Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka (D) will run for a Virginia Senate seat if Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-30) decides against seeking a fourth term, he said Monday.
    
Krupicka, a Del Ray resident and governor-appointed member of the Virginia Board of Education, said he would base his campaign on education policy, clean energy, the environment and small business matters.

The most important thing to economic growth is getting our education system right and getting our energy system set, Krupicka said in a phone interview. I think we have to be the number one state for education. I dont think theres an alternative.

Ticer, 76, reportedly is pondering giving up the senatorial reigns for Virginias 30th District, which includes Alexandria and parts of Fairfax and Arlington. Krupicka has worked closely with her in the past, helping manage her 1995.

Im a huge fan of hers and a huge supporter of hers, and if she were decide to run again I need to be prepared for the alternative, he said.

Krupicka, 39, would be the youngest person in the Virginia Senate. No official candidates have come out of the woodwork yet, and though he has heard rumblings and rumors, Krupicka would not speculate on possible opponents. Redistricting could also play a factor, though Del Ray represents the center of the 30th, meaning he would likely remain an eligible candidate.

If he runs, Krupicka said will take a leave of absence from his job at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where he works on early education policy often with Republicans, he was quick to note so he can focus on his city council responsibilities as well as the campaign.

During his seven years on council, Krupicka has championed education issues and was a driving force behind the citys Eco-City Initiative, a roadmap to ensure an environmentally clean and sustainable city. He has also worked for AOL and has significant experience in the tech industry, having been part of a few startups in Northern Virginia and elsewhere, he said.     

Helping to change how business owners view the city has been one of Krupickas greatest accomplishments, he said, noting tax reform for new small businesses he helped push through early in his political career.

Theres more to do in the small business world, but weve made a huge kid of sea change in the way small business sees the city as a partner, Krupicka said.

Krupicka, a self-described local government guy, said his experience at the municipal level would give him an effective edge in Richmond, just as it has for Ticer, mayor of Alexandria from 1991 to 1996.