Education, Not Slot Machines: Lateef’s Plan to Fund Virginia’s Future

Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

An Education-First Platform

Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.

“We know the biggest impact on student performance is the quality of the teacher in the room,” Lateef said during a recent appearance on the Potomac Local News Podcast. “Our commitment to teacher pay has helped us retain top educators and improve student outcomes.”

If elected Lieutenant Governor, Lateef says he will advocate for increased state funding for public schools, citing Virginia’s historically low contribution to education compared to other states. He believes more money should be returned from Richmond to local districts to help fund essential programs, maintain school facilities, and reduce the financial burden on county governments.

“Virginia ranks 42nd and 43rd in the nation in state funding for public education,” he noted. “That means less affluent school districts are paying more for education than their counterparts in other states. We need to change that.”

A Record of Advocacy and Leadership

Lateef has championed several education reforms in Prince William County, including a cell phone ban in classrooms, expanded specialty programs, and increased career and technical education investments. He has also emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities such as robotics, debate, and academic competitions to prepare students for high-paying jobs in the future.

“We’re seeing record amounts of scholarship money awarded to our students,” he said. “That’s real money in the pockets of real families, helping kids access higher education and better opportunities.”

His leadership in one of Virginia’s most diverse counties—where the student population reflects a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds—has shaped his perspective on equity in education. He has called for the state to lift support caps on key school positions, including counselors and instructional coaches, to provide students with more resources.

Lateef Opposes Expansion of Gambling in Virginia

Babur Lateef voiced strong opposition to the expansion of gambling in Virginia, particularly the push to install skill-based gaming machines in convenience stores and grocery outlets.

Lateef criticized efforts to increase gambling accessibility, arguing that such measures do not align with the real concerns of Virginia families.

While acknowledging that casino projects, such as The Rose in Dumfries, have been approved through local referendums, Lateef drew a sharp distinction between those developments and placing gambling machines in everyday retail spaces. He called the latter “predatory gambling” and warned of the risks associated with exposing children to flashy, attention-grabbing slot machines in highly trafficked areas.

He also questioned the necessity of gambling revenue as a funding source for the state. “If your best idea for raising money is putting slot machines in convenience stores, that’s just an awful idea,” Lateef said. “We’re running surpluses in the state—our lawmakers should be working harder to come up with better solutions.”

Instead of expanding gambling, Lateef advocated for diversifying economic development strategies, pointing to the success of data centers in Prince William County as a potential model for other areas. He suggested that distributing data center projects across the state could generate significant local revenue without the social costs associated with gambling.

Statewide Impact and the Race Ahead

Lateef’s bid for Lieutenant Governor comes when education remains a hot-button issue in Virginia politics. He has argued that strengthening public schools should be a bipartisan priority and has pledged to work across party lines to secure more student funding and resources.

His campaign is also expected to focus on other economic issues, including workforce development and infrastructure improvements. Lateef has expressed support for expanding data centers across Virginia to boost local economies rather than concentrating them in just a few areas.

As he competes in a crowded field of Democratic candidates, Lateef hopes that his record in Prince William County will set him apart. With primary elections approaching, his ability to mobilize educators, parents, and voters who prioritize school funding could be a deciding factor in his campaign.

“We have a responsibility to invest in our kids,” he said. “If we do that right, we’re investing in Virginia’s future.”

As of February 3, 2025, the Democratic primary for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor race features a competitive field of candidates, including Alex Bastani, Carl Eggleston, Ghazala Hashmi, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado, and Levar Stoney. Each candidate brings a unique background and policy focus, setting the stage for a dynamic contest as they vie for the party’s nomination. With education, economic growth, and healthcare emerging as key issues in the race, voters will have a range of choices in shaping Virginia’s leadership for the coming years.

Alex Bastani is an attorney and labor rights advocate known for his progressive stance on workers’ rights and economic justice. With experience in public service and community organizing, Bastani has positioned himself as a candidate focused on fighting income inequality and strengthening labor protections in Virginia.

Carl Eggleston is a longtime community leader and former Farmville town councilor with a history of public service and civic engagement. A small business owner, Eggleston has been an advocate for economic development in rural communities, emphasizing the need for investment in small businesses and infrastructure in underserved areas.

Ghazala Hashmi has served as a state senator representing Chesterfield County since 2020. She made history as Virginia’s first Muslim state senator and has been a vocal advocate for education reform, healthcare access, and reproductive rights. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she has sponsored legislation focused on expanding early childhood education and increasing funding for public schools.

Aaron Rouse is a former NFL player turned Virginia Beach city councilor and state senator. Since his election to the Senate in 2023, he has focused on social justice, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunities for underprivileged communities. Rouse, who also runs a nonprofit supporting underserved youth, has been a strong advocate for expanding access to affordable housing and creating pathways for workforce development.

Victor Salgado is a federal prosecutor and law professor who entered the race as an outsider with a focus on ethics reform and government accountability. With experience in prosecuting corruption cases, Salgado has positioned himself as a candidate dedicated to increasing transparency in state government and ensuring fair access to legal resources for all Virginians.

Levar Stoney is the former mayor of Richmond and a seasoned political leader who has championed racial equity, economic development, and education reform. Stoney, who previously served as Virginia’s Secretary of the Commonwealth, is best known for leading efforts to remove Confederate monuments and invest in Richmond’s public schools. His campaign emphasizes reducing poverty, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring economic opportunities for all Virginians.

With such diverse candidates, the Democratic primary is expected to be a highly contested race, with each hopeful offering distinct visions for Virginia’s future.