Federal Fallout: The 2025 Virginia Elections

Candidate Interview: Stacey Carroll


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Hi, everyone. I'm Sam Shirazi, and this is Federal Fallout, the 2025 Virginia elections. This episode, I will be interviewing Stacey Carroll. She is the Democratic nominee in the 64th House of Delegates District, and that is in Stafford County.

00:16.44

Sam Shirazi

She is running against incumbent Republican Paul Milde, and I'm happy to have him on at another time. But today we have Stacey. So thank you for joining me.

00:26.14

Stacey

Absolutely. Sam, thanks for having me. Great to come here and talk to your listeners about what's going on here in District 64. Sam,

00:34.56

Sam Shirazi

Great. Well, I really appreciate it. So I usually ask this question from people running for office. Why did you want to run?

00:42.59

Stacey

saying where do you want me start? Just long story short is I got tired of cussing at the TV, just being very candid. um think on so many levels, I started to feel and look as if government was not working for us.

00:56.69

Stacey

And I say us for me as um as a particular person and wanted to be a part of the solution. I love this country. I have five mobilizations. have served this country in so many other capacities, but just literally wanted to roll up my sleeves and do something in a different capacity that continues my service and ensures that from a legislative perspective, we are truly supporting the people.

01:20.90

Sam Shirazi

that That makes sense. And I wanted to ask you in terms of your district, um are some of the issues people are are talking to you about?

01:28.92

Stacey

So when I'm on the doors, people are talking to me about, ah surprisingly enough, how government is just not working for them, whether that be just the price of ah groceries or various household items are just sit consistently going up.

01:43.88

Stacey

Or whether the conversation is have a large propensity of federal workers and contractors that are here in the district that are affected by what's going on right now in Washington, D.C., or how transportation to get to and from work, it's just exhausting to be able to live. And when it comes to health care, the wait times, right?

02:06.20

Stacey

or whether people absolutely mentioned the name of the current president on how various things that are currently being implemented, they totally disagree with because we have a large portion of veterans here in the district as well. So out of all of those, what I consider to be notes, I sum it up into one is that government is just not working for the people is one of the sentiments that I hear under the doors.

02:30.46

Sam Shirazi

Right. And so in terms of the district for people's reference, it's in northern Virginia and Stafford County. Obviously, there's been a lot of changes to the federal government since the change of administration. um What have been some of the impacts to the federal cuts in your district?

02:47.65

Stacey

So more than 40% of our residents are commuters and they commute more than average of 40 minutes to and from Northern Virginia into the DMV area. So we know simply because of our close proximity to DC, well as the wages, people come down to Stafford and I say down, down 95 to Stafford for more affordability when it comes to housing and just an all aroundund environment that's different. And I say that because when I first PCS tier nearly 10 years ago, I chose Stafford as well because of the support of my family here in Stafford.

03:41.25

Sam Shirazi

but That makes sense. And you mentioned commuters.

03:44.33

Stacey

Yes.

03:44.83

Sam Shirazi

I did want to ask about I-95 because many people may have driven in the district on their way up and down I-95. And think i think There has been generally a lot of frustrations about I-95.

03:58.65

Sam Shirazi

i would say so since the express lanes have been completed all the way down to Fredericksburg, I think it's gotten a little bit better, but obviously there's always traffic.

03:59.60

Stacey

yeah

04:05.21

Sam Shirazi

So could you talk about what you might want to do in terms of dealing with those issues on I-95?

04:12.08

Stacey

Yes. So to um address congestion head on, I think that there are two basic solutions. One of them is we need to upgrade infrastructure and expand our rail capacity. There are already projects in the works to add a third railroad track.

04:25.61

Stacey

but i But as our population grows, we need to ensure that we continue making those upgrades to infrastructure. ah ah such as maybe extending routes and expanding hours of operation to accommodate the flexible schedules that may be needed for the residents of the district.

04:40.98

Stacey

Secondly, i would say we need to just simply work together. know a lot of times in various situations we operate as various silos, but we need to work together from a local and regional level to ensure that Local infrastructure can sustain the population growth.

04:57.41

Stacey

When I get elected, Sam, I'll do just that. I'll drive the state funding that Stafford needs to build the connectors and bridges on surface streets that commuters can use as alternates to I-95.

05:10.82

Stacey

I am committed to working with my colleagues at the state funding level to ensure that our local projects are considered for federal funding and grants.

05:20.86

Sam Shirazi

And in terms of the district in 2024, it voted for President Trump by about two points. And so, you know, in theory, you would have to win over some voters who may have voted for President Trump to vote for you this year. um How do you plan on convincing some voters who may have voted for the Republicans in the past to maybe vote for the Democrats this year?

05:43.77

Stacey

So when I'm on the doors, I try not to talk about party affiliations and I focus more on policies, how everyday things that matter to just the voters are encompassed in this current election and and identifying where and how I'm going to stand on that issue.

06:02.97

Stacey

So when we're talking about fully funding schools and providing that level of insight and or oversight, to me, that's not a Democrat or a Republican issue. That's a Stafford County resident issue. we you know The public schools provide that free child care for students that are ranging from grades K through 12. We need to fully fund those.

06:23.38

Stacey

I talk about fully funding veterans' um earned benefits, A lot of those are not even, again, some of those um Republican or Democrat issues. They're just literally Stafford County issues.

06:36.12

Stacey

So as I talk to people, I relate on commonalities instead of the areas on where there may be some disagreement. I focus on specifically how and where I can serve them.

06:47.69

Stacey

this upcoming election um why they should vote for me. And once I do assume office, some of the benefits that they're going to get out of me. And I remind them that I'm not here to play politics.

06:57.73

Stacey

I give them a little bit of my resume on how I have been serving the community in various capacities and ask them to do their research on me as to why I'm running and what that true capacity is.

07:10.97

Sam Shirazi

ah Well, i I did want to ask about Stafford and and the district in general, because I think there's a there used to be a conception of Stafford as pretty conservative place.

07:20.74

Sam Shirazi

It's changed over time, and Vice President Harris barely carried Stafford in 2024, so it's become basically like a swing county. Could you kind of tell us a little bit about your district and how it's maybe changed over time?

07:36.06

Stacey

So yes, there has been a lot of drastic growth here in Stafford County with the expansion of a few, I say few as very modestly, but a few housing communities here in the local area, specifically our Embree Mill subdivision, as well as a few subdivisions that were enacted along courthouse roads, specifically in district, as well as a few communities that have been open the last five years in our Hartwood district.

08:01.61

Stacey

lot of the the families that now call Stafford home have come to the area from various spaces and locations within the Commonwealth, some without as being military families, got to choose this specific area upon their retirement and or some families from Northern Virginia that just wanted a different field and or space for their family as they as their family expanded.

08:24.17

Stacey

They chose Stafford to be their home. Inside of those changes and opening of the new new developments, we have seen the swing or change in the actual voter base here in Stafford County, and that's directly resulted in some of the changes that you've seen.

08:39.64

Stacey

We've seen in our strong Democrat precincts, we've seen voter registration outpace general growth in the region by as much as 26%. We've seen the Hispanic population double in voter registration, and we've seen Black voter registration increase by as much as 58%.

08:58.55

Sam Shirazi

Yeah. And could you speak about some of that diversity? Because I think there there used to be this conception of Stafford as kind of a traditional suburban place. But it sounds like there's a lot of different communities and how they are interacting with each other in and a place that I think is sounds like a nice place to raise a family.

09:17.39

Stacey

It is a beautiful place to raise a family. family. um A lot of people, including myself, because of the close proximity to D.C., have chosen Stafford to be our home. And I say that with full confidence and fledge that everyone here in Stafford absolutely loves Stafford.

09:35.50

Stacey

I am going to believe that without question. I mean, every district has its level of struggles and triumphs, but Stafford is a great place to raise family. That diversity has sprung specifically from just various people choosing and seeing the affordability of Stafford all the things that we're able to see.

09:54.57

Stacey

We have a large Muslim community presence here in Stafford County. We have as well as a large Hispanic community here in Stafford as well.

10:03.76

Sam Shirazi

Well, I wanted to talk about after the election. so I think if you become a delegate or when you become a delegate, depending on the results, what are your priorities when you get into the General Assembly?

10:17.90

Stacey

If I had to sum it up, Sam, I would say first and foremost is to bring we need to fully fund education. I'm not quite sure when or where public schools became the talking point of whether or not we would fully fund the education. i am a product of public education. My children.

10:38.05

Stacey

are products of public education right here in Stafford. I have children that currently attend public education. We need to ensure that our schools are fully funded.

10:49.68

Stacey

That includes proper salaries for teachers and the support staff and everyone that it takes to fully fund the schools to make sure that our kids, without question, get a world-class education here in Stafford County.

11:02.55

Stacey

Secondly, I am committed to ensuring that from an economy perspective, there are investments that we make in our economy because we know when we have a strong economy, we have a strong middle class. And if we have a strong middle class, we have that again, a strong economy.

11:22.27

Stacey

I am committed to supporting and standing with workers and ensuring that they are protected and heard. And there's there's also ah another thing that's near and dear to my heart, and that's health care.

11:32.78

Stacey

We have seen... Unfortunately, a few of the things coming from the the current Trump administration to where some of those budget cuts will drastically affect Virginians. And we have to make sure that we when I get to Richmond that we balance the budget. I am a licensed CPA, so I understand the importance of debits and credits.

11:51.40

Stacey

But we do so in a manner to where it still fully funds all the programs and supports that we need to be a vital commonwealth, specifically the District 64.

12:01.50

Sam Shirazi

And, you know, to talking about those cuts, there's a potential down the line that there could be cuts to Medicaid. ah Do Do you know what the plan would be in Virginia to try to make sure people who need it don't lose health care?

12:16.13

Stacey

So there is some some current plans that I know without question, the Speaker of the House as well as Abigail has a plan that they have been innately working on how we can make sure that specifically in Virginia that Medicaid is expanded. Some of the Obama administration plans.

12:34.24

Stacey

Provisions are expanded and enshrined here in the Commonwealth of Virginia and making sure that people get the necessary help that they need to get well so that they can get a job. I am committed as as the delegate this coming November will be decided to ensure that we support that.

12:51.24

Stacey

and We have to make sure that health care doesn't become privilege for some but becomes a right for all. And we need to make sure that proper support is provided so that people in our community can stand up straight and support themselves.

13:05.62

Sam Shirazi

Well, I wanted to ask a little bit more about your experience as a candidate and what it's been like to actually run for office.

13:11.66

Stacey

when

13:13.69

Sam Shirazi

Because I know, i imagine it's pretty crazy and you're pretty busy these days.

13:18.35

Stacey

Listen, it is exhausting, Sam, but also rewarding at the same time. After I work my day job, I get off in the evenings and I find myself taking these calls, talking to various people out on the doors and in some way, shape or form, introducing myself to the community.

13:37.62

Stacey

it it is absolutely one of the most rewarding things that I am doing. You'll be surprised when you're knocking on the doors. People just simply have lost faith.

13:50.59

Stacey

or the desire to even be bothered with politics in any way, shape or form, whether that be politics, government, anything that has to do with voting or what the government is doing.

14:01.59

Stacey

People are just tuned out and have decided to just do something different. I am... um daily reminded. I love it when I'm able to have authentic conversations with people about the power that they do currently have, about how the state government and local government, because here in Stafford County, we have our local candidates on the ballot as well to include our board of supervisors and school board.

14:28.63

Stacey

And I remind them how from a state and local perspective, there there are a lot of things that we can address that impact their daily lives. And I enjoy or get invigorated by watching that level of understanding show on their face to where it's no longer this doom and gloom and lack of hope, but it becomes this newfound level of um knowledge as well as empowerment on how we're going to tackle the tomorrow.

14:56.26

Stacey

So though it is physically exhausting and draining for me and the fact that I, you know, may not may or may not get a chance to tuck my daughter in at night because my aunt and uncle are serving in that particular capacity, I enjoy watching everything else unfold and being able to remind my fellow Virginians about what tomorrow can be if they just simply come out and participate and cast their vote and not sit this one out.

15:23.82

Sam Shirazi

Yeah, I mean, that that sounds like ah you're running a campaign trying to get people excited, which is always good. And i wanted to ask what it's like to run specifically in a district that's really competitive and is one of the ones everyone's keeping an eye on this year.

15:41.75

Stacey

pressure, Sam, but it is, ah um I am up for the challenge. My life has been all about triumph and challenges.

15:50.69

Stacey

and various experiences. The heat is on. People are watching what's going on here in Stafford, as you alluded to. I personally block out that noise. I don't care who's watching and try not to pay attention to that.

16:04.95

Stacey

I daily remind myself of who I am and why I decided to run. And I decided to run because I felt or consistently saw that government just simply was not working for me.

16:19.13

Stacey

if I knew that and felt that as optimistic as I am, as me having ah ah having a CPA license and understanding money the way that I do, I knew without question that 50 other people to my left and to my right, irrespective of party alignment, understood and felt that as well.

16:36.27

Stacey

so as So I utilize that in my authentic conversations with people and just simply, and I hate to say it, blot out the noise. I don't get confused you know and or distracted by that of everybody paying attention or anything or any potential things We just focus on what the actual goal is, and that's restoring hope in what Virginia can be and how Stafford can contribute to that and making sure that people are reminded of what the solutions or power that they do have to create the solutions that they desire to manifest.

17:10.31

Sam Shirazi

Well, I think that's good advice for people running in in ah races like yours. So to close out, I did ah ah have one, i guess, more fun question about the district because lot of people driving down I-95 and they see Stafford. And what would you recommend people see in the district or what is your favorite part of the district?

17:29.73

Stacey

Oh, if I had to say my favorite part of the district is the food. And I would have to say that because, again, and again, you have to be a part of the district to better understand it. and I mean, some people will say it's Crow's Nest and the and and the nature preserves that we have here. But for me, I'm a natural foodie.

17:48.87

Stacey

So I love to go to the restaurants that are here within Stafford. specifically that of people that are residents of Stafford that are thriving here in this area, whether it be a smoothie or whether it be some pizza and or some hibachi. I enjoy eating the food of people that love and live here in Stafford as well. yeah So if there's something I would say from Stafford, I would say the food.

18:17.24

Stacey

I would say the food.

18:18.28

Sam Shirazi

Well, you you heard it from her that if youre if you need some food when you're on INA5, get off Stafford. And there sounds like there's a lot of great places. So, I appreciate you taking the time. If people want to learn more about your campaign, how do they find out more?

18:32.56

Stacey

They can go to my website at StacyCarroll4VA.com. StacyCarroll4VA.com. Go on, check me out. I tell everybody to just simply audit who I am and what I stand for. Do your research and better understand.

18:47.76

Stacey

if you at all want to get involved, get involved. There's some phone banking and or connections that can be done from external place. So if you just want to come on down and visit to Stafford, jump on I-95, stop on by here.

19:00.60

Stacey

And we can absolutely connect you with some voters in the district to do some canvassing. And or just look us up and send us a note and tell us to keep going. Either way, stay connected, be involved, because this November, Stafford, Virginia, District 64 will be a race to watch.

19:16.34

Sam Shirazi

Well, I know we'll all be watching it as the results come in. And thank you so much for joining me. And this has been Federal Fallout, and I'll join you next time.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit samshirazi.substack.com
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Federal Fallout: The 2025 Virginia ElectionsBy Sam Shirazi

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