Northern Virginia has never needed Jim Dillard (R) in Richmond more than now. Dillard, champion of education, friend of the environment, brings healthy compassion, a considerable intellect and a sense of humor to the frustrations that await in the next session of the General Assembly.
Dillard represents a big part of Northern Virginia's power in Richmond, with leadership roles in both education and appropriation. He points out that education was the only thing that was not cut in the last budget cycle.
He heads to the 2004 session with optimism about the economy and budget, proposing to eliminate some or all of the remaining car tax, food tax and estate tax, replacing the revenue with a local option income tax and other revenue restructuring.
Dillard faces a pair of independent challengers, Michael Golden and John Wolfe. There is no Democrat challenging Dillard.