For Immediate Release
Date: August 28, 2017
Contact: Jason Stanford, 571-336-2147

 Delegate Lopez Named Co-Chair for Northam Campaign

Additions To Campaign Leadership Reflect Ralph’s Growing Support in Communities Across Virginia 

Richmond, Va. -- Today, the Northam for Governor campaign announced the addition of four co-chairs to the leadership of campaign chair Delegate Marcia Price. The co-chairs reflect the growing support of communities and stakeholders from across Virginia who are supporting Dr. Ralph Northam’s vision of a commonwealth with economic opportunity for all, no matter who you are, no matter where you live. 

"Working closely with Dr. Northam for the last six years as a member of the General Assembly, I've seen firsthand his passion and dedication for helping those in need," said Delegate Alfonso Lopez. "We need his experience and leadership in the Governor's mansion to keep our commonwealth moving forward."

“Dr. Ralph Northam has spent his life in service of Virginia children and their families and he’s running for governor to ensure they have the access to the same opportunities he did growing up,” said Dorothy McAuliffe. “That’s the kind of leadership we need more of in Richmond and I know Ralph is the right person to bring people together and get it done.”

“In the ten years Dr. Ralph Northam has spent in public office, he’s been able to successfully and significantly impact the everyday lives of Virginians for the better,” said Reverend Tyrone Nelson. “I can only imagine how he’ll maximize the positive impact he can make on our commonwealth with the four years he’ll have as our 73rd governor. I look forward to working closely with Ralph to build on Virginia’s progress.” 

“Public service has been the cornerstone of Dr. Ralph Northam’s life and there is no one better suited to be Virginia’s next governor,” said Isaac Sarver. “This November, we have the chance to elect someone who has served his country in the U.S. Army, served his community as a pediatric neurologist, and served his commonwealth as a state senator and now lieutenant governor. I am honored to join Dr. Northam as a co-chair in his campaign and to share with everyone what he’ll do to better education, healthcare, and the economy when he serves as our next governor.” 

Northam For Governor Campaign Co-Chairs include: 

• Delegate Marcia Price -- Delegate, House District 95

• First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe -- First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia

• Former Congressman L.F. Payne -- U.S. House of Representatives, VA-05

• Senator Jennifer McClellan -- State Senate, District 9

• Atif Qarni

• Reverend Tyrone Nelson -- Henrico County Board of Supervisors, Varina District

• Lori Haas -- Virginia State Director, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

• Delegate Alfonso Lopez -- Delegate, House District 49

• Reverend Kelvin Jones

• Isaac Sarver -- Secretary of the Democratic Party of Virginia

• Mark Bowles -- Vice President of State-Government relations at McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC

• Traci Deshazor -- Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth

• Laura Henderson -- Founder and CEO of BizConnect Hampton Roads

• Sharon Bulova -- Chairwoman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

• Paulette McElwain -- Chief Operating Officer for Virginia League of Planned Parenthood

• Tarina Keene -- Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia 

Delegate Marcia Price

Marcia Price, born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, holds a master of arts in religious studies from Howard University and bachelor of arts in philosophy from Spelman College. Delegate Price worked under Governor Warner and as a regional coordinator for an NAACP voter registration campaign before enjoying a career in dental office administration and management. In September 2015, Delegate Price started VA-BLOC, a non-profit which focuses on voter engagement, civic involvement and leadership development. Currently, she represents the 95th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. Marcia is also a member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, on the regional board for Habitat for Humanity, and takes part in other civic organizations.   

First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe

First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe graduated from the Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s in political science, and from the Georgetown University Law Center with a juris doctor. She practiced regulatory and securities law for several years and also became actively involved in her community, particularly in education and the arts. These include serving as a presidential appointee to the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and on the education committees for both the Center and the Smithsonian Institution. As First Lady and Chair of the Commonwealth Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide, she has championed the fight to end childhood hunger. The First Lady has also engaged in supporting educational opportunities for military families and their children. 

Congressman L.F. Payne

Born in Amherst, Virginia, Congressman Payne graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1967 and worked as a licensed professional engineer. He is a veteran and former officer of the US Army, and also obtained an MBA from the University of Virginia in 1973. After founding and expanding Wintergreen Resort, Congressman Payne represented the 5th Congressional District of Virginia for four terms as a Democrat. He served on the House Ways and Means Committee and various subcommittees, and is currently president of McGuireWoods Consulting. In recognition of his accomplishments, Congressman Payne has received numerous awards such as the Hall of Fame of Virginia Boys State and the Spirit of Enterprise from the US Chamber of Congress. 

Senator Jennifer McClellan

Born in Petersburg, State Senator Jennifer McClellan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond in 1994 and a juris doctor from the University of Virginia in 1997. She is a longtime Democratic Party activist, and has served on both the national and state Democratic committees. Senator McClellan represents the 9th District of Virginia in the State Senate, and has focused on improving education outcomes, protecting women’s rights and fighting bullying. She is also a member of various legal organizations, the boards of community groups, and other local associations. 

Atif Qarni

Atif Qarni was raised in Parkville, Maryland, and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves after graduating from Parkville High School in 1996. In 2003, Mr. Qarni was deployed in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and also served during Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from George Washington University in 2000, a master’s degree in history from George Mason University in 2007, and a master’s degree in education administration from Strayer University. Subsequently, he taught eighth grade mathematics at Beville Middle School in Prince William County. Mr. Qarni was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senate in 2015 and has continued to remain active in the Democratic party since then. 

Reverend Tyrone Nelson

The Reverend Tyrone Nelson is a native of Richmond, VA. Reverend Nelson earned his associate of science in business administration from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; a bachelor of science in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University; and a master of divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He is the current pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond, and represents the Varina District on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. Reverend Nelson also serves on the boards of several organization such as the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. 

Lori Haas

Lori Haas was born in Richmond, Virginia and graduated in 1976 from Saint Gertrude High School before attending Virginia Tech for two years. Following a successful career in real estate, Lori volunteered for several neighborhood, church and civic organizations. After her daughter Emily was shot twice during the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and survived, Lori became involved in gun violence prevention efforts. She has lobbied on Capitol Hill and before the Virginia General Assembly, and has worked with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Protest Easy Guns, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the Virginia Center for Public Safety to pass responsible gun laws. Lori currently serves as the Virginia State Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. She lives in Richmond and is married with three children. 

Delegate Alfonso Lopez

Delegate Alfonso Lopez grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, where he attended the Robinson Secondary School. He received a bachelor of arts from Vassar College in 1992 and a juris doctor from the Tulane University Law School in 1995. Delegate Lopez served as Governor Kaine's Director of the Virginia Liaison Office in Washington, D.C., the Governor's representative to the National Governors Association, and the Deputy Policy Director on Governor-Elect Kaine's Transition Team. He later served as the Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration where he helped lead efforts to develop and enact proposals in the areas of economic development, job creation, contracting, and innovation. He has also served on both the State and National Democratic committees. Delegate Lopez currently represents the 49th District in the Virginia House of delegates, and serves as the Whip of the Virginia House Democratic Caucus. He is also the founder and co-chair of the Virginia Environment & Renewable Energy Caucus in the General Assembly. He has received numerous awards, including recognition as the Virginia Interfaith Center's Legislator of the Year in 2014. 

Reverend Kelvin Jones

The Reverend Kelvin Jones earned his master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Reverend Jones has served as the pastor of First Baptist Church Capeville in Cape Charles, Virginia, since 1989, and Ralph Northam is one of his parishioners. Under his leadership, First Baptist has seen a 75 percent increase in church membership and attendance. Additionally, Reverend Jones has helped implement weekly Bible study classes, midweek services, and the creation of several ministries focused on youth, audio and video, and substance abuse among other areas. Recently, he was hired as the Director of Ministries for Blue Water Development, and will develop faith and worship services for their various locales. Reverend Jones has also led opening prayers for several government branches and organizations.    

Isaac Sarver

Isaac Sarver graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor of arts in political science and government in 2012 before undertaking two years of graduate studies at Virginia Tech. He served in various roles for the Democratic Party including campaign manager for Delegate Bill Thomas and Deputy Political Director for Southwest Virginia for the Democratic National Committee. Later, Mr. Sarver continued his service as the Deputy Political Director for Western Virginia for the Virginia branch of Organizing for America and as president of the Virginia Young Democrats. Mr. Sarver was also appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to serve on the Board of Conservation and Recreation. Mr. Sarver is currently the Secretary of the Democratic Party of Virginia. 

Mark Bowles

Mark Bowles is an executive vice president of state government relations at McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and a partner with McGuireWoods LLP. He earned a bachelor of arts in english and political science at James Madison University in 1984 and a juris doctor from the University of Richmond in 1989. Mr. Bowles has been involved in Virginia politics for over three decades. During this time, he has managed two statewide campaigns, a congressional campaign, and several other legislative races. Mr. Bowles served as chief of staff to former Representative L.F. Payne (D-VA), an assistant attorney general, and as staff counsel for the Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. Most recently, Mr. Bowles served on the finance committee for the McAuliffe for Governor campaign and as the finance co-chair for the inauguration of Governor Terry McAuliffe. He is also a member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors. 

Traci Deshazor

Traci Deshazor is a native of Danville and a graduate of George Washington High School. She completed in master of arts in liberal studies degree in justice and legal studies at Hollins University in 2010. Ms. Deshazor also earned a bachelor of arts in international studies from Virginia Tech and is a graduate of various training programs such as the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders program. Before joining the McAuliffe administration as deputy director of the Virginia Office of Intergovernmental affairs, she served on the Governor-Elect’s transition team and in other similar capacities. Traci was recently appointed the Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth by Governor Terry McAuliffe.   

Laura Henderson

Laura Henderson is the founder and CEO of BizConnect Hampton Roads. She spent over 15 years at the Virginian-Pilot, first as the Art Director and then as Operations Manager. Ms. Henderson was responsible for hiring employees, day-to-day operations, human resources, revenue generation and other elements of operation. After Pilot Media, she started a marketing business, Win Local Stuff, which promoted local retailers, restaurants, and more enterprises. Later on, she founded BizConnect Hampton Roads after she started local networking events as a way to bring in new clientele for her client’s businesses. Currently,  Ms. Henderson is also a member of various community groups such as the Downtown Norfolk Council, LOVEVA, and the Ghent Business Association. 

Chairwoman Sharon Bulova

Sharon Bulova grew up in Pikesville, Maryland, before moving to Fairfax County and earning a degree from Northern Virginia Community College. Chairwoman Bulova has spent many years in service to the public good, and one of her earliest moments was when she served as vice president of the Kings Park West Civic Association. She worked as a legislative aide to Annandale District Supervisor Audrey Moore before running for a seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at Moore’s encouragement. Since then, she has worked on several major projects such as the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service, and helped realize the transformation of Tysons Corner into a developed mixed use, transit-focused community. Chairwoman Bulova currently serves as Chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and was reelected in 2015. She lives in Fairfax with her husband, and they have four adult children and seven grandchildren. 

Paulette McElwain

Paulette McElwain obtained a bachelor of arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1996 before earning a master of arts in the liberal arts from St. John’s College in 1999. Over the next several years, she served the Society for Neuroscience, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Virginia, and the Christian Children’s Fund, now Childfund International. Her commitment to serving the public continued through her leadership as first vice president of development and then as chief operating officer of the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood. Later in 2011, as president of that organization, Paulette guided the transition for the Richmond clinic from a Floyd Avenue location under threat from regulations against abortion clinics to a new medical building on Hamilton Street which met state standards. She continues to fight for healthcare for all people.   

Tarina Keene

Tarina Keene began at the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia in January 2008. She also serves as the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia lobbyist at the Virginia General Assembly. She is dedicated to making sure the women of Virginia have access to the full range of reproductive health care options. Tarina is also the founder and chair of the Virginia Coalition to Protect Women’s Health. The coalition came together in March 2011 after the General Assembly passed a law regulating abortion providers as hospitals. Additionally, she successfully recruited more than a dozen state and national organizations and abortion providers to work together to diminish the regulations. She has a B.A. in Media Studies and a B.A. in Political Science from Radford University and a Master’s of Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Old Dominion University.

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