Rae Cousins | Democrat for Delegate Richmond, VA

Meet Rae j24

MEET RAE

Rae is a fourth generation Richmonder who has proudly represented the 79th District in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2023, fighting to build a Virginia where working families can thrive.

As a Delegate, Rae has been a powerful voice for her community, championing legislation focused on critical issues like education, housing justice, food insecurity, justice reform, maternal and reproductive health, and much more.

Rae has been a leading voice in the House of Delegates for communities struggling with food insecurity, an issue many residents of the 79th District face. She passed legislation to codify the K-12 Farm to School Task Force and the Hunger-Free Campus grant program to address hunger on university and college campuses.

Rae currently serves on the Courts of Justice, Education, and Public Safety Committees.

During her first term, Rae passed 21 pieces of legislation through the General Assembly. She was named 2024 Virginia Education Association Rookie of the Year, 2024 Virginia Chamber of Commerce Freshman Legislator of the Year, and 2025 Virginia Education Association Legislative Champion.

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The Issues j24

EXPLORE RAE'S PLATFORM

A high-quality education is the foundation for economic opportunity and future success. Rae is dedicated to defending public education and renewing our commitment to students by modernizing technology and school buildings. Rae rejects “school choice” policies and voucher schemes, which divert your tax dollars away from public schools. Rae is working to secure funding for career and technical training for Richmond’s young people, universal pre-K, early childhood care, and increased teacher pay. Rae also works to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender or sexual identity, feel safe and respected in school.

The Commonwealth is one election away from bans on bodily autonomy. Rae is a staunch advocate for the fundamental right to an abortion and the use of contraception, and has proudly championed reproductive health on the floor of the Virginia House. Rae appreciates the work that has been done to ensure that reproductive healthcare remains legal and accessible in Virginia, and she continues to advance policies that will protect and expand these foundational rights, including improving access to lifesaving maternal healthcare.

All Virginians deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods. Rae has worked to enhance sensible gun reform measures to keep our streets safe. She has also supported efforts to eradicate the school-to-prison pipeline, invest in after-school enrichment programs, provide funding for programs that support individuals with felony convictions as they reenter society, and work with community stakeholders and law enforcement to implement data driven policies that cut to the root cause of crime in our neighborhoods.

Access to safe, affordable, and healthy housing can change the trajectory of someone’s life and provide a firm foundation for a family. As Delegate, Rae has worked in this area to protect and expand tenants’ rights, increase the inventory of affordable housing in our communities, and support residents who want to stay in their communities in the face of rising tax revenues and the increasing cost of living. That also means keeping utility prices down and putting a halt to unnecessary evictions.

No Virginian should have to make the decision to forego healthcare because of the hefty price tag of medical services and prescription drugs. Rae has worked with her colleagues in the General Assembly to expand affordable quality healthcare for all Virginians. She has also supported legislation aimed at ensuring paid family and medical leave. Rae will never compromise with Republicans who seek to dismantle public healthcare for low-income Virginians, the elderly, and children.

Richmonders work hard, and they deserve some breathing room. Rae knows that there are so many residents who are doing everything they can to provide for their families, and still can’t get ahead. That’s why Rae has called for tax breaks for working families so they can weather the impacts of inflation and have the tools they need to get ahead. Rae is also committed to protecting unions and ensuring freedom of association. As the proud child of a union household herself, Rae has seen firsthand how collective bargaining and union protections can uplift families and transform entire communities.

Food insecurity remains a harsh reality for too many Virginians. The high cost of living, the increasing price of essentials are making it increasingly difficult for those even working multiple jobs to make ends meet. But this doesn’t have to be an enduring problem. That is why Rae has introduced legislation and championed solutions to address food insecurity on Virginia’s college campuses, ensure K-12 students have access to nutritious meals, and continues to work with her colleagues to increase support for trusted, local organizations that serve those struggling with food insecurity.

Rae is committed to working with her colleagues to protect our shared environment and address environmental hazards, which disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. She has sought to ensure more urban green spaces, invest in Virginia’s developing clean energy economy, and fight for transparency, accountability, and community input in the decisions behind new development projects.

ENDORSEMENTS

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CONSTITUENT SERVICES

I am proud to serve as your Delegate in the Virginia General Assembly and advocate for you at the state level. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of service.

My office is available to:

Assist with state agencies, such as the VEC, DMV, or DSS
Guide you through the state legislative process
Introduce bills of interest to you
Schedule local meetings

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