Michelle Lopes MaldonadoServing

Michelle Lopes Maldonado

State HouseDemocrat

VA-HD-20 State House

Age 57·Cape Verdean-American (daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants from the islands of Brava and Fogo; not Latina by heritage but member of Virginia Latino Caucus through deep ties to Latino community; married into Puerto Rican family)·Virginia House of Delegates, HD-20 (2024-present

Why This Race Matters

Maldonado represents HD-20 in Prince William County, one of Virginia's most diverse districts where Latinos make up nearly half the population. As a Cape Verdean-American member of the Virginia Latino Caucus, she bridges immigrant communities and is a leading voice on AI governance and technology policy in the General Assembly. She founded the bipartisan Technology & Innovation Caucus and leads Virginia's AI legislative work.

Won 2025 re-election with 68.1% after Republican opponent Christopher Stone withdrew. Previously ran for U.S. House VA-10 in the 2024 Democratic primary. Current term ends January 2028. Virginia House elections are next in 2027.

About

Michelle Lopes Maldonado is a Democratic Delegate for Virginia's House District 20, covering Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park — one of Virginia's most diverse districts where Latinos make up nearly half the population. Born in Falmouth, Massachusetts to Cape Verdean immigrant parents, she grew up across rural, farming, and suburban communities in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Texas, experiencing food and housing insecurity during parts of her childhood. A former tech attorney turned small business owner and leadership consultant, she was the first woman and person of color to represent her district when elected in 2021. She founded the General Assembly's bipartisan Technology and Innovation Caucus and leads Virginia's AI policy work.

Family & Heritage

Daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants from the islands of Brava and Fogo. Portuguese language and traditions were dominant at home. Grandmother was the first Black teacher and principal on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Grandfather was an instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen. Other grandparents were "Rosie the Riveters." First woman in her family to earn a law degree. Born in East Falmouth, MA, moved to Virginia in 1993 for law school. Married over 30 years to Roberto Maldonado, a middle school teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran whose parents and extended family are from Puerto Rico.

Political Career

Before Politics

Attorney (corporate and technology law, admitted to D.C. and Virginia bars); Founder and CEO of Lucenscia (emotional intelligence and mindful leadership consulting firm); Co-founder of Mindful Women Meditate; Senior Faculty for 1440 Multiversity Leadership Center; Founding Faculty for Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Coaching Certification program; Senior Fellow with Bill George's True North Leadership program; Keynote speaker and author

Education

B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish Literature & Language, Barnard College of Columbia University; J.D., George Washington University Law School (first woman in family to earn law degree)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Technology policy and AI governance (founding chair of bipartisan Tech & Innovation Caucus, championed AI regulation legislation)
*Affordable housing in Northern Virginia
*Education equity and funding
*Data privacy and consumer protection (sponsored data broker regulation and Consumer Data Protection Act bills)
*Immigration and diverse community advocacy
*Judicial reform
*Workforce development and innovation economy

Notable Legislation

Data Broker Regulation Bill

Data broker regulation bill with civil penalties (2025)

introduced

Consumer Data Protection Act

introduced

AI Industry Regulation Bill

AI industry regulation bill (2025)

vetoed

Technology and Innovation Policy

Technology and innovation policy across multiple sessions

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