Del. Dave Marsden (D-41) has announced his intention to run for Republican State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli ‘s 37th district seat, which spans Centreville, Chantilly, Burke and Springfield.

Voters picked Cuccinelli to be Virginia’s next Attorney General in an early November election. He will step down from his current elected position in mid-January when he is sworn into the statewide office.

Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has scheduled a special election to determine who will replace Cuccinelli for Jan. 12, the day before the 2010 Virginia General Assembly convenes.

The Democratic Party holds a one-vote majority in the Virginia State Senate currently. The Republican Party will control the House of Delegates by 10 votes and Governor’s mansion starting in 2010.

Democratic Majority Leader and State Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-34), who represents Springfield and Annandale, hopes to win the 37th State Senate district and strengthen his party’s power, particularly headed into political redistricting season.

MARSDEN appears to be the only Democrat seeking his party’s nomination for the position, even though three candidates have emerged on the Republican side. The Republicans will compete against each other for their party’s nomination in a primary election Dec. 1 at Centreville High School from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Democratic candidates who want to challenge Marsden have until Nov. 27 to declare their intention to run. If multiple candidates on the Democratic Party side emerge, Marsden and others would compete in a competitive primary election Dec. 3 at Fairfax Elementary School from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Marsden, who has lived in Fairfax County since 1952, has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2006 and just won his third election Nov. 3. Ten of his current delegate precincts overlap with the 37th State Senate District.

The Democrat works for the Fairfax County juvenile court for 29 years and ran a juvenile detention center for 10 years. Marsden served as deputy director and action director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) and Gov. Mark Warner (D).

Marsden said he is superior candidate over any of the three Republicans running for several reasons.

"I have a connection to the community. I have been watching it grow for over 57 years now. I worked for Fairfax County for 29 years. I know how the system works and how you can improve things," said Marsden.

Marsden also criticized the Republican candidates for focusing on social issues. He said he intends to make his campaign about improving the economy and the education system.

Even in the economic downturn, Marsden said it is important to maintain financial support for the Governor’s "opportunity fund," which the executive branch uses to lure businesses and job creators to Virginia.

CUCCINELLI has already accused Marsden of being a "carpet bagger."

The Burke house Marsden owns and has lived in since the late 1970s is in State Sen. Chap Petersen’s district, not Cuccinelli’s.

Recently, Marsden starting renting a Burke house about two miles from the property he owns so he could run for the open seat, he said.

"My [old house] is just across the railroad tracks and one street away from [Cuccinelli’s] senate district," said Marsden.

Marsden said people who are claiming he is not a part of the community he wants to represent are being foolish.

"If they want to talk about where I am living rather than the issues, be my guest. I live in this county before any of [the Republican candidates] were born," said Marsden.