Virginia Government Simulation 2025 Election
Vote for next year's leadership roles for future simulations.
Governor Candidates
Name: Aser Moltashy
Institution: Reynolds Community College
Bio: I hope you’re doing well. My name is Aser Moltashy, I am a student at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College, and I am interested in running for the Speaker of the House for this VGS session and the Governor for the next. These roles would be a great fit for me because I am a self-made leader. In high school, I wasn’t a very good student; I rarely did my homework, seldom paid attention in class, and never attended any clubs or went to football games. However, during my junior year, I took a class in ethics, which changed my life. I went from horrible grades and a bad reputation among the faculty to straight As and a nomination by the principal to represent the school in a county-wide committee. My momentum as a leader didn’t end there; I learned that one of my key character traits is problem-solving. When I was the Director of my school’s morning announcements team, I discovered a new way to capture the attention of students and encourage them to watch the announcements. My team and I revolutionized the morning announcements. It was no longer a five-minute break before first period; instead, it became something both teachers and students looked forward to. This led me to write an episode to highlight the issues in the boys' bathroom at my school. Nevertheless, being a good Speaker of the House or Governor is independent of how funny you are on camera. It’s about how well you can manage projects. While I was in the county-wide committee, I led a project to overhaul the entire committee because I believed the committee did not represent the student body at all. I gave a speech to the committee about all the changes I had in mind, which led to the Superintendent, who oversees the committee, enacting some of the changes I proposed. I am currently still in contact with Dr. Cashwell, and I continue to pursue the rest of the changes. My self-made leadership journey continues as I have started a logical discussion and argument club called Junto and have been appointed Secretary of the Student Government Association before even concluding my first semester at Reynolds. My strengths in leadership and relentless initiative are the characteristics that distinguish me as a strong candidate for this position.
Name: Caden Vanvalkenburg
Institution: James Madison University
Bio: Hi, I'm Caden! I'm running for the role of Speaker of the House and Governor. In terms of experience, I've been serving as a Senator in the James Madison University Student Government Association, as well as the Academic Senator representing the College of Integrated Science and Engineering. My goals are to improve the educational system and get AI out of politics, and I believe that due to my organizational skills I'd be excellent at presiding over the house.
Lt. Governor Candidates
Name: Lakeshia Roberts-Drake
Institution: Virginia Peninsula Community College
Bio: I am running for Lieutenant Governor because I enjoy working with others to make sure things run smoothly and fairly. I have strong leadership and organizational skills that help me manage tasks and support group goals. In this position, I would assist the Governor by helping to guide discussions and keep communication open between the House and Senate. I’m confident speaking in front of others and helping resolve any confusion or disagreements that may arise. I take pride in being dependable and respectful, and I always try to make sure everyone feels heard. My goal would be to help create a positive and professional environment where teamwork leads to success. I also enjoy problem-solving and helping others stay focused on their goals. Serving as Lieutenant Governor would allow me to use these strengths to support my peers and contribute to a productive session.
Name: Briana Dunkley
Institution: Virginia State University
Bio: I am running for LT Governor to preside over the Senate and partner with the Governor because with my experience as VSU SGA Senator of Academic Affairs also serving as the Clerk, I am prepared to support our parliamentary party by fostering collaboration, addressing procedural challenges, and ensuring every voice is heard. My goal here is to mainly create a very efficient and inclusive legislative environment while advancing our shared priorities.
Attorney General Candidates
Name: Hailey Herbst
Institution: Brightpoint Community College
Bio: I intend to run for the offices of Minority Whip and Attorney General to bring focused organizational discipline and meticulous oversight to the simulation. As a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and an experienced bookkeeper, I have cultivated the strong communication and detail-oriented nature essential for these leadership positions. This experience, along with my future goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant, ensures I possess the high level of organizational skills necessary for both roles. As Minority Whip, I will utilize this professional discipline to secure accurate vote counts and maintain the cohesion of the minority party on crucial matters. As Attorney General my commitment to detail will guarantee a thorough review of all bills and executive actions. I will ensure a smooth, efficient, and procedurally sound pre-filing process for every delegate. Elect me to bring proven responsibility and detail-oriented commitment to the VGS leadership team.
Name: Jackson Mallory
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Bio: Hello! My name is Jackson Mallory, a junior studying Political Science and Criminal Justice at Virginia Commonwealth University. I intend to volunteer as a committee chair and run for the office of Attorney General. From my experience as a Senate Page for the Virginia Senate to my role as the Virginia Government Simulation Student Coordinator, I possess exceptional knowledge of the inner workings of committees and how to function as an efficient chair. On the Attorney General side, I am introducing a bill to officially recognize the Attorney General as a member of the Executive Branch while defining the roles and responsibilities of the position. These duties will serve to emulate the actual Virginia General Assembly while accounting for how the Attorney General executes their duties in our sister programs. As such, I have gained crucial knowledge on the software responsible for publicly displaying the Bill Book, Airtable. I know from prior experience how valuable the Virginia Government Simulation can be for students, and I am incredibly optimistic about how we can develop this one-of-a-kind experience together.
Speaker of the House Candidates
Name: Aser Moltashy
Institution: Reynolds Community College
Bio: My name is Aser Moltashy, I am a student at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College, and I am interested in running for the Speaker of the House for this VGS session and the Governor for the next. These roles would be a great fit for me because I am a self-made leader. In high school, I wasn’t a very good student; I rarely did my homework, seldom paid attention in class, and never attended any clubs or went to football games. However, during my junior year, I took a class in ethics, which changed my life. I went from horrible grades and a bad reputation among the faculty to straight As and a nomination by the principal to represent the school in a county-wide committee. My momentum as a leader didn’t end there; I learned that one of my key character traits is problem-solving. When I was the Director of my school’s morning announcements team, I discovered a new way to capture the attention of students and encourage them to watch the announcements. My team and I revolutionized the morning announcements. It was no longer a five-minute break before first period; instead, it became something both teachers and students looked forward to. This led me to write an episode to highlight the issues in the boys' bathroom at my school. Nevertheless, being a good Speaker of the House or Governor is independent of how funny you are on camera. It’s about how well you can manage projects. While I was in the county-wide committee, I led a project to overhaul the entire committee because I believed the committee did not represent the student body at all. I gave a speech to the committee about all the changes I had in mind, which led to the Superintendent, who oversees the committee, enacting some of the changes I proposed. I am currently still in contact with Dr. Cashwell, and I continue to pursue the rest of the changes. My self-made leadership journey continues as I have started a logical discussion and argument club called Junto and have been appointed Secretary of the Student Government Association before even concluding my first semester at Reynolds. My strengths in leadership and relentless initiative are the characteristics that distinguish me as a strong candidate for this position.
Name: Sarah Peck
Institution: Old Dominion University
Bio: Hello, my name is Sara Peck and I am a student at Old Dominion University in my senior year attending the 2025 VGS session. I intend to run for the position of Speaker of the House to utilize my passion for leadership, communication, and group management. As a Political Science major with experience in many clubs and honor societies- currently Pi Sigma Alpha and the Political Science Association- I am always looking for new opportunities in which I may engage with others, understand them, and represent their voices. These are aspects that I have also been able to develop over time in my studies for my Communications minor, where I have learned not only how to speak and understand more efficiently, but how to lead ethically no matter the circumstances. I am actively working towards a career in journalism and/or public relations, and I believe that this position would allow me to practice these skills as well as learn even more about the importance of combining communication and leadership. As a result of these goals, I also plan to serve my delegation by making sure that their concerns are heard, representing them with transparency and respect, and never backing away from our legislative pursuits even in times of adversity.
Name: Lakeshia Roberts-Drake
Institution: Virginia Peninsula Community College
Bio: I would like to run for Speaker of the House because I enjoy leading and helping others work together toward shared goals. I believe I can bring strong organization and fairness to the role while keeping discussions focused and respectful. I have good public speaking skills and feel confident managing group conversations and debates. As Speaker, I would make sure every member’s voice is heard and that decisions are made with understanding and order. I value teamwork and believe leadership means listening as much as guiding. My goal would be to create a positive and productive atmosphere where ideas can grow. I also take pride in being dependable, prepared, and supportive of others. This position would allow me to represent my peers and help keep our House running smoothly and efficiently.
Name: Caden Vanvalkenburg
Institution: James Madison University
Bio: Hi, I'm Caden! I'm running for the role of Speaker of the House and Governor. In terms of experience, I've been serving as a Senator in the James Madison University Student Government Association, as well as the Academic Senator representing the College of Integrated Science and Engineering. My goals are to improve the educational system and get AI out of politics, and I believe that due to my organizational skills I'd be excellent at presiding over the house.
Committee Chair Candidates
Name: Alexander Albright
Institution: Hampden-Sydney College
Bio: My name is Alexander Albright, and I intend to run for Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. I’m a determined and committed leader with wide experience in a range of leadership activities, such as editing my school newspaper and serving as the president of the Hampden-Sydney College Democrats. I believe that the judiciary committee needs to be lead by someone with insight into what problems the Commonwealth of Virginia has faced in the past so that we may focus on delivering real results to our constituents on issues that impact the quality of their judicial system, such as shortages of public defenders in rural areas and the due process challenges of adult recovery court. Over the last few months, I’ve been studying these issues and I recognize the challenge they pose to our constituents, and I believe that the Judiciary Committee serves as the front lines for those issues to be tackled. I believe that with the trust of my fellow committee members, we can deliver results that Virginians have been looking to see for quite some time, and I look forward to leading should they elect me Committee Chair.
Name: Jakob Genest
Institution: Radford University
Bio: Hello! My name is Jakob Genest, and I am a Political Science student at Radford University. I am volunteering to serve as a committee clerk or vice clerk within the House. I am new to VGS and am still in the learning process of how the commonwealth legislature works, but I am learning more every day now. I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Nardo (Clerk of the House) in January during my university's advocacy day, and he provided us with a crash course in clerk work, which I found quite interesting. I am also interested in potentially pursuing party/floor leadership positions in 2026, after gaining some experience in VGS this year. While VGS and the specificity in state legislators are somewhat new to me, I am involved in Model U.N., which, while not the same, is similar in many ways. I currently serve as my school's Model U.N. Vice President and, last semester, served as Head Delegate; I will be serving again in this capacity this semester. I look forward to attending VGS in a couple of weeks and hope to serve in a leadership role.
Name: Andrew Hyams
Institution: Old Dominion University
Bio: I've volunteered for this position because, while I am new to VGS, I have experience in running committees and conferences in policy simulations. For the past 3 and a half years I have been an active member in the Model United Nations circuit, where I have served in numerous positions across three different schools. By the end of this year, I will have been chair/director for three separate committees, where I presided over debate, ensured a strict following of proper parliamentary procedure, and ensured fairness for all delegates. Last year I was the undersecretary general for the College of William and Mary's &MUN XIII. In this capacity I chose and trained the chairs of half of the committees for the conference, on top of ensuring that each chair was properly overseeing debate over the 3-day period that the conference was held for. I'm running because I wish to bring my insight and experience to the VGS simulation in the hope of ensuring a clean and efficient week of debate.
Name: Jackson Mallory
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Bio: Hello! My name is Jackson Mallory, a junior studying Political Science and Criminal Justice at Virginia Commonwealth University. I intend to volunteer as a committee chair and run for the office of Attorney General. From my experience as a Senate Page for the Virginia Senate to my role as the Virginia Government Simulation Student Coordinator, I possess exceptional knowledge of the inner workings of committees and how to function as an efficient chair. On the Attorney General side, I am introducing a bill to officially recognize the Attorney General as a member of the Executive Branch while defining the roles and responsibilities of the position. These duties will serve to emulate the actual Virginia General Assembly while accounting for how the Attorney General executes their duties in our sister programs. As such, I have gained crucial knowledge on the software responsible for publicly displaying the Bill Book, Airtable. I know from prior experience how valuable the Virginia Government Simulation can be for students, and I am incredibly optimistic about how we can develop this one-of-a-kind experience together.
Name: Ella Milton-Benoit
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Bio: My name is Ella Milton-Benoit, and I intend to run/volunteer to chair a committee. I believe that I would be a good fit for such a position not only because of my experience within the prior Simulation, but outside of it as well. During the 2024 Simulation session, I served as the Majority Whip, and so was the only member of my party leadership on the floor. I was able to listen to my fellow delegates, debate and resolve issues with the opposing party, and obey all rules and structures provided for my role. In my educational life, I analyze court cases, which requires attention to detail, and am quite comfortable with public speaking. I would like to make this simulation a success, and believe that I would be most helpful as a committee chair.
Party Whip Candidates
Name: Andrew Betson
Institution: Hampden-Sydney College
Bio: I am interested in running for Majority Whip in the VCU Virginia Government Simulation because it presents a unique opportunity to directly influence the legislative agenda and ensure party unity on critical votes. This role would allow me to strategically communicate the party's platform, rallying support for key initiatives that align with conservative values.
Name: Gabriella Czymbor
Institution: Old Dominion University
Bio: My name is Gabriella Czymbor and I am running for Minority Whip. I am interested in this position to help my simulation party keep order and practice my liaison and persuasion skills. I am a good fit for this position because I have previous experience working as a liaison between foreign national students and the Department of State. I have experience as an intern for political campaigns that includes speaking on behalf of political values and persuading constituents. I plan to serve my delegates by bringing strategic angles and different perspectives to our decision making. My background in Philosophy allows me to think critically about the foundations of arguments and effective ways to target legislation. This paired with my Political Science background broadens my skillset to allow for the quick and strategic political decision making.
Name: Hailey Herbst
Institution: Brightpoint Community College
Bio: I intend to run for the offices of Minority Whip and Attorney General to bring focused organizational discipline and meticulous oversight to the simulation. As a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and an experienced bookkeeper, I have cultivated the strong communication and detail-oriented nature essential for these leadership positions. This experience, along with my future goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant, ensures I possess the high level of organizational skills necessary for both roles. As Minority Whip, I will utilize this professional discipline to secure accurate vote counts and maintain the cohesion of the minority party on crucial matters. As Attorney General my commitment to detail will guarantee a thorough review of all bills and executive actions. I will ensure a smooth, efficient, and procedurally sound pre-filing process for every delegate. Elect me to bring proven responsibility and detail-oriented commitment to the VGS leadership team.
Name: John Lindberg
Institution: Old Dominion University
Bio: Hello, my name is John Lindberg IV, and I attended Old Dominion University and plan to run for the position of Whip for the Democratic party. I am an Eagle Scout and have spent the last five years working with scouts and helping them work together to achieve common goals. This is my goal in this simulation as being the Whip. I want to make sure we as a legislation come together and work together and I feel like I can achieve this best by being the Whip. By making sure the party I represent comes together to vote and works across the aisle to get support from our other elected officials. Thank you for considering me to serve as your whip, even if I don’t get elected, I still plan to work with regardless of political party and get as much representation as possible.
Name: Angelina Scotece
Institution: Longwood University
Bio: My candidacy for the role of Minority Whip is strongly supported, as I have multiple experiences demonstrating my ability and expertise to direct conversations and serve as a key mediator when necessary. These skills are crucial to fostering unity and driving critical voting decisions, and my work as a Head Residential Assistant and Executive position within my sorority highlights this. My work as a Head Residential Assistant has provided me with the ability to manage and direct diverse groups of individuals, and to aid in resolving complex conflicts when they arise. Additionally, my time in an Executive position in Public Relations within my sorority has furthered my abilities as a mediator and strengthened my work in maintaining organizational alignment and consensus-building. Overall, I am prepared to work to bridge divides and ensure strategic communication for our collective agenda.
Name: William Wallis
Institution: Hampden Sydney College
Bio: I hope to be selected as a Wipe for my assigned party. The role of the Virginia House of Delegates Whip is to rally votes and connect members to a shared strategy. Your job is to sift between positions to find widespread consensus and then to ultimately act on that consensus to better ensure more members vote for a particular piece of legislation. This is something that especially interests me. This past summer I interned in representative John McGuire's (VA-5th) office in D.C. During my time I attended a lecture from Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer. I remember him well for being down to earth and passionate about his job. He explained that his work as a Volunteer football coach back at Minnesota helped him to be a better House Whip. It's a tough job when you have such a significant number of diverse opinions that all claim to be on the same side. Between all these positions there are definitely going to be trends, and I think it's important to capitalize on whatever Trends are possible. Because at the end of the day although our own opinions may not win out at the end of the day, we can be assured that what we bring as a united front is better than what the other side of the aisle proposes. A whip is the ultimate deal maker. Despite making deals with your own team, it's one of the toughest jobs.
I'd like to say that I am good at communicating off the cuff and hope to give as many voices as possible an opportunity to voice their concerns. My goal is to help our caucus operate efficiently and strategically, ensuring that our policies reflect both our values and the needs of Virginians. With a commitment to teamwork and clear communication, I am confident I can effectively serve as Whip and strengthen the unity and effectiveness of our delegation.
Minority Leader Candidates
Name: Angelina Scotece
Institution: Longwood University
Bio: My ability to deliver strategic leadership and serve as a vital mediator makes me a strong
candidate for the Minority Leader position. These skills are essential for ensuring unity and the overall agenda while also ensuring discipline when important decisions are made. My work as a Head Residential Assistant has provided me with the skills to manage and direct diverse groups, resolve conflicts, and help transfer goals into action. Additionally, my Executive position as Public Relations within my sorority has furthered my abilities in consensus-building and organizational alignment. I am prepared to use my skills to bridge divides, demonstrate our ideals, and advance our collective agenda.