I had the pleasure today of attending the campaign kickoff for Janet Oleszek, a Democrat running for the House of Delegates from the 37th District (Fairfax City). This is the seat being vacated by Chap Petersen, who is running for the Democratic Lt. Governor nomination this year. Since this is a contested nomination fight, RaisingKaine is not endorsing either Janet Oleszek or her opponent, David Bulova. In addition, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with Mr. Bulova about his campaign and to give him equal time here. Having issued our disclaimer...on to the Janet Oleszek kickoff!
First, I was pleasantly surprised to have the chance to meet two of my fellow Virginia Democratic bloggers -- Maura Keaney and Shaula Evans -- at the event. Second, I also had the chance to meet the indefatigable Teddy Goodson, a Fairfax real estate agent and former Republican who says that her party left her, not the other way around. She's a spitfire!
Next, I of course met Janet Oleszek, who came right up to me and introduced herself. Unlike some politicians, Janet Oleszek, 58 years old, is definitely not stuck on herself, stuffy, arrogant, or "slick." Instead, she's a real human being who decided to run for public office out of a desire to improve the future for her two sons, as well as for everyone else's sons and daughters. What a concept! Above all, Janet Oleszek is passionate about education, which is not surprising given that she currently serves as Fairfax County's "at large" school board member.
In her speech, Janet Oleszek expressed the belief that "we are at a crossroads in Virginia this election," and that we need to "to elect a delegate to stand up for values that you and I believe in." On values such as "liberty," "choice," "families and children," Oleszek argues, "I am that delegate."
Oleszek was combative when talking about the Ken Cuccinellis and Bob Marshalls of the world, calling them "extremists" who have "no solutions" but who "attack our liberties." Oleszek promised that she would "stand up to that [rigid, limited] agenda" and that she "will not back down."
In contrast to the "extremists," Oleszek says that she stands for ideals like "protecting liberty and choice," "quality services," and "fighting for family and children." She add that she is willing to compromise, "but not on certain things."
In the question-and-answer segment of the event, Oleszek got into more detail about her positions, saying that she supports camera-based enforcement of red lights ("I'm all for it"), organized labor ("we're Democrats, we honor unions;" "right-to-work is wrong!"), reproductive rights ("as a woman, I favor [them]"), and fixing the transportation mess through taxes if necessary (Oleszek supported the 2003 Northern Virginia Transportation Sales Tax referendum, which was defeated).
Oleszek definitely opposes any discrimination against the children of illegal immigrants in education (Jerry Kilgore and other right-wing Republicans support doing that). She is against the so-called "Dillon Rule," which restricts municipalities in many ways and forces them to ask permission of the state legislature for simple things like raising the local cigarette tax.
Oleszek opposes making Virginia the "jail state of the union," preferring to focus on social services. She believes that Governor Gilmore's "no car tax" pledge was a "fiasco," and says that voters are disgusted with the way Richmond had "lied" to them in the past.
In general, I think it is fair to say, based on what I heard this morning, that Janet Oleszek would be an education-focused, progressive Democrat in Richmond if she wins the Democratic nomination in June and the general election in November.
How is she doing to date? In terms of money, Oleszek had raised $34,077 as of March 31, 2005, about $1,100 more than her Democratic opponent, David Bulova, and about $4,500 more than Republican James Kaplan (note: there is also a Libertarian, Scott McPherson, in the race; as of 3/31/05 he had raised $2,088).
Aside from money, it is hard to judge this race, given that there is no polling and that turnout will likely be low for the primary. In addition, Oleszek's Democratic opponent, David Bulova, does not appear to have a website, which is a bit unusual. I am also not aware of any kickoff event by Bulova. (CORRECTION 4/25: Bulova DOES have a website)
The Oleszek-Bulova contest very well could be determinative, given that the 37th district leans Democratic. In 2003, for instance, Chap Petersen (D) won the district with 59% of the vote, and in 2004, John Kerry won both Fairfax County (53% of the vote) and Fairfax City (51%). In other words, whoever wins the Democratic nomination - Oleszek or Bulova - appears to have a good chance of winning the seat in November.