49th House Endorsement

49th House District

At the onset of this campaign, I will admit to being very skeptical of Stephanie Clifford.  She had only been involved in politics for a year, took some photos at events with her husband and suddenly wanted to represent the most Democratic district in Virginia in the House of Delegates.

On the other side was Alfonso Lopez, someone who I have known for almost a decade, a former YD President who went on to work for Tim Kaine in his DC liaison office.  From resume and involvement you might think this would be an easy choice.

But instead as this campaign has gone on, Stephanie has continued to improve as a candidate while Alfonso has raised serious questions about his ethics, honesty, temperament and policies that make him an unacceptable choice.

Alfonso (who has brought in Kaine for an event today) has only secured the endorsement of two Delegates and one (outgoing) Senator in Northern Virginia.  Does this strike anyone as a little strange coming from a guy who was "a member of the Kaine cabinet" running against a political neophyte?

Alfonso claims to be a "progressive champion".  Yet when he worked for Kaine, he went from event to event defending Kaine's repeal of the estate tax, Kaine's undermining of a tunnel in Tysons Corner, Kaine's support of the death penalty and Kaine's abuser fee scheme.  Alfonso even failed to speak up at the end of Kaine's term when he was denying people restoration of voting rights based on traffic tickets.

Meanwhile, on the dishonest front- if you attended any of the debates you would hear Alfonso tell a compelling story of himself after law school.  As the story goes, Alfonso decided against taking a high paid legal job, because he wanted to work in the Clinton administration for environmental regulations.  But when I searched the records of every state, Alfonso has never passed the bar in any of them.  Rumors are he failed it six times, but there are no records of people that failed the bar kept.  Big picture point though- if he never passed the bar, he never had a chance at the high paid legal work- so claiming that he bypassed a job he wasn't ever eligible for is misleading at best. 

On Tuesday I stood up at an event for Stephanie Clifford and endorsed her.  At that event, I pointed out some of this ridiculousness from Alfonso- but said that alone wasn't enough to compel me to get involved.  What really got me interested was looking at this district- one of the poorest and most needing of a hand up in Northern Virginia.

Having someone in Richmond who the Republicans will just point and laugh at from this district means they won't have an effective voice for the programs they need.  I believe Alfonso's election will cause real harm to people that need help because he won't be able to be an effective advocate for them and get things done.   In Richmond the Republicans will mock Alfonso when he stands up for "progressive issues" that he fought against when he worked for Kaine.  That makes him unacceptable.

If Stephanie Clifford hadn't improved as a candidate from the start of this I would have just stayed quiet and neutral.  But she's really made major strides in this campaign.  I see future potential in her, and more importantly- I see someone who can effective advocate for the people who need her in the 49th district.  That's why she has my support in this primary.

Comments

[DanielK]

That was probably the most thoughtful and well-written endorsement I've seen you write on your page. It says a lot about the race and the candidates.

[novamiddleman]

I am assuming she has no chance against the establishment choice.

Any clue on how close this will be and the winner along with the other races

Might be good for a separate post

[Not Larry Sabato]

Yes, predictions coming tomorrow.

[truthteller]

Ben, it is clear you have had a grudge against Alfonso for some time. I've seen attack salvos you've been firing at him on this blog going a few years back.

First, let me point out a couple endorsements of Alfonso you've declined to make evident. Scott Surovell, who undisputedly is one of the progressive champions in the House of Delegates and a close colleague of Chap's has supported Alfonso. And Janet Oleszek, whose judgment you trust implicitly and who you've endorsed also endorses Alfonso. Furthermore, Alfonso has the endorsement of Jay Fisette and Chris Zimmerman, Dick Trodden and several other leading Arlingtonians, current and former electeds.

Secondly, regarding your claim that Alfonso's discussion of a lucrative legal offer as resume embellishment: You should realize that in many cases law firms tender offers to law school grads BEFORE these prospective lawyers take the bar exam.

Additionally, as Kaine's legislative liaison in Washington, it was Alfonso's job to interface with policymakers in the administration and on Capitol Hill and represent Governor Kaine, not for him to make policy for the governor. So blaming Alfonso for abuser fees, or not reenfranchising minority voters is utterly ludicrous.
And any loyal public servant is not going to contradict his boss in public on matters of policy, they provide their advice and counsel in private.

So I hope you feel good about your hatchet job Ben. You are attacking a good man with innuendo, insinuation and wrongful attribution of actions.

You are entitled to support whomever you want to, but I hope you take the time to reflect and reconsider the tone you are taking. You attacked Patrick Hope ascerbicly in the initial primary he ran only to realize that he is an outstanding voice for progressive values in Richmond later. I hope you'll do the same here.

[DemPiker]

I have been a passive observer in this race, but one thing I have noticed that is highlighted by this endorsement is that much of Ms. Clifford's support is driven by people who seem to be more motivated by their dislike of Mr. Lopez than any specific qualification or agenda put forth by the Clifford campaign.

One wonders how much enthusiasm there would be for her campaign if she were running against a similarly highly qualified opponent that they didn't feel the same level of personal animosity towards.

[Not Larry Sabato]

truthteller- I notice you didn't address the lack of endorsements from Alfonso's potential colleagues. Why do you think that is?

[Emilie Miller]

I also endorsed Stephanie Clifford. From the time I first met with her I was impressed with her style, issues, sincerity, nonarrogance,hard work and knowledge. She will make an effective Delegate. As a former Senator I know we can use her in the General Assembly.

[truthteller]

Quite often Arlington delegates remain neutral in contested primaries, as is the case in this race.

Actually Alfonso got one more endorsement from another potential colleague today at the event -- Mark Sickles endorsed Alfonso at the event with Tim Kaine today -- bringing the number of Fairfax delegates supporting Alfonso to three (versus Stephanie's one). Add to that former delegate Darner and Senator Whipple and I'm very comfortable with Alfonso's level of support.

[Arturo Castro]

Is this a campaign about endorsements? If so, there are many examples in Arlington of the "most endorsed" candidate losing.

Arturo Castro

[Arl Dem]

Clifford may be a nice person but she has done absolutely nothing to recommend her for this seat. No significant community involvement, no party activism, never even voted in a Democratic primary before. I know some people have grudges against Alfonso, but that's not enough to flip my vote. He's worked hard for a long time and knows the issues as well as anyone. He will be a great delegate.

[Spock]

I like the sepia effect on the photo of Ben...oh and I like Steph as well...

[Arturo Castro]

Arl Dem: please don't get me started on Lopez' "hard work".

Arturo Castro

[paul vogel]

My predictions will come tomorrow also. I am glad to live in the 46th district, Where Delegate Charniele Herring does a fine job of representing.

[Really?]

This "endorsement" sounds more like Ben has a grudge against Alfonso and Stephanie is a barely acceptable alternative.

"In Richmond the Republicans will mock Alfonso when he stands up for "progressive issues" that he fought against when he worked for Kaine. That makes him unacceptable." And the political newcomer Clifford won't be a sheep to the Republican wolves? C'mon, Ben.

[NotJohnSMosby]

I don't have any animosity towards Stephanie, but I have no idea how she's at all qualified for the spot. Pretty much any FCDC/ACDC member has a resume equal to or, in a lot of cases, greater than hers.

[Not anyone in particular]

Alfonso may be a target for some in Richmond. Stephanie will simply be ignored.

[Really?]

Well that's a relief, I'd much rather have my delegate be ignored.

She said it herself during the ArlNow debate: "I will not be effective during my first term."

[Neighbor]

Hardly any Democrat is effective in their first term in a republican dominated house. But at least, Clifford will be able to work with people who think differently. Lopez will not. Lopez wants to fight Cuccinelli. Really? In a republican house? He's a laughable, lazy man.

[Really?]

At least Lopez has a record of working with republicans. Where's Clifford's experience in that area? Do many republicans and tea partiers attend AYD meetings?

[sports good]

good blog.. Where Delegate Charniele Herring does a fine job of representing...

[Neighbor]

I don't see Lopez working with Republicans. He can't even keep his anger in check with Democrats.

[Anon]

Lopez has worked with Republicans, very effectively, on numerous issues as a member of Kaine's administration. He has experience doing it and will be effective. There's a learning curve for all new delegates, but with his time in Richmond and Washington, he is uniquely positioned to hit the ground running.

[isaac]

Be consistent in your endorsements. For the reasons you outline, I also support Stephanie. However, you chide Alfonso for supporting the repeal of the estate tax, while working for Kaine. Okay, but Adam Ebbin (who you have endorsed) supported repealing the estate tax while directly acting in his capacity as a Delegate, and yet, you state that his district is among the poorest in the state. What's up with that? Who, other than the grossly rich, is Adam working for?

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[Not Larry Sabato]

Isaac- that is totally fair. I blogged about it at the time, and there are a couple other votes I also disagree with Adam on. In fact, that's why I started this campaign leaning Libby. But Adam's election is important for the other reasons I outlined.

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[Kaine is Able]

I have to say, I'm uncomfortable with the idea that when one works for an administration, be it Obama or Kaine, and does one's job, that they are then to be tarred personally with all of the things the administration did that we may not like. Do you really expect every candidate for office to have to publicly renounce his or her former boss on all items of policy with which he or she may disagree?

Moreover, Kaine is running for Senate. While I wasn't pleased with his environmental record, among other things, I see no other credible candidate in the race. And I would take Tim Kaine any day over any Republican, especially George Allen.

So I think another one of your criticisms is quite unfair. Do you really expect Alfonso to start a war of words with Gov. Kaine, his key political patron when that same patron is on the ballot for higher office? It's especially bizarre when you consider that you and I and every other Democrat is soon going to be working out butts off for Kaine whether we like it or not.

[Rob]

Ben is very jealous of Alfonso's success. Alfonso is a Delegate-elect. Ben is aloser blogger sitting in his underwear writing hate pieces on the Internet against people who refuse to kiss his ass. Alfonso is respected in the community and just trounced Ben's candidate two to one. Nuff said.

[Really?]

I remember someone once told me, "Ben Tribbett is the Perez Hilton of Northern Virginia politics." I think that sums it up best.