Burke resident Dave Marsden officially announced his intention to seek the House of Delegates seat that will be vacated by Del. Jim Dillard (R-41) prior to the November 2005 election. Marsden, a Democrat, made the announcement Sunday, Feb. 27, at the home of Lloyd and Jennifer Addington on Old Burke Lake Road in Burke.
Marsden began his 30-year career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in 1970. In 1982, he was appointed to the position of superintendent of the county's Juvenile Detention Center. Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) appointed him the chief deputy and then acting director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice in 2000.
Marsden and his family have lived in Burke since 1977. He's a graduate of W.T. Woodson High School and Randolph-Macon College. He served as a basketball, football and soccer coach with the Braddock Road Youth Club and coached baseball for one year in the Annandale-North Springfield Little League.
Marsden joined Dillard's staff as legislative aide and campaign manager in 1999. In making his announcement, he acknowledged Dillard's "great legacy in education and the environment" and hoped "to get back to the days of working across the aisles" of the General Assembly.
In attendance for Sunday's announcement were Sen. Richard Saslaw (D-35); Del. Chap Petersen (D-37), who is running for lieutenant governor; Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock); and Fairfax County sheriff Stan Barry. Also on hand were Democratic candidates for the 37th District House seat, David Bulova and Janet Olesek, and the 42nd District House seat, Gregory Werkheiser.
At this time, Marsden's only announced opponent is Republican Michael Golden, who ran against Dillard in 2003 as an independent. Others may still enter the fray before the June 14 primary.