Meet Sara Ratcliffe
Compassion and Community in the 62nd
Rooted Here and Committed to Our Community
Sara lives, works, shops, worships, and sings right here in our community. With decades of experience in both personal and professional advocacy, she’s ready to put that dedication to work for the good people of the 62nd district as your representative in the House of Delegates. Our community deserves an advocate who is willing to do the work and can deliver real results for us. Sara’s rural roots go back several generations, and she understands that rural communities have unique needs that need to be represented in all levels of government.
Government Is Meant to Be
an Element for Good
Raised by a single mother facing financial hardship and mental health challenges, Sara saw from a young age what happens when government fails to meet the needs of its citizens and people fall through the cracks.
The experience of growing up in a community where families struggled to make ends meet, and where parents regularly chose between paying a doctor’s bill or putting food on the table, instilled in Sara a lifelong calling to look out for people whose voices are often not heard in government.
A Caretaker and Advocate Who Will Fight for You
Sara is a lifelong caretaker who channels her energy and compassion into fighting for those in need.
From a very early age, Sara helped care for her mom as she found her way through mental illness and other chronic health conditions until her death at age 59. Later, when her dad was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 55, Sara became his primary caregiver and advocate as they navigated a broken and confusing health system not designed for those whose treatment needs didn’t fit the usual.
Finally, during the pandemic, at age 89, Sara’s mother-in-law came to live with her and her husband during the last year of her life. Sara was able to help her find healthcare and options during scary and uncertain times.
Tried and True Experience Getting Things Done
Sara has 30 years of political experience that allow her to be an effective policymaker from Day One. She has worked with local, state, and national legislators and knows how to advocate for her community and get things done.
Sara earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in Political Science with a concentration in U.S. domestic policy. Afterwards, she worked for a senator, as a political research assistant, and with renowned organizations on issues including women’s health and tobacco control policy, where she developed expertise in advocating for those in marginalized communities.
Beginning in 1987, before she was even eligible to vote, Sara also volunteered on numerous local, state, and national campaigns, later working to help elect President Barack Obama in Virigina and Pennsylvania. More recently, Sara worked in 2022 to re-elect Abigail Spanberger to the US House of Representatives, and in 2024 on the coordinated campaign for Eugene Vindman, Tim Kaine, and Kamala Harris, winning Virginia in every race.
Passion for Our Community
Sara and her husband fell in love with the beauty of Central Virginia and the warmth of this community, which is why they settled in Greene County years ago. They live here with their two Boston Terriers, Rufus and Elmer, and have a son who studies at JMU. Sara is also active with local community organizations and sings with the Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper.
Family and community mean everything to Sara, which is what drove her to seek public office, allowing her to give her community a strong voice in the House of Delegates. If you see Sara in the grocery store or hiking in the parks around the area, stop and say hi; she loves catching up with her neighbors. Sara wants to hear about your lives and learn what is important to you.
