Mount Vernon has had the benefit of Kris Amundson’s representation for more than 10 years, first as the Mount Vernon representative to the Fairfax County School Board, and then in the Virginia House of Delegates. Republicans thought that they had redistricted her out of her seat, but that effort failed.
“Partisan control of redistricting is the wrong thing for democracy,” Amundson said, in efforts to get the General Assembly to study nonpartisan redistricting.
Representatives in the General Assembly with local government experience is a plus for Northern Virginia. Amundson supports efforts to bring a greater share of state transportation and education dollars back to Northern Virginia, and broadening revenue base for counties.
Her grasp of the local impacts will help as BRAC moves 21,000 jobs from Arlington and Alexandria to Fort Belvoir. She identifies transportation woes as the primary concern of her constituents, and BRAC measures will only add to the problem.
Amundson’s experience on the School Board and continuing expertise on education issues are key in the House of Delegates, where education funding is a constant battle, and very minor changes in the law can mean a shift of millions of dollars.
Greg Scoma (R), Amundson’s opponent, is an earnest first-time candidate. A former Marine, the Mount Vernon resident has dedicated countless hours to dozens of community service efforts ranging the from serving on the public safety committee of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations, to delivering meals to people with HIV/AIDS through Food and Friends.
“I feel that it is an accomplishment to have spent over three decades helping others without losing the motivation to serve, Scoma said, describing elected office as the next logical step in his public service efforts. The community is lucky to have people like Scoma, and we look forward to his continued involvement.