For Attorney General, the candidates are:  Mark Herring www.herringforag.com and Justin Fairfax www.justinfairfax.com

For Lieutenant Governor, the candidates are:  Aneesh Chopra  www.teamchopra.org and Ralph Northam www.northamforlg.com

Mark Herring has practiced law in Loudoun country for 23 years, served as a County Supervisor for 4 years, and as a Virginia State Senator for 7 years and is exceptionally well qualified to serve as Attorney General.  As a member of the State Senate, he has worked to create jobs, fund transportation solutions, preserve Virginia’s environment,  and protect civil rights, including women’s reproductive rights, the voting rights of all Virginians, and marriage equality. In 2012, Mark received a “Champion of Justice” award from the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys because he took on tough issues like designer drugs and protecting victims of domestic violence.

He has opposed Attorney General Cucchinelli’s policy of seeking maximum publicity in the pursuit of an extreme right wing agenda, and will focus on defending Virginians and their families, defending their rights, and seeking economic fairness.   The GOP AG candidate (a Tea Party favorite) is also a State Senator, and Mark is well suited to take him on directly and demonstrate that Virginians want an AG who will represent all of  their interests.  You can find out more about Mark here.

I was lucky enough to spend a summer working for Gerry Baliles when he served as Virginia’s Attorney General and Mark will continue in that tradition.

I urge you to join me for Mark on June 11, 2013.  You can vote at your regular polling place (check it here) from 6 am to 7 pm.  Thanks

Aneesh has worked in the private sector, served as Virginia’s Secrtary of Technology under Governor Kaine, and as America’s first Chief Technology Officer under President Obama.   He has not held elective office before, but, as a Virginia cabinet member, he knows how state government works and how it can work much better than it has under the recent Republican admnistration.

The primary duty of Virginia’s Lt. Governor (after inquiring after the health of Governor) is to preside over the State Senate, which is currently split 20-20 between Democrats and Republicans.  Aneesh is a mainstream candidate who can be counted on to stop divisive and radical right wing legislation, and he work with all members of good will to move the Virginia forward.   The Lt. Governor also serves on several state boards, including the Council on Virginia’s Future – Aneesh will use this role to to encourage innovation at all levels, grow Virginia’s economy, and create good, high paying jobs.  Virginians want leaders who will respect their rights and work to solve problems.  Aneesh is the kind of 21st Century leader Virginia needs.  Find out more about Aneesh here. 

I urge you to join me for Aneesh on June 11, 2013.  You can vote at your regular polling place (check it here) from 6 am to 7 pm.  Thanks

State Central Committee Reorganization
 
1st Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 11AM
Where: Walker Grant Middle School, 100 Learning Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Contact: Marc K. Broklawski chair@va1stcddems.org

2nd Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 Noon
Where: Lake Taylor Middle School, 1380 Kempsville Road, Norfolk, VA 23502
Contact: Sandra Brandt brandt@theelectivegroup.com

3rd Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 11AM
Where: Hampton High School 1491 West Queen St., Hampton, Virginia 23669
Contact: Walter Johnson mrmrsj@aol.com

4th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 10AM
Where: Deep Creek High School, 2900 Margaret Booker Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23323
Contact: Susan Rowland susanjrowland@aol.com

5th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 Noon
Where: Fluvanna High School, 1918 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Palmyra, VA 22963
Contact: Phil Burnette Phil@ameristaff.net

6th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 10AM
Where: Rockbridge High School, 143 Greenhouse Rd., Lexington, VA 24450
Contact: Linda Wyatt lwyatt615@cox.net

7th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 11AM
Where: JR Tucker High School, Cafeteria #3, 2919 Parham Rd., Henrico, VA 23294
Contact: Abbi Easter abbieaster@gmail.com

8th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 10AM
Where: Robert E. Lee High School, 6540 Franconia Rd., Springfield, VA 22150
Contact: Margo Horner margohorner@yahoo.com

9th Congressional District
When: May 25th, 2013 10AM
Where: 4-H Center, Ratliff Hall, 25236 Hillman Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210
Contact: Isaac Sarver isaac.sarver@gmail.com

10th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 10AM
Where: Clarke County High School, 627 Mosby Blvd., Berryville, VA 22611
Contact: Charlie Jackson charliejackson40@gmail.com

11th Congressional District
When: May 18th, 2013 10AM
Where: Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd.,  Falls Church, VA 22042
Contact: George Burke georgeaburke@gmail.com

I ask you to join me in supporting Barbara Kanninen for Arlington County School Board.  I first met Barbara (and her husband, Kevin Wolfe) during the Obama primary campaign in 2008 and I worked with Barbara in 2012 when she headed up the state effort to get President Obama on the ballot.  Barbara, of course, has worked hard for the election of President Obama and numerous Democratic candidates.  But I think her primary qualifications for school board are that she is an extraordinarily smart person and cares a lot about kids and will work hard to make sure that Arlington’s schools offer the best opportunities for our children.  I don’t have any children in Arlington Schools (Barbara has two), but I did spend 12 years there myself and I care about educating the next generation.  I know that Barbara would be a terrific new school board member.  I hope to see you at W-L tomorrow.

Here is some additional information about Barbara’s background and campaign:

• Barbara has the ideal skill set to serve on the Arlington County School Board:
  • Ph.D. economist – she understands how to analyze data and knows what questions to ask
  • Children’s book author – she understands kids at all age levels
  •  Experience on three School Board advisory committees – she understands educational needs and priorities 
• She believes we have great public schools, but to keep them great, we need:
  • Stronger science, technology, engineering, and math programs
  • More opportunities for creative expression and involvement in the arts
  • Adult mentoring support for all students
  • Transparent, principled approaches to dealing with overcrowding and boundary changes 
  • Budget priorities that center on teachers and students 
  • A hard look at testing requirements and schedules

Please visit Barbara’s website for more information:  http://www.barbarakanninenforschoolboard.com/