The Future Is Now.

One of the things that makes me mad about the Fairfax County Democratic "machine" is how they always act like there is no one else available to run for offices except the incumbents.  So everyone else should stop critiquing them because they are always the best available.  HELL NO.  At least not always. 

So I made this list of Democrats who would make excellent Delegates in the majority Fairfax districts.  I don't know enough young Republicans to do a list for them.  This does not constitute an endorsement, and I am not saying in every case these people would be better than the incumbent. However, a lot of them would.  Just some options I'm putting on the table.

34th District (Vince Callahan)

Margi Vanderhye- An obvious choice.  Smart, good community ties, and articulate.
Rip Sullivan-  Again, obvious.  Hard worker, and long time resident since high school.
John Foust-  Ran in 1999.  Now running for Supervisor, but an excellent future choice.
Pam Danner-  An amazing lady.

35th District (Steve Shannon)

Sandy Thomas-  He could have run instead of Steve in 2003, but decided not to.  Hopefully he will run in the future, an excellent potential candidate.
Charlie Hall-  He would have to move a few blocks, but he won the areas of Providence in this district, even with Steve endorsing against him.  Memo to Steve:  Don't endorse against candidates who will primary incumbents and win your district.

36th District (Ken Plum)

Pete Contostavlos-  Navy veteran, Democratic Chair, Hill Staffer and supermodel wife. 
Jackie Madry-Taylor-  Also a former Democratic Chair, her style is very unifying, she is brilliant and Jackie would bring some needed diversity to the delegation.

37th District (David Bulova)

Gail Lyon-  Fairfax City Councilwoman, she would bring progressive values to this seat, without the monarchy.
Sharell Houston-  Aide to Chap!, she has deep community ties, and an amazing style.
John Jennison-  Yes, he's close to Gerry, but putting that aside John is a really decent guy and a good progressive.
Trent Richardson-  Former YD President, and has a lot of knowledge about statewide issues. 

38th District (Bob Hull)

Kaye Kory-  Mason District School Board member.  Could she end Falls Church's long nightmare and bring someone to this seat who wants to help elect other Democrats?
Pat Morrison-  2003 candidate for Supervisor, professional firefighter.  What Pat did for the families of the NYFD after 9/11 with his counseling has made him a national legend.

39th District (Vivian Watts)

Terry Mansberger-  A great professional background, and he is very progressive.  Terry is openly gay, so after Vivian voted for Lohr's bill to ban gay clubs in high schools, then told people her district wouldn't understand a different vote- electing Terry would be a great lesson to her that her constituents are smarter than she thinks they are.
Sandy Proteau-  Aide to Don Beyer, she has lived here a long time, and could be an excellent candidate with good backing.
Andy Hurst-  He lives in the Albo district, but there is a long line there (even though no one did it this year).  He could probably get the nomination here if he moved the small distance into the 39th.

40th District (Tim Hugo)

Laura Granruth-  I don't think there is anyone more policy oriented in this Commonwealth.  She would need some help campaigning, but would need no help governing.  In fact, if elected, she might be able to explain some of these bills to the other Delegates.
Laura Floyd-  Fresh off crushing Eve in a letter to the editor war, she has momentum.  Plus everyone thinks she's 30 (try plus 15).
Rex Simmons-  We'll know more after this campaign on what kind of candidate Rex is.  I do like that he has never missed a Democratic primary, and never voted in a Republican primary.  That tells us he is who he says he is.
Jane Barker-  Clifton Democratic Women delivered a lot of primary voters to George... and they have a solar powered shower.

41st District (Dave Marsden)

Eileen Filler-Corn-  Her campaign in 1999 was visionary in retrospect.  She said Dillard would vote with the GOP to redistrict in a way that would destroy any progressiveness in the House of Delegates.  Dillard denied this.  Of course, he lied, won and voted for the redistricting.  Since then he has complained about all the new people elected in that election.  Meanwhile, Eileen has not been appropriately rewarded with this seat, and instead saw Dillard's 99 campaign manager take the seat as a "Democrat".
David Jones-  No, not the bishop (that's his dad).  David is a successful attorney, and was Steve Shannon's treasurer.  An excellent future choice.
Jeff Lieberman-  There is a very small area north of Braddock Road gerrymandered into this district so Dillard would live here.  Wouldn't it be ironic if that small area that shouldn't even be in the district produced a real Democratic Delegate?  Because Jeff lives there.
John Jaskot-  D.C. based attorney, and probably more interested in a Congressional race, but this would be a good place to start.  Plus it would prove there are real Democrats in Signal Hill precinct.

42nd District (Dave Albo)

Greg Werkheiser-  Excellent candidate in 2005, but made all the mistakes a first time candidate makes without good staff (Chris excluded from that).  Now that is out of the way, and he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Kate Wilder-  The only female green beret in U.S. Army history.  Who wouldn't want a female candidate that could beat up their opponent?
Sharon Stark-  "Wah, Wah.  I don't ever want to be a candidate".  Yeah, right.

43rd District (Mark Sickles)

Greg Galligan-  Mark didn't endorse anyone this year in the Senate race- and Greg won his district by a good margin.  That's got to make Mark a little nervous, and it should.
Brian Murray-  Just outside the 43rd, but in Lee District, Brian could be an excellent future candidate.
Jill Allen Murray- Capitol Hill staffer, and would crush Brian in a primary.

44th District (Kris Amundson)

Scott Surovell-  Besides being a great Democratic Chair, a longtime resident with deep roots in the community, and very smart, Scott is also a reliable progressive who connects well with ordinary people.
Doug Reimel-  A recent addition to this area, Doug made an excellent campaign for the Board of Supervisors in Loudoun in 2003.  Doug is openly gay, but the only voters in Fairfax that care about that wouldn't vote for a Democrat anyway.  He is totally electable here, and would do a good job.  Now, if he would just stop attacking his friends on the blogs. :-)
Laura Sonnemark-  Million Mom organizer, and great lady.   The kind of person who would probably never run for office, but really should.

53rd District (Jim Scott)

Charlie Hall-  Again, he lives a couple blocks out of the district.  However, Scott has played kingmaker here for a long time, getting involved in every primary to beat down people he can't control.  It would be amusing to see him get his own primary where voters can express their "appreciation" to him for trying to control every seat in Providence for 30 years.
Pat Morrison-  Like Charlie, only a football field outside of this district.  Would be a remarkable candidate.  (See 38th District for more).

67th District (Chuck Caputo)

Kathy Smith-  Fairfax County School Board member from Sully District.  Everyone (including Chuck's) first choice in 2005 to run.  She declined because her kids were too young, but they will soon all be in college.  Hopefully by the time Chuck retires she will be ready.
Laura Granruth-  Very close to the 67th and an excellent potential candidate.  (See 40th District for more).

86th District (Tom Rust)

Joel Mills-  Onetime Council candidate, Joel is one of the most honorable people I know.  That's not always helpful in a campaign, but we need more people like that to run.
Pete Contostavlos-  He would have to move to get into this district, but only a very short distance.  (See 36th for more).
Jay Donahue-  I haven't met him yet, but I have heard good things from people.

Comments

[Not Jack Herrity]

How many times does John Foust have to get beat before the Democrats take him off the eligible list?

NJH

I would love to see Pete run!

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

I agree that our bench is much deeper than sometimes is indicated.

However, I might have a bone to pick with you Ben on how you treat some of the fine incumbents. Not everyone is going to agree with all positions of a candidate all the time. Take for instance, the $3550 speeding ticket bill!

But anyway, Ben, you have a propensity for "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" whether it makes sense or not...

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

So are you going to post names for all the others?

This ought to be good!

[Donkey Breath]

Me thinks Doug is hoping for a mention Ben...Eeeeee Awwwwww

[brimur]

While we're at it- Sharon Stark for the 42nd!

Wah Wah, I STILL don't ever want to ba a candidate!

Sharon

[Kris Amundson]

Ben, I agree with you completely that Laura, Doug, and Scott in my district would all be wonderful candidates. I would take a different twist on this story--these people are our "farm team." One thing the Republicans do VERY well is groom people to be ready to step up when the opportunity presents itself. We need to do the same thing.

[Flora]

Your comments about Laura Granruth are right on! She's finishing her PhD right now...very politically savy, funny, and hard working.

[JMU Duke]

Good post, and I totally agree that Jill Allen Murray would give that other Murray the beat down.

[Ghost of Henry Howell]

Sharell rocks! Rock on, Sharell!

[Scott A. Surovell]

Thanks Ben and thanks Kris. Kris you're too magnaminous.

I have one suggestion. The Party also needs to work on grooming the wives, husbands, and kids of their farm team while they're at it!

[Not Larry Sabato]

Scott, between the Davises, the Bulovas and others, I think people are already doing a good job grooming their families to run.

Zack Fields

[Not Larry Sabato]

I don't know where Zach lives now, but excellent suggestion.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Ha! Thanks.

The only problem with all of this is....don't you have to give up most of your life to run for office?

The way I see it, I don't deserve to be mentioned in the same league as people like Scott, Laura, and Kris.

Scott single-handedly grooms the "Farm Team" in Mount Vernon and well beyond with every action he takes---I think maybe trying to groom his family too would be a huge mistake because there would be no one left to "groom" him!

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Ben, I'll stop "attacking" my friends on the blogs when they start behaving.... ;-)

Also, I could suggest a few folks from the Loudoun side of the 86th...

Marlene Barney

Jeanne West

Kim Price

All of these women are excellent community-focused progressives who are active in Democratic politics in Sterling and any one of them would make a conscientious delegate.

[Not Larry Sabato]

I need to be more specific, so I am going to say which Democratic Delegates who should be primaried, versus ones who don't need a primary. However, this list is only as of today and can change at any time.

Needs a Primary
Bulova- End the Monarchy.
Hull- YES.
Watts- Needs a challenge
Marsden- YES.
Scott- Kingmaker too long.

No Primary Needed Now
Plum- Close call, but good voting record with behavior in the party being spotty.
Sickles- Hasn't done anything to make himself a target.
Amundson- Stayed out of primaries this year.
Caputo- No need for a primary now.
Shannon- I was convinced below.

[Sam]

You've got to be joking about Steve Shannon... Yes, some of his votes have been questionable, but he votes with the party an overwhelming majority of the time, and his crime bills have done wonders...

Moreover, the district voted Bush in 2000 and kept JMDD in office for years. Right now, it's a safe D seat with Steve, but if he loses a primary, the seat may lean D, but could easily be won by a strong Republican candidate...

Then again, quite frankly, Steve's too popular to lose the primary anyways.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Every person that voted for $3,500 speeding tickets deserves a primary. Period.

[Sam]

that's such a non-starter... do you know how often reckless is given for anything under 20 over? and then, how often those that do get charged don't get dropped in court? and I'm sorry, more than 20 over, frankly, you deserve it

[eileen]

I hope the DPVA is doing the same type of list for every delegate district across Virginia where that Dem has an interest in it right now or not. Life has a way of changing. I also hope that every local committee also has a candidate recruitment person who can help the DPVA compile this list.

[Not Jack Herrity]

Sam: You can't get reckless for less than 20 over unless it's in a 65mph zone. By definition, reckless in VA is 20 or more over the posted speed limit - IF the officer decides to charge it that way and IF the judge decides to convict you that way.

Doug in MV: Marlene Barney couldn't beat Warren Geurin even after he was censured by his own School Board. That's who you want to put up against an entrenched incumbent?

Who the heck is Kim Price?

NJH

[Sam]

part of my point exactly... and you do NOT need to go 80 or more in a 65 zone

[Not Jack Herrity]

Remember the general driver classifications in Virginia:

Idiot - Anyone traveling slower than you

Maniac - Anyone traveling faster than you

In my experience, Virginia has a good mix of both.

NJH

[Sam]

haha... a valid point

[totallynext]

Doug in Mount Vernon - you know you got it in ya!!!!

Scott and Laura of course are great - But Kris is also. We are very happy - I would be more focused on the 11th CD - I am not sure we should surrender to the status quo on the 2008 candidates.

I vote for Andy or Scott

Steve Shannon is my delegate, and he is outstanding for the Town of Vienna.

We cannot afford a PR department in Richmond like Fairfax County does. So we depend on Steve to represent our concerns in the House. He is terrific, and we are glad to have him.

Finally, I do not know where you live, but it is obvious you do not live in our district.

[Sam]

Anon 7:19 - Ditto to everything you said. Bravo

my money's on Lieberman!

[LR in Arlington]

Having chatted politics for years with Sandy T & Scott S, I can attest a couple things:
a. neither has ever given me hint that he was interested in elective office;
b. both would be great public servants

NLS, I commend your good judgment in farm team.

If Steve S or Kris A ever chooses a state job that pays at least minimum wage, NoVA Democrats are damn lucky to have this kind of strong bench (if they could persuade them to run.)

"Farm team"? Kris, don't flatter yourself.

[Sam]

I repeat my support for Steve completely, but if he ever decides on his own to leave the job, I certainly agree with the two names mentioned in the 35th. Either would be fantastic.

[dems4dems]

"Could she end Falls Church's long nightmare and bring someone to this seat who wants to help elect other Democrats?"

What a novel idea!

[Not Larry Sabato]

Sam, you have convinced me. I am editing my comment above to put Steve in the "Do NOT" primary.

[Sam]

NLS, sounds good. Now, I don't live in any other district, obviously, so I'll leave it to the residents there to say if they think their delegate needs to be primaried, but in general, I don't like hte idea of a primary against an incumbent unless a) we're near-certain the seat will remain with us regardless of candidate, and b) the incumbent did something so aggregious, outside of just voting record, whether it be personal misconduct or statements, both politican and non-political, he/she has has made, such that the incumbent's remaining in office harms the party.

so, basically, Democratic challenges of incumbents I support over the years was like the primary against Gary Condit years ago, and Democratic challenges that I think were foolish were something like Ned Lamont's challenge of Lieberman.

so, that being said, personally, the only one on your list I agree with is Hull (I would also say Marsden, but I'm not sure enough the D's would hold the seat without him)... that being said, I don't know enough about the local dynamics or any potential other reasons to say that for sure, however.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

NJH--Marlene is a great person and very hard worker. Warren was known by just about every voter in Sterling and he had convinced most of them that his "censure" was everyone's fault but his own, especially a personality in the local
high school who was not very popular (and not fairly so in my estimation) and who Warren effectively portrayed as the problem--true or not. He can be a real prick too--just ask his wife.

At any rate, Kim Price is a good independent Democrat, the former Sterling District school board representative before Warren Guerin, and a wonderful person. She's got a pretty sassy bite sometimes, but that's just her direct style.

[Not the Prince of Darkness]

Kate Wilder- The only female green beret in U.S. Army history.

That is BS.

There are no female members of the Special Forces.
To quote the US Army Special Forces website:
"Be a male, age 20-30 (Special Forces positions are not open to women)"

Your accuracy rating should drop everytime you use that BS line.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Not the Prince- She got in before it was closed to women. That's why she is the only one in history. Search on google for "Katie Wilder" and "Green Beret" and see the story.

[the missing "N"]

Gee, thanks, Ben, and everybody else for your kind and generous comments.

BTW, it's SonneNmark.

[LAS]

Not the Prince of Darkness, Kate Wilder is not a man, and apparently, neither are you.

Eileen Filler-Corn--YES! Why doesn't someone in her district start a "draft Eileen" movement, I wonder?

[Not Larry Sabato]

LAS- I begged her to run in 2005. Seriously, BEGGED.