× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Del. Debra Rodman, D-Henrico, announced Monday that she’ll join a Democratic primary for the chance to challenge Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico.

Rodman was elected to the House of Delegates in the 2017 wave election that flipped 15 Republican-held seats. She defeated Del. John O’Bannon, R-Henrico, in the 73rd House District.

Her decision creates a three-person Democratic primary on June 11 in Senate District 12, where Veena Lothe, an immigration lawyer, and Marques Jones, the former chairman of the Henrico County Democratic Committee, have been competing for the nomination.

Dunnavant is among senators Democrats hope to unseat in their effort to retake control of the Senate, which Republicans hold 21-19. Democrat Ralph Northam easily carried the district in the 2017 race for governor.

Rodman, a professor at Randolph-Macon College and an expert witness in federal refugee cases, said she decided to run for Senate to help more people.

“I think my district knows how hard I fought for them,” Rodman said. “I did it on the campaign trail, I did it in the General Assembly. When there’s an opportunity to do more good for more people, I’m going to take it.”