and I do not doubt that he believes that he is the best candidate for the 53rd district. Based on his record, however, I am forced to disagree. If you are similarly troubled by his votes, know that there is another option running. I encourage you to further explore my campaign, and I hope that you will join me.