Five generations of Lily Franklin’s family live in southwest Virginia (SWVA). This is her home, and she wants it to be the best possible place to raise a family, live, and retire.
Lily’s SWVA roots go deep, she knows that Virginia doesn’t end in Charlottesville and has shared in the pain of neglect with her neighbors. Lily and her brother both graduated from Northside High School. She completed a bachelor’s degree in political science at Longwood University while her brother started a small business in Christiansburg.
Lily can put a proven record, established contacts, and in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of our Commonwealth’s government to work for SWVA. She knows the problems we face in SWVA because she lives here. She can bring concrete solutions to these problems from Richmond because she’s worked there.
Education
When states invest in their public schools, everyone benefits: student achievement rates increase, the dropout rate decreases, the crime rate decreases, and students go on to earn higher wages over the course of their lifetime. Lily will fight to make sure that every kid in Virginia has access to a world-class public school. She’ll work to ensure our teachers are paid what they deserve, every school has basic resources like books and broadband, and our kids have the tools they need to thrive in a 21st century learning environment.
Economic Investment and Long-Term Growth in SWVA
Our economy should allow everyone to build a sustainable future for their family, regardless of their background or zip code. As a person from a working-class family, Lily’s seen the challenges that working people face as they try to make ends meet despite stagnating wages, especially in rural communities. Part of building a family-friendly economy is making sure that people who work full-time jobs can earn enough to provide a good quality of life for their families. Lily will work hard to ensure that Virginians’ wages keep up with the cost of living. She’ll also prioritize addressing the statewide crisis of affordable housing, which prevents many working people from achieving the American Dream.
Health Care
Lily believes that people should be able to see a doctor without the fear of going bankrupt. She also believes that every Virginian should have access to affordable, quality health care regardless of where they live, the color of their skin, or how much is in their bank account. When Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2018, more people were able to see a doctor close to home, people’s health improved, and costs actually decreased. Lily knows that to build on this progress, Virginia must continue expanding access, keeping care affordable, and ensuring medical professionals have incentives to practice in rural areas.
As a staffer with Delegate Sam Rasoul, Lily learned to be a savvy outsider who can wrestle legislative victories to get work done for her neighbors. She used that platform to develop a bill writing program that put local constituents in charge of the legislative process. Upon promotion to chief of staff for Delegate Rasoul, she assisted in writing legislation that resulted in a grant program for local food and farming infrastructure being passed. She championed legislation to establish maximum contaminant levels for the cancer-causing and deadly forever chemicals in drinking water.
Lily Franklin is running again in 2025 after narrowly losing the 2023 election for Virginia’s 41st House District by just 183 votes. A former high school math teacher and chief of staff for Delegate Sam Rasoul, Franklin has been a dedicated advocate for affordable housing, accessible childcare, and quality education. Flipping this seat is crucial for Democrats to strengthen their majority in the House of Delegates and continue advancing progressive policies in Virginia.
Last day to register for primary: June 17, 2025
Deadline to request absentee ballot (primary) June 6, 2025
Date of primary: June 17, 2025
Last day to register for general: November 4, 2025
Deadline to request absentee ballot (general) October 24, 2025
Date of general: November 4, 2025
VA HOD-41 represents parts of Montgomery County and Roanoke County, including Virginia Tech in the city of Blacksburg.
2024 Presidential Election:
Harris: 46.7%
Trump: 51.2%
2023 House of Delegates:
Democrat : 49.57%
Republican: 50.31%
2021 Gubernatorial:
Democrat : 43.7%
Republican: 55.5%
Population: 88,030
Households: 30,490
Over 65: 13%
Aged 18-64: 72%
Median age: 29.7
White: 82%
Black: 3%
Latino/a: 4%
Asian/ Pacific Islander: 7%
Native Am./ Indigenous: 0%
Other/Two+: 4%
Median Income: $73,819
Poverty: 24%
College//Post Grad: 48%
Some College: 23%
HS Grad: 25%
No HS Grad: 4%
Chris Obenshain hails from a well-connected Republican political dynasty in Virginia—his grandfather ran for governor, and his father, a former assistant county attorney, ran for state senate in 2003. Yet, despite his family’s long history in politics, Chris has failed to deliver for the district. Known in the community for his lack of hard work in the legislature, he has cast votes that have harmed working families and renters, proving himself ineffective when it matters most.
After flipping the House of Delegates in 2023, we must protect our Democratic majority to continue safeguarding democracy, especially with the growing threats coming from the federal government. Keeping our majority ensures that Virginia remains a firewall against right-wing extremism and a leader in expanding opportunity, protecting freedoms, and defending democracy.
With recent Democratic victories in special elections and shifting political momentum in our favor, we are well-positioned to win in key swing districts that will maintain our Democratic control of the legislature. This election is our chance to solidify Virginia as a stronghold for democracy, protect fundamental rights, keep the commonwealth moving forward – and create palpable momentum for Democrats in 2026 midterm elections.
In addition to all 100 House of Delegates seats being up for election, Democrats also have the ability to take back the executive branch of the Virginia State Government! Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is running to be the first female Governor of Virginia, while there will be a contested primary on the Republican side between current Lt. Gov Sears and two former state legislative republicans. Additionally, Democrats vie to take back the Lieutenant Governor’s seat, who oversees the Democratic-controlled state senate, as well as the Attorney General’s office.
Checks can be sent to:
Sister District Project
440 North Barranca Avenue, #8737
Covina, California 91723
