This week, we asked the candidates for competitive House of Delegates races in Arlington districts to write a sub-750 word essay describing why residents of their districts should vote for them on Election Day (Nov. 5).
Here is the unedited response from 45th District candidate Rob Krupicka (D):
It has been an honor to represent the 45th district over the last year. I want to thank everybody that has helped me get up to speed after my special election last fall. I am proud as well of the bipartisan success I’ve already had in Richmond. In just a short time in the legislature, I’ve been able to secure funding for new mental health services as well as reduce regulations on local restaurants and non-profits. I have been in the middle of every Virginia education policy debate, leading on the need for high stakes testing reform, new early childhood services and improved access to higher education. In education, I will always make the success of our students my first priority.
In addition to a number of education measures, my legislative goals include tightening state ethics laws (check out www.VAEthicsReformNow.com), expanding clean energy, improve health care for seniors, and bolstering our local power reliability with more power line undergrounding (you can read about this effort on my blog at www.krupicka.com).
I will always work to support small businesses, veterans, and all hardworking Virginians to find employment in a changing economy. I believe Virginia’s competitiveness requires us to do all we can to attract the high tech, health and professional jobs that are projected to grow over the next decade.
I support reforming & expanding access to health care to cover 400,000 more Virginians, to create 30,000 new jobs, and to make healthcare effective and efficient.
I will always stand up for the right of women to make their own health choices.
I will fight to reduce gridlock and to support the continued expansion of our public transit system in an effort to protect our environment.
As a former local official as well as a past member of the State Board of Education, I understand the challenges involved in implementing the work of the legislature. I am committed to making sure we have a strong partnership between Richmond and our local communities. I remain firm in my belief that the best innovation most often happens at the local level.
This year is critical for Virginia’s future and our national reputation for thoughtful government. We have never had statewide elections that present such starkly different visions for our Commonwealth. After seeing the dangers of ideological extremism play out in the Federal Government shutdown, the need for commonsense and an honest willingness to find common ground has never been more important. I will work to bring a progressive, results-oriented approach to the legislature, always looking for ways to build alliances.
With 20 years of experience in our community, it is a privilege to ask for your vote on November 5th. My wife and two daughters all love this community. We are committed to our public schools, our diversity, our belief in equality and to enhancing our quality of life. I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my web site at www.krupicka.com to learn more and follow me on twitter @RobKrupicka.