George Barker is running for Virginia State Senate from the 39th District, which runs from Franconia, Springfield, and Lake Ridge in the east to Clifton, Fairfax Station, Buckhall and Lake Jackson in the west. The district is currently represented in the Virginia State Senate by Jay O'Brien, a right-wing Republican if there ever was one. However, in recent years, the 39th has been trending strongly Democratic, with Jim Webb carrying the district by around 55%-45%. In other words, this seat is a prime target in Democrats' efforts at taking back the State Senate this November. Currently, there appear to be two Democrats running for the nomination, Greg Galligan from the eastern end of the district and George Barker from Clifton in the western part (note: Clifton is also the home base of Jay O'Brien).
Note: RaisingKaine takes no position on who should win this race, and welcomes interviews with the Greg Galligan or any other Democratic candidates (if interested, please contact lowell@raisingkaine.com). Having said that, we are grateful to George Barker for agreeing to an interview and for thoughtfully answering our questions.
Transportation
Barker has served as chair of Fairfax County's Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) since 2001. He has served as vice-chair of Fairfax County's Tysons Corner Task Force, which is working to bring Smart Growth to Tysons Corner. Finally, Barker is former committee chair of a Braddock District group led by Sharon Bulova that focused on land use and transportation issues.
Noting that Northern Virginia has been adding 30,000 people per year since 1950, and that this is not stopping, Barker pointed out the critical need for infrastructure investments in the region. Transportation is crucial if we are going to keep our booming economy and quality of life, the "magnet" for smart young people and the huge benefit to the Commonwealth that Northern Virginia has been for years.
What do we do about the transportation mess? A number of things, including smart growth, such as high-density development around Metro stops. Metro in Tyson's is a prime example of this, and should be built using the tunnel option. Barker pointed out that with current "single-bore" tunneling technology, this can be done cost effectively, especially when one considers the long-term benefits of turning Tysons Corner into a walkable, liveable, urban community. Barker noted that the vast majority of people support the tunnel option, including the Tysons Corner business community.
The bottom line here, in Barker's view, is that if we don't do "smart growth" in a place like Tysons, we're just going to get more sprawl everywhere. We're also not going to realize the "tremndous potential" of Tysons Corner using the above-ground option, and that would be very unfortunate.
In general, Barker believes that if you provide people with the right opportunities and the right incentives, they'll do the right thing. That, in his opinion, is exactly what we need to do in Tysons, and in general with regard to transportation.
So, what's blocking progress on unraveling Northern Virginia gridlock? According to Barker, it's the reluctance of House Republicans and a half dozen Senate Republicans, based purely on ideology (not "NOVA versus ROVA," by the way), to raise needed revenues for transportation investments/improvements. According to Barker, Republican Senators like Jay O'Brien and Ken Cuccinelli are "ideologues," not "solution-oriented" like he is. In Barker's view, "everything needs to be on the table" in order to deal with gridlock, including the "need to raise revenues to pay for transportation solutions."
Immigration
In Barker's view, this is a Federal, not a state, responsibility. What's Virginia going to do, Barker asked rhetorically, build a wall at the border of West Virginia? Also, Barker pointed out that immigrants who have come to NOVA have been highly motivated people who have moved up the ladder quickly.
Health Care
Barker has worked for the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia, the regional health planning agency for NOVA, since 1975. Barker is chair of the Northern Virginia Perinatal Council, which works to "promote the health and well-being of women and infants in Northern Virginia." Barker also is a a member of the Southeast Fairfax Health Task Force, and an advisor to a group establishing a community health center in Prince William County.
Barker and I discussed the recent, near-unanimous Massachusetts plan for universal health care in that state. Barker said that he felt this was one possible solution, although not the only one, on this issue. The bottom line, according to Barker, is that we have to get people "the health care they need."
Education
Barker is former President of PTAs at Mount Vernon High School and Robinson Secondary School, as well as the Academic Boosters Club at Robinson.
Barker believes that education is a top priority, and would like to serve on the Senate's Education and Health Committee if he is elected. Barker feels that we need to "strike a balance between testing and creativity" in schools, and that we should provide adequate funds so that we truly "leave no child behind."
Environment
Barker has been a member of the Occocquan Watershed Coalition for about a decade, as well as a member of the "Green Breakfast group." As noted above, Barker is a strong advocate of "smart growth" and Metro-oriented development.
Electability
I asked Barker about his electability, and he basically answered as follows. First, Barker recalled that although he lost in 1991 and 1993, he won 43%-44% both times in a district that was heavily Republican at the time. Barker further pointed out that 1991 was the year that Tom Davis beat Audrey Moore for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, and 1993 was the year that George Allen beat Mary Sue Terry for Governor.
Second, Barker asserted that in 1993, he came the closest of any Democrat in the state to beating an incumbent Republican.
Third, Barker pointed out that he has been heavily involved in Democratic politics "from the school board on up" since 1993, and that this gives him both qualifications and also name recognition in his district.
Fourth, Barker noted that Jim Webb won the 39th by 55%-45%, not including absentee votes.
Fifth, Barker argued that he is an ideal Democratic candidate for this seat because he lives in Clifton, Jay O'Brien's home turf and also one of the most Republican parts of the district. According to Barker, his ability to cut into O'Brien's margins (or hold him even) in the western, Republican-leaning part of the district while simuiltaneously doing well in the eastern, Democratic-leaning part of the district, represents a major electoral advantage over a Democrat, like his primary opponent, who lives in from the eastern part of the district. Barker recalled that in 1991 and 1993, he ran 15 points or so ahead of typical Democratic performance in the Clifton area.
Jay O'Brien
Barker called O'Brien a right-wing ideologue, which, according to Project Vote Smart's ratings, he most certainly is (note the extreme ratings on almost every issue rated by Project Vote Smart). Even worse, Barker accused O'Brien of blaming localities and not working with them on transportation. Barker specifically cited O'Brien's 12/30/06 letter to the editor in the Washington Post, in which O'Brien said that he would "transfer the control of Virginia's Metro funding and authority, now under county jurisdiction, to state government" and "would move the road-building component of land-use infrastructure to the local governments." Barker criticized O'Brien for both proposals, calling the Metro idea "absolutely bizarre." Barker further accused O'Brien of being "as far right as you can get on social issues," voting against "every compromise measure on the budget," and not being "popular in the district."
Summary
George Barker is a personable candidate with tremendous experience in a variety of areas. He appears to be an ideologically moderate, "solutions-oriented" Democrat. It was a pleasure meeting with him, and I look forward to meeting Greg Galligan as well. I am hopeful that this will be a positive campaign on issues, experience, and electability. If it is, then the Democratic nominee will emerge in strong shape to defeat Jay O'Brien. If not...well, let's try not to think about that.
His work the last two years in particular was instrumental in turning Springfield Blue.
Mark Itzkoff
Acting Chair
Springfield District Democratic Committee
Sorry I did not respond sooner. I must have missed your question last time I looked at this interview.
There are a number of factors in changing the Springfield District. I think part of it is the change in demographics. Some of the neighborhoods are transitioning from first generation homeowners to younger second gerneration, and some areas in Springfield are developing new apartment units and townhomes.
But more importantly I think that that Springfield has been developing more grassroots interest in politics that has motivated the Democratic base and has let the local Dems know that their not alone.
A prime example of this is the Democratic Women of Clifton. While I was Acting Chair, the DWC was one of the strongest, most reliable support groups in the area. They have been invaluable in terms of staffing polling places, back to school nights, etc.
The 04 election brought a number of new members into the party to build on a strong base. Since then, continued dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration, the Republican stalemate in the Virginia General Assembly, and the Webb campaign have brought a steady stream of new volunteers and members.
George also worked tirelessly for Webb and canvassed and lit dropped all over the place on every available weekend.
He phone banked, worked four different polls in two different counties, and was so wiped out that he was too exhausted to attend Webb's Victory Party at the Sheraton.
He's also been a precinct captain for years. Jane, his wife has successfully gotten the Democratic Women of Clifton
up and running. There are now over 300 members. I can't believe how these two do all they do!!! They have been Democrats forever. (and that's a good thing.)
I am really hopeful that Greg will also have an interview with Lowell. I'd like to see this a positive campaign and may the best man win. It's great to support a candidate you believe in, but please let's not trash his opponent and give the Republicans ammunition. Let's win this election for the Democrats. We've shown the country that we could elect Jim Webb as our new Senator...let's keep changing Virginia. We are respected all over the United States; let's keep it that way!
Mary Lee Cerillo
Sully District Committee Chairman
Mary Lee
The candidates' position on that would reveal a lot to me about whether they really support maximum participation by all voters. I understand that a firehouse primary is still open to all that wish to participate, but since it is limited in time and locations, it presents unnecessary burdens to participation. Certainly no one would suggest that we cut the number of voting locations and time by 2/3 for the general this November, similarly Democratic voters need the most ample opportunity to select their nominee.
Where there is a competitive primary with two or more serious candidates we should have a true primary and not a caucus or "firehouse primary".
George was also one of the earliest Webb supporters. (In fact, I have a picture that was taken at the Connolly St Patrick's Day fundraiser. It's the first group picture of Jim Webb with his very early supporters, and there's George and Jane Barker with the rest of us. So, if anyone wants to know how long George was on the 'Webb team', I have the proof that he was there from the very beginning!).
And like Webb, George is a man of integrity who has made it a point to run a clean, positive campaign. Negative campaigns don't help anyone, and in the end they only hurt the candidate who's conducting one. So don't expect George to be anything but what he is naturally: a decent and honorable man. He's a Class Act!
He'll be a fantastic candidate who can beat Jay O'Brien!