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Elaine Walters

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Elaine Walters
Democratic Party
Candidate, Virginia House of Delegates District 68
Elections and appointments
Last election
June 17, 2025
Next election
November 4, 2025
Education
Associates
Rappahannock Community College, 2020
Bachelor's
Old Dominion University, 2023
Personal
Birthplace
Fredericksburg, VA
Religion
Christian: Episcopalian
Profession
Scientist
Contact
Campaign website
Campaign Facebook
Campaign Twitter
Campaign Instagram
Personal Facebook

Elaine Walters (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 68. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] The Democratic primary for this office on June 17, 2025, was canceled.

Walters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Elaine Walters was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She earned an associate degree from Rappahannock Community College in 2020 and a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University in 2023. Her career experience includes working as a conservation biologist and teacher.[1]

Elections

2025

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 68

Incumbent Keith Hodges and Elaine Walters are running in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 68 on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
Image of Keith Hodges
Keith Hodges (R)
Image of Elaine Walters
Elaine Walters (D) Candidate Connection

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Elaine Walters advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 68.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Keith Hodges advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 68.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Elaine Walters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Walters' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I am a lifelong resident of Essex County. The natural resources in this area inspired my love of nature and the environment, which has been the basis of my career. I received an associate’s degree from Rappahannock Community College and a bachelor’s in Marine Biology and Sustainability Leadership from Old Dominion University. At these institutions, I learned about the ecological challenges of climate change and sea level rise from the people who experience the effects most strongly: farmers and watermen. I have traveled the world to help save the environment, specializing in studying and protecting nesting loggerhead sea turtles. My most recent work was in Cape Verde, Africa, where I built important bonds between ecological restoration and local communities. My experience in uplifting communities, creating employment opportunities, and advancing education will help me advocate for the 68th district. This insight and the conviction that all Virginians deserve equality, opportunity, and choice have led to my campaign for the House of Delegates. I am running to give the people of the 68th district a voice this November.
  • As a marine biologist I understand the challenges faced by our environment, and the effects this will have on our communities. As the climate warms and the sea level rises, coastal areas will be impacted at a higher rate, as will rural and agricultural areas. We have the opportunity to lead the way in the expansion of sustainable infrastructure, planned retreat options, pollution mitigation, and the transition to sustainable energy sources. It is vital that the environment becomes a priority now. This cannot be left to the next generation. If no action is taken, our children and grandchildren will inherit a world without pollinators, topsoil, or clean water. Our rural communities need to be at the forefront of clean energy solutions.
  • Income inequality is an inexcusable challenge faced by the people of house district 68. There are people struggling to afford groceries, childcare, housing, medical care, and many more. These are basic amenities that everyone should have access to without making large personal sacrifices. There has been a national and global increase in income inequality, and we must fight to ensure Virginians are not further impacted by this.
  • We cannot go backward on civil rights. People have fought for many generations to achieve equal rights, and there are still many advancements that need to be made. It discredits everyone to have a society where people must still fight for their equality. I live in a community where we only recently won the removal of confederate monuments, it is important that our laws and policies actively resist discrimination. Because we have come far and still have so far to go, it is important for civil rights to be protected in our laws.
As a young woman, I am very passionate about the protection of women’s rights and the right to choose. I want bodily autonomy for everyone. Access to reproductive care should be a basic right, and the choices made by individuals should be between them and their healthcare provider.
I also hold dear the conviction that our communities are made better by the inclusion of immigrants. These people have chosen to be part of our country and their experiences enrich our culture. People who come to our nation seeking asylum and a better life deserve a fair chance at one.
I am new to politics; however, with my background in sustainability I often reference Rittel & Webber’s 1973 article on wicked problems. This work outlines the complexity and challenges faced by those implementing planning and public policy measures. I have had many opportunities to use this framework to take on a challenge, and propose the best possible solution for all the stakeholders.
I think the most important thing an elected official can be is a voice for their constituents. It is important that our leaders are good listeners and advocates for their communities. This requires an individual who is an open and effective communicator. Elected officials should be agents for positive change for the communities they represent, not their own egos or personal gain.
Uplifting your constituents and creating a better future is the core responsibility of a delegate. This should guide the legislation you propose and the votes you cast.
I have always wanted to be able to tell the next generation that I saw the problems, and I did something about it. As an environmentalist, I have had many people tell me that it is up to my generation now to save the planet, and I plan to. Because I want my grandchildren to work on creating better futures, rather than mitigating inherited issues. This goes for social and economic problems as well. There are inherited biases, inequalities, and harmful systems in our society, and the next generation deserves better than that. Many people in my family tree did what they had to, so I can do what I want to, and that is the legacy I want to leave. I know I cannot prevent future generations from having their own challenges, but I work so they do not inherit problems from us.
The Virginia Tech shooting occurred two days after my seventh birthday, and I remember clearly my mother calling her friends to make sure their college kids were safe. I remember her saying, “It makes you want to hold all your kids closer.” In our nation, no one should face the threat of gun violence, least of all children and young people.
If the impacts of climate change are not mentioned here I would be doing a disservice to us all. Virginia will face the impacts, especially our coastal regions where sea level rise is already affecting people, ecology, and the built environment.

The expansion of data centers will be pivotal in Virginia’s near future, and it is vital that regulations are put in place to reduce their environmental impacts. Especially in rural districts like the 68th, we need to have strong regulations that allow for new economic opportunities and the expansion of clean energy solutions without harming our farmland and natural resources.

Exacerbating this is the growing and constant economic inequality, which is already being made worse by tariffs, mass layoffs, and the restriction of funds to important services.
I think there is always a benefit to experience; however, fresh and interdisciplinary perspectives are vitally important in creating positive change. I believe it is time for such a change, the opportunities that existed for my parents and grandparents’ generations do not exist for mine. A logical foundation and willingness to listen to their constituents can be just as effective as experience.
I think collaboration is at the heart of our governing system, and without it our legislators are less effective. Ultimately everyone wants the same things: security, opportunity, freedom, health, and everything that makes up a fulfilling life. Therefore, by building relationships with other legislators, we can ensure that the best solution is reached, rather than becoming embroiled in partisanship. Our government is designed to work best when we are bipartisan.
One of my main inspirations for running was the late John Lewis. He was a great leader and a tireless force for good. He was a quiet politician, focusing more on listening to his constituents rather than talking at them. He was an advocate for the underdog and fought his whole life for civil rights.
Good Governance VA/Big Money Out VA, 314 Action Fund, awarded Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction.
The Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, and the Education Committee.
A state ballot initiative would help everyday Virginians have greater influence over the laws that affect them. I think it would improve the day-to-day lives of people in my state, and particularly in my district. Democracy has always improved when people are allowed a strong voice, this is no different.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.

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External links

Candidate

Virginia House of Delegates District 68
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    Personal

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 6, 2025


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