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Irene Shin
DEMOCRAT
Irene Shin is running for Virginia State Delegate, District 8, Democratic Primary.
Personal background
Irene was raised in Burbank, California. She went to the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government. She currently lives in downtown Herndon and is actively involved with public service. If elected, she would be the first Korean American woman to be in the Virginian House of Delegates.
Professional background
Irene Shin is the current Executive Director of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, which she has been working with for 6 years. She has also been a Board Member for The Competitive Commonwealth Fund for 6 years. She was previously the Senior Director of Crowdpac from 2016-2019, the State Finance Director for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee from 2015-2016, and Finance Director for multiple political campaigns (Kamala Harris for Senate, John Foust for Congress, and Eloise Gomez Reyes for Congress). She was the Director of Korean American Outreach for John Choi for City Council in 2013.
Political background
Irene Shin is currently the state delegate representing Virginia's 86th District. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her 1st term. She is a member of the Communications, Technology, and Innovation Committee; and the Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee.
Energy & the Environment
As a state delegate, voted for a bill that will lower energy bills for Virginian’s by $6-$7 per month by changing the way Virginia’s monopoly energy provider, Dominion Energy, can set prices.
As a state delegate, voted against a bill that would have banned Virginia’s government from banning or restricting the use of natural gas.
Supports moving towards a 100% net renewable energy standard for electricity production.
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Economy
As a state delegate, voted for a bill that lowered taxes on groceries from 2.5% to 1%, except for alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods. Diapers and feminine hygiene products were included in the tax decrease.
As a state delegate, voted for a bill that limits the amount of THC in hemp products to 0.3% of the product and 2 milligrams total. Possession of marijuana is decriminalized in Virginia but there is no legal market for sales of THC products.
Supports paid family medical leave and paid sick leave for all.
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Healthcare
As a state delegate, voted against a bill that would have let patients sue hospitals that weren’t transparent about their prices for services.
Supports abortion.
Supports the 2021 "Surprise Billing" bill.
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Education
As a state delegate, voted against a bill that would have required school principals to tell parents if their child tells a school employee that they don’t identify with their gender assigned at birth or asks to be identified by another gender.
As a state delegate, voted for a bill that lets companies be sued for publishing or distributing online content that is “harmful to minors” without checking the age of the internet users accessing the content.
Plans to implement legislation for Universal Pre-K in Virginia.
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Public Safety
As a state delegate, voted for a bill that gives people $300 off their taxes if they buy a gun safe or lock box. The credit expires in 2027.
As a state delegate, voted against a bill that would have let drug dealers be charged with murder if one of their customers dies of a drug overdose. The punishment would have been 5-40 years in prison.
Supports bans on assault weapons and ghost guns, and mandatory background checks for gun sales.
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