These are very strong endorsements by the Connection Newspapers for Janet Oleszek and George Barker. First, let's get Ken Cuccinelli out of the way: "Ken Cuccinelli is perhaps the most conservative member of the Virginia Senate...He is not part of the solution to bringing more resources and more local control to Northern Virginia."Now, let's dispense with Jay O'Brien: "O'Brien's recent invoking of homophobia is deplorable" and "The incumbent is a social and fiscal conservative who opposes almost all new taxes."
On the positive, the Connection Newspaper says that Janet Oleszek "has demonstrated excellent priorities and the ability to work with others to accomplish her goals." In addition, "Her views on most issues, especially guns and education, are far more in line with this district than the incumbent." Exactly, that's what we've been saying for months now!
With regard to George Barker, the Connection is glowing: "Barker, has a broad range of expertise, in health care, mental health, aging, transportation, land use and the environment. Harvard educated, he has been intensely involved as a leader in local community efforts." Can't get much better than that!
By the way, the Washington Post strongly endorsed George Barker ("would make a far more able, detail-oriented and effective senator in this district straddling the Fairfax-Prince William line"), as did the Fairfax Times ("Barker would be much more focused on the problems that require hard work to find solutions.") Congratulations to George Barker, the next State Senator from the 39th district!
If everyone truly took an objective look at the relative qualifications of George Barker and Jay O'Brien, I cannot imagine anyone coming to the conclusion that O'Brien was the better person for the job...
And can anyone truly come to the objective conclusion that Ken Cuccinelli better represents the views of the voters of the 37th district than Janet Olezsek?
It's a testimony to the inertia of name recognition that O'Brien and Cuccinelli are even competitive in these races...
The Post also endorsed Paul Nichols in the 50th District Race against Republican Faisal Gill, and Delegate Chuck Caputo for re-election in the 67th District race. The Post says that Caputo's opponent, Marc Cadin, "is a free-luncher peddling the preposterous line that Fairfax can raise teachers' salaries and create a "21st-century bus system" -- even while cutting taxes."