45th District Debate: Coming Down the Home Stretch

Actually, even if you're just a regular citizen who cares about the future of Virginia, and not a weird political junkie like myself, I'd say that this was was a very worthwhile experience.  Six excellent candidates for the  House of  Delegates seat in the 45th District (Alexandria, parts of South Arlington and Fairfax County) being quizzed by a moderator and also by articulate audience members with just three weeks to go until the June 14 primary?  What could be better on a beautiful spring day?  OK, don't answer that question! :)

A bit of background.  This is a "safe" Democratic seat, being vacated by Marian Van Landingham after 24 years due to health reasons.  The district itself is complicated, with the Arlington Connection describing it as "more diverse than ever, with voters in a broad range of social and economic demographics. "  Whichever Democrat wins this primary is essentially assured of winning the seat in November, given the fact that the Republicans aren't even running a candidate here.

So, who's going to win this race?  Based on the debate, it's very difficult to say.  If I had to bet the ranch on it, I'd say that right now the two front-runners are Libby Garvey and David Englin, not necessarily in that order.  But in a six-person field in which each candidate has strengths and weaknesses, it's hard to predict.  Perhaps Brian Moran's assistance and a strong Hispanic turnout will push Elsie Mosqueda over the top?  Perhaps former Delegate Dick Hobson's experience and proven electability will carry the day?  Perhaps Jim Lay or Laura Mandala will pull an upset?  You never know, which is why debates like this matter.

So what did these folks have to say for themselves?  Here's a brief rundown of my impressions, candidate by candidate.

1) Dick Hobson:  An intelligent, older man, Hobson served from 1976 to 1980 in the Virginia House of Delegates before retiring.  Now, he's back for more, apparently.  Not surprisingly, Hobson places a great deal of emphasis on his legislative experience, although it's been about 25 years since he was in the Virginia House.  In addition, Hobson touts his ability to work with the Republican majority and his overall pragmatic approach to issues.  For instance, he says bluntly that, in his view, Democrats should not stress the gun control issue because "it doesn't make sense for the Democratic Party in Virginia," and because it's not "smart, proper, or necessary."  All in all, Hobson (he mentioned, for no apparent reason, that it's spelled H-O-B-S-O-N) argues that he is the "best qualified" for the job, and that voters should return him to his former job in Richmond.

2) Elsie Mosqueda:  Emphasizes that she is a Hispanic woman, and also that she has worked as Legislative Aide to Democratic Delegate Brian Moran the past nine years.  Big issues for her seem to center on the "burgeoning immigrant population," ESL funding, diversity, health care, education, and "keeping the integrity of our communities."  She says she has been a community leader who is "very pro-union." Her closing argument is that since the candidates all agree on the issues, people should "make history" by electing an Hispanic to Richmond on June 14.  We'll see if that argument resonates.

3)  Jim Lay:  A young Alexandria attorney, teacher, and former prosecutor, Lay describes himself as a "bleeding heart moderate" and a "centrist."  Actually, it sounds to me like Lay's got a strong libertarian streak, as he speaks of government's role mainly focusing on public safety and education issues.  Lay places a great deal of emphasis on after-school programs to keep children out of gangs, public safety issues and his support from police unions, and a strong public education system.  Personally, I found Lay to be particularly strong during the debate when answering the question about job outsourcing. His answer, essentially, was that "we can't fight the global economy, we've got to compete in it" and that education is the key to this.  Jim Lay may not win this race, but he's certainly got a political future ahead of him.

4)  Laura Mandala:  The "only business owner in the race," Mandala stresses her support for "reproductive freedom," gay and lesbian rights, and for "taking back values from the Republicans."  She believes that Standards of Learning are good in principle, but that "the problem is in the implementation."  Overall, she does not believe that we are "preparing kids for the 21s century," and that we need "more creative types of instruction."  Her view of government is that it should "help those that can't help themselves," that it should focus on "the needs of the disenfranchised," and that it should represent all of us.  She believes the Democratic Party is "at a crossroads," and that "we need to reach out to bring Republicans to our side."  If elected, Mandala says she plans to "work in a diplomatic, businesslike fashion" with conservatives, and will compromise, if need be, in order to get things done for Northern Virginia.

5)  Libby Garvey, who I interviewed for RaisingKaine, emphasizes her experience the past 8 years working for education both in Arlington and across Virginia.  She believes in working for the "common good," and stresses that "we're all in this together."  Garvey's inclusive approach to government apparently includes a belief that "all people are good," that Democrats will not succeed by "Republican bashing," that "human communications" (i.e., "talking to people" and "having lunch with them"), a "deft touch," and "working across the aisle" are the keys to getting results.  Garvey believes in appealing "to peoples' hearts, not just their heads."  In the debate, she placed a significant amount of emphasis on religion as a source of ethics, values, and inspiration for "helping people."  Garvey strongly believes that we need a "change of climate in Richmond,"and that she is the best candidate to accomplish this.

6) Finally, David Englin, who I also interviewed previously for RaisingKaine, comes across as sincere, passionate, energetic, and committed to a grassroots and a "comprehensive progressive agenda."  Englin believes "this race is about the future," specifically for children like his son Caleb. Englin believes that "traditional American values are progressive values," and that the basis for politics should be that "all men are created equal."  He strongly supports affordable health care, top-quality education, and a living wage.  He believes that we need to help firefighters, teachers, police officers, and others afford to live in their communities.  Englin favors making taxes more progressive, increasing the income tax for those making more than $250,000, and raising cigarette taxes "to the national average."  He argues that the latter proposal would raise over $200 million and save $1 billion in health care costs.  Finally, Englin argues that Republicans are "taking us in the wrong direction," that we are now in "a moral emergency," and that we need someone who will "fight without fear for Democratic values."  Englin believes that he is that candidate, both for today and also for "the long haul."

The bottom line is that we've got six fine candidates in the 45th District.  My colleague Maura Keaney has only half-jokingly talked of a "candidate relocation plan," in which we move some of these six Democrats to other Virginia districts.  Unfortunately, only one of the six in the 45th District will be nominated on June 14, which makes Maura's humorous idea a good one, if a bit impractical. 

After June 14, of course, attention will turn to ensuring strong voter turnout in the general election for Tim Kaine and the other state-wide Democratic candidates.  The 45th District nominee, being unchallenged, should be able to provide assistance to other Democrats, like Greg Werkheiser and Bruce Roemmelt for example.  All in all, it looks like it will be a busy summer for one or more of these six candidates.  May the best one win on June 14!

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