Dave Ward Officially Launches Campaign for State Senate District 24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ward for State Senate – District 24 | York County & Greater Williamsburg, Virginia

On a bright Tuesday morning surrounded by supporters, union members, first responders, and neighbors, Dave Ward stood before the community he has spent his life serving and made it official: he is running for State Senate in District 24.

"I'm running to bring it back home — because that's exactly what I intend to do for every family in this region."

It was a fitting opening line for a candidate whose entire life story is rooted in this place.

Born Here. Built Here. Running for You.

Dave Ward didn't come to this community as an outsider with a political résumé. He grew up here. His father built ships in Hampton Roads. His mother held their family together. And for more than two decades, Dave has helped hundreds of families find a place to call home as a local real estate agent — one house, one family, one community at a time.

That lived experience is the engine of this campaign.

"That's what drives me: home, community, and opportunity," Ward told the crowd. "But right now, too many families are being priced out. Homeownership is getting harder. And decisions made in Richmond aren't always making it back to our neighborhoods. That's why I'm running."

A Coalition Built on Working Families

From the moment Ward took the stage, one thing was unmistakably clear: this campaign is not a one-man show. The launch event drew an energetic coalition of tradesmen, first responders, teachers, and small business owners — the people who build, protect, and serve District 24 every single day.

Ward's campaign already carries the endorsements of IAFF Local 2424, IAFF Local 2020, the AFL-CIO, and AFSCME — organized labor lining up behind a candidate who has spent his career fighting for the kind of community stability that working families depend on.

"This campaign is already being powered by working families, labor unions, and community-based organizations who know what's at stake," Ward said. "Because they know: this campaign is about them."

Setting the Record Straight

Ward used the launch to address, head-on, what he knows will be a line of attack from his opponents.

"You're going to hear attacks about my work and my past," he said plainly. "Here are the facts: I followed the law, sought guidance from the county attorney, and always acted in the best interest of the public. I've even voted against my own clients when it was the right thing to do."

He did not shy away from accountability either. "Early in my career, when a situation arose, I took responsibility, made it right, and learned from it. That's what accountability looks like."

It was a direct, confident moment — and it set the tone for the kind of campaign Ward intends to run: honest, forward-looking, and unafraid.

The Choice Ahead

Ward drew a clear contrast with his Republican opponent, Harper Gordon, on one of the most consequential issues facing York County families.

"My opponent supports changes that could reduce access to local healthcare. I believe we should be expanding access — not limiting it."

In a community where Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center is a cornerstone of local life, that contrast is not abstract — it is deeply personal for thousands of families in this district.

What Dave Ward Will Fight For

As State Senator, Dave Ward is committed to three core priorities:

• Making homeownership more attainable — through first-time homebuyer tax relief that puts the American dream within reach for more Virginia families

• Bringing state resources back to local communities — funding the planning commissions, infrastructure, and programs that make neighborhoods stronger

• Standing up for working families — because the people who build, protect, and serve this district deserve a voice in Richmond

A Race That Will Define District 24's Future

With polling showing Ward leading Gordon 41% to 40% in a race with nearly one in five voters still undecided, every conversation, every door knocked, and every vote will matter. The path to Richmond runs straight through the neighborhoods Dave Ward has called home his entire life.

"This isn't about politics," Ward said as he closed his remarks. "It's about whether families can build a life here. It's about whether our communities grow stronger. And it's about whether your voice is heard."

Backed by workers. Supported by our community. Ready to fight for you.

— Dave Ward, Candidate for State Senate, District 24