First Salvadorian Latina Councilwoman Sonia Vásquez Luna in Manassas City Launches Campaign for Virginia House of Delegates

For Immediate Release - May 8, 2026

Virginia LULAC is proud to highlight that one of our own members, Councilwoman Sonia Vásquez Luna, has officially launched her campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates in District 20.

Sonia Vásquez Luna’s candidacy comes at a pivotal moment for Virginia’s 20th House District, following the announced resignation of Delegate Michelle Maldonado from the Virginia House of Delegates. As the district prepares for a new chapter of leadership, Sonia’s campaign reflects the growing political influence, civic engagement, and leadership of Latino and working-class communities across Northern Virginia. (Maldonado News)

Sonia Vásquez Luna’s candidacy represents far more than a campaign for public office. It represents a generational political shift taking place across Virginia — one driven by working families, immigrants, union workers, women, first-generation Americans, and Latinos who have fought for decades not simply to participate in government, but to lead it.

In 2022, Councilwoman Vásquez Luna made history as the first Latina ever elected to the Manassas City Council in the city’s more than 150-year history. Her election was not simply symbolic — it was a reflection of the changing political, economic, and cultural reality of Virginia itself. (manassasva.gov)

Originally from El Salvador, Sonia arrived in the United States on Christmas Day in 2001 carrying little more than determination, courage, and faith in the promise of opportunity. Like many immigrant families, her early years in America were marked by sacrifice and uncertainty. She cleaned offices in Tysons Corner, worked multiple jobs to support her family, attended English classes at night, and helped care for her sisters while building a future in an unfamiliar country. (String of Trills)

Northern Virginia is home to one of the largest Salvadoran communities in the United States, and Manassas has emerged as one of Virginia’s growing centers of Latino political and civic influence. Sonia’s candidacy therefore carries significance far beyond a single district. At a time when immigrant and Latino communities are too often politicized, scrutinized, and debated at the national level. (Zip Atlas)

Sonia’s campaign sends a powerful message: Latinos are not outsiders to the American story; they are a part of it, helping lead, shape, and define its future.

Despite every obstacle placed before her, Sonia never stopped moving forward. She earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Northern Virginia Community College and later received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the National Labor College, achievements that reflected her belief that education, hard work, and public service could create pathways not only for herself, but for entire communities. (manassasva.gov)

Her journey through the labor movement became one of the defining pillars of her leadership. After joining the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Sonia rose through the ranks through discipline, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to working families. In 2019, she made history once again by becoming the first immigrant woman and first Latina elected Business Manager within LIUNA Local 572.

Among more than 350 local business managers nationwide and over 120 years of LIUNA history, Sonia remains the first and only Latina elected to that position. Today, she continues serving as Business Manager for LIUNA Local 572, advocating for workers, union families, fair wages, economic opportunity, and dignity for labor throughout the region.

Throughout her career, Sonia has championed workers’ rights, immigrant communities, women in leadership, stronger infrastructure, transportation access, public education, and economic opportunity for working families. She has also dedicated years of service to civic participation and democracy itself, serving for more than a decade as an election officer in Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas. (manassasva.gov)

As a member of the Manassas City Council, Sonia has remained deeply connected to the community she serves. A mother of two children attending Manassas City Public Schools and part of an active-duty military family, she understands firsthand the challenges facing Virginia families — from affordability and education to transportation, workforce development, and economic security. (manassasva.gov)

Sonia Vásquez Luna is a powerful embodiment of the Latino American Dream and of the political evolution taking place across the Commonwealth. Her story reflects resilience, sacrifice, perseverance, and empowerment. From cleaning offices and attending English classes at night, to becoming a respected labor leader, elected official, and advocate for working families, Sonia has consistently uplifted not only herself, but the communities around her.

Sonia also exemplifies the mission and values of Virginia LULAC and the League of United Latin American Citizens as a whole. Through her advocacy for workers, immigrants, women, students, and working families, she has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity, strengthening civic participation, and ensuring Latino voices are represented in the rooms where decisions are made.

Her candidacy also comes with an important reality for Latino representation in Northern Virginia. With Sonia leaving her current seat on the Manassas City Council to pursue higher office, the City of Manassas risks losing the only Latina voice currently serving on the council.

Virginia LULAC encourages Latino leaders, professionals, advocates, students, and community members across the Commonwealth to continue stepping forward into public service, civic engagement, advocacy, and leadership.

Representation is no longer optional, it is necessary for the future of Virginia.

Sonia’s campaign is not simply about one election. It is about political empowerment, civic representation, and building pathways for future generations of Latinos, immigrants, and working families to lead, serve, and shape the future of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

###

About Virginia LULAC

Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Contact:

virginialulacofficial@gmail.com | valulac.org