What is the most significant issue facing Northern Virginia?
Congestion! We need to invest $1 billion a year in Northern Virginia to increase capacity through transit upgrades and expansion, improved traffic flow, and highway construction. This is the second most congested region in the nation, even though we have the second highest transit use, 5 percent of commuters carpool and telecommuting has significantly increased. Recent General Assembly initiatives also include tying land use decisions with transportation and eight audits since 2001 to reform VDOT.

How would you address this issue?
Expanding capacity as well as getting cars off the road requires funding. Tragic loss of nine lives underscored serious problems in our 40-year-old Metro system, beyond the need to reduce overcrowding with more eight-car trains. Each new car costs $3 million. State transportation funding hasn’t been increased in 22 years. Easy “fixes” from abusive driver fees to un-constitutional taxing schemes produced nothing. Over-dependence on the private sector will remove government accountability to citizens.

What qualifies you for the office? What qualities do you bring?
I work hard, listen, am extremely tenacious and strive to shape rational policies that fully consider differing opinions, unintended consequences, accountability, cost-benefits and our duty to strengthen society and preserve the environment. I stay in touch with the community, for example, attending every meeting I could on Beltway HOT Lanes and on EPG impacts.

What differentiates you from your opponent(s)?
Breadth of experience. For 15 years, while raising my kids, I worked tirelessly to make our schools and community better and was named Washington Post Citizen of the Year. I’ve gone on to gain ever-growing knowledge of issues and government representing this area in the Virginia House, serving as Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety, heading a non-profit working with court child abuse and neglect cases, and serving on the Veteran Services Board.

If you could say one thing to voters, what would it be?
We have extremely tough challenges ahead to balance the budget, address our most pressing needs, and strengthen Virginia’s economy. More than ever, we need to reason together for the common good.

Who are your political heroes/influences?
Barbara Jordan: dignity, integrity, commanding presence.
Harry Truman: straight talker, resisted the trappings of office.
Thomas Jefferson: incredible intellectual curiosity, religious freedom.
Ronald Reagan: ability to communicate.
Ted Kennedy: command of the details making him effective across party lines.
Eleanor Roosevelt: compassion.
Rosa Parks: courage to do what one person could do.
Founding Fathers: vision.