This district's Democrats have ceded this seat to Mr. Cole and Republicans for far too long. Remember, Mr. Cole was the sole "no" vote in 2005 on:
-- raising teacher's pay,
-- a one-time infusion of $848 million for transporation projects, and
-- to raising police and firefighters pay.
Now to the meat. A little net research on Mr. del Toro coughed up this "biography" of his remarkable credentials (from his business website).http://sbgtechnology...
SummaryOver 20 yrs. experience leading large diverse Department of Defense organizations during times of peace and war.
1998 White House Fellow. Selected as one of seventeen Fellows, from a nationwide-wide pool of over 600 candidates to serve a one-year term in the Executive Office of the President.
Extensive experience in program and personnel management, budgeting, public affairs, and senior staff experience at the highest levels of federal government service.
Expertise in legislative, inter-agency, and international affairs.
Over 10 years experience on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.Experience
Senior Executive Assistant to the Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Washington, DC 2003 - 2004
First Commanding Officer, USS BULKELEY, DDG84, a guided missile destroyer Pascagoula, MS and Norfolk, VA 1999 - 2003
White House Fellow and Special Assistant to the Director Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President, Washington, DC (EOP) 1998 - 1999
Executive Officer, USS VINCENNES, an AEGIS class guided missile cruiser
San Diego, CA and Yokuska Japan 1996 - 1998
Student, Naval War College , Newport, RI 1995 - 1996
Program Manager, National Reconnaissance Office, Washington, DC 1993 - 1995Education
MA National Security Studies Naval War College
MA Legislative Affairs George Washington University
MS Electrical Engineering Naval Postgraduate School
BS Electrical Engineering U.S. Naval AcademyAwards
2002 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient for contributions in service to the nation.
2001 Hispanic Business Magazine - Selected as one of 100 Most Influential Hispanicsin the US.
1994 Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Award recipient.
2004 Empire's Who's Who in America.
Numerous Military personal and unit-related awards.
Another google hit (The National Archives and Records Administration's website) reveals his accomplishments when he was a White House Fellow and only 36 years old! http://clinton2.nara...
Will the 88th District Democrats and committees get behind him? Will they volunteer their time to get him elected? Will they open their pocketbooks to him? Will the state party officials help him out? Will the Delegates and Senators step forward and give him their endorsements and a helping hand? I sure hope so.
Or will we once again tuck tail and cede this seat to Mark Cole?
Also, Cole seems to win his elections handedly since 2001, with 65-75 of the vote.
Two quick questions,
1. can Cole be beaten? (doesn't really matter, just curious)
2. What's the Hispanic population like in the 88th (again, doesn't really matter, just trying to get a picture)
Carlos really sounds like a great guy that we can all get behind.
His domain name (which he's already obtained) will be NoBull. Assume his website is under development.
Can he win? In 2005 Feldbush won 40% of Stafford's vote which looks like the largest part of the 88th, almost 10 points higher than in his last run against Cole, according to the SBE. And a look at VPAP shows he only had a fraction of the money that Cole had. My opinion?
As I said above,
-- if the three committees get behind him and volunteer to phone bank, canvass, stuff envelopes, and help raise money for his campaign
-- if the state party gets behind him and helps him out
-- and if the delegates and senators step forward and endorse and support him
he could. But it really depends on the dedicated grassroots support from the three committees. He has an impressive background. He said he served in Desert Storm. The candidate is there, now will be the Democrats be there to support him?
About the Hispanic population, I'm not sure, Nate. There are a lot of Hispanics in the area but I don't have any information on how many are registered to vote.
I liked what I heard from him at the meeting; and I like what I've read about him. It would be an incredible shame if the Democrats couldn't get this very qualified and impressive man elected.
I was at another meeting in Fauquier where he spoke and he went into a little more detail about his fundraising experience for charities. That may make him more difficult to be intimidated by the GOP checkbook. His first (only?) announced member of his campaign staff was his treasurer which may support my suspicions.
He's a former commanding officer, a CEO, and in many ways overqualified for the job but he drives the same roads we do and sees what he called the politics of "no" and impresses me as being sincere about doing something about it.
He says one of the names he's reserved for his campaign site is no-bull.org which is obviously inspired by his name, Del Toro. I'm gonna enjoy following this guy!
He has also been a Term Member on the Council on Foreign Affairs. This 5-year-term honor is given to people between the ages of 30 and 36 who represent " the very best of their generation in government, media, NGOs, law, business, finance and academia." and, while in the program, are given the opportunity to "interact with seasoned foreign-policy veterans", according to the CFA website.
The question isn't whether he can win. The only question is will the DPVA, the House Democratic Caucus, and Virginia Democrats put all their efforts and power into delivering this office to Mr. del Toro.