Tavorise Marks
Tavorise Marks (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Marks lost in the special Democratic convention on December 20, 2022.
Elections
2023
See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District special election, 2023
General election
Special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Jennifer McClellan defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. in the special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on February 21, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jennifer McClellan (D) | 74.4 | 82,040 |
 | Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) | 25.5 | 28,083 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 129 | ||
| Total votes: 110,252 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic convention
Special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Jennifer McClellan defeated Joseph Morrissey, Tavorise Marks, and Joseph Preston in the special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 20, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer McClellan (D) | 84.8 | 23,661 |
 | Joseph Morrissey (D) | 13.6 | 3,782 | |
 | Tavorise Marks (D) | 0.8 | 217 | |
 | Joseph Preston (D) | 0.6 | 174 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 66 | ||
| Total votes: 27,900 | |||
| = 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lamont Bagby (D)
Republican convention
Special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Leon Benjamin Sr. defeated Derrick Hollie in the special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 17, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) |
| Derrick Hollie (R) | ||
| ||||
| = 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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2019
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 62
Carrie Coyner defeated Lindsey Dougherty in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 62 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Carrie Coyner (R) | 55.1 | 13,182 |
 | Lindsey Dougherty (D) | 44.7 | 10,701 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 40 | ||
| Total votes: 23,923 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 62
Lindsey Dougherty defeated Tavorise Marks in the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 62 on June 11, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lindsey Dougherty | 51.1 | 1,833 |
| Tavorise Marks | 48.8 | 1,750 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 3,585 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tavorise Marks did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tavorise Marks completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Marks' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Increase teacher and staff pay (bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria staff etc.). 2. Mental Health (build new mental health facilities with adequate, well trained staff). 3. Criminal Justice Reform
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education Policy Cultural Policy Energy, Environmental, and Science Policy Labor Economics Political Economy, Politics and the Policymaking Process Social Policy and Inequality Urban Policy Laws
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King drew inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, all which also inspires me today. Dr. King's insistence on being nonviolent was key to achieving legal equality for African-Americans here in the US. I believe in taking a non violent approach (but firm stance) towards the moral and legal injustices of today. I admire the way Dr. King used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seemingly-impossible goals. Today during times when we have a President who uses his words to create division, I much like Dr. King want to bring our communities together, while ensuring those of privilege see and understand the injustices of today. Lastly, much like Dr. King, I have been committed to maintaining fidelity to my beliefs and principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color, creed, identity, religion, disability, or national origin, are equal members of the human family.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
My biography when it is written one day.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Heart, compassion, honesty and transparency.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Heart, compassion, honesty and transparency.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To represent the people and not lobbyist and/or party loyalist.
What legacy would you like to leave?
To change the life of just one person and family for the better.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
9/11. I was 18
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I pulled tobacco and worked in a tobacco warehouse. It was a summer job and I was 14 years old.
What happened on your most awkward date?
The young lady went to the restroom and never came back. I waited for an hour, thinking maybe she got lost and had an upset stomach.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Dr. Martin Luther King Day. I talked about why in a previous question.
What is your favorite book? Why?
"Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen The book is eye opener about how we're taught cultural prejudices and distorted American history through classroom textbooks. It shines light on people who have often been treated like Gods such as Christopher Columbus and how racial inequality and sexual inequality are subtly established in the text, in ways that you never would notice unless they're pointed out for you.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Black Panther.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My blues harp. I enjoy playing it while sitting by the river.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Baby Shark. I have a 3 year old who has it on repeat and sings it constantly.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
The acceptance of the lack or morality in society.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The power between the House and Senate.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
No.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Redistricting. Gun Reform. Women's Rights Criminal Justice Reform (ALL ONLY IF REPUBLICANS REMAIN THE MAJORITY)
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
I believe that they should work in unison for the well being of all Virginians. Regardless of party affiliation.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. No one party has all the answers. I will extend my hand across the aisle to work on issues that will help (not hurt) all Virginians.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Equal population Racial Fairness Natural boundaries (not this zig zag crap that makes no sense)
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
N/A.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes. Chair.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
US Congressman John Lewis.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There are too many to pick just one. I'm running to ensure I have the opportunity to see to it that many of my neighbors have happy endings and put into action, solutions to their problems.
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.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
