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Even some incumbent Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates are feeling the “Trump effect,” as a new generation of candidates has emerged to challenge the political status quo after the presidential election last fall.

In the 70th House District, Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, 62, is facing a re-election challenge for the first time since her first victory in 2009 after a long career on the Richmond City Council and the Richmond School Board.

Her challenger in the June 13 Democratic primary is Alex Mejias, 39, a business strategist for a local software development company. He has a law degree, a “passion for social justice” and a desire for political change.

“We’re facing an administration (in Washington) like we’ve never seen before and we need a new approach,” he said. “Status quo, old school politics can’t get the job done.”

But the issues of most concern to Mejias — criminal justice reform, public education, and political representation — are not new to McQuinn, an associate minister who has worked for decades on issues of particular concern to the African-American community in Richmond.

“The things he’s talking about I’ve been fighting for ever since I could remember,” she said.