Dianne Blais
GreenQ8 Fairfax County is home to a life sciences and biosciences workforce of more than 60,000 people, supported by federal research institutions, private companies, and public universities in the region. What is your view on the state’s role in supporting scientific research and the research workforce in Northern Virginia, and what policies, if any, would you support related to it?
The federal government should not make cuts so that the state needs to pick up the slack so that these important jobs can be continued without interruption.
Q9 Healthcare affordability and access are major issues for Virginians. A 2025 survey by Altarum found that 72% of Virginians worry about paying for healthcare in the future. If elected, what action would you take to address healthcare affordability and access?
a national health care program is needed
Q10 Healthcare access and affordability can also vary by demographics and need (e.g., rural areas, maternity care, mental healthcare). Are there any targeted programs you would support for specific needs or populations?
A needed national healthcare program would ideally take care of all needs. We need it now.
Q11 Virginia hosts the largest data center market in the world. Dominion Energy has proposed a 14% rate increase for residential customers in 2026, citing data center growth and AI-driven demand. What is your view on how the costs and benefits of data center growth should be divided between developers and residential ratepayers, and what policies, if any, would you support on this issue?
a moratorium on data centers is needed
Q12 According to the Virginia Department of Education, there are currently overall fewer vacant teaching positions in public schools than in years’ past. However, teacher shortages are still a major concern, particularly in areas such as special education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and early childhood. Through what policies, if any, would you address teacher shortages in Virginia’s K-12 schools in these high-demand areas, particularly in STEM?
Teaching these subjects could be part of a an implemented service program that all Americans could participate in (like the military, Peace Corp, etc.)
Q13 As a member of Congress, you would vote on appropriations for federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. What priorities, if any, would guide your decisions on federal science funding?
these are needed agencies and should be fully funded
Q14 As a member of Congress, you would also vote on appropriations affecting federal civilian positions, and the availability of these positions. Specifically focusing on workforce positions related to public health, science, and research and development, how would you approach appropriations/funding for federal civilian positions?
these important and needed jobs need to be re-established and funded
Q15 Scientific and technical expertise can inform decisions related to healthcare, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you communicate scientific uncertainty or evolving evidence to the public?
the media plays an important part and should not be biased based on politics