Virginia's 8th Congressional District

Members at last night’s Fairfax County Democratic Committee meeting heard from a group of candidates for the 8^th Congressional District.  Ambassador Bon Beyer, State Senator Adam Ebbin, Delegate Mark Sickles, Delegate Patrick Hope and television personality Mark Levin spoke.  Thanks to Messrs. Ebbin, Sickles, and Hope who were working a long day in the legislative session in Richmond and then drove to Fairfax County for our meeting only to return in the snow to Richmond.  That shows remarkable interest in the folks in Fairfax County.  Announced candidates Delegate Charniele Herring and Bruce Shuttleworth were not there.  Other names being tossed around to replace Rep. Jim Moran in the 8^th are State Senator Barbara Favola; Delegates Bob Brink, Alfonso Lopez, and Rob Krupika; Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada, Fairfax Supervisor Jeff McKay, and former Secretary of Technology, Aneesh Chopra; and Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donnelly.  

A few things are clear.  There is a candidate for everybody’s liking.  There could be 10 or more announced candidates before Valentine’s Day.  Some of them will drop our over the next 16 weeks as we approach the primary.  With voters having so many choices, a candidate polling in the teens likely can win this race.  

With the 8^th Congressional District being such a Democratic stronghold, the real race is the primary.  The winner should easily win the general election in November.  Stay tuned for more…