Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2025 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 77, printed December 11. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Summer/Fall 2025 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.

The Virginia Defender newspaper is proud to formally endorse the candidacy of our good friend and ally, attorney Charlie Schmidt, who has announced his candidacy for District 77 of the Virginia House of Delegates.

The District 77 seat became vacant when Del. Michael Jones resigned from the House of Delegates after winning the Democratic firehouse primary to run for the state senate seat formerly held by Ghazala Hashmi, who was elected lieutenant governor in the Nov. 4 Virginia election.

We urge all our readers in District 77 to vote for Charlie in the “firehouse primary” to be held Sunday, Dec. 14. There are two voting locations: Richmond High School for the Arts, 4314 Crutchfield St., Richmond, 23225; and Providence Middle School, 900 Starlight Lane, Chesterfield, 23234.

Charlie is a former ACLU attorney, longtime community activist and proud union member of SEIU Local 512. We have known and worked with Charlie for many years and have always been impressed with his willingness to give of his time, energy and considerable skills in the pursuit of justice for poor and working-class people and all those oppressed by poverty, racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry.

In the current period, Charlie has particularly distinguished himself by coming to the defense of the immigrant community and targeted political activists, leading him to found the Richmond Community Legal Fund.

Many candidates tell you what they believe and what they plan to do if elected. Charlie has a solid record of decades of dedicated work in the service of causes we hold dear.

In his press release announcing his candidacy, Charlie describes himself as a “progressive Democrat.” The Virginia Defender takes an independent view of politics, evaluating each candidate on their own record and merits. In general, we reject both major parties, understanding them to be two wings of the same bird – a capitalist vulture. Our endorsement of Charlie shouldn’t be seen as a reevaluation of that position, but simply an endorsement of one progressive candidate for one specific office.

Supporters can learn more about Charlie’s campaign and get involved by visiting his official website at: charlie4va.com