Vogel is a former deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy who started her own law firm, which handles campaign finance and ethics law. She has been a senator for 10 years.

She disputed Fairfax’s glowing report of Virginia’s economy — a debate that is being echoed in the race for governor between Democrat Ralph S. Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie.

“Virginia used to be the best place to raise a child, best place to be an entrepreneur, best place to start a business, and best tax climate,” she said. “We’re now ranked 33rd in the nation in terms of tax climate. ... More people are leaving Virginia than coming to Virginia.”

She said her goals are making health care affordable, fighting for children and women’s health and against domestic violence, pushing for reform of Virginia’s tax brackets and fighting for the environment and agriculture. She said she was proud this year to help get raises for police and sheriff’s deputies without raising taxes.