Hala Ayala
{{Short description|American politician (born 1973)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Hala Ayala
| image = Hala Ayala at volunteer appreciation event.jpg
| caption = Ayala in 2017
| state_delegate = Virginia
| district = 51st
| term_start = January 10, 2018
| term_end = January 12, 2022
| predecessor = Rich Anderson
| successor = Briana Sewell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|4|23}}
| birth_place = Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Democratic
| spouse =
| children = 2
| education = University of Phoenix (AS)
}}
Hala Sophia Ayala (born April 23, 1973) is an American politician who served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 51st district from 2018 to 2022. She was the Democratic nominee in the 2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, narrowly losing to Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears. Ayala was also a candidate for Virginia State Senate in the 33rd district, losing the Democratic primary to Jennifer Carroll Foy on June 20, 2023.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginia-hala-ayala-lieutenant-governor/2020/07/13/9c828cbe-c516-11ea-a99f-3bbdffb1af38_story.html |title="Virginia Del. Hala Ayala announces bid for lieutenant governor," by Antonio Olivo, The Washington Post, July 14, 2020, retrieved July 22, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714145607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginia-hala-ayala-lieutenant-governor/2020/07/13/9c828cbe-c516-11ea-a99f-3bbdffb1af38_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=DDHQ Election Results|url=https://results.decisiondeskhq.com/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=results.decisiondeskhq.com|language=en|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107140910/https://results.decisiondeskhq.com/|url-status=live}}
Early life and education
Ayala is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. She graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School, and has an associate’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix.Jill Palermo, [http://www.fauquier.com/prince_william_times/news/former-prince-william-now-president-launches-bid-for-state-delegate/article_f38291ec-1936-11e7-8faa-73aeac663a00.html Former Prince William NOW president launches bid for state delegate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723064009/http://www.fauquier.com/prince_william_times/news/former-prince-william-now-president-launches-bid-for-state-delegate/article_f38291ec-1936-11e7-8faa-73aeac663a00.html |date=July 23, 2017 }}, Fauquier Times (April 4, 2017).{{Cite web|title=Delegate Hala S. Ayala (D)|url=https://virginiaalmanac.gmu.edu/general-assembly-member-data-bank/delegate-bank/delegate-hala-s-ayala-d/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=virginiaalmanac.gmu.edu|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426165342/https://virginiaalmanac.gmu.edu/general-assembly-member-data-bank/delegate-bank/delegate-hala-s-ayala-d/|url-status=live}}
Ayala's father was an immigrant from El Salvador,Fenit Nirappil, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/in-a-changing-va-suburb-a-diverse-democratic-slate-hopes-to-show-path-back-to-power/2017/09/28/a5756c70-9962-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html In a changing Virginia suburb, a slate of diverse Democrats hopes to show path back to power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114840/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/in-a-changing-va-suburb-a-diverse-democratic-slate-hopes-to-show-path-back-to-power/2017/09/28/a5756c70-9962-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html |date=November 10, 2017 }}, Washington Post (September 28, 2017). and also has North African roots. Ayala's mother was Irish and Lebanese. When Ayala was pregnant, her job did not offer any health insurance but she qualified for Medicaid, which provided healthcare for her and her son.{{Cite web |url=https://www.halaforvirginia.com/#sub-page-two-link |title=Meet Hala |website=Hala For Virginia |date=November 22, 2018 |access-date=2021-10-27 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823112638/https://halaforvirginia.com/#sub-page-two-link |url-status=live }}
Career
File:Hala Ayala at McAuliffe rally (cropped).jpg
Ayala formerly worked for the United States Department of Homeland Security as a cybersecurity specialist. She also formerly led the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women,Alex Koma, [http://www.insidenova.com/news/politics/prince_william/ayala-wins-st-district-seat-defeating--term-incumbent/article_22e3019e-c434-11e7-bb85-b3efe305948f.html Ayala wins 51st District seat, defeating 4-term incumbent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108214942/http://www.insidenova.com/news/politics/prince_william/ayala-wins-st-district-seat-defeating--term-incumbent/article_22e3019e-c434-11e7-bb85-b3efe305948f.html |date=November 8, 2017 }}, Inside NoVa (November 8, 2017). serving as chapter president in 2014. She also served on the Virginia Council on Women as an appointee of Governor Terry McAuliffe for a term expiring on June 30, 2016.[https://commonwealth.virginia.gov/council-on-women/council-members Council on Women Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110171346/https://commonwealth.virginia.gov/council-on-women/council-members |date=November 10, 2017 }}, Commonwealth of Virginia (last accessed November 10, 2017).
Ayala cites the documentary Miss Representation as inspiration for her to become involved in politics, and was a volunteer for Barack Obama's reelection campaign in 2012. In 2017, Ayala was an organizer of the Women's March against Donald Trump.{{cite news|last1=Nuño|first1=Stephen A.|title=First Two Latinas Are Elected to Virginia House of Delegates, Making History|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/first-two-latinas-are-elected-virginia-house-delegates-making-history-n818911|publisher=NBC News|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109025758/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/first-two-latinas-are-elected-virginia-house-delegates-making-history-n818911|url-status=live}}
Ayala ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 2017 elections for the 51st district, which covers much of Prince William County. The district specifically stretches "from just northwest of Occoquan, in eastern Prince William, to Nokesville on the county's western border." District 51 was a key pickup target for Virginia Democrats because it was one of 17 House of Delegates districts that voted for Hillary Clinton in the preceding year's presidential election, but was held by a Republican state house delegate. In June 2017, Ayala won the Democratic nomination for the 51st district of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeating Ken Boddye in the primary election. In the general election, Ayala defeated four-term Republican incumbent Richard L. Anderson. Ayala and Elizabeth Guzman became the first Hispanic women elected to the House. The victories were part of a Democratic sweep in the 2017 Virginia elections, which saw major gains for the party.
In July 2020, Ayala announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in the 2021 election.{{Cite web|last=Ayala|first=Hala|title=Tweet from @HalaAyala|url=https://twitter.com/halaayala/status/1282964803904876550|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=July 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714091408/https://twitter.com/HalaAyala/status/1282964803904876550|url-status=live}} In December 2020, she announced she would not seek reelection to her House of Delegates seat.{{Cite web|title=Delegate Hala Ayala Endorses Briana Sewell for 51st House District|url=https://www.halaforvirginia.com/publications/delegate-hala-ayala-endorses-briana-sewell-51st-house-district|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Hala for Virginia|date=December 16, 2020|language=en|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122233614/https://www.halaforvirginia.com/publications/delegate-hala-ayala-endorses-briana-sewell-51st-house-district|url-status=live}} In June 2021, Ayala became the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. She lost the November election to Winsome Sears.
In March 2022, Ayala announced her candidacy for Virginia State Senate for the 33rd District. She lost the June 2023 primary election to Jennifer Carroll Foy.
Legislative initiatives
Drawing on her 18 years as an information security specialist for the U.S. Coast Guard, Ayala has made information and cyber security one focus of her efforts.{{Cite news |last=Marks |first=Joseph |date=May 20, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2019/05/20/the-cybersecurity-202-these-political-candidates-are-running-on-their-cybersecurity-expertise/5ce200171ad2e54b957e7fb2/ |title=These political candidates are running on their cybersecurity expertise |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=2019-08-06 |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807030542/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2019/05/20/the-cybersecurity-202-these-political-candidates-are-running-on-their-cybersecurity-expertise/5ce200171ad2e54b957e7fb2/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Wolff |first=Josephine |url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/cybersecurity-politicians-sheri-donahue-laura-galante.html |title=Are Voters Ready for Politicians to Run on Cybersecurity Platforms? |date=August 6, 2019 |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=2019-08-06 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806132037/https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/cybersecurity-politicians-sheri-donahue-laura-galante.html |url-status=live }} Her bill requiring tax preparers to report security breaches became law.{{Cite web |last=Nolen |first=Chris |url=https://www.passwordprotectedlaw.com/2018/04/va-privacy-bills/ |title=2018 Virginia General Assembly Wrap-Up: Modest Privacy-Related Bills Adopted |date=April 27, 2018 |website=McGuire Woods |access-date=2019-08-06 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806132039/https://www.passwordprotectedlaw.com/2018/04/va-privacy-bills/ |url-status=live }} Ayala has also introduced bills for creating a state interagency cybersecurity task force, training state employees, increasing security of network-connected devices, and requiring digital services to remove information about minors upon request.
=Committee assignments=
Ayala served as a member of the Science and Technology Committee and the Finance Committee.{{Cite web |url=https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php?id=H0290 |title=Virginia General Assembly members |access-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531173801/https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php?id=H0290 |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Ayala lives in Lake Ridge, Virginia. She has two children.
Electoral history
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:70%; text-align: center;"
! Year ! Office ! Party ! Votes for Ayala ! % ! Opponent ! Party ! Votes !% |
| 2017
| rowspan=2 |Virginia House of Delegates | {{Party shading/Democratic}}|{{Aye}} Democratic | 52.98% | Rich Anderson (inc.) | {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican | 13,476 | 46.84% |
|---|
| 2019
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|{{Aye}} Democratic | 54.58% | Rich Anderson | {{Party shading/Republican}}|Republican | 12,882 | 45.34% |
| 2021
| Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | {{Party shading/Democratic}}| Democratic | 1,608,030 | 49.1% | {{Party shading/Republican}}|{{Aye}} Republican | 1,658,332 | 50.8% |
| 2023
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}| Democratic | 5,473 | 37.15% | Jennifer Carroll Foy | {{Party shading/Democratic}}|{{Aye}} Democratic | 9,259 | 62.85% |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.halaforvirginia.com/ Campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823112638/https://halaforvirginia.com/ |date=August 23, 2021 }}
- {{VPAP|230162}}
- {{C-SPAN|120328}}
{{CongLinks|votesmart=176391}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-va-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=Rich Anderson}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 51st district|years=2018–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Briana Sewell}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Justin Fairfax}}
{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia|years=2021}}
{{s-aft|after=Ghazala Hashmi }}
{{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayala, Hala}}
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:American people of Irish descent
Category:American politicians of Lebanese descent
Category:American politicians of Salvadoran descent
Category:Candidates in the 2021 United States elections
Category:Candidates in the 2023 United States elections
Category:Democratic Party members of the Virginia House of Delegates
Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Virginia
Category:Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
Category:National Organization for Women people
Category:People from Prince William County, Virginia
Category:Politicians from Alexandria, Virginia
Category:United States Department of Homeland Security officials
Category:University of Phoenix alumni
Category:Women government officials
Category:Women state legislators in Virginia
Category:21st-century members of the Virginia General Assembly