(Woodbridge, VA) – Natalie Shorter, candidate for House of Delegates District 19, announced an endorsement today from Senator and the retiring Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations Janet Howell. Senator Howell has served the Commonwealth representing Fairfax County for over 30 years and is the first woman to chair the Finance Committee. 

Natalie Shorter is running for the 19th House District, which is a new, open seat covering East Woodbridge and Southeastern Fairfax County. The district is a minority majority district and will be key in taking back the Democratic Majority in the House of Delegates in November. 

Shorter has deep roots in Virginia politics. She is the granddaughter of Senate President Pro Tempore, L. Louise Lucas, who joined the Senate the same year as Senator Howell. Both Senator Lucas and Shorter are running in Democratic primaries and are looking to become the first grandmother and granddaughter duo in Virginia state politics. 

In her endorsement statement, Senator Howell said: “I have known Natalie and her family for over 30 years while serving alongside Senator Lucas. She’ll bring her background in business and finance to best serve the people of Prince William and Fairfax Counties. I am proud to endorse her for the House of Delegates District 19. I know Natalie will build on the legacy that Senator Lucas and I have built in our decades serving the Commonwealth.” 

Senator Howell’s endorsement joins a list of Virginia leaders that include Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, Former Woodbridge Congresswoman Leslie Byrne, Former Senator Emilie Miller, Delegate Kathleen Murphy, Former Arlington County School Board Member Diane Smith, and Former Mt. Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland. Shorter has also been endorsed by the NOW Organization, the Women of Color Coalition, and is a Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction. 

Shorter said of the endorsement: “Senator Howell is a pioneer in Virginia politics. In addition to being the first woman to chair the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, she has also led the charge in Richmond to create critical mental health legislation and protect our reproductive rights. I have been lucky to watch her career in Richmond as she served closely with my Grandmother. I am honored to have the endorsement of a strong legislative leader, like Senator Howell, and will be proud to continue her legacy in the House as I work to protect reproductive rights, end the gun violence epidemic, and better fund our schools.” 

With Senator Howell’s endorsement, Shorter has earned endorsements from much of the Democratic leadership in the Senate. The Democratic Primary is June 20,2023.