Republican Congressman J. “Rob” Wittman (incumbent) has been at the forefront of the local races, participating in debates and forums like the one in October at University of Mary Washington. Not afraid to tackle controversial questions, he does face competition by Vangie A. Williams (D) who has made a name and following of her own.

Locally, there are at least three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Wittman and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Wittman’s responses.

PL:  What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Wittman:  As a commuter myself, I experience the intensity of the traffic on the roads in the First District and I have been working to promote many projects throughout the First District. Traffic congestion is a major issue in our area- I believe that we should extend the HOV lanes on I-95 to exit 126, Massaponax. I supported the Rappahannock River Crossing Project along I-95 between Rt. 17 and Rt. 3 as part of the Atlantic Gateway Program. I have fought for federal funding to help expand and improve commuter capacity of the Virginia Railway Express, including expanding railway operations of the Long Bridge Across the Potomac River and expanding existing platform capacity at many stations within the DC metro area. Additionally, I opposed I-66 toll lanes in their current form by issuing a letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation. As issues related to congestion in Northern Virginia continue, please know that I will continue to fight for projects that prioritize innovation, leverage public-private resources, and maintain the safety of motorist within the region.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Wittman: During the past year and a half, we have seen unbelievable economic growth, and I see that affecting First District constituents but also all Americans in every walk of life. In the First District, the average increase in take home pay per person, thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is $2,123, dozens of businesses are giving their employees bonuses and raises, and countless small businesses are better off. Nationally, our economy is booming. After years of sluggish growth, unemployment is at its lowest in decades, 3.7 million American jobs have been created, and 90% of Americans have seen bigger paychecks this year.

For the past decade, our military has been in a readiness crisis – resulting in deadly ship collisions and plane crashes. We are finally taking steps to remedy that. This year, for the first time in a decade, we have fully funded our nation’s military on time. As Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, one of my top priorities has been fighting for the resources our military needs to project global power and deter our adversaries. I am pleased that our President is making this his priority, as this is critical to Virginia’s economy, our security as a nation, and to ensuring that if our service members ever go into combat it will never be a fair fight.

Under the Trump Administration, the United States has reclaimed its status as a global leader.  At our urging, NATO countries have increased their own defense spending. For the first time in decades, North Korea is on the path to denuclearization. When Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his own citizens, the US military destroyed Syrian air bases and storage depots. And when President Trump said he would move the US embassy to Jerusalem, he actually did it. Most recently, Mexico and Canada agreed to the United States’ terms on a new trade deal, replacing the flawed NAFTA. Across issue areas and hemispheres, President Trump is showing American strength on the world stage.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Wittman:  I was proud to cast my vote in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Virginians are keeping more of their hard earned money, our main street job creators are able to invest more in their businesses, and companies are encouraged to remain in the U.S. I believe the results speak for themselves: One million jobs have been created since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law and unemployment numbers are at their lowest point in decades. In July, Virginia added 12,000 jobs and the unemployment fell to 3.1%; over the past twelve months, Virginia added 62,600 jobs. With more job opportunities and lower unemployment, consumer confidence is on the rise and Americans are finally having a chance to become full participants in our economy and achieve the American Dream.

Thanks to a doubling of the standard deduction and lower tax rates, 90% of Americans saw bigger paychecks this year. Plus, more than 4 million Americans at 642 companies have seen raised wages, bonuses, and expanded retirement options. I’ve heard countless stories of how businesses are benefiting from the economy, whether it’s passing savings along to employees and consumers or investing back in their business.

Tax Reform 2.0 builds upon the great work we did in last year, to make the U.S. tax code one of the most competitive in the world. It makes last year’s historic tax cuts for working-class families and small businesses permanent, promotes family savings, and spurs new business innovation. Locking in the individual and small business tax cuts will create 1.5 million new jobs, increase wages by .9%, and increase GDP by 2.2%.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Wittman: Our current immigration system is broken. To keep America strong and prosperous, we need an immigration system that works for the American people. I have consistently stated that any legislation considered by the House must secure our border, enforce the rule of law, and address DACA recipients. The First District economy is also significantly impacted by temporary and seasonal visa programs, and future immigration policy must balance timely processing for these visas while also ensuring effective visa enforcement. We are a compassionate nation made up of immigrants and a prosperous nation due to the rule of law. I believe we don’t have to choose one or the other.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Wittman: I represent tens of thousands of federal employees and retirees in the First District. The federal workforce is full of dedicated and committed citizens who exemplify patriotism in everything they do. I believe it is important to support legislative measures that adequately address the specific needs of our hard-working federal employees and retirees. I do not believe that current retirees should see any changes to the retirement benefits that they have earned. This Congress, I fought to ensure federal received back pay for the time we were in a government shutdown. When OPM suggested changes to federal employee benefits, I wrote letters to the Administration and House Leadership opposing these changes. I also sponsored a piece of legislation called the Combat Zone Tax Parity Act, which would ensure that federal civilian employees working alongside our military in combat zones would receive the same tax treatment.  

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Wittman: I am focused on providing a healthcare system that lowers costs, increases transparency, and ensures all Virginians can access to coverage. I believe The Affordable Care Act showed that government-run healthcare does not sufficiently address the core challenges facing our healthcare system; in many cases, physician choice disappeared and premium costs skyrocketed. We need a healthcare system that expands choice and empowers individuals and families to make decisions based on what fits their needs and budget. We must continue to provide coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, allow young people to stay on a parent’s plan, and eliminate lifetime caps for insurance coverage.

I also believe Medicare and Social Security have served our nation well. We need to honor our commitment to current program beneficiaries and those who are nearing eligibility. We must ensure the long-term substantiality of these programs so future generations can access the same benefits and financial security.

Incumbent Sen. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has not been afraid to voice his opinion on controversy, most recently in his push to gain federal protection for school drinking water. According to a September press release, Kaine held “double-digit leads over Republican nominee Corey Stewart (R) among both registered and likely voters.”

That could change, however, come November 6.

We sent survey questions to Kaine and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Kaine’s responses.

PL: What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Kaine: I have always supported making the critical investments in infrastructure that will not only create jobs here in the Commonwealth but improve the daily lives of Virginians. That means investing in both public transportation like Metro and traditional roads and bridges. The Silver Line was a project on the drawing board for twenty years before I ensured construction to Wiehle Avenue began as Governor, and in the Senate I helped secure the funding to extend access to Dulles. Metro is vital to Northern Virginia, and I’ve worked to strengthen its safety and efficiency, which lead to the creation of the Metro Safety Commission. I’ve secured FASTLANE grants for Virginia projects like the I-95 Express Lanes, in addition to funding to fully repair the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Traffic and infrastructure impact the daily lives of almost everyone in Virginia, and I will continue to fight to improve traffic, spur economic development and work to ensure that we have livable communities throughout Virginia.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Kaine: I believe there is a moral vacuum in the White House, which is why I’ve been a strong critic of the President’s policies that hurt Americans. From calling out attempts to take away health care from thousands of Virginians and millions of Americans and tax cuts that benefited those at the very top, to divisive attacks on our immigrant communities and tariffs that hurt Virginia farmers and consumers, I’ve worked hard to make it clear that we should be fighting for legislation that uplift all Virginians, rather than just a few, and that a President should unite us, rather than divide us. That’s also why I’ve always worked hard to reach across the aisle to work on priorities that bring us together, and why I’m proud to say that the President has signed into law important legislation of mine on issues such as helping military families and expanding career and technical education.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Kaine: A rushed and deeply partisan process produced a tax reform bill that does not have the right priorities – it provides tiny, temporary, expiring cuts for working people and deep, permanent tax cuts for corporations. I grew up in a middle class family, working in my dad’s ironworking shop, and I believe in putting middle class families first, rather than hoping that benefits trickle down from those at the very top. It was a real missed opportunity – true tax reform has been long overdue. We need to make sure we get our priorities straight in future attempts to reform our tax code.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Kaine: I believe America is made stronger by its diversity, and that the promise of the American Dream is being threatened right now by attacks on our immigrant communities. I strongly believe in comprehensive immigration reform like the legislation that passed the Senate in 2013 that would have created a path to citizenship and funded additional border security. Attempts to ban immigration from Muslim countries, harshly restrict legal immigration, and threaten DACA and TPS recipients with deportation are wrong for Virginia and the country. Inclusion makes us stronger – immigrants bring so much to our communities, including skills and talents that make America competitive in a global economy. That’s why I’m fighting for solutions for Dreamers and TPS recipients as part of comprehensive reform that makes sure our immigration system keeps us safe, while being fair.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Kaine: Virginia is proud to be home to many of our nation’s federal workers – they play a crucial part in keeping our nation safe and our government running. Their salaries and retirement benefits should absolutely be protected – that’s why I worked hard to make sure a pay raise for federal workers was included in the omnibus spending bill that passed this spring. And it’s also why I was an outspoken critic of the President’s attempt to block that pay raise – Virginia is home to more than 170,000 civilian federal employees, one of the highest concentrations in the country. It’s insulting to blame these unfair pay cuts on ‘economic conditions’ as President Trump’s policies have lined his own pockets and blown up the debt projections by trillions of dollars. Federal employees work hard every day to provide for their families and contribute to our communities, and are a valued part of our Commonwealth, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure these hardworking public servants get the pay and benefits they deserve.  

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Kaine: I’m fighting to expand health care for all Virginians. When President Trump and Republicans in Congress tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, I stood up for the tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Virginians who would have had their health care taken away. Since the ACA was signed into law, more than 400,000 Virginians have gained access to health insurance, and I will continue to oppose efforts to roll it back. This means continuing to protect coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, and ensuring that plans provide “essential health benefits,” such as coverage for pregnancy, maternity, newborn care, mental health, and substance use disorders.

But I’m also working hard to build on the ACA and bring costs down while expanding access to more. That’s why I introduced a plan called Medicare-X, which would give all Virginians access to a plan similar to Medicare. This public option would give more Virginians a real choice when it comes to health insurance, at a lower cost.

There’s also so much more to do – from protecting Medicare from proposed cuts and defending the Children’s Health Insurance Program to fully funding efforts to combat the opioid crisis and improving mental health care. All Virginians deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care, and I will continue to work to make that ideal a reality.

Rep. Gerald Edward Connolly, Democratic incumbent, faces a three-way race November 6. He’ll be up against Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. and Libertarian Stevan M. Porter.

Locally, there are at least three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Connolly and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Connolly’s responses.

PL: What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Connolly: In order to improve traffic in Northern Virginia, we have to give commuters more options than just getting in their car and driving. I’ve been a champion of Metro my entire career, while also demanding accountability from it. Working with Democrats and Republicans we were able to get Metro expanded to Tysons Corner, Reston, and soon all of the way to Dulles Airport. I’ve introduced legislation in the House to expand Metro to Prince William County. At the same time we must continue to improve Metro’s safety, reliability, and customer service. I’ve also been a champion of expanding telework in the federal government. A few months ago I introduced the Telework Metrics and Cost Savings Act which is legislation that would help protect federal teleworkers from attacks by the Trump administration. One of my first votes in Congress was for the Stimulus Act, which funded completing the Prince William County Parkway and the Fairfax County Parkway. Finally, I support a federal infrastructure bill to fix our crumbling roads, bridges, and rail lines, which slow all of our commutes down.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Connolly: President Trump has divided our country and united the rest of the world against us. The first thing Donald Trump did when he announced his campaign called Mexicans rapists. As President, he put his anti-immigrant rhetoric into action with the Muslim travel ban, cruelly separating families at the border, and cutting refugee admissions in half. During the campaign, a tape came out where he bragged about committing sexual assault. As President, he nominated a Supreme Court Justice credibly accused of sexual assault who would be a fifth vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. In 2016 he said it was smart not to pay taxes and admitted that Trump University had defrauded veterans and moms. As President, he signed a tax bill that cut his and his children’s taxes, while raising taxes on hardworking Northern Virginia families. On the international stage he has embarrassed our nation, pushing our closest allies away while cozying up to murderous thugs: saying that he and the Kim Jong Un, “fell in love” and siding with Vladimir Putin over the United States intelligence community.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Connolly: The Republican tax bill gives tax breaks to the wealthiest of Americans, instead of hard-working families who need it most. Rather than invest in our country, we’ve returned to trillion dollar budget deficits. In Northern Virginia, the tax bill has many negative effects on homeowners. 174,000 homeowners won’t be able to deduct their full property taxes, 106,800 with existing home equity loans won’t be able to claim full home equity interest deductions, and 547,600 homeowners won’t be able to claim a deduction for interest on many home equity loans. By repealing the individual mandate, families will see higher health insurance premiums. I was proud to stand with my constituents and against the Trump tax scam.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Connolly: Our immigration system is broken. In 2013, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate came together and passed comprehensive immigration reform. But Republicans in the House refused to allow a vote on it, even though there was a majority in the House prepared to vote for it. Instead we’re left with millions of people in the shadows. I support a plan to increase legal immigration — especially H-1B visas which are critical to our region — but that also increases border security to crack down on illegal crossings at the border. I support a path to citizenship for those who are in this country illegally but are willing to pay a fine, learn English, and have no criminal record. I strongly support a path to citizenship for DREAMers, young people brought to this country as children, who now face deportation to a country they’ve never known. I have also been a vocal opponent of Trump’s immoral border separation policy and have co-sponsored legislation to end it, as well as speaking out on Trump’s attempt for a border wall. At the last State of the Union address, it was my honor to bring a DREAMer who is a high school student in my district. This DREAMer was brought here when she was a baby, but now she is an ‘A’ student, a stellar varsity athlete, a committed volunteer in the community, and I am proud to look at her as a fellow American. We must permanently protect DREAMers from deportation. The Trump administration has allowed a record low number of refugees into the country in the past year and next year will allow even fewer. I’ve introduced the Lady Liberty Act to reverse this callous backslide and restore America’s commitment to refugees.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Connolly: Since taking control of the House in 2011, Republicans have declared a war on federal workers, a war they’ve accelerated under President Trump. I currently represent over 50,000 federal employees and every day I defend them against another attack from the Trump administration. After giving away trillions to the wealthy in his tax bill, President Trump had the temerity to cite the deficit when he announced a federal pay freeze for 2019. The Trump budget cuts retirement benefits and eliminates cost of living adjustments. In Congress, I have introduced the FAIR Act, which would provide a 3% pay increase for federal employees. On the Oversight Committee, I’ve stood up to Trump and House Republicans for their outrageous attacks on our federal workforce. If we are going to try and recruit our best and brightest into federal service, we can’t mindlessly cut federal pay and retirement benefits.

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Connolly: One of the proudest votes of my career was my vote in 2010 for the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to the ACA, Americans will never again be denied health insurance for pre-existing conditions, face lifetime caps on their coverage, and parents can keep their kids on their plan until they’re 26. I am a proud supporter of Obamacare and fully support Virginia’s Medicaid expansion this year to 400,000 Virginians. I have rejected Republican health care proposals that would raise premiums on consumers. Like any bill, Obamacare wasn’t perfect, and we expected to be able to find ways to improve it along the way. Instead, we’ve faced a relentless campaign to undermine it from Republicans in Congress, the courts, and Governor’s mansions. If Democrats regain the majority in the House, I hope to work with Democrats and Republicans to find ways to bring down premiums, by restoring the risk corridors, introducing a public option on the federal exchange, and expanding Medicaid in the states that haven’t done so.

Stevan M. Porter (L) could have it rough come November 6. The Libertarian congressional candidate is up against both a Democrat and a Republican in one of the few three-way races in the area.

Locally, there are at least three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Porter and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Porter’s responses.

PL: What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Porter: Ultimately, I believe transportation issues are best handled at the state, local, or regional levels. The needs of various areas of the country and how to best handle those needs varies greatly. One area the federal government may be able to help impact the situation is by continuing to promote remote working arrangements and flexible work schedules for federal employees where practical. Actually growing capacity of the systems will be very difficult and expensive so finding ways to cut down on system demand is probably the best course of action to improve the overall traffic congestion.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Porter: I believe that President Trump’s presidency is a mixed bag at this point.  I appreciate some of his efforts in areas such as reducing government regulations and improving the Korea situation.  I disagree with his tariffs, the overly confrontational tone with many of our allies, his approach to the press, immigration policy, and other policies/decisions. I think the biggest overall issue that applies at all levels is that his administration is extremely chaotic. While there is a need to “shake things up” at times, effective diplomacy and governing does require some level of stability and predictability.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Porter: I generally welcome steps to reform and reduce taxes but am concerned that those reforms were done in isolation from much needed decisions on spending and reform in those areas. To appropriately determine a tax plan and structure you need to understand what you should be funding first. By reforming taxes without doing spending reform, we simply are driving up the deficit and speeding up the impending financial crisis.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Porter: Immigration policy needs an overhaul. My basic position is that if a person can contribute to the country and its economy and is not a threat, they should be welcome. I support DACA. TPS is a bit trickier in that it really was intended to be a temporary measure and moving forward we should be more careful about who it is granted to and for how long. That being said when you have allowed people to live in this country for an extended period and build full, productive lives here (in some cases for decades), it makes no sense to send them home now. I do NOT support a border wall.  While border security is important, there are more efficient, effective, and cost effective means of improving border security.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Porter: I am not a federal employee and am not an expert on their salaries or benefit systems. I believe salaries and benefits should be comparable and competitive with similar positions in the private sector. Specifically in terms of retirement benefits, existing contracts and programs should be honored. Moving forward though we should consider more portable retirement plans such as 401k plans. This will be more consistent with millenials’ work patterns and mobility patterns.

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Porter: I believe we need to be more focused on how to improve the cost of health care itself. So much of the current discussion is about coverage and cost of coverage. If we can reduce the costs of health care itself, then that benefits everyone regardless of what insurance or other plans they may have.

In a few short days, we’ll know if Vangie A. Williams (D) will be able to unseat Republican Rob Wittman in what has been a heated race.

Locally, there are three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Williams and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Williams’ responses.

PL: What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Williams: The most common solution we often hear for improving traffic deals with more supply, but an economist will tell you that demand will always balance out with supply. My first solution for transportation woes is to actually reduce demand with my rural broadband proposals. By focusing on greater broadband infrastructure, we provide more people the option to telecommute and give businesses an incentive to offer flexible hours so 2 million people are not flooding into the D.C. area at the same time.

When students can get a quality education from home, seniors can get quality medical checkups with a video chat, and businesses can access crucial resources digitally, we reduce demand on existing infrastructure.

Of course, I support increased access to high-speed rail, buses, commuter lots and express lanes, but these are far more expensive options for the long-term. Meanwhile, the economic benefit of connecting people pays for itself.

Partnering with cities across the Commonwealth and working with my colleagues in Congress, we can reduce the demand for single-person automotive transportation so existing infrastructure works better for us.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Williams: On paper the economy is booming locally and nationally, but those benefits are not trickling down to the masses of Americans who are trapped in their current position. There is no sign that stagnant wages are keeping up with current inflation rates. President Trump has come out against pay increases for federal workers, so the huge percentage of Department of Defense employees and other agency employees in and outside of our district will suffer if that is not reversed.

We have teachers and first responders working two and three jobs to keep a roof over their head, and farmers who have to “wait and see” how they’ll come out in regards to the trade war.

Internationally, our position in the world is a mixed bag. Trump has held the line on chemical weapons in Syria and changed the dialogue in North Korea, but as witnessed during the president’s most recent trip to the United Nations, the world was openly laughing and mocking us. It’s important that the United States maintains its position as a world leader and taken seriously on the world stage because our foreign policy priorities cannot take a back seat. Our economy and national security depend on it.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Williams: The corporate tax cuts seem disproportionately tied to Wall Street, not Main Street. If we participate in a second round of tax cuts, I want to include my INVEST (Income Now for Veterans, Enlisted Military Families, Safety Officers and Teachers) Initiative which would eliminate taxes on the first $50,000 in federal income taxes for veterans, enlisted military, first responders and teachers.

But none of this deals with the fact that in the haste to pass the tax cut, we’ve increased the deficit to nearly $1 trillion this coming fiscal year and even more after that. No amount of economic growth is going to make up that balance, and the cowardice of people like Congressman Wittman who voted for it without a single spending cut is an abomination to fiscal responsibility.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Williams: Comprehensive immigration must honor our fundamental values of treating people who come to the U.S. with dignity and respect and being true to the rule of law. While it is easy for some politicians to scapegoat undocumented immigrants to the cheers of crowds and rallies, there is a human and economic toll that is never discussed. It is unrealistic to think that we are going to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. We must find pathways for citizenship, starting with the resident alien (green card) process.

We need comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform. I believe in protecting DACA and TPS recipients who are without convictions for serious crimes. I believe in putting them on the path to citizenship with a clearly defined process.

The president has waffled back and forth on whether the border wall is a physical wall or merely a metaphor for increased security. A physical wall is ridiculous, because people can go around or under it. Just in August, they discovered a sophisticated border tunnel going from Mexico to a KFC in Arizona. I’m fine with increased border security as long as it’s paid for and not adding more money to the deficit.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Williams: Federal workers are dedicated, public servants that provide services we rely on every day. It is not fiscally responsible to cut federal pay raises to pay down the national deficit. It’s also unwise to cut promised retirement annuities and retiree health benefits. The benefits of federal employees and retirees have been earned through years of hard work and should not be taken away.

Virginia has the third-highest number of federal employees in the country with more than 175,000 federal employees. Nearly 75 percent of those workers are federal civilian employees. With three military installations right here in the 1st Congressional District, the U.S. Navy, Army and Department of Defense are the cabinet agencies with the highest number of civilian employees in Virginia.

Our civil service policies should ensure we have a strong and effective federal workforce.

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Williams: We pay almost twice as much per person than the world’s other industrialized nations on healthcare but have worse medical outcomes. It’s estimated that approximately 30 percent of what is spent on healthcare is on administrative costs. If we spent that money on actual patient care for real patients, we’d reduce unnecessary deaths and medical bankruptcies.

I support a Medicare-for-all system with dental and vision coverage that capitalizes on the efficiency of our current Medicare system and saves us trillions of dollars in the long run. When you look at total expenditures on Medicare, Medicaid, VA healthcare, private health insurance, and even millions of dollars collected through Go Fund Me, we spend far more per person than we would with a Medicare-for-all system. That monetary difference is irrefutable.

Alyson Satterwhite believes, “A School Board that is constantly distracted by politics is not able to focus.” A long-time school board member in Prince William County, she was the first to file candidacy for Chairman of the Prince Willam County School Board for the upcoming November 2018 Special Election. Satterwhite is duking it out with Interim School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef and retired Woodbridge resident Stanley Bender, who are also on the ballot.

Below, find Satterwhite’s responses to our Project: Election questionnaire.

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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?

Satterwhite: Students, Wages, Safety & Mental Health

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Satterwhite: We must focus on putting our students first, competitive wages for our teachers and bus drivers, and reducing classroom sizes while also continuing to improve school safety and mental health.

We have to focus on our students. Parents are concerned about the education that their children are receiving. A School Board that is constantly distracted by politics is not able to focus on the work that our citizens elect us to carry out. The School Board must put students first.

Competitive wages for teachers and bus drivers must be a priority and we have to work to retain our employees. We are losing teachers to neighboring counties that offer higher wages, counties that are able to do so because their commercial and business tax base is much larger than that of Prince William County. More business growth in Prince William County will provide a better balance of the residential and business tax base, allowing us to spend more money on education. I voted for pay raises for our teachers and staff members in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. I want our teachers and staff members to feel valued and respected.

Reducing class sizes helps our students academically, reduces the workload on our teachers, and on average leads to fewer behavior and discipline problems. Last year the Superintendent gave the School Board a five year supplemental plan in the FY18 budget that would move students out of trailers and reduce class sizes. Once the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) numbers are updated, we need to revisit this plan. Working together with the Board of County Supervisors and our tax payers, we can make this a reality for our students. Reducing class sizes gives our teachers the opportunity that they need to check in with our students daily to assess academic growth as well as social and emotional well being.

Our teachers focus daily on best practices for their students in the classroom. The focus should be on their students, they should not be be armed. I am in complete support of armed school security officers who are trained in best practices in school safety. Safe schools involves the physical security of our schools and also includes student mental health. I have been a strong advocate for student mental health and suicide awareness. Last year I proposed adding additional school nurses to the budget. This year I made the proposal to hire 13 additional social workers, including a human trafficking specialist. For several years I have advocated with members of the General Assembly and will continue to advocate to change our state Standards of Quality to reduce the student to counselor, nurse, social worker, and school psychologist ratios.    

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Satterwhite: The School Board Chairman presides over School Board meetings, helps set the agenda of the meetings, and carries out such other duties as the Prince William County School Board may assign. As a member of the Prince William County School Board, you are an advocate and voice for your district, and in the case of the Chairman At Large, for all of Prince William County.

Attending School Board meetings, disciplinary hearings, professional development, responding to inquiries from constituents, attendance at school events, Back to School Nights, graduations, ribbon cuttings and school openings, and other special events are all part of the normal schedule. In addition preparation for one School Board meeting can take anywhere from 5 – 20 hours depending on the subjects being addressed.

The job is officially considered part time, but it often requires much more time and effort. This is why it is so important to have a School Board Chairman who has the time, energy, and experience to devote to the job.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Satterwhite: I bring seven years of experience and professionalism as a School Board member to the office. Through my availability and engagement with my community, I have a strong understanding of what constituents are concerned about and want to see addressed. As the mother of four children who are all graduates of PWCS, along with my bachelors degree in education, I bring practical experience and understanding of how children learn. Last year when my youngest child graduated, as a parent I completed 24 years of IEP meetings, 15 years in Prince William County Schools, and experience in three additional school systems during my husband’s active military service. I advocate for all of our students with the same passion with which I advocated for my own children.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

Satterwhite: A large part of the job of Chairman, or a School Board Member, is helping constituents learn how to navigate through our school division in order to get the information they need. Being available in the community, listening to the concerns of parents, and meeting with stakeholders is key in outreach. Keeping open communication with constituents is essential because decisions made on the School Board impact the lives of our students and families on a personal level. 

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

Satterwhite: In my seven years of public service I have learned a tremendous amount. There is always more to learn, and in education, we are developing lifelong learners! You have to reflect and think about how you can do things better, how you can improve in your job. I have friends and constituents who hold me accountable, who give me feedback, give me their input on how they might have done something differently. I listen and learn from them. As a School Board Member, as Chairman, you are accountable to the people who elect you.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Satterwhite: Our School Board needs a dedicated leader with experience.

As a servant leader I realize that my job is not to make decisions for you, but to work with you to help find solutions for the problems that you might face.

As a fiscal conservative with experience with seven school budgets, I continue to work hard to see that your hard earned taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

I will boldly stand for what is just and ethical, as I did when I led the successful censure against our former chairman after confidential documents were publicly released.

I will advocate for our students, as I did when I called a special meeting to accept over $20 million dollars for school construction.

Vote for Alyson Satterwhite, a dedicated and experienced leader who puts our students first.

Jeff A. Dove, Jr. (R) is one of many jockeying for a position in Congress, a race that will be decided in just a few days. Locally, there are at least three congressional races in Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas:

• 1st District: Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman vs. Democrat Vangie A. Williams
• 10th District: Republican Barbara J. Comstock vs. Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton
• 11th District: Republican Jeff A. Dove Jr. vs. Democrat Gerald Edward Connolly vs. Libertarian Stevan M. Porter

We sent survey questions to Dove and all local candidates running in the upcoming election. Below are Dove’s responses.

PL: What role can you play in helping to improve traffic conditions in Northern Virginia? What can Congress do when it comes to improving traffic or public transportation in the region?

Dove: One of the biggest things we can do in Congress is to get an infrastructure spending bill done. This is something that I believe would have bipartisan support. I think it would take some time though because of evaluations of the costs of dealing with our current infrastructure. I also believe that the federal government and the private sector need to put an emphasis on telework where they can to try and alleviate some of the congestion.

PL: How would you characterize President Trump’s first  year and a half in office, in terms of his administration’s impact locally, nationally and internationally?

Dove: We see that domestically our economy is actually in a very strong upward trend. Internationally the administration has tried to do things that previous administrations talked about but did not get anywhere such as the denuclearization of North Korea and ISIS has been pretty much wiped out. The fact that when chemical weapons were used in Syria we made sure they understood the United States would not stand by for such atrocities.

PL: What’s your view on the recently enacted tax reform bill — and on the potential for a second round of tax cuts?

Dove: The tax reform legislation is a major part of the economic boom we are having. Virginia alone has seen a surplus of $550 million dollars thanks in large part to the tax reform bill and the most recently passed budget. We have seen many employers like Wal-Mart, Capital One, BB &T, Target and others raise their minimum wages that had been discussed for years thanks to the tax cuts. We currently have the lowest African American, Hispanic, Asian and women unemployment rates in history. Not to mention the fact that there are currently more jobs than people who can fill them. The initial argument was that the tax reform bill didn’t make the cuts permanent for the middle class. The second round of the legislation will cover that so I will support it.

PL: Where do you stand on immigration reform? What should happen with DACA and TPS recipients, particularly those in the Northern Virginia area? Do you support using taxpayer funding for a border wall?

Dove: I am personally tired of listening to career politicians use the buzz word term “Comprehensive immigration reform” without really providing solutions. I believe something needs to be done for those brought here illegally. I do not believe there should be blanket citizenship given because that would be unfair to those who legally immigrate here. But there should be a process setup  that gives them the opportunity to work towards that. In 2006 the Secure Fence Act was passed in the Senate by a vote of 80-19 in a clearly bipartisan manner. This legislation provided funding for fencing, concrete barriers, more border patrol agents and other security methods along our southern border. I believe that the first responsibility of an elected official is to provide physical and the digital security of all Americans.

PL: What’s your view on salaries and retirement benefits for federal workers, particularly those in this area?

Dove: I don’t think that pay freezes and trying to affect the pensions of federal employees is the answer to try and reign in spending. We have to be able to address spending while trying to retain and get the best talent on board to help us innovate and modernize antiquated processes that may be in place. In this area the pool of talent is vast and if the salaries are not in line with the private sector the best and brightest may not want to work for the government.

PL: What’s your position on how to improve the nation’s health care system and the status of the Affordable Care Act?

Dove: The ACA did not have the success that was promised when it was first enacted. Costs have continued to balloon since its inception. Some families can’t even cover their deductibles which is basically like not having coverage at all. We have prescription drug costs that have gone up quite a bit and they continue to climb. I support insurance companies having to provide insurance to those with pre-existing conditions. That should not be a way for them to discriminate against a group of people. I think that this massive legislation has flaws and it needs to be replaced by more focused pieces of legislation. For example legislation that focuses on generic prescriptions and how we can get costs down in that space.

The Manassas City Council is made up of seven members, and this year, three seats are up for grabs. Michelle Davis-Younger is one of six looking to fill a seat.

Two Democrats — Ken Elston and Rex Parr — and three Republicans — Amalfi Arias, Marc Aveni and Theresa Coates Ellis — are also in the running.

In June of this year, Davis-Younger won the most votes at the Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committees’  unassembled caucus. Davis-Younger, who works as a Human Resources professional, won the most votes, followed by sitting councilman Ken Elston, and then Rex Parr, who spent more than 30 years as chief of Manassas-based Didlake, Inc.

Davis-Younger issued these responses to our Project: Election questionnaire.

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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?

Davis-Younger:

• Smart Growth
• Education
• Public Safety

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Davis-Younger:

• Promote development for walkable neighborhoods, better use of green space/parks, more mixed use buildings.
• Education: Work with school board to hire more bilingual teachers and work with parents to increase their involvement in their children’s education.
• Public Safety: Continue on the great path that we are already on in increasing the diversity on the police force — continuing to hire more women and have them in leadership positions.

PL: From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? *

Davis-Younger: To effectively and responsibly guide the city in pursuit of making smart, responsible and sound decisions that are in the best interests of ALL citizens of Manassas in the areas of economic development, transportation and public safety.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office? *

Davis-Younger: I will bring a new perspective to the council and build bridges between the parties to effectively accomplish the business of the city. I have the human resources background and knowledge regarding policy and procedure development and have a great sense of leadership and service to help accomplish goals and see beyond conflict to come to agreeable, effective solutions.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency? *

Davis-Younger: Communication of how the city operates has been improved because of the live streaming of the various community and council meetings. I will advocate for more community involvement in the city council meetings and other meetings that involve planning in the city.

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you? *

Davis-Younger: N/A Have never held a public office before.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you? *

Davis-Younger: I was born in Manassas and it has been home all my life. I decided it was time for me to give back to the city that has given me and my family so much.

I have earned the reputation of being someone who is committed to serving others and my community. I will bring a common sense approach to problem solving and work tirelessly to build bridges rather than tear people down. I have spent many years helping individuals reach their full potential. Now, I want to work for the people of Manassas and help our historic city reach its full potential. In order to accomplish this I will work with those on the council in a collaborative, constructive fashion so together we can make sound decisions for the citizens of Manassas City.

Back in November 2017, Peter O’Hanlon won his seat on the Manassas School Board, unopposed. Before that, he was appointed to fill the vacant seat held by Pamela J. Sebesky, who resigned to serve on the City Council.

This year, though, there are five candidates jockeying for the position, and only three will be elected to the seven-member board. We asked O’Hanlon to complete our 2018 Project: Election survey, and here’s what we learned.

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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?

O’Hanlon: Funding a school replacement, improving student achievement, and increasing parent involvement.

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

O’Hanlon: We (the board) has taken the first step through hiring a new superintendent. He will take the lead on improving student achievement.

PL: We are currently negotiating with the city for our next three year funding agreement. We need to continue to ensure that funding the schools is a top priority for the City of Manassas. This does not necessitate increased taxes, just making sure our priorities are heard by the city council.

O’Hanlon: As a city, and a school district, we need to continue improving communications with all our citizens, inviting them to participate in the many activities taking place in the city and the schools.