Karen “Kacey” Carnegie is a candidate for Virginia House of Delegates District 89 and is running as a Democrat. Her name will appear on the June 17, 2025 ballot. Carnegie is running against challenger Blaizen Buckshot Bloom in the June Democratic primary. The winner will appear on the ballot for the General Election on Nov. 4.
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Name: Karen “Kacey” Carnegie
Age: 41
Website: https://carnegiefordelegate.com/
Why are you running for this office?
I was born and raised in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, with close family ties across
neighboring Suffolk. These neighborhoods aren’t just lines on a map to me– they’re places
where we build our lives. Where individuals and parents work long hours to keep a roof over
their children’s heads, where veterans and federal workers dedicate themselves to service, and
where teachers strive every day to give our kids the best education. As one of ten children, I
know what it’s like to grow up in a hardworking family and rely on one another to get by. Today,
as a mom of two young daughters, I feel those same daily pressures, balancing childcare costs,
school schedules, and making sure there’s always time for homework and family time.
I’m running to be the next Delegate in this district, my home, because we need legislators who
will fight for Virginia’s future and champion the immediate challenges our community faces:
traffic from outdated infrastructure that steals our time, aging community centers in need of an
update, and families stretched thin by rising costs and stagnant wages. We can and must deliver
common-sense legislation that boosts our local economy, protects our social service programs
from Washington’s cuts, protects reproductive rights, and ensures every family here has access
to affordable healthcare and a world class public school, regardless of zip code. I want to be the
advocate and fighter for this community in Richmond who brings the concerns of Chesapeake
and Suffolk individuals and families to the floor, advocates for our veterans and federal
employees, and stands up for hardworking families and individuals whose jobs, homes, and lives
are at stake. I am not running to bring my priorities to Richmond, but our priorities so we can
build a stronger, more equitable, and resilient community.
Why are you qualified to hold this office?
I’ve built my career on both professional and hands-on community service, giving me the
real-world experience Chesapeake and Suffolk need in Richmond. As the founding member of
Carnegie Law Group, I oversee nine staff members that help Hampton Roads families through
everything from estate planning to complex litigation, so I understand firsthand the pressures of
running a small business, investing in employee well-being, and balancing budgets. My time as a
substitute judge in Hampton Roads has given me a deep appreciation for how legislative choices
translate into fair and efficient courts, and as a past President of the Deep Creek Ruritan Club
and a Girl Scout leader I’ve participated in local service projects, from park cleanups to food
drives, that directly improve our neighborhoods. Serving as a court-appointed Guardian ad
Litem has taught me to be a fierce advocate for children and adults in crisis, ensuring their
voices are heard in every courtroom. These roles, attorney, small-business owner, judge, club
president, and guardian ad litem, have prepared me to deliver the leadership, accountability,
and community focus our district deserves.
What would be a bill you’d sponsor in your first session?
If I have the honor of serving as a delegate, I would proudly support all three constitutional
amendments passed by the General Assembly this session and will vote to advance them again
next year to ensure Virginians have the opportunity to enshrine these protections into our
Constitution.
Another top priority would be ensuring that Virginia’s minimum wage keeps pace with the cost
of living and provides real support for working families. Too many Virginians are working
full-time and still living paycheck to paycheck, with little to no safety net. Raising the minimum
wage would provide relief to working families, reduce poverty, and help restore dignity and
stability to those doing essential work. No one working full-time should be struggling to get by,
they should have the opportunity to build a secure, prosperous future.
What is your view on accepting campaign donations?
Voters deserve to know who’s funding political campaigns so they can make informed decisions
at the ballot box. That’s why I support strong transparency measures that ensure campaigns are
accountable to the people—not special interests. I’m proud of the grassroots support our
campaign has received from people who believe in expanding opportunity, investing in public
education, and making life more affordable for Virginia families.
Would you vote against the will of your party leaders in any circumstances?
If elected, I will always put the needs of my constituents first by fighting for policies that uplift
our communities–from lowering costs for working families, strengthening our economy, and
investing in world-class public education. That’s what public service is about, and that’s the kind
of leadership I’ll bring to Richmond.
