On The Ballot

Loudouners head to the polls Tuesday to elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and their district's representative to the House of Delegates. Below is a snapshot look at the campaign priorities of each candidate.

More detailed information may be found on each candidate's Web site. Also, videos of comments made by many of the candidates during local campaign stops in recent months may be viewed on the newspaper's Web site at www.leesburgtoday.com/news/politics.

Governor

Creigh Deeds-Democrat

Home: Bath County

Occupation: Attorney, Framme Law Firm

Web site: www.deedsforvirginia.com

Education: bachelor's degree, Concord College; law degree, Wake Forest University.

Experience: Member Virginia Senate, 2002-present; member of House of Delegates, 1992-2002; Chairman, House Democratic Caucus, 2000-2001; Bath County Commonwealth's Attorney, 1988-1992.

Bob McDonnell-Republican

Home: Henrico County

Occupation: Attorney

Web site: www.bobmcdonnell.com

Education: bachelor's degree, University of Notre Dame; master's in business administration, Boston University; law degree, Regent University.

Experience: Virginia Attorney General, 2006-2009; Member of House of Delegates 1991-2005; U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, 1976-1997.

As Virginian residents and businesses struggle through the economic downturn and wrestle with the continuing needs for improved roads, schools and jobs, the race for the governor's office has been contentious with both candidates working hard to convince voters his vision for Virginia is the best option for its residents and businesses.

Given the large gap in the state budget and continuing concerns about unemployment, both Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell have set out plans to turn around Virginia's economy and bring relief to its families. McDonnell's plan for the economy involves several initiatives to stimulate job production, including expanding the use of the Governor's Opportunity Fund by doubling the funding available and allowing companies that generate additional state and local tax revenue to qualify for funding; designating one deputy secretary of Commerce to focus on rural economic development; and providing a $1,000 tax credit per job to businesses that create at least 50 new jobs. That threshold would drop to 25 jobs in more economically stressed areas.

For his part, Deeds has laid out a plan that he says will bring immediate help to small businesses and homeowners. Deeds has also included tax credits for businesses that create jobs, doubling the Governor's Opportunity Fund and support for rural businesses through creation of a Rural Business Fund in his plan as well as putting $10 million more into job training; streamlining the small business permitting process; increasing state contracting for small, women and minority-owned businesses; banning harmful mortgage lending practices; and creating a new foreclosure prevention hotline.

Deeds has also stressed finding solutions to Virginia's transportation problems as key to helping the commonwealth's economy, including the importance of bringing high-speed rail to the state and expanding existing freight and passenger rail. He also wants to provide tax credits for businesses that offer workers options for telecommuting and flextime to reduce rush-hour traffic; strengthen oversight of the Virginia Department of Transportation; and work with military contractors and the Navy to invest in improvements to the Port of Virginia. He has also promoted the creation of a bi-partisan commission to provide recommendations on and build financing for transportation improvements throughout the commonwealth. If elected, Deeds said he would appoint the commission to begin work in December with recommendations to be reported in early 2010.

On transportation, McDonnell has said the state government first needs to build back the public trust after several failed plans to fund improvements before any future plan could succeed. Beyond that, McDonnell has a multi-point plan in which he said he would put a priority on projects that provide demonstrable benefits for the public over those who do not; tap into the $3 billion in unused transportation bonds from 2007 and issue at least $1 million in new bonds for transportation as the economy recovers; allow for transportation projects to be funded through excess revenue from any given budget year; and consider imposing tolls at the North Carolina border of I-85 and I-95.

Both candidates say they will place a priority on protecting Virginia's education system, laying out plans on how to support under-performing schools while providing more opportunities for specialized education. McDonnell has said he is interested in a variety of education initiatives, including supporting charter school development in the commonwealth; integrating mentoring programs in schools that promote an understanding of finance and crime and gang prevention; increasing online learning for both secondary and higher education; and appointing a Public School Turnaround Leader in the Department of Education to focus on at-risk schools and make recommendations for improving their performance.

In his plan, Deeds said he is interested in providing incentives in education through a "Virginia Forward" college scholarship program for students who commit to two years of public service. The program would be paid for by selling state surplus land and redirecting state debt collection to a trust fund. Deeds would also require each school to submit to an efficiency audit; create an audit loan fund to offset money school districts have to commit to efficiency efforts; and establish a bulk purchase program for school supplies in bulk in individual school districts. Deeds says he also is committed to expanding pre-K education and making higher education more widely available and affordable to residents.

Both candidates have full plans for other issues facing Virginians, from energy and the environment to public safety and health care on their respective Web sites.

Lieutenant Governor

Bill Bolling-Republican

Home: Mechanicsville

Occupation: Vice President, Riggs, Counselman, Michaels and Downes, independent insurance agency

Web site: www.billbolling.com

Education: B.S. political science, University of Charleston, WV

Experience: Virginia Lieutenant Governor, 2005-present; member Virginia Senate 1996-2005; Hanover County Board of Supervisors 1991-1995.

Jody M. Wagner-Democrat

Home: Virginia Beach

Occupation: Co-owner of Jody's, a popcorn and confections shop

Web site: www.jodyforva.com

Education: bachelor's degree, Northwestern University; law degree, Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Experience: Virginia Secretary of Finance, 2006-2008; Virginia State Treasurer 2002-2006.

With all the focus on the race to succeed Gov. Tim Kaine (D) in Richmond, it has been easy to overlook the candidates on the ballot for the lieutenant governor's seat, especially since the candidates have not created a strong presence within the county. But the two people vying for the responsibility of overseeing the Virginia Senate are no strangers to the workings of state government. Republican Bill Bolling is seeking his second term at lieutenant governor, after cutting a path through county and state government since the early 90s. Democrat Jody Wagner has spent the past seven years working on the finances of Richmond, first as the state treasurer under former Gov. Mark Warner and then as Secretary of Finance under Kaine.

Like the gubernatorial candidates, both candidates for lieutenant governor have focused their campaign on plans to create jobs in the commonwealth and to increase transportation funding. Both have said they provide the best option to help bring Republican and Democrats together to find a transportation solution for the commonwealth.

Along with gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, Bolling has touted the fast tracking of urgently needed road projects. Bolling is also supporting McDonnell's plan to issue $4 billion in new transportation bonds, requiring that 75 percent of future budget surpluses be dedicated to transportation and establishing regional accounts at the Virginia Department of Transportation to allow Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to keep their tax revenue to pay for transportation projects.

For her plan, Wagner has supported finding a long-term solution to the transportation issues, but has gone on the record saying she does not believe raising taxes would be the right option given the current economic climate. She has advocated for more investment in rail and public transit as well as promoting "smart growth" development policies so commuting will not be a requirement for all residents.

Wagner's economic plan includes strategies to keep Virginia's pro-business position and help those trying to survive the economic turmoil. She is calling for a streamlining of the process to start a business and increased procurement from women- and minority-owned businesses as well as being a proponent of expanding high-growth industries that will have sustainable job growth for the commonwealth, such as research and development and "green" businesses. She is a supporter of using incentives to attract businesses in those sectors to Virginia.

Bolling is also supporting McDonnell's plan for creating jobs in Virginia, and the two men are running on a common platform. Among the initiatives Bolling has gone on record about supporting are the $1,000 per job incentive for businesses creating green energy jobs, making additional investments in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Tourism Council and the Virginia Film Office, and naming a Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade to focus on rural economic development. Bolling is also supportive of doubling the Governor's Opportunity Fund and allowing greater access to the discretionary fund for businesses.

More information about both candidates' plans can be found on their respective Web sites.

Attorney General

Ken Cuccinelli-Republican

Home: Fairfax

Occupation: Attorney, Cuccinelli and Day.

Web site: www.cuccinelli.com

Education: B.S. engineering, University of Virginia; master's and law degree, George Mason University

Experience: Member Virginia Senate 2002-present; serves on the Courts of Justice, Local Government, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Transportation committees; member of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Project, the Public/Private Partnership Advisory Commission, the Commission on the Prevention of Human Trafficking, the Joint Subcommittee to Study Liability Protections for Health Care Providers, and the Virginia Supreme Court Commission on Mental Health in the Justice System.

Steve Shannon-Democrat

Home: Fairfax

Occupation: Attorney, special counsel to the law firm of Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, PC

Web site: www.shannon2009.com

Education: B.A. Fairfield University, MA; master's degree public policy Georgetown University; law degree University of Virginia School of Law.

Experience: Member of the House of Delegate 2004-present; serves on the Education, Appropriations and Agriculture, the Chesapeake and Natural Resources committees; former Fairfax County prosecutor; co-founded the AMBER Alert system in Northern Virginia; served on the Commission on Sexual Violence, as chairman of the Committee on Treatment and Intervention.

The race to take over as Virginia's top attorney has often gotten heated, with both candidates saying the other will not be as tough on crime and criminals. Both Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Steve Shannon have created platforms of putting public safety first, followed closely by helping Virginia recover from the economic decline.

To help address gangs and crime, Shannon has taken a position in favor of prevention and intervention with children, including support for mentoring and after-school programs; expanding the gang participation statute to allow for more charges to be brought against criminals; and increasing the penalties for gang recruitment. On drunk driving, Shannon says he would like to see Gov. Tim Kaine's Checkpoint Strikeforce Initiative expanded to cover roadways on weekends throughout the year as well as increasing education for youth and at-risk groups.

Cuccinelli has supported plans by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell's plan to impose tougher minimum sentences for habitual drug dealers; require lifetime monitoring of violent sexual predators not eligible for civil commitment; introduce the model of multi-jurisdictional grand juries, as have been used in the Shenandoah Valley, to other areas of Virginia; and making failure to register as a sex offender a felony. He has also said that continued improvements to the state's mental health system are a priority to keeping Virginians safe. He has advocated for increased protection of property rights, and has said he will work for a Constitutional amendment securing those rights.

For businesses, Cuccinelli advocates keeping taxes low for businesses so they can stay in business as well as making the budget and the process of setting that budget as transparent as possible. Shannon has pointed to his work with Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) on finance and budget issues as evidence of his support for businesses and has said finding a solution for transportation is going to be key to helping businesses grow.

13th House District

John Bell-Democrat

Home: South Riding

Occupation: Retired Major, United States Air Force

Web site: www.johnbell2009.com

Education: B.A. business administration, Regis University, Denver, CO

Experience: Served 26 years with the U.S. Air Force, working as a finance officer all over the world; named the 2006 Outstanding Contributor in the Air Force to Financial Management and Comptrollership.

Robert Marshall-Republican

Home: Manassas

Occupation: Independent research consultant

Web site: www.delegatebob.com

Education: associate's degree, Montgomery Junior College, MD; B.A. Belmont Abbey College, NC; master's degree, California State University, CA.

Experience: Member of the House of Delegates 1992-present; serves on the Finance Committee, the Science and Technology Committee and the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee.

The 13th District race pits long-time incumbent Bob Marshall against political newcomer John Bell. Marshall has long rallied against taxes and, more recently, the use of federal stimulus funds for infrastructure projects in his district, instead focusing on alternative forms of funding, including naming rights for stadiums. Marshall also led the fight against the 2007 transportation bill, challenging the legislation that would have let a non-elected body raise money for transportations. Marshall is a proponent of redistricting to give Northern Virginia the votes it needs to change the funding formula, allowing for more tax money to stay in the region.

Bell has advocated for the addition of bus rapid transit service along major roads in his district, expanding the ride share-type programs along I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road; and using practical design options, like ones used in other states, to find ways to build roads at a lower cost.

When it comes to the economy, both Marshall and Bell have said looking at the 2002 Wilder Commission report on government efficiency will help find additional opportunities for savings in the state government. Marshall also supports finding alternative ways to alleviate the pressure on the state budget, including implementing a state voucher system that would allow parents to switch their children to private school and placing cost-saving councils to oversee each of the secretaries of the commonwealth to ensure efficiency.

Bell has called for the support of new industries, such as renewable energy and electronic medical records, that have the potential of new job growth for the commonwealth; the streamlining of government contract bidding to give opportunities for small businesses to bid; and promoting online software programs to give accounting and financial planning advice to small businesses.

32nd House District

Thomas "Tag" Greason-Republican

Home: Ashburn

Occupation: Executive Vice President, Current Analysis, Inc.

Web site: www.vote4tag.com

Education: U.S. Military Academy at West Point; MBA, George Mason University

Experience: Veteran, US Army and Virginia National Guard; served on the Loudoun County Economic Development Commissioner; Vice Chair of Membership, Boy Scouts of America, Goose Creek.

David Poisson-Democrat

Home: Cascades

Occupation: Attorney, Of Counsel, Howe, Anderson & Steyer

Web site: www.delegatepoisson.com

Education: B.A. sociology and masters of education, University of Massachusetts; Ph.D education and Juris Doctorate, University of Arizona

Experience: House of Delegates 2006-present; serves on the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee and the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee.

In a race that has turned personal in the last few weeks, Democratic Del. David Poisson is facing a challenge from Republican Thomas "Tag" Greason to represent eastern and central Loudoun.

Seeking his third term in the General Assembly, Poisson has again put a priority focusing on transportation, a continued top concern for residents. Poisson supports looking for a new crossing for the Potomac River to offer commuters another route besides the beltway or Rt. 15 to Maryland; bringing rail to Loudoun and pushing for tax credits for toll road commuters who use the electronic pay system, a bill that has garnered interest, although not enough votes in the past. Poisson has pressed for small, local road projects to become a priority as they can have large impacts on residents' day-to-day lives. A supporter of efforts in the General Assembly to come up with transportation funding, Poisson has said it is incumbent on Richmond to take responsibility for the problem and the solution.

In his campaign, Greason has also noted the importance of transportation, calling for the Transportation Trust Fund to be protected to ensure the money only goes for transportation projects; promoting bus rapid transit and Metro; and transferring control of roads, bridges and streets to local governments. Greason has also promoted teleworking, flex schedules and broadband improvements as ways to get cars off the roads.

One of Greason's largest campaign points is the goal to lower taxes for residents and provide incentives for businesses locating in the commonwealth. Greason supports protecting Virginia's Right to Work law and tax credits for small businesses to help them expand in their local communities. Supporting small businesses, he has said, will be the best hope for turning Virginia's economy around.

Through his last term, Poisson has been an advocate for doing state business differently in Richmond, especially when it comes to Alcohol and Beverage Control and the state lottery. He has said the main job of the government, particularly in tough economic times, is to educate children, provide health care for employees and keep residents safe in their communities, and it is time to rethink certain programs. Poisson has supported tax credits for businesses that hire honorably discharged veterans in new jobs.

A proponent of higher education, Poisson has supported legislation that would make higher education more available and more affordable for all graduating seniors in Virginia. He has also been a leader in trying to get health insurance mandated for treatment of autism spectrum disorder, an idea that was a hot-button issue in Richmond last year.

For education, Greason has advocated for more control for local school boards in making decisions about how state money is distributed in their school system. He has also supported charter school establishment and an increase in online classrooms.

67th House District

Chuck Caputo-Democrat

Home: Oak Hill

Occupation: Telecommunication engineer, retired

Web site: www.delegatecaputo.com

Education: B.S. electrical engineering, City College of New York; M.S. administration,

George Washington University

Experience: House of Delegates 2006-present; serves on the Finance Committee and the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee; member, Fairfax County School Board 1980-1985.

James LeMunyon-Republican

Home: Oak Hill

Occupation: CEO of HexaTech Inc.

Web site: www.lemunyon09.com

Education: B.S. physics and mathematics, Valparaiso University; M.S. meteorology, University of Wisconsin

Experience: served as chief of staff to Republican Rep. Ed Zschau (CA); Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce 1989-1993; adjunct faculty member, George Mason University, international transactions graduate program.

As in almost every race in Northern Virginia, transportation has become the top issue in the 67th district, which covers western Fairfax and parts of eastern Loudoun.

After being part of the debate about transportation during the past several General Assembly sessions, Democrat Chuck Caputo remains an advocate of finding new solutions for transportation funding. He is an advocate of the High Occupancy Toll lanes, with vehicles with more than three passengers riding in the lanes for free. Caputo supports the extension of Metro through Fairfax and Loudoun counties and has made the widening of Rt. 50 one of his top transportation priorities. Caputo also has spoken out about a need for a new formula in transportation funding and suggested basing it on lane miles traveled might be a way to ensure Northern Virginia gets more of the money it sends to Richmond.

In his campaign, Republican Jim LeMunyon has also come out in support of mass transit as well as establishing priorities for road projects that get the most for the state's money as well as finding a way to bring more money back to Northern Virginia. What may be the most likely way, he has said, is to ensure Northern Virginia has a strong voice in the redistricting of the General Assembly to get more votes for the region. LeMunyon has brought attention to the $3 billion in unspent transportation bonds, saying the timeline needs to be accelerated to address the most urgent needs. LeMunyon has also said promoting technology that would provide drivers with an immediate re-route to avoid congestion could help spread cars along Northern Virginia's roads.

LeMunyon has supported the idea of a fund to help improve and expand existing schools in the commonwealth as well as open enrollment for schools that would allow children and parents to attend the school of their choice within their school system. He has also supported a second magnet school similar to Thomas Jefferson High School in western Fairfax or eastern Loudoun.

In education, Caputo has voted for continued raises in teachers' pay, saying that attracting the best teachers is key to Virginia's continued success in education. Caputo advocates for a capping of out-of-state students admitted to state universities, offering more opportunities for Virginia students as well as community college transfer scholarships to help cover the cost for students seeking a four-year degree at a Virginia college. Caputo believes supporting the community college system is key to helping improve the education of Virginia's workforce and to offer ongoing education opportunities for those already working.

To help Virginia businesses, Caputo proposed legislation that would extend the sunset date for tax credits for large business facilities, an action that would give a $1,000 tax credit per job over two years to new companies that create more than 100 new jobs. He also favors improving unemployment benefits to provide support for people undergoing job training while unemployed.

To spur economic growth, LeMunyon said it is important for Virginia to remove any regulations that hinder business development or establishment and limit non-infrastructure state spending to a formula of inflation plus population growth, designed to control the size of government. LeMunyon said he also wants to make the General Assembly more transparent, looking for changes to the Web site that would make it easier to check Delegates' votes as well as posting state expenditures online.

86th House District

Tom Rust-Republican

Home: Herndon

Occupation: Chairman, Patton, Harris, Rust and Associates, P.C.

Web site: www.tomrust.org

Education: B.S. civil engineering Virginia Tech; master's degrees in public works engineering, George Washington University, and in urban and environmental planning, University of Virginia

Experience: House of Delegates 2002-present; serves on the Commerce & Labor, Education, Transportation, and Science and Technology committees; mayor Town of Herndon 1976-1984, 1990-2001; Herndon Town Council 1971-1976; Herndon Planning Commission 1971-1973

Stevens Miller-Democrat

Home: Sterling

Occupation: owner, Data Forensics Labs, Inc.

Web site: www.stevensmiller.com

Education: B.S. Amherst College, master's degree Stevens Institute of Technology; Juris Doctor, New York Law School.

Experience: Loudoun County supervisor 2008-present; serves as chairman of Public Safety/Human Services Committee; member of the Economic Development Committee, Finance, Government Services & Operations Committee, and Energy and Environment Committee; served on the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission and Zoning Ordinance Review Committee.

After serving almost two years on the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, Stevens Miller (D-Dulles) takes on former Town of Herndon mayor and long-time incumbent, Republican Del. Tom Rust.

Known locally as the "transportation guy," Rust has been in the forefront of transportation issues in the General Assembly and the 2009 campaign is no different. He has said every option needs to be on the table for discussion when it comes to transportation funding as the problem has reached a crisis point. Rust has called for bi-partisan ideas to create both a statewide and a regional component for funding to ensure that Northern Virginia gets its fair share of the money.

Miller also has been a proponent of comprehensive transportation solutions, but has said he does not believe raising new revenue is necessarily the answer. He says the starting point must be a thorough examination of the state budget to see if there are potential savings and money that could be going to transportation. Miller said job creation outside the inner core of Washington, DC, is key to remove cars from congested roadways, as well as supporting mass transit options.

When it comes to the economy, Rust has remained a proponent of keeping taxes low and has said the state should remain focused on its main priorities for funding: public safety, education, human services and transportation. To help struggling families, Rust has supported increases to unemployment benefits, including the extension of benefits to 72 weeks, an increase in weekly benefits by $25, extension of COBRA insurance and keeping eligible Virginians from falling off the program rolls.

Miller said one of the keys to improving the state's economy is making choices and has said he will oppose measures that do not spend the taxpayers' money wisely. He also points out that there are ways to make government work better for businesses without costing the taxpayers anything, pointing to the county's work on the sign ordinance to ease regulations for businesses.

Education remains a top priority for both candidates, with Rust noting the importance of funding higher education opportunities. He says the state must continue its investment in its higher education system, as well as continue to its commitment to K-12 education and teachers' salaries. Miller says funding pre-kindergarten education and after-school programs, particularly for at-risk children is important. Miller also believes the Composite Index must change to ensure that Northern Virginia is receiving enough of its money back to support its education system to the fullest potential.