May Nivar

"My story echoes that of many families who came to this country seeking the American Dream—the belief that success is possible through hard work and determination. Born in Philadelphia to immigrant parents from China, I grew up in low-income housing and worked at our small takeout restaurant. Through long hours alongside my family and the unwavering support of our community, I learned perseverance, resilience, and compassion—values that continue to shape me."

"Growing up working in my family’s Chinese restaurant and living in low-income housing, I know the challenges of making ends meet. I am committed to creating an economy where everyone can thrive by supporting good-paying jobs, raising wages, cutting red tape for small businesses, and providing tax relief for families. I will also work to lower the cost of living—making housing, healthcare, and everyday necessities more affordable—and invest in career and technical education to prepare workers for the jobs of tomorrow."

"As a mother of two daughters, I am committed to defending a woman’s right to make personal healthcare decisions, including access to abortion, contraception, and IVF. I will also ensure that healthcare providers can offer these critical services without fear. My opponent, Delegate David Owen, supports banning abortion in Virginia and stripping women of their bodily autonomy. Unlike Delegate Owen, I believe these decisions belong to women, not politicians."

"Having watched my parents struggle to access healthcare, I understand its critical role in our lives. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. I am committed to lowering costs, improving quality, and ensuring accessibility for all. Over 600,000 Virginians have gained coverage through Medicaid expansion, and as your Delegate, I will fight to protect these families from losing healthcare if this progress is reversed. No one should face financial hardship to get the care they need."

"Every child deserves access to excellent public education. As a parent of three public school graduates, I’ve seen how quality education shapes lives. I am committed to raising teacher pay, addressing teacher shortages, and ensuring schools have the specialists and counselors needed to support our children. Investing in our schools is investing in Virginia’s future."

"As a mother of a federal law enforcement employee, I am committed to ensuring the safety of our families, neighborhoods, and those who serve to protect us. I will advocate for stronger red-flag laws, safe storage requirements, and a ban on military-style assault weapons. Additionally, I will collaborate with law enforcement to secure funding for local police departments. Every family and neighborhood deserves to live without fear."

"In the General Assembly, I will fight for equal protection under the law so every Virginian—regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ability, or age—has the opportunity to succeed. I will vote for the constitutional amendments to enshrine reproductive freedom, safeguard marriage equality, and restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated Virginians. These efforts will help create a fairer, more inclusive Virginia for everyone."

"As Delegate, I will fight to protect our environment, address climate change, and expand clean energy while creating the green jobs that will power our future. Preserving the Virginia Clean Economy Act is essential to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. I will also oppose any efforts to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a critical program that mitigates climate change and protects us from extreme weather. By acting boldly now, we can ensure a sustainable, healthier Virginia for generations to come."