Delegate Mark Sickles Announces Candidacy for 8th Congressional District

Richmond, Va. – Today, 43rd district Delegate and House Democratic Caucus Chair Mark Sickles made the following announcement: "Congressman Jim Moran casts a long shadow on the civic and legislative landscape of Northern Virginia. His ability to make things happen – and his seniority on key committees important to our region and Commonwealth – cannot be replaced.  

I worked on his first campaign for Congress in 1990 and have been part of his team for the last 24 years, and am announcing my candidacy today to succeed him in the House of Representatives. 

I will bring meaningful federal, state, and local experience to a very divided Congress, as well as the ability to work with people across the political spectrum.  I am now in my 11th year in the Virginia House of Delegates and serve as our Democratic Caucus Chair.  In my career, I have come to know the federal system as an advocate for infrastructure investment, and will fight tirelessly for the federal workers – like my father, who had a 39-year career in the federal government – who are the heart and soul of our economy.  

Finally, I will never give up the fight for middle-class working families, increased and affordable educational opportunities, better transportation solutions, and equality, choice, and other progressive values that are under constant threat in Washington." 

In addition, several Northern Virginia leaders endorsed Del. Sickles in his campaign for the 8th Congressional district: • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova• Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller• Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay Del. Mark Sickles was first elected to represent the 43rd district in Fairfax County – which includes Huntington, Franconia, Kingstowne, Hayfield, and Lorton – in 2003.  Born in Arlington, Del. Sickles has fought for progressive values in Virginia Democratic politics since 1987.  

He co-chaired the Lee District Democratic Committee for over 3 years before being elected Chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee in 1995, the year Democrats won control of the County Board of Supervisors. 

He also served on the Fairfax County Library Board for eleven years, and ran a $3 million social-service nonprofit.  Del. Sickles is the current Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, the #2 leadership position in the chamber.  In 2013, he led the Democratic vote-counting effort to secure passage of the landmark bipartisan transportation funding bill.