Polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The deadline for in-person absentee voting is Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. Alexandria’s ballot will include the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and Virginia House of Delegates. Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne are unopposed. For more information, call 703-746-4050.
CANDIDATES FOR 45TH HOUSE DISTRICT
David Englin, 35: Born on a United States military base in Germany, Englin has lived in Alexandria since 2003. Raised by a single mother, Englin is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He joined the Air Force at the age of 17 and later deployed to the Balkans to participate in counter-genocide and peacekeeping operations. On Sept. 11, 2001, Englin was on duty at the Pentagon when the building was struck by terrorists who had commandeered American Airlines Flight 77. In June 2005, Englin beat out five other Democratic rivals to be the party’s choice to replace former Del. Marian Van Landingham, who had held the seat since 1981. In November 2005, he received 68 percent of votes against Republican Chris Gregerson. In November 2007, Englin received 64 percent of the votes against Republican Mark Allen.
"Governing is about choices," said Englin at a recent campaign appearance. "When the choice is between good and bad, frankly, it’s easy. The real challenge is when you have to choose between good and good. That’s when the core values of the people representing you really matter."
On education, Englin opposes merit pay and public support for private schools. On transportation, he supports a 10-cent increase in the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements. On abortion, he is pro-choice. On the environment, he opposes offshore drilling.
Englin is vice president of Live Wire Media Relations in Old Town, and his home precinct is the George Washington Middle School.
Profile: Seeking a Third Term in 45th House DistrictDavid Englin has become a source of frustration for Republicans.Thursday, August 27, 2009
Vicki Vasques, 55: A native of Fort Campbell, Ky., Vasques grew up in Fountain Valley, Calif., where her father was tribal chairman of San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians. Her first involvement in politics is when she ran for vice president of her high school freshman class, later volunteering for Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. She received a bachelor of science in human services from California State University at Fullerton, and taught elementary school in California before moving to Washington, D.C. to take a position as a political appointee in Reagan’s Department of Education. She later became a scheduler for the AIDS Commission and the Department of Energy before taking a career service position as director of Indian Affairs at the Department of Energy. During the George W. Bush administration, she was the deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Indian Education at the Department of Education.
"I’ve always believed that the role of the government is to help families succeed, not hold us back," Vasques said at a recent campaign event. "I am running to give families — both traditional and non-traditional — a seat at the table in Richmond."
On education, Vasques supports merit pay and increasing competition between public and private schools. On transportation, she opposes raising the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements. On abortion, she is pro-life. On the environment, she supports offshore drilling.
Vasques is a small-business owner, and her home precinct is Lyles-Crouch Elementary School.
Profile: Fiscal Conservative Ready for 45thVicki Vasques hopes to unseat a two-term incumbent in a heavily Democratic district.Thursday, August 13, 2009
CANDIDATES FOR 46TH HOUSE DISTRICT
Sasha Gong, 53: A native of Beijing, China, Gong grew up in Canton, China. She spent much of her youth working in hard-labor jobs, the result of her family being labeled an enemy of the state by the communist Chinese government. After publishing an article about democracy, Gong spent a year in a Chinese prison. She later studied history at Peking University before coming to America in 1998 to study sociology at Harvard University, she has taught at the University of California and George Mason University. From 1998 to 2003, she was director of the Cantonese department at Radio Free Asia. Then she was a senior program officer for the AFL-CIO, a job she left in 2007 to write a book about her life. That book "Born American," was published last month by Nimble Books. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination to the 46th District in December, when the surprise resignation of former House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran prompted a special election.
"Although I was born in China, I consider myself to be born American," said Gong, invoking the title of the book she wrote that was recently published by Nimble Books. "I’m a rebel."
On education, Gong supports merit pay and amending the Virginia Constitution to create a system of vouchers so public funds could be used in private schools. On transportation, Gong opposes raising the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements. On abortion, Gong is pro-choice. On the environment, Gong supports offshore drilling.
She is a freelance writer, and her home precinct is Skyline in Fairfax County.
Profile: Rebel with a CauseChinese dissident hopes her personal story will resonate with voters.Thursday, August 13, 2009
Charniele Herring, 40: Born in the Dominican Republic when her father was stationed there in the Army, Herring spent part of her childhood as a homeless high-school student being raised by a single mother. She has a bachelor of arts in economics from George Mason University and a juris doctorate from Catholic University. Herring is currently a trial lawyer. She is single, and her home precinct is the Ramsay Recreation Center. When former House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran made a last-minute decision to step down from his seat in the House of Delegates in December, Herring won primary victory against health-care lobbyist Ariel Gonzalez. In the general election, she had a 16-vote margin of victory against Republican Joe Murray, prompting an unsuccessful recount effort that delayed her swearing-in until several weeks into the session.
"There were some humiliating points, of course," said Herring of the delay created by the recount. "But it also brought a lot of attention to me, and it showed people in Richmond what I’m made of."
On education, Herring opposes merit pay and public support for private schools. On transportation, she supports raising money for infrastructure improvements by adding tolls Interstate 95 at Petersburg and Richmond. On abortion, Herring is pro-choice. On the environment, Herring opposes offshore drilling.
She is an attorney, and her home precinct is the William Ramsay Center.
Profile: Herring Seeks ReelectionAfter narrow victory, contentious recount and delayed installation, incumbent seeks reelection.Thursday, September 24, 2009
CANDIDATE FOR 49TH HOUSE DISTRICT
Adam Ebbin, 45: A native of Commack, N.Y., Ebbin received a bachelor of arts in political science and communication from American University. After graduating from college, Ebbin was an account executive, advertising salesman and marketing director before being appointed chief deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry by Democratic Gov. Mark Warner. He resigned from that position to run in the Democratic primary to fill the seat vacated by former Del. Karen Darner (D-49). He has never faced any Republican opponent, and the only general election opponent he’s ever faced was in 2007 when Independent Green Ron Fisher took 20 percent of the vote.
"I try to make sure different minority groups are not scapegoated for political gain," said Ebbin. "Ultimately being a member of the House of Delegates is about looking out for the values of your community, and that’s what I’ve tried to do."
On education, Ebbin opposes merit pay and opposes public support for private schools. On transportation, he supports raising the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements. On abortion, he is pro-choice. On the environment, he opposes offshore drilling.
He is a communications and marketing consultant, and his home precinct is Cora Kelly Center.
Profile: Unopposed, AgainAdam Ebbin is running unopposed for fourth term in House of Delegates.Thursday, September 3, 2009
CAMPAIGN COVERAGE
Education Divides CandidatesMerit pay and support for private schools separate Democrats from Republicans.Thursday, October 22, 2009
On the Campaign TrailOil and Water, Cooking Candidates, Complaint Dismissed.Thursday, October 22, 2009
Transportation Divides CandidatesDemocrats favor increasing gas tax; Republicans have pledged to avoid raising taxes.Thursday, October 15, 2009
On the Campaign TrailDebating the Debates, Waiting for Obama, Returning to Civility.Thursday, October 15, 2009
Abortion Divides CandidatesDemocratic incumbent is pro-choice while Republican opponent is pro-life.Thursday, October 8, 2009
On the Campaign TrailThe Next Election, A $200 E-mail, When Life Hands You Sangria.Thursday, October 8, 2009
Mountains to the ShoresRally against mountaintop removal renews concerns about Alexandria’s coal-fired power plant.Thursday, October 1, 2009
On the Campaign TrailPro Choice Versus No Choice, Best Friends Forever, Republican Math.Thursday, October 1, 2009
On the Campaign TrailCampaign Interrupted, Purging Inactive Voters, Democrats Dominate Fundraising, Moran Returns.Thursday, September 24, 2009
Reaching OutIn Brian Moran’s backyard, Deeds campaign tries to win over Democrats.Thursday, September 17, 2009
Race Gets PersonalEnglin and Vasques campaigns exchange barbs as Election Day nears.Thursday, September 10, 2009
