The stereotype is that politicians like to kiss babies at public events. Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott didn’t go that far Friday night, but he certainly entertained Kaci Easley’s daughter, Iona, for a while, playfully showing her what seemed to be his shining wedding ring.
At 9 months old, Iona was perhaps the youngest in a crowd of about 150 people who came to Pimenta, a Jamaican restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg, to hear Scott and others campaign for two fellow Democrats with the last name Cole: Del. Joshua Cole and Spotsylvania County School Board member Nicole Cole.
“I could be anywhere tonight,” Scott told the Free Press before the event really got going. “I should be home with my family. But you know what? I had to tell my wife I had to come here to support Josh Cole.”
Del. Cole seeks re-election in Virginia’s 65th House District, which encompasses Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. He said he will be challenged by Republican Chapman Good.
Nicole Cole, who is not related to Del. Cole, is trying to unseat longtime GOP Del. Bobby Orrock in the 66th District, which takes in parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania counties.
Scott told Friday’s audience that electing the Coles in November is important because the Democrats hold just a 51-49 majority in the House.
He specifically emphasized his connection to Del. Cole.
“Josh Cole cares about this community,” Scott said. “I know him. I’ve watched him. We came in in 2019 together. We were sworn in together.”
Scott said he knows that some people are disappointed that President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris only a few weeks ago.
But Virginians have come too far to be despondent, he said. “We have an opportunity to show the rest of the country how to fight, how to stand up for our freedoms.”
Scott, the first African-American to become House speaker, added that when he got the job, he understood that it wasn’t his accomplishment alone; there had been generations of people who looked like him, who were much more qualified than him, who never got an opportunity to be in the position.
“I talked to some mentors who had served who were African-Americans who said that when they served, they couldn’t even fathom becoming speaker,” he said. “They didn’t even think it was possible.”
Josh Cole told the crowd that he has already filed his first few bills of the upcoming legislative session, which begins next week. One would allow first-time homebuyers to take advantage of a $10,000 tax credit, and another would eliminate two Standards of Learning tests that Virginia students now must take.
He said the business of politics isn’t about him or any other elected official.
“It’s about how are we improving the lives of everyday citizens?” he asked. “What legislation are we introducing? What budget amendments are we putting in? What are we putting in to make sure that everyone in the Commonwealth of Virginia is protected?”
Nicole Cole, vice chair of the Spotsylvania School Board, faces a difficult task in trying to topple a popular incumbent. But she said she’s running for the House because she has more to offer her fellow residents than simply what she can accomplish in a county office.
In her current role, Cole was forced to defend herself against a misdemeanor assault charge lodged by two of her colleagues. The case was dismissed, and in November, Cole sued Lisa Phelps and April Gillespie for $1 million in Spotsylvania Circuit Court.
She said the counties she would represent need an advocate who is going to fight for the resources constituents need.
“We need fresh leadership in Spotsylvania and Caroline counties, and I’m counting on you to help me make it happen,” she said. “We can win this seat.”
The Coles also received support Friday from state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Woodbridge) and Jay Jones, a Democrat who is running for attorney general.
“We announced our campaign about two months ago, and we are focusing on fighting for Virginia’s families and keeping them safe and protecting our rights and our freedoms,” Jones said. “But I can’t do that job without some help in the House of Delegates. And I served in the House of Delegates, so I know how important that job is, how important that role is, how important these voices and our community are.”
