Debra Rodman was raised in Coral Gables, Florida.[2] Rodman is an associate professor at Randolph-Macon College, teaching anthropology and women's studies.[2] She travels to Guatemala yearly, where she researches the effects of migration on that country. Rodman also serves as an expert witness for asylum seekers.[2][3]
Political career
In 2017, Rodman ran for the Virginia House of Delegates for the 73rd district, then held by Republican incumbent John O'Bannon. Rodman defeated three other candidates in a caucus on April 29, 2017 to win the Democratic nomination.[4] In the general election, Rodman defeated O'Bannon by a 3% margin.[5]
She raised $373,000 over the course of the campaign, outraised by O'Bannon by nearly $200,000.[6]
In 2019, Rodman challenged incumbent Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant for the Senate of Virginia's 12th District seat.[7][8] Rodman narrowly lost the election to Dunnavant on November 5, 2019.[9]
Rodman ran on and helped pass Medicaid Expansion, which gives health care access to over 400,000 Virginians.[12] She also refuses to take money from Dominion Power or Appalachian Energy.[13]
In the 2019 legislative session, Rodman was the chief sponsor for bills to expand LGBTQ equality, voting rights, and increase the tipped minimum wage.[14]
Rodman was on the Education Committee, Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee.[15]
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