Dr. Veronica Coleman is the Pastor of New Jerusalem Ministries, a community focused ministry that she founded in 2010. New Jerusalem Ministries’ work in the community is so widely recognized that in 2015, it received the Model Partnership Award from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. in recognition of its Mentoring Program and its other outreach efforts conducted on behalf of the students in the city.

A recognized leader in the community, Dr. Coleman is the immediate Past President of the Virginia Beach Interdenominational Ministers Conference and has served in leadership capacities with other civic and religious organizations. She served for many years as a volunteer reporter and anchor for the City of Virginia Beach Television Station, VBTV. She currently co-facilitates the Pastors and Community Roundtable designed to improve the relationship between the Virginia Beach Police Department and the community.

Dr. Coleman is a native Halifax County, VA. She received her undergraduate education at Danville Community College and Averett College (University). She completed graduate studies at Old Dominion University and Virginia Union University. In 2010, she earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Veronica Coleman is a wife, a mother, a pastor, a manager and a mentor. She entered this campaign to fight for the values that matter in Virginia’s 84th District: Strengthening the healthcare system, protecting the vote and making sure that everyone benefits from a vibrant and equitable economy.

On the Issues

Read Dr. Coleman's platform below

Quality Healthcare for All

I believe every Virginian has a right to quality healthcare. I will support policies that move us closer to that reality, including the expansion of Medicaid.

As a former healthcare executive, I have seen the devastation that can occur in families without access to affordable health services. I have also witnessed the painful decisions that have to be made between paying for health services or paying for food and other necessities of life.

Education

We must ensure that our children have the best possible education. I am committed to providing the resources that contribute to a strong public education system that prepares our children for the challenges of the 21st century.

I support early childhood programs( preschool) and all day kindergarten.

I also believe that anyone who desires a higher education should be able to achieve their goal without going into “mortgage level “ debt. Making two years post high school education available to all students will go a long way towards making this a reality. I support students having the option of two years of vocational training and/or community college post high school paid in full.

Environment

Climate change is real.
Coastal cities are being threatened by rising sea levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency is under attack.

I am committed to fighting for policies that protect our public lands and waterways. I will introduce and support legislation that addresses threats to the Chesapeake Bay and our coastal cities.

Protecting Voting Rights/ Redistricting

The right to vote is a core principle of our democracy.
I believe we should make it easier to vote, not harder.

We must work to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act.

We must end political and racial gerrymandering.

I will fight for bipartisan redistricting reform in the Commonwealth.
I will fight against discriminatory Voter ID laws that disproportionately burden young voters, diverse communities and people of color, low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly and women.

Economic Security and Economic Justice

I believe the best way to support everyday working families is to ensure a strong economy and create good paying jobs.

I support the raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage”. No one should have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet.

This also means supporting small business and encouraging entrepreneurship.

We must invest in and demand a level playing field for all Virginians.
Wealth inequality is bad for all.

Everyone deserves the chance to perform at their level of potential. Barriers standing in the way of those achievements must be eliminated.