It happens every four years. Loudoun selects candidates for the Board of Supervisors, School Board, Constitutional Officers and members of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia. Despite the attention next year’s U.S. Senate and presidential races will receive, for Loudoun this is the big one.
The past four years have seen public controversies over water protection measures and construction of a second hospital, arguments over school funding and economic development, cuts across departments because of falling property values and an increase in the tax rate. Whoever is elected Nov. 8 is likely to be tested in ways we can’t even imagine yet.
While we have no desire to supersede a voter’s self-education with our take on the respective races, the Times-Mirror has a history of taking careful stock of our elected officials and providing our recommendations to voters. Here are our endorsements.
Virginia House of Delegates
With a strong Republican majority and recent redistricting, the House of Delegates is unlikely to change parties this term. However, the redistricting process did yield increased representation for Northern Virginia, hopefully enough to unclog the logjam over transportation issues that have plagued the region for decades. Loudoun will be voting on seven members of the House of Delegates.
In the 10th District, Republican Randy Minchew receives our endorsement. Already possessing statesmanlike demeanor, Minchew has credentials in Richmond as former legal advisor to Gov. Bob McDonnell and extensive local experience. A former chairman of the Loudoun Economic Development Council and a tireless volunteer, this Leesburg land attorney has the ability to move Loudoun issues forward on the state level. His Democratic opponent, Leesburg Town Council member Dave Butler is likewise a serious candidate with mature views. However, his localized experience may not provide him with the same level of knowledge or access in Richmond as Minchew.
Pamela Danner (D) is our choice in the 34th District. With an impressive list of board and volunteer experience, she has articulated a more moderate approach toward Dulles Rail and impressed us with her energy and knowledge of local issues. Her opponent, incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock should be credited for her pro-business legislation but may not be as keyed in to local issues as her opponent.
Jim LeMunyon (R) has distinguished himself during his first term, particularly in regards to his fresh approach to accountability, transportation funding and public education. He receives our endorsement to continue in Richmond, representing the 67th District. While his opponent Eric Clingan (D) has identified the important issues in his district, we’d like to see his potential solutions expanded.
Two first-time candidates are vying in the 87th District. We were taken by the energy and depth of understanding demonstrated by Mike Kondratick (D). Kondratick’s work as a grassroots organizer for juvenile diabetes should provide him a foothold into the under-discussed health needs in Virginia. Alternatively, Republican candidate David Ramadan has a truly American story as a successful first generation immigrant from Lebanon. While promising, Ramadan’s position on the issues feels more like the straight party position rather than one of someone who is investigating new solutions.
There are three incumbent Republicans running unopposed in Loudoun Districts: Tag Greason (32nd District), Joe May (33rd District) and Tom Rust (86th District). Each of these candidates has demonstrated an independent streak and an ability to move important legislation through the General Assembly. In addition to being unopposed, we believe that each deserves an additional term to continue their work in the legislature.
These endorsements were decided on by the editorial board of the Loudoun Times-Mirror after countless hours of race coverage and review of the candidates’ positions. As with any election, we encourage readers to educate themselves on the candidates and make the choices which best fits their own views and priorities. The Loudoun Times-Mirror Voters’ Guide is available for this purpose at Loudountimes.com.
I recently received an election mailer from the Ramadan campaign. They and the Republican Party of Virginia must be desperate if the best they can do is resurrect the ‘community organizer’ epithet they have been slinging at President Obama since 2008 against the Democratic Party nominee. Really?!
My goodness, Ramadan became an American citizen and changed his name to “David.” That supposedly makes the whole thing very suspicious. My old Swedish great-grandfather not only changed his given name but also his surname when he set foot on American soil. Wanted to be a real American, the old feller did. Immigrants changing their names once they arrive in America. Gives modern genealogists a whole lot of research problems, I can tell you.
Maybe there is a reason that ramadan isn’t in bold. You can tell he already thinks he’s above the law, he’s posting signs in public areas, which is illegal in Loudoun. He says we spend too much time in traffic but all he wants are road improvements, why not support the dulles rail extension?He seems to have alot to hide.Google him, he legally changed his name in 2002 from “Imad Afif” to “David,” according to the muslum emag frontpage.com, and check out the townhall blog by Kent Clizbe, a former CIA conservative. There is something fish going on there
Well, we know who’s money bought their endorsement! Good luck, Randy, you’ve run the worst campaign I’ve seen in my ten years here. How anyone in their right mind could endorse a lawyer for developers in already over developed Loudoun is beyond me!
You forgot to BOLD David Ramadan’s Name.
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