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It’s a rematch in the 96th District, where Democrat Mark Downey, a pediatrician, challenges Republican Del. Amanda Batten, who took office two years ago.
The district, which includes most of James City County and about half of York County, has been in Republican hands since 1992. But it was close in 2019 — with Batten winning 52.5% to 46.4%.
Batten, a legislative aide for Del. Brenda Pogge for six years, ran when her boss stepped down. Her experience “allowed me to jump right in without any sort of learning curve,” she said. “I know exactly how we can best assist constituents with obtaining help from state agencies and other entities around the Commonwealth.”
The pandemic has been challenging, Batten said, contending that virtual meetings instead of real conversations led to some faulty legislation last year.
“I think we’re going to have to do some cleanup work,” she said, referring to a bill that did away with certain crime reporting to school officials. She also said she would work for new legislation to constrain the governor’s power to issue executive orders that last indefinitely.
Downey, for his part, said continued health care reform is his top priority. “My top priority is ensuring that every Virginian has access to high quality, affordable, and complete healthcare coverage, which includes vision, dental, hearing, and mental health coverage,” he said.
“It doesn’t look like we’re going to get done with this pandemic anytime soon,” Downey added. “So it’s good to have a physician, a pediatrician, in the General Assembly to help guide policy and decision making.” Residents he’s talked to, he said, “appreciate the fact that I look at the data and the science and evidence and look out for their families and kids. That’s why I think it’s a close race.”
“We’re optimistic that this is the time that the district will finally elect a Democrat,” Downey said.
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Del. Amanda Batten, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 42
Occupation: State delegate since January 2020. Was previously a legislative aide to Del. Brenda Pogge for six years and an aide to Sen. Thomas K. “Tommy” Norment for three years before that.
Previous office held, if any: None
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (Ashford University); Associate of Arts (Frederick Community College, Frederick, Maryland)
Website: amandabatten.com
If re-elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done? “My top priority would be legislation that constrains the power of the governor to issue executive orders for long periods of time.” Take, for example, a Friday night order that says that restaurants have to go to cut capacity in half by the next Monday, creating and scrambling and panic for the restaurants. “I don’t want to see any governor, regardless of their political affiliation, have that level of sway over over the Commonwealth,” Batten said. While she’s not against executive orders, she said, “there needs to be a time constraint on it,” allowing the General Assembly to meet and vote on the issue.
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Dr. Mark Downey, Democrat
Age: 54
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Occupation: Pediatrician
Previous office held, if any: None
Education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia; Doctor of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Website: downeyforvirginia.com
If elected, what would be your top priority and how would you get it done? “My top priority is ensuring that every Virginian has access to high quality, affordable, and complete healthcare coverage, which includes vision, dental, hearing, and mental health coverage,” he said. He would also support Medicaid expansion, transitioning Virginia to a full state-based exchanges and lowering premiums. “I will work with the legislature to provide a public option so that all Virginians will have access to healthcare coverage,” Downey said. That, he said, would lead to affordable high-quality coverage for both individuals and small businesses.