Jennifer Boysko Running For Virginia Senate In 38th District: Profile

HERNDON, VA — Democrat Jennifer Boysko is a 56-year-old, married mother of two, who has been a state legislator for eight years. Currently, she is seeking re-election to the Virginia Senate.

Democrat Boysko is running against Republican challenger Matthew Lang to see who will represent the new 38th District, which includes Herndon, Reston, Great Falls, and McLean. Reston's previous state senator was Janet Howell, who announced that she would not seek reelection in November. Prior to redistricting, Boysko represented the 33rd District.

Election Day is Nov. 7 in Fairfax County, where registered voters will be casting ballots for candidates running for open seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board races. In Fairfax County, candidates are running to be chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, sheriff, commonwealth's attorney, and clerk of the court, as well directors for the Soil and Water Conversation District. Voters will also be choosing who will represent them in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

Related: Matthew Lang Running For Virginia Senate In 38th District: Profile

The first absentee ballots for the General Election will be mailed on Friday, Sept. 22, which is also when early voting begins. Early voting will continue through Nov. 4, which is three days before Election Day. More information about about how to register to vote, vote early, request an absentee ballot and find your polling place in Fairfax City, Falls Church and Fairfax County is available online.

Patch invited each of the candidates running in the 11th District race to fill out a questionnaire about their campaigns. Patch does not edit the responses of candidates to its election questionnaire. The following are Bulova's responses.

Name

Jennifer Boysko

Position sought

State Senate, District 38

Age (at the time of election)

56

Campaign Website

jenniferboysko.com

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

My husband, Glenn, and our two daughters, Hannah and Sophie Claire

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor's Degree from Hollins University, Honorary Doctor of Laws, Hollins University

Occupation - Please include years of experience

State Legislator, 8 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

State Delegate (2016-2019), State Senator (2019-Present)

Why are you seeking elective office?

I look forward to continuing to provide a voice for the constituents of the 38th District and pushing for progressive and pro-business causes that serve our community.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The right to have autonomy over their own bodies. I will continue fighting for Virginians to have the ability to freely make reproductive choices within their families, including by protecting and working to expand access to safe and legal abortions, contraception, and reproductive healthcare.

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

My top three policy priorities going into this term are protecting access to abortions, preventing gun violence, and keeping the quality of our public school education high, all of which would be under threat if Democrats do not keep the majority in the Senate, along with all of the other progress we have made fighting for working families.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Along with protecting abortion rights, fighting for gun violence prevention, and working to continue increasing the world-class quality of our public schools, my top policy priorities include having an economy for all by making sure that all Virginians have access and training for high-quality jobs, making healthcare more accessible, environmental protection, keeping our communities safe and secure, fighting for equal rights for all, improving and modernizing transportation systems, protecting access to the ballot and enacting campaign finance reform, and ensuring animal welfare.

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

I have passed numerous bills during my 8 years in office that have helped improve lives and solved problems for the residents of Virginia. Some of the efforts I have led include passing the DREAM Act, increasing access to have a driving credential, increasing access to affordable education, increasing access to broadband service, making contraception more accessible and affordable, increasing access to mental health and physical healthcare, addressing the opioid epidemic, reforming our criminal justice system, and maintaining a fiscally responsible and robust economy. I was the original author of and co-chaired the recommendation committee for the 2021 History and Social Studies SOL recommendations that would have included the complete history of Virginia and our nation and would have included the stories of our newest Virginians and Americans. We incorporated the input of dozens of teachers, students, subject experts, parents, and stakeholders I have also worked to protect abortion care, to prevent gun violence in Virginia, to stand up for our LGBTQ community, to increase education around hazing prevention, and have carried many other bills to protect our most vulnerable Virginia residents.

Honors

• Dog's Best Friend Award - PETA 2022,
• Legislator of the Year -Virginia Nurses Association 2022
• Community Champion - LEAD American 2022,
• Aggie Wolf Defender of Choice Award - NARAL Pro-Choice VA 2021,
• Legislative Champion - Roanoke Broadband Authority 2021,
• Climate Champion - CCAN Action Fund 2021,
• Environmental Justice Award - VA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT 2021,
• Legislator of the Year - VA Education Association & Federation of Teachers 2020,
• Chris Atwood Superhero - Chris Atwood Foundation 2020,
• Legislator of the Month - Cruelty-Free International 2021,
• Animal-Friendly Award - PETA 2018,
• Solid as a Rock - VA Education Association 2017

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen to people and acknowledge that other people’s opinions and concerns are valid to them. Find ways to work together to solve problems, and work to find consensus.

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

My current committee assignments include the Judiciary Committee, Transportation Committee, General Laws and Technology Committee, Privileges and Elections Committee, and the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee. In addition, I serve on a number of boards and commissions for the Commonwealth including as the only state legislator serving on the Northern VA Transportation Authority, the entity that decides how local funds are spent on transportation projects. I serve on the Commission on Civics Education, the Commission on Unemployment Compensation, the Information Technology Advisory Commission, the Broadband Advisory Council, the Task Force for Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault, and the Addiction Recovery Services Council.

I have always been committed to public service. Long before I ever thought about running for office, I served as an aide to Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, helping our residents solve problems in our community. A long-time pro-choice supporter, I served on the C4 board of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. I have been involved with my community for nearly 30 years here in Herndon as a member of the Herndon Fortnightly Club, the Rotary Club of Herndon/Reston, Herndon High School PTSA Board as the Parent Education Chair, and Sports Boosters, the Herndon Optimists, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, and Cornerstones. My longtime community work has helped inform me as I assist constituents with a variety of challenges that come up throughout the year needing constituent services. It is imperative to keep in close connection with the community and I have a proven track record of showing up and working together to get things done for the people in our community.

I believe that there is so much important work to complete in the General Assembly. These elections will determine the direction we will take in Virginia. I am a Democrat and we are committed to preserving the full scope of reproductive care including abortion access. Virginia is the last state in the South without a ban on access all the way to New Mexico, I am committed to doing more to prevent gun violence in our communities, fighting to protect and improve our public education system so that every student learns to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively so that they can take on the 21st-century jobs. I remain committed to preserving a clean environment and advancing a renewable energy economy, and I will continue working to make Virginia a safe and healthy place where all are welcome and can find success.

I want to continue this work and ask you voters to cast your ballot to support me. I would be grateful to have you on my team.