Jim Kaplan (R)
AGE: 34
FAMILY: Wife, Stacie; three daughters
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1572, Fairfax, Virginia 22038
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-383-8683
E-MAIL: jim@jimkaplan.com
WEBSITE: www.jimkaplan.com
OCCUPATION: Vice president
EMPLOYMENT: Instinet Group, LLC
EDUCATION: BA, Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and
Government (CLEG), American University
QUALIFICATIONS: A former congressional aide, Kaplan has also worked with education and health care groups in the region. He currently works as the Washington representative for a NASDAQ-100 financial services company. Member of the Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples (for parents of twins), the Virginia Lions Club, the Chancery Park Homeowners Association and Young Jewish Leadership PAC.
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
As leader in the Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples, an organization of more than 200 local families with twin or triplets, I have worked to help young families - especially young fathers. As a former congressional aide, I am proudest of my work developing legislation addressing the growing problem posed by methamphetamines to our communities, our children and our environment.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidates in the race?
I am pleased to have the support of local city and county leaders like state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, School Board Member Tessie Wilson and 11th Congressional District Chair Becky Stoekel who trust me to fight with them for Fairfax's fair share.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will never forget that I represent Fairfax and I will never stop fighting for the working families of my community.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
Fairfax taxpayers receive only 20 cents back for every dollar we send to Richmond. This is not right. Fairfax deserves better than to pay 27 percent of the commonwealth's income taxes and receive just 7.4 percent of education funding in return. I will fight for Fairfax's fair share and work to develop the seniority and connections that, as a member of the majority party in Richmond, will allow me to win those fights for Fairfax.
5. Is there any additional legislation in regard to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws andregulation about abortion in Virginia?
No. As the father of three girls, I support Virginia's existing parental notification laws and its ban on partial birth abortion. But both federal law and my own faith make it clear that we can not and should not institute a total ban.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less?
Northern Virginia taxpayers pay more than their fair share. But without a stronger voice in Richmond, we will not be able to receive a proper return on the money we pay. I believe that former-Attorney General Jerry Kilgore's proposal to allow for local transportation authorities across the state may be one way to address the need for local control of taxation for regional needs.
7. What do you think about the Dillon Rule, which maintains that localities have only those powers expressly given by the state government?
I generally support giving more flexibility to our cities and counties. However, there are times when uniform standards are necessary. For example, requiring a different certifcation for health care workers in each county or city would make it impossible for citizens to know what standards their doctor meets.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
I believe in equal rights for all of our citizens and do not trust government to tell a church, synagogue or mosque who it may or may not recognize. It is clear that Virginians do not believe the commonwealth should sanction same-sex marriages but do believe other alternatives should be considered.