Meet Charlie
A Lawyer Committed to Local Justice
My name is Charlie Schmidt and I’m a progressive Democrat running for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 77. I’m a former ACLU attorney, long-time community activist, and proud union member of SEIU Local 512.
Charlie on the Issues
Throughout my life and my legal career, I have worked to protect the vulnerable, seek justice, and ensure our government is accountable to the people. Now I want to take that experience to the General Assembly. My focus will be on safeguarding Virginia, ensuring working families thrive, and building a better, more just future for us all.
Housing
Support affordable housing
- Create progressive income and property tax structure with rebates for working families
- Ban “junk fees” from rental properties
- Support inclusive zoning that is mindful of displacement
Public Schools
Fully fund and support our public schools
- Correct funding formula that punishes poorer districts
- Stop the encroachment of charter schools, vouchers, and private enterprise in our public schools
- Support teachers and their right to unionize
Healthcare
Improve access to healthcare
- Lower health insurance premiums and cost-sharing to consumers
- Ensure healthcare subsidies for Medicaid and marketplace
Childcare
Support universal childcare for all workers
Union Jobs
Support union workers
- Repeal “Right to Work” laws
- Reward economic development subsidies to companies that fully respect a unionized workforce
- Expand collective bargaining to state and public university employees.
Protect Trans Youth
…and the entire LGBTQ+ community from targeted harassment by the federal administration
Keep Our Neighbors Safe
Protect our neighbors from unconstitutional law enforcement
- Prohibit civil warrant enforcement in sensitive locations such as churches, courthouses, hospitals and schools
- Limit Qualified Immunity and hold individual officers liable if they wear masks, do not identify themselves, and use excessive force
- Prohibit cooperation agreements with federal agents based on civil immigration enforcement
Shield Laws
Protect reproductive healthcare workers from criminal extradition or civil judgements from states such as Texas and Florida
Support the Proposed Constitutional Ammendments
To ensure voting rights, reproductive rights, and marriage equality are all protected
Environmental Protection
Strive for a cleaner Virginia
- Close the loopholes and firm up the Virginia Clean Economy Act
- Support Data Center development reform, including stronger state oversight and protections for families and small businesses
- Create stronger oversight of energy and utility monopolies
Commonsense Gun Safety Measures
Prioritize public safety
- Stronger licensing requirements for gun ownership
- Ban assault weapons
Equity and Justice Under the Law
Ensure justice for all Virginians
- Repeal the Dillon Rule and allow for stronger home-rule for localities
- Ensure a fair justice system by implementing recommendations from the Access to Justice Commission of the Supreme Court of Virginia
- Civil Right to Counsel – Guarantee legal representation for certain civil legal matters, including immigration, housing and family law matters
Charlie in the News
‘Unprecedented’: ICE arrests more than 4,000 across Virginia in just 6 months
‘ICE IS NOT WELCOME HERE’: How Richmond business owners are fighting back The Commonwealth Times
Get Involved
Join the mobilization of the 77th District by donating, volunteering, or signing up for updates to help shape Virginia’s future!
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DONATE
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