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 Senate
Watch the Virginia Senate races very closely this year. With Democrats in control of this house of the General Assembly by only four seats, both parties have funneled their energies and campaign dollars into the strongly contested state Senate races. With redistricting, Loudoun is represented by four members of the 40-person body.
A veteran and small business entrepreneur, Shawn Mitchell (D) is one of the most exciting new candidates this election season. With a thoughtful and common-sense approach to nearly every issue, Mitchell is an excellent choice for the 13th District. While former Delegate Dick Black (R) has campaigned on economic and transportation issues, we remain concerned that his outspoken and extreme views on social issues will prove too distracting from the more pressing issues facing Loudoun.
In the 27th District, our choice is Jill Holtzman Vogel (R). Currently completing her first term, Vogel has been an articulate and steady voice for her district, working tirelessly to address constituent needs and reaching across the aisle when necessary. Neither Democratic challenger Shaun Broy nor independent Don Marro have demonstrated Vogel’s gravitas or command of the issues.
Edging along the Potomac River from Arlington to Lowe’s Island, the 31st District will be challenging area to represent. We believe Arlington County Supervisor Barbara Favola (D) has the best experience to take on the challenge. While intrigued by Republican opponent Caren Merrick’s tech industry experience, Favola’s 14 years of elected service and leadership on several state and regional boards give her a leg up on the competition.
Leesburg attorney Mark Herring (D) has been a credit to Loudoun, serving as state senator in the 33rd District. He receives our endorsement. His Republican opponent Patricia Phillips has developed as a candidate since 2007, espousing some compelling pro-business strategy, but we cannot overlook Herring’s distinguished service in the General Assembly, his knowledge of the region and the effectiveness of his legislative agenda.
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.
Caren Merrick is anti-choice and a tea party conservative. She tries to make a big deal of the fact that the federal government is the area’s largest employer. Earth to Caren - the government (State and Federal) are the largest employers in the country. At the two debates I witnessed, Caren basically refused to answer the questions. She also does not have the courage to indicate on any mailing that she is a Republican. The 31st is a no-brainer.
It looks like the Republican Party challenger to Mark Herring does not want their name associated with the flier I received recently. It accuses Mark Herring for not having voted for a resolution honoring Veterans, asks me to vote to honor veterans on November 8th, but does not NAME the alternate candidate. Seriously, is this the best they can find against a sitting state Senator and expect voters to believe that he does not respect veterans?
I agree, Mark Herring is a great choice. I believe that when it comes to this race it’s not so much if you are a rep or a dem, it comes down to who can keep northern Va’s tax dollars in northern VA. He works well, including across the aisle, to keep our money here.
It is in the Virginia Senate thate we see LTM’s true leanings. Since Big Red controls the House and Governorship, the Senate is the Dems only place of any power. The reason so many incumbent Republican delegates are unopposed is because the Democrats are putting all there financial eggs in one basket: the Senate races. By endorsing the one incumbent Republican, LTM gives the appearance of being unbiased but, where it counts, they endorse all Democrats. Mitchell is tarnished and very weak and the other two mediocre at best. But LTM is socially and environmentally liberal and, therefore, could never endorse a Dick Black or other true conservative. Regardeless, the Democrats are likely to lose the Senate anyway.
Great call in appreciating the value of Favola’s experience!
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