To the editor:
As spring arrives, the next political contest is heating up, and more people are paying attention to falls state Senate race. The 30th District has been well served by Democrat Sen. Patsy Ticer since 1996, and since she has retired three candidates have stepped forward for her seat.
The Democratic Party has fielded a strong group of candidates, all of who are well qualified to serve in Richmond. It is important that this seat remain Democratic, so that we can continue to bring progressive values to Richmond. In fact, the real contest will probably play out in the primary, on August 23, so dont wait until November to start paying attention.
Rob Krupicka is currently a city council member from Alexandria. First elected in 2003, he has been responsible for creating community pathways, Eco-City Alexandria and a green building policy in the city. His website says Rob Krupicka has focused his public service on making Northern Virginia a great place to live, work and raise a family. A champion of public education, the environment, smart energy and transportation solutions and equal opportunity for everyone, Rob is a tireless advocate for our community.
Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49) was elected in 2003 to the Virginia House. Ebbin, a co-founder of Virginia Partisans, has been fighting for equality and recently passed legislation to create a fund for solar energy, and to provide support for victims of human trafficking. His website says: As a leader in the General Assembly, Adam has fought to advance progressive priorities, including incentives for cleaner energy, funding for mass transit improvements, an end to discrimination in state employment, and justice for exploited workers and victims of human trafficking.
Libby Garvey may be the least known to Alexandrians, but she is well known to Arlingtonians as chair of the Arlington County School Board, where she has been serving since 1996. She became familiar to many Alexandrians when she ran for the delegate seat Marian Van Landingham had occupied for five terms. She was not successful, but she has continued to be active in both Alexandria and Arlington. She describes herself this way on her website: As a social progressive and fiscal moderate who is a strong believer in the democratic process and good government, I am not wedded to a political agenda but apply my values to each policy issue and opportunity to serve.
If you are interested in issues in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax, and the problems we will have to work on jointly as a region, you can learn a lot about each candidates approach, positions and experience on their websites. Democrats have a long history of finding regional solutions and working together across the three jurisdictions, and it is important that we send a Democrat to Richmond to join the mostly Democratic delegation from Northern Virginia, so they can work together for a better Virginia. Remember the primary is on August 23 not far when the summer starts rolling by. You can also learn more, and get links to all the candidates, by going to www.alexdems.org.
