State Senate Candidates Discuss Region's Divide with Richmond

The candidates vying for the 30th district state senate seat expressed more agreement than disagreement Monday night at a forum hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association.

That isn’t much of a surprise considering the three Northern Virginia Democrats gunning for the seat once held by Patsy Ticer.

During the 90-minute discussion touching on topics of governance, transportation and education, Del. Adam Ebbin (49), Arlington County School Board Chair Libby Garvey and Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka all spoke of a divide between Northern Virginia and the state house in Richmond.

“The rest of the state is out of touch with Northern Virginia,” Ebbin said. “There is a great resentment of our region. … We have to be gentle ambassadors.”

Krupicka agreed that there was “a disconnect.” He mentioned many differences, including the price of houses and the dramatic traffic in the region as well as how neighborhoods and communities work together.

“We believe in openness and inclusiveness,” Krupicka said. “Those aren’t always values that others in the state see as positive.”

Garvey said the disconnect goes beyond just Northern Virginia and Richmond.

“Everyone is out of touch with everyone,” she said. “Even in this metro region.”

She said Northern Virginia would not thrive if the rest of the state doesn’t become healthier economically. Garvey also said it was important to foster relationships across the state and, in regards to the Washington, D.C. region, also across the state line.

“If we don’t do that, we won’t get off the path we’re on,” she said.

The candidates expressed agreement on the need to increase funding for early education, something that has long been an emphasis in Krupicka’s work on the City Council as well as the State Board of Education.

Similar opinions were also expressed on the need for local control in governance, transparency and openness in the decision-making process of elected officials and a desire to build consensus and understanding as well as a notion to reject partisan bickering.

With all the agreement, the three candidates did their best to express the differences in their approach to leadership.

Ebbin, who has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2003, spoke frequently of his familiarity with how things work in the state house and referred to the legislation he has worked on, with topics ranging from human trafficking to school bullying.

“I know when to work to build coalitions as appropriate and when to work to block things,” he said.

Garvey defined her fundamental approach to decision making as “What good? For whom? And at what cost?”

She peppered her remarks with examples from her 15 years of experience as a member of the Arlington County School Board, including her record of rebuilding schools on time and under budget and her desire to build coalitions and understanding.

Krupicka, who is a Del Ray resident and once served as president of the DRCA, said his foundation for leadership was built in the community where he lives. He highlighted his ability to listen (“Something sorely lacking in Richmond”) and an ability to bring all sides to the table.

“When we have big problems, we sit down around the table, no matter who we are, roll up our sleeves and work to solve them. … I learned it all here [in Del Ray and Alexandria] working on big problems.”

The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 23.