Candidate Profile: C. E. “Cliff” Hayes, Jr. (Va. District 91)

C. E. “Cliff” Hayes, Jr. is a Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates District 91. His name will appear on the ballot on November 7, 2023.

He is running against Elijah Colon.

10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.

Candidate name: C. E. “Cliff” Hayes, Jr.

Age: 55

Race: Virginia House of Delegates District 91

Party: Democratic

Candidate Website: cliffhayes.com

Biography: Delegate Cliff Hayes was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2016.  His committee assignments include Appropriations, Commerce & Energy, and Health, Welfare & Institutions.  Additionally, he is Chairman of the Joint Commission on Technology & Science and the Virginia Data Advisory Commission.  In the past he has served as Chairman of the Communications, Technology, and Innovation Committee.

In seven years of service at the state level, Delegate Hayes has been responsible for significant changes to the law and has secured funding for several major projects in our area.  Some of his more high-profile and successful initiatives include increasing the penalty for recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of a minor; directing the Board of Health to implement a comprehensive sickle cell clinic network for treatment of adults; defining and giving the Governor the authority to declare a state of emergency when a “cyber incident” occurs in the Commonwealth; allowing individuals with communication impairments, such as autism, to note the disability on their vehicle registration to alert law enforcement prior to traffic stops; removing the child age limit on the Missing Persons with Autism Alert, stopping the practice of suspending drivers’ licenses for non-driving related offenses; authorizing the development of offshore wind off the coast of Virginia Beach; and crafting the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act which became the model legislation used by other states across the nation.

Additionally, Delegate Hayes has been able to secure funding for many initiatives benefiting our area some of which include funding for Norfolk State University, to include: The establishment of the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University, the first in the nation at an HBCU; added the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk and the Cuffeytown Cemetery in Chesapeake to the list of historic African American cemeteries receiving state funding annually for care and maintenance; funding to assist Chesapeake Regional Health Center to add beds for inpatient mental health care; and funding to conserve 88-acres of land in the Elizabeth River watershed which is now Newton Neck Park in the City of Chesapeake. In addition, as a member of
Appropriations, he passionately helped to secure $9 million dollars for Chesapeake’s first public swimming facility at The Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center.

Delegate Hayes is a native of Chesapeake. He was raised in South Norfolk and attended Oscar Smith High School where he served as SCA President, excelled in sports, and was inducted into the Oscar Smith Athletic Hall of Fame.  He is a graduate of Norfolk State University where he played baseball and majored in Management Computer Information Systems.  He holds a Master of Management degree with an emphasis in business administration from Cambridge College (Cambridge, MA).  He is a Certified Chief Information Officer through CIO Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) and the Federal CIO Institute (Washington, DC).  He has a certificate in Cyber Security from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is married to Kecia Hayes, and they are proud parents of two daughters:  Felecia, a public school teacher and Tonecia, a corporate attorney.  Delegate Hayes served on Chesapeake City Council for eight years prior to being elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, and he has worked in technology management for more than twenty-five years.

Prior to being elected to the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate Hayes served two terms on the Chesapeake City Council where he served as liaison to The Youth Commission, Economic Development, Public Safety, Information Technology, and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

He has served the community as a board member and coach with several organizations.  He was Board Chairman with the South Norfolk Boys Baseball Association, an assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Oscar Smith High School, Board Member with Chesapeake Men for Progress, Chesapeake Forward, Board Chairman for The Urban League of Hampton Roads, and the
Virginia State Conference of the NAACP.

Why are you running for this office?

I’m seeking re-election to the Virginia General Assembly to continue the good work of being a voice for people and communities that are often unheard and forgotten.  When constituents asked for more diverse, clean energy sources, I championed a bill that authorized offshore wind off the coast of Hampton Roads – boosting more jobs, diversifying our economy, while investing in a clean energy future.  Then, when asked to support cleaning up the Elizabeth River and mitigate flooding, I secured $1 million to purchase 90 acres of land that will be protected in
perpetuity.  Today, it is called Newton Neck Park on Bainbridge Boulevard.  I am running so that I can continue to deliver and respond to the needs of this district.

What is the most important issue facing Virginia, and what is your position on it?

One of the fundamental tenets of our democracy is to have unobstructive access to the ballot box and voting.  Right now, Virginia is a great example for how many states should protect voting and good voting policy.  The most important issue facing the Commonwealth of Virginia is the threat to that right for our citizens.

What it the top challenge facing your district, and how would you address it?

The top challenge facing the district is funding for our public schools while balancing the high cost of health care for our citizens.  First, we need to appropriately compensate our educators and support staff.  We need to be creative in securing funding for school construction.  And,
we need to be supportive of wrap-around services for our students beyond the classroom.  Families deserve policies that not only allow them to survive; but, they need access to resources (good-paying jobs; access to quality, affordable health care; transportation; and safe communities) that will allow them to thrive.

What is your view on Governor Glen Youngkin’s proposal for a 15-week abortion ban with restrictions?

I believe that the privacy of a patient and their doctor should not be left in the hands of politicians.

How do you feel about the politicization of public education?

As a product of the Chesapeake, Virginia Public education system, I appreciate the education that I received as a student.  However, I believe the unadulterated contributions made to the United States should be taught in the public education system.  To teach anything less robs
our children of a complete education.

What legislation would you plan to sponsor in your first year?

Again, I’ve served the citizens in the Virginia General Assembly for the past seven years of service at the state level.  I’ve been responsible for significant changes to the law and have secured funding for several major projects in our area.  Some of my more high-profile and successful
initiatives include increasing the penalty for recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of a minor; directing the Board of Health to implement a comprehensive sickle cell clinic network for treatment of adults; defining and giving the Governor the authority to declare a state of emergency when a “cyber incident” occurs in the Commonwealth; allowing individuals with communication impairments, such as autism, to note the disability on their vehicle registration to alert law enforcement prior to traffic stops; removing the child age limit on the Missing Persons with Autism Alert, stopping the practice of suspending drivers’ licenses for non-driving related offenses; authorizing the development of
offshore wind off the coast of Virginia Beach; and crafting the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act which became the model legislation used by other states across the nation.

Additionally I’ve been able to secure funding for many initiatives benefiting our area some of which include funding for Norfolk State University, to include: The establishment of the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University, the first in the nation at an HBCU; the merger of Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School; added the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk and the Cuffeytown Cemetery in Chesapeake to the list of historic African American cemeteries receiving state funding annually for care and maintenance; funding to assist Chesapeake Regional Health Center to add beds for inpatient mental health care; and funding to conserve 88-acres of land in the Elizabeth River watershed which is now Newton Neck Park in the City of Chesapeake. In addition, as a member of Appropriations, he passionately helped to secure $9 million dollars for Chesapeake’s first public swimming facility at The Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center.

What is your view on unlimited campaign contributions? Should that change?

If individuals disclose where their contributions come from, I have no problem with unlimited campaign contributions.

How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?

Since serving in public office, whether the eight years I served on City Council or the seven years in the Virginia General Assembly, I have a reputation for serving all of my constituents.  I value and listen to all sides of issues before coming to decisions. I believe one of the most valuable assets that we have as human beings are our relationships. I realize that I will never agree with everything from everybody. However, as humans we, including me, must realize that we could be wrong on a matter.  That’s why collaboration is my preferred method of problem solving.