Megan Zwisohn

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Megan Zwisohn

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 8, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

Old Dominion University, 1991

Law

Albany Law School, 1995

Personal

Birthplace

New York, N.Y.

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

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Megan Zwisohn (Democratic Party) ran for election for Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney in Virginia. She lost in the Democratic primary on June 8, 2021.

Zwisohn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Megan Zwisohn was born in Staten Island, New York. She earned a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University in 1991 and a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1995. Her career experience includes working as the chief deputy commonwealth's attorney.

Elections

2021

See also: City elections in Norfolk, Virginia (2021)

General election

General election for Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney

Ramin Fatehi won election in the general election for Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ramin Fatehi (D)	95.8	48,593
		Other/Write-in votes	4.2	2,140

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 50,733
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney

Ramin Fatehi defeated Megan Zwisohn and Amina Matheny-Willard in the Democratic primary for Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney on June 8, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ramin Fatehi	60.8	9,130
		Megan Zwisohn	21.4	3,214
	Submit photo	Amina Matheny-Willard	17.8	2,677

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,021
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Zwisohn's endorsements in the 2021 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2021

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 20, 2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Megan Zwisohn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zwisohn's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Growing up, I had a best friend whose stepfather used to beat her mother. I noticed that when I stayed over at their house, my friend was shielded from the abuse. I realized at an early age that I had a true desire to protect victims. I attended Old Dominion University in 1988 and studied criminal justice because I planned to become an advocate for women’s and children’s issues as a way to protect victims of crime. I started my advocacy work by working at H.E.R. Shelter and later formed the Domestic Violence Clinic at Albany Law School. After law school, I taught full-time at Old Dominion University for two years training and mentoring students in criminal law and criminology. Prosecution was far from my mind but after several years, I wanted to take a more active role to protect victims and balance the scales of justice. I asked myself, “How can I best serve my community and victims of crime?” That was the moment I decided to become a prosecutor, to change the lives of crime victims from within the system. I am now in my 25th year as a career prosecutor.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe in the importance of being a public servant and understand that I serve the entire public, not just the interests of some.
• The position is about accountability: for those who commit crime, for law enforcement, for attorneys, and for judges.
• I will work to build coalitions.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

While I am strong in every area required for this position, my personal policy interests are those that apply to our juvenile justice system. I volunteer for organizations which support our kids because I believe that no child or teen should ever have to see the inside of a courtroom. When they do end up in court, I will make sure my attorneys understand that the true role of juvenile court is to help the child first, punish last.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Commonwealth's Attorney's office is a district attorney's office which prosecutes state level crimes for a specific jurisdiction.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Both of my parents. They both stand up for what they believe in and spent their careers helping others. Even the way they handled their divorce should be an inspiration for others.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

They are first and foremost a public servant, not a title or power position. They have to be willing to make hard decisions and stand by them. They have to remain grounded in the community they represent.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm not only a good attorney, I am also an educator, mentor, and leader.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being in this office is to be the head law enforcement officer for a city or county. This requires a person who knows how to ensure public safety while also ensuring fairness for all.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like the office to be known as the standard in community representation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My parent's were anti-war activists so I have memories of the Vietnam War ending, however for my generation it was the assassination attempt against Ronald Reagan when I was in 6th grade. I was 11.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at McDonalds for around 1 year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I have multiple favorites but Peter Pan is always on the list. It represents the importance of childhood and the love and support children need.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

You Send Me...the Aretha Franklin version.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Although the main mandate of the office is to prosecute crime, the office holds the very important ability to shape social justice policy.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

The holder of this office should have previous experience in litigation, leadership, and community work. Experience in politics is not necessary.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Litigation, communication, listening, leadership, and empathy.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I'm horrible at jokes.

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.

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Candidate

Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney

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