Fil-Am political newbie in Virginia wins her first run for office

Winner of a seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates Kelly Convirs-Fowler.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – A Filipino American political novice, a Democrat, won Virginia’s District 21 seat in the state’s House of Delegates, beating another Filipino American, a veteran Republican.

Democratic challenger Kelly Convirs-Fowler upset four-term Republican Delegate Ron Villanueva, 53% to 46%.

Fowler entered the race after Donald Trump won the presidential election last year. According to AsAmNews, she brought her daughter with her to the Women’s March the day after Trump’s inauguration, saying that it was then she realized the march was for her as much as it was for her daughter.

A year ago, Fowler was just another disappointed Hillary Clinton supporter, like hundreds of volunteers who campaigned for Clinton. She decided to take action.

“After last year’s election, it’s amazing to win and feel like we’re making progress,” said Fowler, who was a teacher before becoming a real estate broker.

As a gun owner, Fowler supports background checks and a waiting period for anyone purchasing a gun.

She believes climate change exists and wants to protect District 21’s coastal communities from the rising waters of Chesapeake Bay.

On women’s issues, she supports a woman’s right to choose, equal pay, non-discrimination in the workplace, and strong laws that stop violence against women. As a daughter of immigrants, she supports Dreamers right to stay in the U.S.

She backs the expansion of Medicaid in Virginia.

Fowler’s election was one of 17 that the Democrats sought to win to reduce the GOP’s two-thirds majority in the state’s House of Delegates. Democrats ended up flipping 16 seats, erasing a 32-seat house majority, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Democratic Party’s victories in Virginia, from the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General to the House of Delegates was seen as a rejection of Donald Trump and his divisive positions.