Candidate Profile: Irene Shin For VA House Of Delegates​

HERNDON, VA — Irene Shin is the executive director of a non-profit focused on civic engagement in Virginia. She is also the Democratic Party candidate running for the open seat in the 86th District of the Virginia House of Delegates.

During the Nov. 2 general election, voters living in the 86th District, which covers Herndon, Oak Hill and Chantilly in Fairfax County and parts of Loudoun County, will have a chance to decide whether Shin or Republican Julie Perry will serve in the next session of the Virginia General Assembly. Early voting is already underway.

Patch asked each of the candidates running in the Nov. 2 general election to fill out the following profile:

Name

Irene Shin

Position sought

Delegate for the 86th District

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Father, DJ, Mother, Jeemin, and my brother Brandon.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A. Political Science, University of California, Riverside

Occupation

Executive Director, Non-profit focused on civic engagement in Virginia

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for delegate because I want to make government accessible to all. I’ve seen time and time again how lives can be changed for the better when government is responsive and effective to the needs of a community. I will always work to ensure that our government represents all Virginians, no matter their background, and champion working family policies to take care of the people who most need it. I’ve worked for years to elect more women, women of color, and people of color to office because I fundamentally believe that our elected representatives should reflect the communities they serve. As a first-generation American, former organizer, and policy expert, I know how to build a government that works for all. I value coalition-building as a means to achieving policy wins on the issues that we care about and know how to get work done. Our government is our greatest resource for scaling impact and doing good work, and I’m dedicated to making sure everyone can live their lives in full dignity, no matter what.

Education is the most pressing issues facing our district is "building it back better."

As President Biden and my former boss Vice-President Kamala Harris have said, we need to "build back better:" That means Universal Pre-K to level the playing field and help women re-enter the workforce, Universal Family Medical Leave, so that we can take care of our family members if they are facing a medical emergency, and Universal Paid Sick Leave, so we never have sick people going to work, potentially spreading disease or viruses. These will be my priorities if elected.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The Republican opponent we are running against is completely out of step with our community. I believe that everyone deserves to lead a life of dignity, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, or disability. However, my opponent’s platform is the antithesis of this. She has verbally attacked LGBTQ+ students and youth, compared her experience as a right-wing teacher to being a Jewish victim of the Holocaust, and called COVID-19 safety measures in schools “child abuse.” Her values and statements are deeply misaligned with our community’s values. I have shared the lived experience of many of our area’s families and I’m not afraid to stand up for our community and for the values we share.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Voters can check out an extensive list of my positions on the issues at www.ireneforva.com/issues

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My work as a community organizer, my work as staff for then Senator-Kamala Harris, my work as a director of a nonprofit focused on increasing civic engagement in Virginia, and my work recruiting and supporting literally dozens of female candidates and elected officials has prepared me for this work. Let's get to work.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Make friends with people with dogs.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Check out my campaign at www.ireneforva.com. Read my positions, get involved, let's connect!

Related:

Candidate Profile: Julie Perry For VA House Of Delegates