General Assembly Candidates Talk Business at Reston Event

Northern Virginia needs representation in the state general assembly that will work to maintain the area as a top technology corridor. That was the main theme at a "Meet the Candidates" event hosted by theand held at Thursday morning.

The event was not a formal debate, but rather a casual chat so business leaders could see where the candidates stood on issues important to them. Chamber President and CEO Mark Ingrao pointed out that the GRCC represents more than 600 businesses with more than 10,000 employees, so it is crucial that General Assembly members are in tune with issues that affect business.

Ingrao also outlined some of GRCC's policy positions, which can be found here.

Taking part in the event were incumbent senators and Mark Herring (D-33rd); senate candidate Gerarda Culipher (R-34th); Incumbent Del. Ken Plum (D-36th) and challenger Mike Kondratick, Democratic candidate for the House 87th District; and Del. Tom Rust (R-86th), who is running unopposed.

Howell outlined her record of supporting Northern Virginia business in the state senate during her 20 years there. Herring, in office since 2006, reminded participants he helped get improvements to Routes 28 and 7, and sponsored a research and development tax credit that has helped create more technology jobs in the area.

Culipher, a lawyer, mother and military spouse, says she represents Northern Virginia's working families and that she is a "fresh face" in Virginia politics.

Plum also went over his record for Virginia business and his work in founding what is now the GRCC. Cannon said that small business is going to "get us out of the [economic] malaise we are in."

Kondratick says he will work on job creation and transportation if he is elected, and reminded potential voters that Virginia is the No. 1 place in the country in which to do business.

Rust reminded the crowd of his 35-year service record as a Herndon Town Council member, Mayor of Herndon, and representative to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Howell's opponent, Patrick Forrest, was scheduled to be at the event but was not present. Forrest said on Wednesday that Howell's campaign was "freaking out" as the Nov. 8 election approached. A Forrest aide told Patch that Howell's people were starting a whisper campaign to discredit Forrest, who is openly gay, and that he would push a "homosexual agenda" in the senate.

At Thursday's event, Howell emphatically said that is not the case.

"The only campaign that is talking about his sexual orientation is Patrick Forrest's campaign," Howell said.