Candidate Profile: T. Monty Mason (Va. Senate District 24)

T. Monty Mason is a Democratic candidate for Virginia Senate, District 24. His name will appear on the ballot on November 7, 2023.

Mason is running against J.D. “Danny” Diggs.

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

Candidate Name: T. Monty Mason

Race: Virginia Senate, District 24

Biography from Senate of Virginia website: Born in Richmond on September 8, 1967; ; Former Senior Director, Visa, Inc.; married Pamela Henney Mason; Methodist; Member of the House: 2014-2016; Member of the Senate: 2016-

Why are you running for this office? 

Having served in the General Assembly for almost a decade, I know first hand how much positive impact the General Assembly can provide to Virginians. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life making progress on meaningful issues like supporting small businesses thrive, improving the child welfare system in Virginia, expanding health care access, investing in our schools, and so much more. If re-elected, I will be number 18 out of 40 in seniority and I am in line to chair a committee. I am in a position to really elevate the voices of my constituents across the Peninsula and want to continue delivering results for the people of this district.

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

I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental and that a woman should be able to make her own healthcare decisions. As a State Senator, I’ve been on the frontlines of defending access to reproductive healthcare. I will always stand in firm defense of those rights and not allow anti-choice legislators to change Virginia’s law and take rights away. 

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

We are running a people-powered, grassroots campaign, which means I spend a lot of time knocking on doors and talking to voters. All across the district I hear concerns about education, cost of living, and women’s reproductive rights. As a legislator, these topics are nothing new to me. In fact, I am proud to have recently returned to Richmond to pass a state budget that addresses the challenges associated with education and cost of living head on. That budget included historic investments in Virginia’s education system, about $1 million in tax rebates—$200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers—as well as increasing the standard deduction. This budget also provides increased support for our veterans by removing the age requirement for a military retiree tax benefit, successfully taking an important step towards ensuring we are honoring and supporting our servicemen and women to the highest degree. 

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

Since the Supreme Court’s dangerous decision, I’ve heard from voters across the district who are scared and worried about their right to choose. My opponent would be a rubber stamp on Youngkin’s proposed abortion ban, which would jail doctors and impose extreme new restrictions on women seeking medical care. With a razor-thin margin in the Senate, Virginians’ ability to access reproductive healthcare is now in danger. Virginians need leaders who will defend their rights and not allow anti-choice legislators to take them away.

How do you feel about the politicization of public education? 

Public schools are becoming a hotbed of politicalization and polarization, and I think our children are paying the price for it. These petty culture wars have no place in our public schools and are a distraction from what really matters: ensuring all students, regardless of zip code, have access to a high-quality education. Our focus should be on supporting our teachers, providing our schools vital resources, and ensuring our students have equitable access to the educational tools they need to thrive.

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

If re-elected, I would continue advancing the priorities I have spent the last decade working on. I want to ensure we make progress on vital transportation & infrastructure improvement projects like expanding I-64 all the way to Richmond and completing the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project. I will also continue being a staunch advocate for our veterans and seniors, and will focus on further improving the foster care system to protect our most vulnerable. 

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

I have in the past and will continue to support campaign finance reform measures in the future. I want to ensure those elected to public office serve all the people, which is why I have supported implementing a standard contribution cap for all political donations.

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

As a legislator, it’s my job to listen to all the viewpoints of my constituents, not just those who align with my political party. I have a long track record of working across the aisle to deliver results for my district—in fact, 10 of the 17 bills I introduced this past session had either a Republican co-patron or co-sponsor sign on to pass that legislation with me. 

Do you think James City County and Williamsburg should continue sharing a school system or would you help to create two new separate systems? 

I am looking forward to seeing the results of the study conducted by Dr. Jeffery Smith. He is a renowned Virginia educator and I think once we see what the separation of these school systems would look like and mean, we can make an informed decision. Until that time I think its important we honor the current contract as it stands.