Kiesha Preston
Democrat
Positions
Meet Kiesha
Kiesha Preston, born and raised in Roanoke VA, has spent her life working to better the lives of people who are often forgotten. A proud single mother to three children and graduate of Patrick Henry High School, she is a survivor of domestic violence. She took that harrowing experience and turned it into a personal strength, fighting for a better world for those who have also experienced abuse. She wrote and was instrumental in the passing of legislation which eliminated certain housing barriers for victims of domestic/sexual violence and human trafficking.
Housing Access & Homelessness
Between Summer 2021-Summer 2023, Roanoke experienced a 54% increase in homelessness. This past year saw another 12% increase, according to a new Blue Ridge Continuum of Care report. I will work to increase available housing, including housing affordable to people of low and moderate incomes. I also will help those social service organizations that are instrumental to helping transition people off of the streets and into permanent, secure housing.
Reducing Gun Violence
Gun deaths have steadily increased in Virginia over the last decade. From 2013 to 2022, the gun death rate increased 47%. There are reasonable, effective, and implementable options to make our communities safer from gun violence. Kids don’t need bulletproof backpacks – they need decisive action from their elected representatives.
Improving Education
Education is the pathway to opportunity in America, but our community is being held back by the State Government. School leaders in the Roanoke district have stated that we need a new high school to address overcrowding. Having a low student/teacher ratio has been shown time and time again to be one of the best indicators of academic success. Student overcrowding in our area has and will continue to lead to lower academic outcomes for our children. Our kids deserve better. I will demand that school funding at the State level meet the needs of our community.
