Meet Charlie
A Lawyer Committed to Local Justice
My name is Charlie Schmidt and I’m a progressive Democrat proudly representing the 77th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. I’m a former ACLU attorney, long-time community activist, and proud union member of SEIU Local 512 and United Campus Workers of Virginia.
Charlie on the Issues
Throughout my life and my legal career, I have worked to protect the vulnerable, seek justice, and ensure our government is accountable to the people. Now I want to take that experience to the General Assembly. My focus will be on safeguarding Virginia, ensuring working families thrive, and building a better, more just future for us all.
Affordability and Ensuring Working Families Thrive
Housing
Support affordable housing
- Create progressive income and property tax structure with rebates for working families
- Ban “junk fees” from rental properties
- Support inclusive zoning that is mindful of displacement
Public Schools
Fully fund and support our public schools
- Correct funding formula that punishes poorer districts
- Stop the encroachment of charter schools, vouchers, and private enterprise in our public schools
- Support teachers and their right to unionize
Healthcare
Improve access to healthcare
- Lower health insurance premiums and cost-sharing to consumers
- Ensure healthcare subsidies for Medicaid and marketplace
Childcare
Support universal childcare for all workers
Union Jobs
Support Union Workers
- Repeal “Right to Work” laws
- Reward economic development subsidies to companies that fully respect a unionized workforce
- Expand collective bargaining to state and public university employees.
Safeguarding Virginia
Protect Trans Youth
Including the broader LGBTQ+ community from targeted harassment by the federal administration
Keep Our Neighbors Safe
Protect our neighbors from unconstitutional law enforcement
- Prohibit civil warrant enforcement in sensitive locations such as churches, courthouses, hospitals and schools
- Limit Qualified Immunity and hold individual officers liable if they wear masks, do not identify themselves, and use excessive force
- Prohibit cooperation agreements with federal agents based on civil immigration enforcement
Build a Better, More Just Future For Us All
Support the Proposed Constitutional Amendments
To ensure voting rights, reproductive rights, and marriage equality are all protected
Environmental Protection
Strive for a cleaner Virginia
- Close the loopholes and firm up the Virginia Clean Economy Act
- Support Data Center development reform, including stronger state oversight and protections for families and small businesses
- Create stronger oversight of energy and utility monopolies
Commonsense Gun Safety Measures
Prioritize public safety
- Stronger licensing requirements for gun ownership
- Ban assault weapons
Equity and Justice Under the Law
Ensure justice for all Virginians
- Repeal the Dillon Rule and allow for stronger home-rule for localities
- Ensure a fair justice system by implementing recommendations from the Access to Justice Commission of the Supreme Court of Virginia
- Civil Right to Counsel – Guarantee legal representation for certain civil legal matters, including immigration, housing and family law matters