Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Jackie Glass, Virginia House of Delegates District 93

We are now entering the home stretch of the 2025 elections! There are quite a few elections going on this year, including for the Virginia House of Delegates, where Democrats hold a slim majority. Today we are profiling Jackie Glass (she/her/hers/ella) the delegate for Virginia’s 93rd district, which rests within the city of Norfolk, Virginia’s 4th largest city by population. A veteran of the US Navy, Jackie is now a DEI consultant and member of the NAACP and Black Chamber of Commerce. This millennial mom of two is passionate about public schools, housing and honest police interrogation.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Norfolk, Virginia.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
I currently serve as a Delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates and am running for re-election in the 93rd District.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I want to make sure that no matter whether you come here, are from here, or are passing through here, you feel safe, supported, and empowered to improve your quality of life.  I believe everyone deserves a life outside of work and school. I focus on that through better transportation options, protection of creative property, criminal justice reforms (particularly for youth), and creating interstate compacts that allow people to work in Virginia without unnecessary barriers.

What inspired you to run?
The kids at the bus stop in front of my house. Every day, I’d see them doing homework at the stop, and me being curious , I went out to see what was going on. That conversation turned into turning my home into a “homework house” and working as a liaison with their schools and families. Those kids taught me what it means to be rooted in community and show up for people outside of yourself. They push me and ran my campaign the first time I ran for office.

Running for state delegate wasn’t on my radar because I didn’t want to get involved in party politics. But my community and my husband made me see things differently. My husband put it plainly: “You’ve been showing up when nobody asked you to. Now the community is asking you to. If you say no, you’re lying to them or to yourself. Do the job or find someone to do it.” That’s what pushed me to step up.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I want to bring a sense of pride and ownership back to our communities where people know they don’t have to settle for less and they understand how powerful they are in shaping the policies that govern their lives. I call it buying into the ABCs of governance to people:
A – Accountability
B – Boldness
C – Coalition Building

My goal is that residents in my district feel capable, connected, and fully engaged at every level of government.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I’ve been serving for almost four years. One of my proudest legislative wins is making sure victims of crime can access benefits without being forced to cooperate with police because Virginia at the time, didn't have a witness protection program, but we were requiring cooperation for support owed to victims.

Another major accomplishment is ending deceptive interrogation tactics for juveniles, including banning the use of lies or AI-generated tactics during questioning. Kids deserve truth and fairness, and good police work doesn’t require trickery.

And honestly, my biggest accomplishment is having a more educated and engaged electorate because of my presence. People are showing up more and learning more, and that’s powerful.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Housing. The cost to live is wild, and we’re not producing enough housing. Fixing this requires coordination between state and local governments, creative zoning solutions, and incentivizing building without displacing people. I’m committed to pushing for that coordination so we can get results that work for everyday families.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I don’t see the same level of division in my district that makes headlines nationally. What I see is people who care about the same things, safety, stability, and opportunity, even if they have different ways of expressing it. The problem is the loudest, most divisive voices keep getting the microphone.

I curate spaces where people of all backgrounds can engage and talk openly. And I hold my own party accountable the same way I hold the other side accountable. That honesty builds trust. When we call out wins and failures on both sides, people realize we’re all trying to solve problems, not just score points.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I show up as I am... a Black woman from the south suburbs of Chicago, a Navy veteran who’s lived around the world, a mom, a wife, and a certified doer. I’ve seen the best and worst of the world, and I know the beauty and potential in Norfolk and in Virginia. That perspective helps me connect with people from all walks of life and fight for policies that make our communities stronger.

What is your motto in life?
"Call me in before you all me out." That goes both ways. When we invite understanding before judgment, we create space for growth, accountability, and stronger relationships. I practice this, and I welcome it in return.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can visit www.delegatejackieglass.com or follow me on Instagram and Facebook at @Jackie4Norfolk for legislative updates and community events.