Vol. 39, No. 1 www.arlingtondemocrats.org January 2014 Trio seek to succeed Zimmerman Three candidates have so far announced they The filing deadline for candidates is not until are running for the Democratic nomination to suc- January 20, so more candidates may yet enter the ceed Chris Zimmerman on the County Board. fray. They are, in alphabetical order: The Democratic candidate will be chosen at a • Peter Fallon, who ran in a similar race for the party caucus to be held Thursday night, January 30, nomination for an open County Board seat two years and all-day Saturday, February 1. The two dates ago. He has long been active in the party. He cur- are used for the caucus to maximize turnout. rently serves on the county Planning Commission. That will set off what is expected to be a com- • Alan Howze, who sought the nomination in petitive race for the special election to be held in 2009 for the House of Delegates seat now held by late February or early March. The election date has Patrick Hope. He also worked for not yet been set by the Circuit Court. when he was governor and was co-chair of the Whoever wins will only serve out the remain- party’s annual Joint Campaign Committee a few ing months of Zimmerman’s term, which expires Ring in Year years ago. next December, and will face the electorate again • Cord Thomas, who was co-founder of the in November. Envirocab company and is now co-owner of Eleva- The caucus will be different than in the past Democratically tion Burger. because the county party has decided to adopt “In- stant Runoff Voting,” sometimes The traditional New Year’s Day called “Ranked Order Balloting,” Democratic get-together will be held so that the nominee will be cho- this year, as last, at the home of County sen by a majority and not just a Board Member Mary Hynes in plurality of voters. (See article Clarendon. on Page Fivc explaining the new All Dems are invited to this free Caucus balloting voting procedure.) social gathering to ring in the new year One additional candidate, John before everyone rolls up their sleeves Vihstadt, has announced that he for elections and caucuses galore. over two months will run against the Democratic The New Year’s Day event begins candidate in the special election at noon and runs until about 2 p.m. The Democratic Caucus to select a nominee to succeed that follows the caucus. Folks traditionally begin gathering as Chris Zimmerman on the County Board will be held over Vihstadt was once active in the soon as the County Board’s annual two days to enable more voters to participate. local Republican Party. He has kickoff meeting, which starts at 11 announced he will run as an in- a.m., wraps up about noon. Thursday, January 30 dependent. But he has also said Those attending are asked to bring 7-9 p.m. he will seek the endorsements of along breads, light sweets, wines and Key Elementary School both the Republican and Green cider for this event—for which the On Veitch Street between Wilson Blvd and Lee Highway parties in the county. Kitchen Crew is given a pass. Accessible from the Courthouse Metro station The Democratic Party has pro- Hynes home is at 1503 North gressively become more domi- Highland Street, which is one block Saturday, February 1 nant in the county over the last north of Wilson Boulevard in 11 a.m.-7 p.m. two decades until at this point it Clarendon. It is also one block north Kenmore Middle School normally wins every precinct in of the Clarendon Metro station. There On Carlin Springs Road beside Route 50 every election. The only time the is loads of parking available in garages party has been challenged at the in Clarendon, but street parking around To be eligible to vote in the caucus, you must be regis- County Board level in the last two the house is restricted. tered to vote in Arlington County. Each voter will also be decades has been at special elec- The get-together is primarily a so- asked to sign a pledge stating that he or she is a Democrat tions—like the upcoming one— cial opportunity, but given the upcom- and does not plan at the time of the caucus to support anyone where the turnout is low. ing caucuses to pick a County Board other the Democratic nominee. That pledge is intended to The last time the GOP won a nominee and School Board endorsee, discourage Republicans from voting in a Democratic Party county post was in 1999 when it candidates are likely to be available in procedure. won a County Board seat in a spe- profusion for button-holing. continued on page seven ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman Reflections As most of you know, on January 8, Ball, ensuring ACDC has a rainy day fund to sue is occupying our attention at that moment. 2014, after four years and two terms, I will protect us against any contingency. And we I am keenly aware that this sense of com- not be seeking re-election as Chair of the Ar- have established as the new norm an unprec- munity is not new. ACDC’s success is built lington County Democratic Committee. That edented level of integration with individual on decades of work by extraordinary leaders, means that this is my last Chair’s Column in campaigns that has only amplified our already many of whom are still involved in our orga- The Voice. As I approach this transition, I can- strong campaign infrastructure. nization. We carry their legacy each day, and not help but reflect on the amazing four years But beyond these structural and cam- recognize that much of the success we now you have given me in this position. paign achievements, the thing I am most proud experience can be traced back to their hard We have an awful lot to be proud of as of in the Arlington Democrats is that we have work and vision. Arlington Democrats. In the last four years, preserved and grown our sense of commu- I am excited by the energized team I see we have achieved unprecedented success at nity. Many of us come to the Arlington Demo- moving into ACDC’s new leadership, and I the ballot box – achieving a remarkable un- crats because of our political beliefs – indeed, know that they are well positioned to carry defeated record in general and special elec- promoting Democratic values through Demo- on this legacy. I have every confidence that tions (34-0), with Democrats now occupying cratic candidates is the purpose of our orga- they will take an already strong party and every elected office representing Arlington at nization. make it even stronger, and I am looking for- any level. We have embraced technology and But what we find in ACDC is something ward to working with them in that effort. used it to modernize our party and campaign more. We find a family, united in shared val- So in this final Chair’s Column, let me infrastructure through a new website, new ues and shared purpose. We find a group of close with a sincere thank you to all of you volunteer management system, new systems people who genuinely care about Arlington for allowing me to serve as your Chair, and to track and better engage contributors, and and the broader world around them. We find for all you do to make our Arlington Demo- outreach to new communities through a pano- a team willing to spend their free time carry- cratic party and Arlington community great. ply of web, social media, traditional media, ing a laboring oar on the campaign trail, know- I am honored to have worked with each of and campaign resources. We have solidified ing that others in our organization are doing you, and I have no doubt that the Arlington our financial position through our Roosevelt the same. And we find lifelong friendships County Democratic Committee will continue Society, JJ dinners, and a Inaugural that endure beyond whatever campaign or is- to shine brightly and achieve even greater successes in the months and years to come.

Jerry Botland Computer Consulting Troubleshoot and resolve computer and computer related problems. Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. Transfer old files, address book and emails from an old computer to a new one. Final blow Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] At the last Steering Committee meeting presided over by Chairman Mike Lieberman, Steering members presented their retiring chief a huge and brightly colored plastic gavel—actually a child’s hammer—as a to- Published monthly by the ken of esteem. Arlington County Democratic Committee As the members broke open some bub- 2050 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200, Arlington VA 22201 (enter at rear) bly and stoked up on cookies, getting some- P.O. Box 7132, Arlington VA 22207 what disorderly in the process, Chairman Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 Mike decided to put the gavel to work. It http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org bounced on the table and produced a some- Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] what squishy sound rather than the sharp re- Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] tort one expects from a gavel. Deputy Editor: Eric Wiener — (703) 524-6899 (h), [email protected] But Lieberman seemed pleased with the Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC gift and one member of the committee com- unless expressly approved by an appropriate committee resolution mented that it represented the chairman’s Copyright ©2014, ACDC, All Rights Reserved “even keeldom” during his four years as chair. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 3 Strike up the Next Monthly Meeting All Dems Invited band! It’s Wednesday, January 8, at 7 p.m. NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd reorg time Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street It’s the start of an even-numbered year, and that always means the county committee This month’s meeting will include both the bien- elects its officers and precinct captains at the nial elections for ACDC officers and a debate among January membership meeting. All 15 elective offices on the Steering the announced candidates for the County Board nomi- Committee and all 118 precinct captaincies nation. The party elections are described on this page. throughout the county are up for election at The debate will be the first in a series across the county the Wednesday, January 8, meeting in the usual meeting room in the NRECA building. by the Board candidates. Anyone wishing to run should file a form in advance. A filing fee of $25 is suggested, but can be waived if the fee is burdensome. The forms are available on the committee website at www.ArlingtonDemocrats.org. cinct captain in decades. In fact, the problem called a reorganization, as that is the term used The rules and procedures are also posted there. in a county with considerable turnover is find- in the State Party Plan, which is the term for Candidates can run for one precinct cap- ing enough people to fill all 118 captaincies. the state party by-laws. taincy and one Steering Committee position The captains will be elected first. Then All candidate forms must be received by at the same time. the Steering Committee will be elected with Chairman Lieberman no later than 7 p.m. All posts have two-year terms. the newly-minted captains as the electorate. Monday, January 6, to make it onto the ballot. There are periodically contested elec- Chairman Mike Lieberman, who has tions for Steering Committee positions, but served four years, is retiring. there hasn’t been a contested election for pre- The January 8 party election is formally Go to 2nd Sat Correction to last issue The photo of the new AYD board that mediate Past President Lauren Hall; Secre- Breakfast on appeared in last month’s issue had a truly tary Matt Brown; President Max Burns; Com- botched up caption. We managed to get only munity Service Director Maggie Davis; Vice three of the seven names attached to the cor- President Alex Williams; and Party Represen- rect faces—a stunning error rate of 57 per- tative Josh Katcher. Not pictured were Trea- 1st Saturday cent! The caption should have read: From surer Wendy Lue and Political Director There used to be a lot of chuckles about left: Outreach Director Harry Blackwood; Im- Amanda Hermann. how the “First Saturday Breakfast” often had to be moved to the second Saturday, so the powers-that-be just switched it permanently to become the “Second Saturday Breakfast.” Funny thing, but now the January Second Bumper Sticker Saturday Breakfast has had to be moved to— you guessed it—the first Saturday. of the Month That will be January 4, just as everyone is hard at work learning to write 2014 instead of 2013. The guests will be the candidates for the County Board nomination, who number three as of this writing. Here is an opportunity to ask them the questions you have. The breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m., as per usual, and will be held at the Shirlington Bus- boys and Poets, as per usual, and coordinator Charley Conrad asks that you bring cash rather than plastic, as per usual. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 4 About 80 Donkey Ears AYDs mark Listening to the doings of Arlington’s Dems holidays, as overheard by new board Dan Steen and Mädi Green Arlington Young Dems celebrated the Finally! Virginia Robinson, long time J-J Dinner organizer, and Jordan holidays in grand fashion December 6 as Higgins, one-time ACDC tech chief, have been a pair for about five years. But AYD took over the Penthouse Club Room at they only got engaged in December. Jordan managed to give the overdue event the Meridian at Courthouse Commons. Over some excitement, however, by performing his role during the couple’s Escape- 80 Democrats joined together for a night of DC-Before-the-Storm vacation in Calabash Cove on St. Lucia in the Caribbean. fun to look back on the past year, inaugurate Virginia emailed, “Well, that was a nice way to start our vacation.”. the new AYD executive board and partake in Grounded is airborne: Bob Rosen, spouse of County Board Member Jay Fisette, general holiday merriment. A number of awards were given at the has written six business books in his career. His latest, “Grounded,” details event. Del. Alfonso Lopez was awarded the how leaders can stay rooted and become more self-aware by focusing on six Warren G. Stambaugh Outstanding Democrat personal forces. But “Grounded” has now become airborne; it ranked Number of the Year Award for his advocacy and tire- Three in November on best seller list for business books. less work on behalf of the party. Michelle Passages: Bruce van Voorst, husband of former Voice editor Barbara van Woods was dubbed the AYD Newcomer of Voorst, passed away December 9 from complications of two bad falls over a the Year. Max Burns was awarded AYD of four-month period. He was 81. Bruce was a long-time correspondent for the Year for, among other things, his service as AYD vice president and Joint Campaign Newsweek and Time, serving as bureau chief in Bonn and Buenos Aires for co-chair. The Unsung Hero Award was a tie Newsweek and then in the Middle East, Brussels and Bonn (again) for Time. He this year, going to Josh Katcher and Shawn was also Newsweek’s diplomatic correspondent, traveling extensively with Logue. Henry Kissinger, and was Time’s National Security correspondent, covering the “I was honored to receive an award like CIA (where he also worked for a few years after college), the Pentagon, the this from a group I hold in such high esteem,” State Department and Congress. He was a regular contributor to the MacNeil- said Burns. “I’m looking forward to accom- Lehrer News Hour in the early 1990s. In retirement, he became an accom- plishing great things with this team.” Burns was inaugurated during the event as AYD plished watercolorist and pursued studies of a wide range of issues from the president for 2014, along with the rest of the Book of Job to nano-technology. He also served for a time on the Board of new executive board. Rosslyn Renaissance. A memorial service will be held in the DC area at a later Elected officials and candidates for of- date and his ashes will be buried in his home town of Holland, Michigan, in the fice were in attendance for the festivities: in spring. addition to Lopez were Sen. , Postscript: The Great Gift Scandal of 2013 erupted after it was discovered that ACDC Chair Mike Lieberman, County Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli had taken no action on a tax case filed against Board candidates Cord Thomas and Peter Star Scientific Inc. Then it was learned that Star Scientific’s owner, Jonnie Fallon and School Board candidate Greg Greeley. Williams, had given extensive gifts to Cuccinelli, Gov. Bob McDonnell and AYD’s next monthly meeting is Janu- McDonnell’s family. The gifts became a major backdrop to the 2013 guberna- ary 15 at 7 p.m. at the NRECA building in torial campaign. Strange as it may seem, the tax case has now been settled out Ballston. The meeting will feature a debate of court—weeks after the election and weeks before the expiry of Cuccinelli’s among the declared Democratic candidates term as attorney general. Star Scientific will pay $975,000 to settle the tax for County Board. claim, about half the $1.8 million that Star Scientific said in a report to inves- “This will be a great opportunity for tors was its tax liability to the commonwealth, including penalties. Arlington’s young people to get to know the candidates better and ask about the issues they Virginia is for driving lovers: The commonwealth will start issuing a new license care about,” said Alex Williams, AYD vice plate design March 1. When you get new plates after that date, they will carry president. “The January meeting should be the “Virginia is for lovers” slogan across the bottom with a heart for the letter the first of a full year of compelling AYD pro- “o”. The plates will still be in the standard blue lettering on a white back- grams.” ground. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 5

The Cooch Corner—Keeping watch on our soon-to-be ex-AG Cooch warns GOP against compromise Ken Cuccinelli says he has now decided in a state of changing demographics. Cuccinelli said the flawed Obamacare rollout against running for senator next year, but he Cuccinelli, 45, said Republicans “can’t helped him close the gap in the final days of plans to stay active in the party and warned be shy about speaking up” for conservatism. the campaign. He suggested that he might fellow conservatives against the temptation “I jokingly tell people I’m a Republican have won if the race had gone on a few more to compromise. because we’re wrong less,” he said. “We’ve days. Cuccinelli had indicated last month that got all our own issues, but when we are the And he said that Warner, who voted for he was considering a run next fall against Sen. party of principle, people rally to that. the law in the Senate, is vulnerable next year Mark Warner. But in a speech this month, he “If the Republican Party isn’t there to because of Obamacare’s problems. firmly ruled out that race. protect [principles], there’s nobody left and “He lied to Virginians, and they’re go- But the main theme of a 30-minute din- we need to remember that,” he said. “They ing to be reminded of that for 11 months,” he ner speech at The Homestead to GOP activists need to be what defines us as Republicans and said. “Mark Warner gave you Obamacare!” was the need to hold firm to conservative prin- not to say we need to set that aside today for But he then quickly added: “And, by ciples and not to compromise, as many in the some short-term advantage.” the way, just so you’re clear, I’m not running party say the GOP must if it wants to win again As he did in his concession speech, against Mark Warner. I’m making a point.” ACDC chooses an ‘Instant Runoff’ system for balloting in party caucuses ACDC has adopted a new procedure for voters by beating up the candidate they like County Board nomination. If none of them voting in caucuses so that candidates who win because you are then likely to be ranked last gets a majority on the first ballot count, the will be selected by majority vote and not just for the instant runoff. votes cast for the third-placed candidate will a plurality. IRV and ROB were adopted by ACDC be redistributed to those voters’ second The system is called Instant Runoff Vot- in December to be used at the County Board choices and one of the others will instantly ing (IRV) or Ranked Order Balloting (ROB). and School Board caucuses in the New Year. have a majority. The names of the brothers, IRV and ROB, So far, there are three candidates for the The new system was proposed by the reveal the system. Steering Committee because ACDC caucuses In Ranked Order Balloting (ROB), the have tended to draw more candidates in re- voter doesn’t just cast his vote for a single cent years. For example, the 2008 School candidate, he ranks the candidates on the bal- Board caucus drew six candidates and the lot, placing a 1 next to his or her first choice, 2012 County Board Caucus saw five candi- a 2 next to the second preference and a 3 next dates. With six candidates, one can theoreti- to the third choice, and so on. cally win in a traditional plurality election This produces Instant Runoff Voting 4 with just 17 percent of the vote. (IRV). In other words, if no candidate gets a This “new” voting procedure is actually majority, the ballots cast for the last placed a century old. It was first used nationally in candidate are taken up and their votes are re- 1918 in Australia and has been used in Nor- cast for their second choice in an instant run- way and the Netherlands since 1945. It only off with no need for voters to come back to drew attention in the in this cen- the polling place a week or two later. This tury, however. It has been adopted so far by “instant runoff” process is repeated until one 11 municipalities. Locally, Takoma Park, candidate gets a majority of the vote. 5 Maryland, has used it for municipal elections Besides guaranteeing a majority and since 2007. The largest cities in the United avoiding the time and expense of returning States to use it are Minneapolis, St. Paul and for a runoff, IRV and ROB have been found San Francisco. to have an added benefit: the system discour- San Francisco has been using it every ages negative campaigning. This is because RANKED VOTING — Unlike November for municipal elections since 2004. everyone running in a multi-candidate race is in the ordinary ballot system, In the mayoral election of 2011, there were not only seeking to get your vote, but alterna- 15 candidates. The city went through 11 re- tively to be your second choice if you are sup- under the new voting procedure distributions of bottom-candidate votes before porting someone else. In other words, under adopted by ACDC you can le- Ed Lee finally got a majority and was declared IRV and ROB, it doesn’t pay to offend any gitimately vote often. the winner. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 6 Two State Senate seats now crucial to win The election of two Democratic state senators to statewide office—Ralph Northam as lieutenant governor and as attorney general—opens up two Senate seats for special elections in January, and Demo- crats must win both to take control of the State Senate, The Senate is currently divided 20-20 with Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, a Re- publican, casting the tie-breaking vote. But after January 11, the lieutenant gov- ernor will be Northam. Yet, unless he and Herring are both replaced by Democrats, Northam’s tie-breaking vote may not mean a lot. Both Herring’s district and Northam’s are generally viewed as leaning Democratic— but not leaning too far! Virginia GOP Chairman Pat Mullins said, “We pick up either one of those two seats and we are in control of the Senate, which would be wonderful. So that’s what our total focus is.” Both races are clearly competitive. Ar- lington volunteers have already been hard at work phoning into the two districts and will . . . for Northam seat . . . for Herring seat continue to do so up to the two Election Days next month. The phone bank is currently running at Here is a rundown on the two special tion for January 21, 10 days after Herring ACDC headquarters every Monday and elections, becomes attorney general and 13 days after Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Interested volunteers the General Assembly begins its 60-day ses- who would prefer to call from home on their Ralph Northam’s seat sion. So the seat will be vacant for the start own schedule can be given a call sheet. You Northam’s district includes a densely of the session, but will be filled when floor may contact Charley Conrad at populated segment of Norfolk at the end of votes start coming in large volume. [email protected] to volunteer either the tunnel familiar to beach-goers, plus all of The Senate race has already turned into at HQ or to call from home. the Eastern Shore, plus Matthews County on a fascinating one as a Republican shunned by Beyond the tie-breaking vote, there is the the Rappahannock River. It is comprised of the GOP establishment has decided to enter question of how to organize the Senate; the three geographically separated and culturally the race as an independent. Thus, this will be GOP took a majority on committees two years distinct communities. More than half the vot- a three-way race between two Republicans ago despite the 20-20 breakdown. And they ers are in Norfolk. and a Democrat. Some forecast a replay of don’t want to change that. The special election there has been set the 1912 presidential race when two Repub- Jeff Ryer, the spokesman for the Senate for January 7. Hopefully the Democratic win- licans, Theodore Roosevelt and William Republican Caucus, told the Richmond Times- ner there can be sworn-in the next day and Howard Taft, split the GOP vote and made Dispatch, “It is the position of the Senate take his seat that same day as the Senate opens Woodrow Wilson president. Republicans that the Senate organized for a its 2014 session. The ringer is Del. Joe May, who an- period of four years, which it did in January The Democratic nominee is Lynwood nounced his plans to run for the GOP nomi- of 2012. And we anticipate that it will con- Lewis, who has held the Eastern Shore seat nation. But then local GOP leaders opted to tinue to operate under the organizational pa- in the House of Delegates for a decade. The pick their candidate through a mass meeting rameters set up at that time.” The next regu- GOP has chosen Wayne Coleman, a Norfolk rather than a firehouse primary. That peeved lar Senate elections are not until 2015. shipping executive who has never held elected May, who then decided to run as an indepen- Outgoing Lieutenant Governor Bolling office. dent. May has said that if he wins he will sit suggested the two parties talk it over. “With with the Republican caucus in the Senate. a new lieutenant governor coming in, the Sen- Mark Herring’s seat The GOP mass meeting chose John ate has a chance to reset the table,” he said. Herring’s district includes a large chunk Whitbeck, who is the chairman of the 10th “If they can agree on some sort of power-shar- of Fairfax County and stretches along the river Congressional District Republican Commit- ing arrangement, I think that would be great. through Loudoun County up to Leesburg. The tee and an attorney from Lansdowne. And it would probably avoid a lot of poten- district completely surrounds Dulles Airport. Whitbeck drew statewide attention in Septem- tial conflicts.” The governor has set the special elec- continued on next page Center)

ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 7 Two State Senate seats crucial to take Senate continued from previous page ber when he told an anti-Semitic joke at a rally for GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli. Whitbeck was forced to apolo- gize. The Democratic firehouse primary or caucus chose Jennifer Wexton, who is a Leesburg attorney and who made an unsuc- cessful bid to be Loudoun County’s commonwealth’s attorney in 2011. Whitbeck has assailed Wexton as anti- business and asserted that she would force workers to join unions, an impossibility in a right-to-work state like Virginia. May is a moderate Republican who lost re-nomination for the House of Delegates last year in the GOP primary to a Tea Party candi- date. Dems had hoped enough disappointed Republicans would abandon the Tea Party candidate in November, but that was not to TARGET DISTRICT — Mark Herring’s 33rd State Senate dis- be. trict surrounds Dulles Airport and runs from Chantilly in Fairfax , the Virginia Senate Demo- County to Leesburg in Loudoun County. cratic Leader, said, “We are going to spend what it takes to win this race. We’re not go- ing to be outspent. We’re not going to be out- campaigned.... No resources will be spared Trio seeks to succeed Zimmerman in this election.” continued from page one School at 2 p.m. • Thursday, January 23, at Glebe School cial election to fill a vacancy. But it lost that at 8 p.m. seat just months later in the November elec- • Monday, January 27, Drew School at 8 Correction tion when a much larger turnout elected a p.m. Democrat. The last three debates at public locales The table in last month’s issue on the The caucus candidates are so far sched- have been added in an effort to better publi- close elections for the House of Delegates uled to speak at at least six events before the cize the election contained three errors in the columns on can- caucus. They are: and give more vot- didate spending. Those have been corrected • Saturday, January 4, the Democratic Sec- ers the opportunity in the version of the December Voice found ond Saturday Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., in the to hear and to ques- in the Voice archives on the ACDC webpage. Shirlington Busboys and Poets. tion the candidates. The major error was for Atif Qarni, Demo- • Wednesday, January 8, during the cratic candidate in the 13th District, who was monthly county party meeting in NRECA, shown as spending $1,000 and being severely beginning at 7 p.m. outspent by incumbent Republican Bob • Wednesday, January 15, at the monthly Marshall, who spent $70,000. The final fig- meeting of the Arlington Young Democrats, ures, however, show Qarni spent $178,000 or beginning at 7:30 p.m. in NRECA 2-1/2 times more than Marshall. • Saturday, January 18, at the Campbell ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 8 Herring no longer has record for closest statewide race in modern Virginia history Mark Herring not only won his re-count in the attorney general’s race, but saw his hair- thin margin of victory expanded 5-1/2 times. On the other hand, it also meant he lost his distinction of being in the closest state- wide Virginia election in modern history. The mid-December recount surveyed voting results from all over the common- wealth—double-checking the printouts from electronic voting machines like those in Ar- lington, recounting paper ballots by hand, and re-running optical ballots with their filled-in ovals. Ballots about which local Electoral Boards had questions were sent to the three- judge state election court in Richmond for adjudication. The Electoral Board in each county is comprised of two members of the governor’s party and one of the other party— in other words, two Republicans and one Democrat. They sent only 122 ballots to Rich- mond. Before those challenged ballots were ad- dressed, the recount of the 2.2 million votes turned up 526 additional votes for Republi- APPREHENSION — The two attorney general candidates—Mark can Mark Obenshain, but 1,268 votes for Herring (left) and Mark Obenshain—look on in Richmond as the Herring. That meant Herring’s election night margin of 165 votes grew to 907. re-count in their race started. At that point, the 122 questioned ballots were not enough to make any difference in to use for this year’s campaign. With his by 360 votes after a recount. the outcome. Obenshain did not wait for ac- daughter driving as she had through much of In Arlington, the recount took only a few tion on those ballots. In a very gracious the campaign, they watched as the odometer hours and produced a two-vote gain for Her- speech, he conceded the election to Herring rolled over to 100,000 miles. “That’s a lot of ring and one challenged ballot that was a for- and the November 5, 2013, election finally father-daughter time,” Obenshain said with a warded to Richmond. came to an end on December 18. catch in his voice. Obenshain telephoned Herring to extend After the Election Day count, when Her- the concession personally and not just in a ring led by 165 ballots, he held the record for speech. Herring said the call meant a lot to the closest Boysko gains, him. “We talked a lot about Virginia and how s t a t e w i d e much our families have gone through during election in the campaign,” Herring said. modern Vir- but loses recount With the end of the Obenshain challenge, ginia history. There was another recount beside the one all the 122 contested ballots were counted as But after the in the Herring-Obenshain race. Democrat judged locally. recount, that , who fell just 54 votes short Herring’s victory gives Democrats con- “honor” was of upending Del. Tom Rust in Fairfax County, trol of all five statewide offices—governor, returned to was the subject of that recount. lieutenant governor, attorney general and two the 2005 at- Boysko picked up an additional 22 votes U.S. Senate seats—for the first time since t o r n e y in the 86th District recount, but that wasn’t 1969, 44 years ago. Of course, back then it g e n e r a l ’ s enough to make her the winner. The Boysko- was a different breed of Democrat in control. race, in Rust race was the closest for the House of And ironically, the Republican candidate who which now- Delegates this year. lost in that 1969 race for attorney general was Gov. Bob The final difference of just 32 votes Richard Obenshain, Mark Obenshain’s father. McDonnell amounted to 0.15 percent of the 20,775 votes Mark Obenshain rode to Richmond for d e f e a t e d BOYSKO cast. his concession speech in the car that he bought State Sen. . . . comes up short Boysko was outspent more than 2-to-1. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 9

Democratic Values in Action Surge needed to make goal! The Democratic Values in Action 350 will back date them to 2013.) (DVA) cereal drive had a huge post- You can also contribute cash in- election infusion but needs a lot more 270 stead and DVA will buy the cereal boxes. in the closing days of December to meet For you egg eaters, a typical; box of ce- its goal for 2013. real comes to about $2.50. Contact DVA The goal is 350 boxes. Tradition- chair Kim Klingler at ally, the cereal program goes into a funk [email protected] to make a last- in the heavy months of the fall cam- minute contribution. paign. And that’s just what happened There will also be a jar at the New during this year’s l-o-n-g summer and Year’s get-together where you can plunk fall gubernatorial campaign. down some cash that will be credited to At Thanksgiving, with 92 percent 2013. MORAN of the year expired, DVA had collected In the New Year, bring boxes of ce- . . . public safety secretary only 190 boxes or 54 percent of the an- real to any Dem meeting—the ACDC nual goal. monthly meeting, the Second Saturday But recent weeks have seen a Breakfast or the Arlington YD monthly surge, if we can use that word, with 80- meeting. Boxes are collected at all of them. boxes pouring in. That means another DVA is the community assistance Brian Moran 80 boxes are needed in the waning days and charitable arm of ACDC. The ce- of December to make the goal. real boxes are provided to the Arlington Bring boxes to the New Year’s Day Food Assistance Center (AFAC), which into Cabinet get-together at Mary Hynes’ house. (We aids those in need. Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe has named former party chair Brian Moran to be secretary of public safety in the McAuliffe cabinet. Arl. Historical Society lures McAuliffe announced the appointment in a news conference at the Arlington County Courthouse. Moran, 54, started his career as a prosecutor in Arlington for seven years, be- Dems who make local history fore he won a seat in the House of Delegates It isn’t complicated when you think from Alexandria in 1995. about it: today’s politics is tomorrow’s his- In 2009, Moran and McAuliffe battled tory, and today’s history is yesterday’s poli- for the Democratic nomination for governor tics. that was eventually won by Sen. Creigh That is the message from John Deeds, who went on to lose to Gov. Bob Richardson, president of the Arlington His- McDonnell. torical Society. exciting one for AHS. We are cranking up an The next year, Moran became chairman Richardson said that, just as it is impor- active program that will focus on support to of the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) tant for people who care about their commu- schools, minority communities, and neighbor- for two years. nity to be active in its political life, it is also hoods – all vital constituencies related to our In appointing Moran, McAuliffe cited important to be active in preserving and en- mission. We intend to undertake useful Moran’s efforts as a prosecutor and legislator hancing the community’s historical record. projects that will strengthen an eventual case to curb drunk driving and protect children Luckily, Arlington is blessed not only for a public-private partnership in support of from Internet predators. McAuliffe said, with vibrant political activity but also with Arlington history like that benefiting every “Keeping Virginians safe is the highest prior- the Arlington Historical Society, whose mis- other non-profit historical society in the met- ity of state government, and Brian Moran has sion is to help Arlingtonians better understand ropolitan region.” the talent, experience and education to under- the community through its history. The historical society’s website take that important mission as a member of AHS owns and maintains two historic (www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org) includes my cabinet.” properties, the 18th Century Ball-Sellers back issues of its newsletter and many other As secretary of public safety, Moran will House in Glencarlyn and the Hume School topics. AHS welcomes volunteers in a vari- head 11 state agencies, including the State Museum on South Arlington Ridge Rd., which ety of roles, including docenting at its historic Police, Alcoholic Beverage Control Depart- are open on weekend afternoons. AHS also properties and producing historical videos. ment, Department of Corrections, Emergency sponsors public lectures at the Central Library For more information on AHS and to volun- Management Department and the Parole on topics of local historic interest. teer, contact President Richardson at Board. Richardson said this year “will be an [email protected]. ACDC Voice, January 2014, Page 10 Wolf retirement opens new opportunity In a surprise announcement, Republican June’s primary. Foust, the first Wolf ceased representing Congressman Frank Wolf from the neighbor- officeholder to challenge Wolf Arlington after the 1992 elec- ing 10th District has said he will retire after in a quarter century, is consid- tion; the county has been rep- his current term, opening up a very competi- ered the Dem front-runner. resented by Jim Moran ever tive election next fall and giving Democrats With Rep. Jim Moran since. a good chance to take a fourth congressional considered a shoe-in for re- Wolf has been a consis- seat in Virginia. election in Arlington, many tent conservative voice on Wolf was first elected in the Reagan year local Democrats are likely to many issues, but has tussled of 1980, when the 10th District included Ar- drive up the GW Parkway to with the dominant anti-tax lington. He defeated incumbent Arlingtonian give the eventual Democratic wing of the GOP, refusing to Joe Fisher. In the redistricting after the 1990 nominee there a hand. sign Grover Norquist’s pledge Census, his district was shifted farther west On the Republican side, to oppose all new taxes, and to take in more conservative areas and Arling- only White House gate has carved out a unique role ton was put in the Eighth District. crasher has so far for himself on human rights In the redistricting after the 2010 Cen- announced his intention to issues, especially as a vocal sus, Republicans in Richmond recognized that seek the GOP nomination. WOLF advocate for oppressed reli- Wolf—who turns 75 on January 30—would The Republican party still . . . won’t run again gious minorities. almost certainly retire during this decade. So must decide whether to pick In announcing his retire- they pushed some more Republican precincts its nominee by primary or convention. The ment from Congress, Wolf said, “As a fol- into his district and switched some Demo- convention route is considered more favor- lower of Jesus, I am called to work for justice cratic ones over to Rep. ’s dis- able to ultra-conservatives, and could help and reconciliation, and to be an advocate for trict in an effort to preserve the 10th for the potential candidates like State Sen. Dick those who cannot speak for themselves. I plan GOP—but also conceding Connolly’s district Black, who has likened abortion to the Holo- to focus my future work on human rights and to him. caust. Black has said he is thinking of run- religious freedom—both domestic and inter- But that actually didn’t do the trick. ning. national—as well as matters of the culture and Demographics show more Democrats mov- There has also been talk about Ken the American family.” ing into Wolf’s 10th District. In 2012, Mitt Cuccinelli, a 10th District resident, but The Virginia GOP has managed to ger- Romney won the 10th with a margin of just Cuccinelli has been silent. Other names be- rymander the state so that most Democrats 1.1 percentage points, while beat ing bruited about in GOP circles include Dels. have been stuffed into just three of the state’s George Allen for the Senate by 0.9 percent- and Tim Hugo, and Keith 11 congressional districts, making those three age points. The district is thus now clearly Fimian, who ran a few years ago against Rep. districts the only three held by Democrats to- competitive. Connolly in the 11th District next door. day and prohibitively Democratic. Gerry The voters of the current 10th District Former GOP Congressman Tom Davis, Connolly won re-election in 2012 with 60.1 come 40 percent from Fairfax County, 30 per- who preceded Connolly, says he opposes con- percent, Jim Moran with 64.6 percent and cent from Loudoun County and 30 percent ventions because they tend to the extreme Bobby Scott with 81.3 percent. However, from other counties and cities. The district right—but he said he fully expects the GOP only two Republicans beat 60 percent, with begins at the Arlington border. When you take to go the convention route to pick a nominee. the other six all in the 54-58 range. the Parkway north and enter Fairfax County, you are in Wolf’s dis- trict. The district stretches all the way to the West Virginia border beyond Winchester. Wolf himself won re-election easily in 2012 with 58.4 percent against Kristin Cabral. But that in itself showed the demographic shift as Wolf normally won re-election in the past by more than 60 percent and even more than 70 percent when the district was officially “less Republican” before the redistricting af- ter the 2010 Census. Wolf announced his retirement just one week after , a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from Dranesville, announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination to run against Wolf next fall. Fairfax Lawyer Richard Bolger and Leesburg architect Sam Kubba have also thrown their hats in the ring. Oth- ers are expected to seek the nomination in next